Japanese Martial Art – Aikido
Closed Published November 25th, 2010 in Budo + Wushu + MoreAikido refers to a Japanese martial art which was founded by a Japanese martial arts expert named Ueshiba Morihei. Aikido techniques are based primarily around two classifications of movements: movements of control (katame-waza) and movements in which the enemy is thrown (nage-waza). These two categories include over seven hundred different moves most of which are stemmed from kata. Kata refers to movements to release oneself from an opponent’s grasp, applying pressure on the limbs to throw the challenger on the ground and to prevent the enemy from moving. These movements are the ground movements that form the self defense strategies of aikido.
Aikido concentrates on accomplishing harmony among ki and tai (the body). To attain this, an exercise is done to extend the ki. Attention is placed on the belly in an effort to feel the energy breath of the body coming out through the arms. The aim is to find energy between movements and breath while learning to preserve it. Training is very important in aikido and so too is concentration.
The basic movements that should be taught in aikido are accurate footwork, rolling, falling and basic exercises. Regarding techniques, there are four chief areas of focus: Stances, Footworks, Attacks and Throws.
1. Stances
A stance describes posture with or without a weapon. A strong physical posture works hand-in-hand with a strong psychological attitude. The basic position is the Mutual Stance where the uke (individual who gets hit or thrown) and the nage (person who hits or throws) both have the same foot forward. Next is the middle position where the fighter’s hands or weapon is positioned with the person’s body. Another stance is the lower position stance where the hands or the weapon is lowered.
2. Footworks
The first is the ‘Entering Footwork’ where the fighter enters the space of the challenger’s body. The fighter must position himself in such a way that challenger is forced to stop hitting. Physically it means entering in a way to avoid attack. Spiritually it means penetrating a fierce attack.
3. Attacks
Grips and holds are the basic attacks. Grabs are grouped as collar grabs, shoulder grab, elbow grab, cross-hand grab and hit to the head. Also in this category are neck strangle, hits to the chest, abdomen or to the top of the head. Straight punch, rear choke and striking the side of the head also falls under attacks.
4. Throws
Throws are not simple and requires a lot of strength from the nuke and the sage. The basic throws are bending drop throw, entering throw, arm-entwining throw, rotary throw, breath throw, hip throw, writ turn-out throw as well as others.
There are many other techniques to employ to supply comprehensive protection and are based on these fundamental techniques. The aikido movements were used by American actor Steven Segal in his movies Above the law and Hard to Kill.