At the core, Budo is all about positioning, battle positioning, (sentoujinchi), indeed. But more, Aikido is about alignment, alignment with oneself, with the Universe, with others and with everything. A dynamic, moment...
Archive - April 2010
Josh Gold“A Visit from Matsuoka Sensei,” by Anna Sanner
‘Hello and good bye, that’s spring’ is an old Japanese saying. On April 7th 2010, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, I meet Haruo Matsuoka at Shosenji aikidojo in Toyonaka, Osaka. Little known even among aikido...
“Courage and the Beginner’s Mind,” by Drew Gardner
The most powerful tool for learning is often forsaken by those who fear it. But those capable of consciously letting go of what they know in order to clear their minds for the full absorption of new learning, more...
“Aikido Is Not Weak!,” by Nev Sagiba
I grew up with bullies. As far back as I can remember bullies were present, as well as the victims who supported their habit. When I was born, I had to scream the hospital down to get some mother’s milk. Not...
“Jutsu and Do,” by Nick Lowry
Innumerable times over the years students have come to ask the difference between JUTSU and DO, and for the most part my answers have always been to describe the basic surface distinctions—the historical, the...
Follow-up to “An End To Collusion,” by Tom Collings
“All martial arts have the same inherent conflict: Art is about beauty / Self defense is about survival – and real survival is rarely pretty or easy.” In re-reading the 1992 article by Stan Pranin “An...
“The Gospel Of Budo According To Who?,” by Nev Sagiba
There is none.. The words “according to” give the game away. It’s easy to put a convincing argument on paper. Because something is written does not make it gospel at all, merely words on paper (or now pixels...
“Pondering Doka,” by Drew Gardner
Although I have read O’Sensei’s doka (songs / poems of The Way) in many places online and in books, these are verbatim from The Aikido FAQ. I especially enjoy analyzing the metaphorical ones that don’t...
“Aikido Books: Try to know what you’re buying…,” by Clark Bateman
There are a couple of disturbing developments in the book world today. Despite all the upside that the burgeoning print-on-demand publishing business has brought to those who enjoy books, and to those who otherwise...