Federation: IAF
First Played: 1930-1960
Team Members: 1
Equipment: Aikido Uniform, Belt
Field: Indoor
Olympic Participation: Not included
Description:
Aikidō (Japanese: 合気道) is a "modern Japanese martial art" (Japanese: 現代武道 gendai budō). Like other martial arts in Japan, aikido is not only a means of self-defense but also a teaching for spiritual development.
The term Aikido consists of three kanji characters:
- 合 (ai) meaning "union, harmony"
- 気 (ki) meaning "life energy, spirit"
- 道 (dō) meaning "way"
Altogether, it signifies "the way of harmonizing with life energy." The philosophy of aikido revolves around the development of one’s own life force. It is about enhancing one’s life force without being attached to winning or losing. Students of aikido are called aikidoka.
History:
The emergence of aikido as a martial art dates back to the years 1930-1960. The founder and first teacher of aikido, known as Ōsensei, is Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). The martial arts that form the foundation of aikido include Daitō-ryū aiki-jūjutsu and kenjutsu. Training in aikido typically involves three types of weapons: jo (staff), bokken (wooden sword), and tanto (knife). Aikido encompasses specific theoretical and practical knowledge. The training space where theory and practice intertwine is known as the dojo. Generally, aikido is referred to as a defensive art rather than an offensive one; however, this definition is insufficient. Aikido is an example of traditional Japanese budō. While budō literally means "the way of stopping a spear," it encapsulates the path of the warrior. The term martial art can be used as an equivalent for budō. Martial art may be the concept that most closely expresses "budo." Defense and attack concepts are strategies within martial arts. The warrior uses defense as a strategy, not merely as a reaction to an attack, and one strategy does not take precedence over another. What matters is the ability to apply the correct strategy at the right time. Aikido teaches these strategies and their applications. Aikido encompasses awareness, timing, and technical integrity. The foremost skill it imparts to practitioners is awareness and the ability to adapt to the situation and respond appropriately. Furthermore, aikido can be divided into modern and traditional forms. Modern aikido has been adapted more to fit European styles, while traditional aikido (Iwama-ryu) still retains its roots and continues as it originally emerged.
Field Dimensions:
The dimensions for the aikido practice area have not been specified in the provided text. Typically, a dojo can vary in size based on the school's requirements and local regulations.
