Aikido Equipment - Kimono

For aikido it is really vital to have your kimono made of really strong rice strings.Thats why i always say that it is better to give some extra cash when buying your equipment , because otherwise it will be really silly when you must "repair" your kimono after every practice session. In my years of practicing aikido i have had a whole pile of good and some not that good kimonos. And every time i have my equipment destroyed from some ukemi technique it is one thing that crosses my mind - "Why ,the hell, haven't i bought that nice rice kimono top for 30 more USD."
So my advice is - buy what seems to be just a little bit too expensive when it comes to martial arts equipment. I will be glad if u share your experience and opinion.

Aikido Foundamentals

Spirit of Aikido

The word aikido is formed of three Japanese characters,

• - ai - joining
• - ki - spirit
• - dō - way.

Disarming an attacker using a tachi-dori ("sword-taking") technique.

Aiki is a martial arts principle or tactic. It typically describes an idea of oneness or blending in the midst of combat. This principle finds expressions in such lethal concepts as ai-uchi, meaning "mutual strike/kill", but in aikido it generally describes the more elevated notion of blending rather than clashing. Emphasis is upon joining with the rhythm and intent of the opponent in order to find the optimal position and timing with which to apply the technique.

The techniques of aikido can, when applied judiciously, divert or immobilize rather than damage or kill. As a result, some consider aikido to be a practical symbol of meeting aggression (physical, verbal, etc.) with an effective but merciful response, and finding harmony in conflict. Ueshiba declared, "To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace."

History

Aikido, as envisioned by its founder, is not only the synthesis of the founder's martial training, but also the expression of his personal philosophy of universal peace and reconciliation. Today, aikido continues its evolution from the koryū (old-style martial arts), to a wide variety of expressions by martial artists throughout the world.

Martial studies of aikido's founder

Aikido was created by Morihei Ueshiba ( Ueshiba Morihei, 14 December 1883–26 April 1969), also known by aikido practitioners as Ōsensei ("Great Teacher"). Ueshiba developed aikido primarily during the late 1920s through the 1930s through the synthesis of the older martial arts that he had studied. The core martial art from which aikido derives is Daitō-ryū aiki-jūjutsu, which Ueshiba studied directly with Takeda Sokaku (武田 惣角 Takeda Sōkaku, 1859–1943), the revivor of that art. Additionally, Ueshiba is known to have studied Tenjin Shin'yo-ryū with Tozawa Tokusaburō (1848–1912) in Tokyo in 1901, Gotōha Yagyu Shingan-ryū under Nakai Masakatsu (1891–1908) in Sakai from 1903 to 1908, and judo with Kiyoichi Takagi (高木 喜代子 Takagi Kiyoichi, 1894–1972) in Tanabe in 1911.

The art of Daitō-ryū is the primary technical influence upon aikido. Along with empty-handed throwing and joint-locking techniques, Ueshiba incorporated training movements with weapons, such as those for the yari (spear), jō (a short quarterstaff), juken (bayonet) and most notably kenjutsu. Aikido practitioners move as 'empty-handed swordsmen'.

Ueshiba moved to Hokkaidō in 1912, and he began studying under Takeda Sokaku in 1915. His official association with Daitō-ryū continued until 1937. However, during the latter part of that period, Ueshiba had already begun to distance himself from Takeda and the Daitō-ryū. At that time, Ueshiba was referring to his martial art as "Aiki Budō". It is unclear when exactly Ueshiba began using the name "aikido", but it officially became the name of the art in 1942, when the Dai Nihon Butokukai (Great Japanese Martial Virtue Society) was engaged in a government sponsored reorganization and centralization of Japanese martial arts.

Philosophical and political developments

After Ueshiba left Hokkaidō in 1919, he met and was profoundly influenced by Onisaburo Deguchi (Deguchi Ōnisaburo, 1871–1948), the spiritual leader of the Ōmoto-kyō religion (a neo-Shinto movement) in Ayabe. Significantly, one of the primary features of Ōmoto-kyō is its emphasis on the attainment of utopia during one's life. This is the primary influence upon Ueshiba's martial philosophy of love and compassion, especially for those who seek to harm others. Aikido demonstrates this philosophy in its emphasis upon mastering martial arts so that one may receive an attack and harmlessly redirect it. In an ideal resolution, not only is the receiver unharmed, but so is the attacker.

In addition to the effect on his spiritual growth, the connection with Deguchi was to have a major effect in introducing Ueshiba to various elite political and military circles as a martial artist. As a result of this exposure he was able to attract not only financial backing but also gifted students in their own right. Several of these students went on to found their own styles of aikido

The international dissemination of aikido

Aikido was first brought to the West in 1951 by Minoru Mochizuki (Mōchizuki Minoru, 1907–2003) with a visit to France where he introduced aikido techniques to judo students. He was followed by Tadashi Abe (Abe Tadashi, 1926–1984) in 1952 who came as the official Aikikai Honbu representative, remaining in France for seven years. Kenji Tomiki (Tomiki Kenji, 1900–1979) toured with a delegation of various martial arts through fifteen continental states of the United States in 1953. Subsequently in that year, Koichi Tohei (Tōhei Kōichi, born 1920) was sent by Aikikai Honbu to Hawaii, for a full year, where he set up several dojo. This was backed up by several further visits and is thus considered the formal introduction of aikido to the United States. The United Kingdom followed in 1955; Germany and Australia in 1965. Today there are many aikido dojo available to train at throughout the world.

Weapons

Weapons training in aikido traditionally includes wooden jō (short staff), bokken (wooden katana), and tantō (knife). Today some schools now incorporate firearms-disarming techniques. Bokken and jō skills in particular are generally practised under the names aiki-ken, and aiki-jō, respectively. Both weapon-taking and weapon-retention are sometimes taught, to integrate armed and unarmed aspects. Some schools of aikido do not train with weapons at all while others, such as the so-called Iwama style of Morihiro Saito (Saitō Morihiro, 1928–2002), usually spend substantial time with bokken, jō, and tantō. The founder developed much of empty handed aikido from traditional sword and staff movements so practice of these movements gives both insight into the origin of techniques and movements, and vital practice of these basic building blocks.

Ranking

The vast majority of aikido styles use the kyū/dan ranking system common to gendai budō, however the actual requirements for each belt level differs between styles, so they are not necessarily comparable or interchangeable. Some organisations of aikido use coloured belts for kyū levels.

Clothing

The aikidōgi used in aikido is similar to the keikogi used in most other modern budō arts; simple trousers and a wraparound jacket, usually white. Both thick (judo), and thin (karate) cotton tops are used. Most aikido systems also add hakama. The hakama is usually black or indigo, and the rules governing who is allowed to wear one vary widely. In many styles it is reserved for practitioners with dan (black belt) ranks, while others allow all practitioners or female practitioners to wear a hakama regardless of rank.