Ever since the eighties, when the "Karate Kid" movies became a runaway hit at the box office, martial arts have been part of popular American culture. Whereas once it was almost a must that boys try out for Little League, now both boys and girls are likely to opt for karate classes instead of, or in addition to, involvement in team sports. Both kids and adults find it normal to sign up for karate, Tai Kwan Do, or another martial art.
Aikido, while popular, has gotten a lot less press. Maybe it's sexier to learn a skill that'll let you kick somebody's teeth in if necessary; Aikido doesn't do that. Aikido, the "Art of Peace," or the "Art of Harmony," emphasizes self-defense using a method designed to deflect an aggressor without inflicting unnecessary bodily harm. The Aikido student uses an attacker's forward momentum and redirects it; while the failed attack may cause the aggressor some consternation and some sore muscles as he picks himself up off the floor, no one is generally seriously injured. Other techniques, including methods of locking the joints of the aggressor, are also designed to be harmless.
A main aim in Aikido is to avoid conflict and to promote peace and harmony, in oneself as well as in relationship to others. The founder of Aikido, Morihei Usehiba, was a jujitsu expert and warrior who fought in several wars for Japan, and then recognized the destructiveness of conflict and the importance of harmony and love. The self-defense techniques he developed based on his understanding of martial arts were brought to France in 1951 by student Minoru Mochizuki, and then to the United States in 1953 by Kenji Tomiki. It has since spread around the world.
A wealth of information on Aikido is available; check out the website for the United States Aikido Federation (USAF) for a simple explanation of Aikido, a list of dojos in the United States, and Test Requirements for the various levels of Aikido skill.
Much more than a physical self-defense method, Aikido is also a spiritual discipline. Indeed, according to one source, about two-thirds of Aikido students consider Aikido an important part of their spiritual practice. AikiWeb, which bills itself as "The Source for Aikido information" on the Internet, includes a series of articles on the spiritual aspect of Aikido.
Perhaps the best explanation for Aikido came from a teacher in Keene, New Hampshire, years ago. Arnie Dinowitz, a much loved Aikido instructor who has since passed, used to tell a story about his own teacher. "He was walking along a street in New York [City] when a guy came up to him and pulled a knife on him, aiming to rob him. [The teacher] grabbed his chest and moaned, 'My heart!' and the guy with the knife got scared and ran away." At this point in the story Arnie would grin and wag a finger. "That's Aikido!"
Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire and frequently contributes to Tips and Topics. She has published numerous articles in local and regional publications on a wide range of topics, including business, education, the arts, and local events. Her feature articles include an interview with independent documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and a feature on prisoners at the New Hampshire State Prison in Concord. She may be reached at amfredenburg@yahoo.com.