Aikido & Aikibujutsu - A Brief Overview

Aikido's fundamental principle is to blend with an opponent's movement and energy, controlling their physical center while protecting one's own center against reversals. One never fights strength and aggression with the same, but rather relies on more refined techniques and methods, such as taisabaki (body movement), kansetsuwaza (joint locks), kuzushiwaza (off balancing methods), nagewaza (throws), osaewaza (controlling techniques), kyusho no jutsu (vital point attacks) and of course, aiki (blending of movement and energy) to effortlessly redirect, neutralize, or control an opponent's attack.

Obata SoShihan's aikido stems from the techniques of Shioda Gozo Kancho, as they were handed down to him by Ueshiba Morihei, aikido's founder (pictured left - this picture was taken during the time that Ueshiba sensei was still teaching Daito ryu Aikijujutsu). Shioda learned aikido (referred to as "aikibudo" during his earlier years of training) during the pre-war era before WWII. However, Morihei's deep involvment in the esoteric Omoto-kyo of religion and his varied experience later seriously altered the art into something more philosophical minded (and less practical minded) - an approach the Yoshinkan branch did not subscribe to.

The late Shioda Gozo Kancho (pictured right) of the Yoshinkan dojo occupied a prominent place in the Japanese martial arts community. Obata Toshishiro SoShihan was one of the last generations of traditional uchi-deshi to have trained under Shioda Kancho. Mr. Obata continues to pass on aspects of the combat effective techniques that he acquired as a member of the elite Yoshinkan professional instructors group through his own aikido organization, the "Aikido & Aikibujutsu Tanren Kenkyukai".

As a result of Yoshinkan's early development (pre-WWII), a large number of the original jujutsu techniques were faithfully retained in inner curriculum, many of which are technically similar if not identical to Daito ryu Jujutsu (refer to Ueshiba Morihei's "Budo Renshu" - a catalog of transmission (mokuroku) that was issued to some of his senior aikibudo students).

Obata SoShihan (pictured below) trained as an uchi-deshi under Shioda for seven years, learning the lesser known older techniques preserved within the Yoshinkan. Obata SoShihan later created the Aikido & Aikibujutsu Tanren Kenkyukai (Aiki-Buken for short), which is sometimes catagorized as a "hard style" of aikido. However, this branch of aiki is somewhat unique in its ability to remain effective at faster, realistic speeds, while retaining fluid "aiki" type movements. In other words, "soft methods" (exercises and techniques common to modern aikido) are taught in addition to the "hard methods" (jujutsu kihon waza) in order to offer the student a well rounded education. Please see the Aiki-Buken page for more information on our approach.


  • The Roots & History of Aikido


    • Unfortunatly, the exact origin of the root arts and forms that serve as the foundation of modern aikido have not been documented completely, and as such, there are several popular theories that are in circulatation currently. The version provided below closely follows the oral tradition of the history.

    In its earliest form, it is believed that the origin of aikido technique was first used by Yoshimitsu Shinra Saburo Minamoto, a famous samurai of the Seiwa Genji-han (descendent of Emperor Seiwa), approximately 900 years ago. It is said that Yoshimitsu and his brother Yoshiie dissected and analyzed the bodies of criminals and war dead at their home, Daito Mansion (Daitokan), and with this understanding of body and skeletal mechanics based the Daito ryu style of jujutsu. Yoshimitsu passed the art to his son Yoshikiyu Gyobu Saburo, who later moved to the Takeda region of Japan. The family resided in Takeda (Kai province) from the 1500's to the late 1800's and assumed the family name of "Takeda" and the "Kai-Genji" Takeda lineage.


  • Takeda Sokaku and Daito ryu


    • Originally, aikijutsu had been developed as a combat art based primarily on "Toso" techniques (sword and spear) to be used on battlefields against other bushi (soldiers) wearing armor. At the time, jujutsu was practiced as a secondary study to the weapons arts. Within this type of jujutsu were additional levels of training, called aiki no jutsu and aikijujutsu, that were reserved for the higher ranking samurai. The jujutsu techniques could be used offensively, while the aikijutsu was strictly a designed to be a defensive art. The techniques evolved with the needs of the times and were handed down eventually to the aforementioned Kai-Genji Takeda family in the 16th century as "gotenjutsu", or martial arts for use inside a palace. Takeda Kunitsugu, founder of the Kai-Genji line and "Aizu Shinan-ban" (sword teacher to the Aizu clan), passed on the teachings to qualified members within the Aizu-han. Top retainers, lords and Generals from Aizu learned aikijutsu as a defensive art to be used while working within Edo castle (also called "hanza handachi" and "oshikiuchi"). Masayuki Hoshina, an instructor to the fourth Shogun Tokugawa Ietsuna at Edo castle, is said to have completed development of this art of oshikiuchi, which was later reunited with the Takeda families traditions in the Meiji period to become known eventually by the name Daito ryu.

    Sokaku,

    "The purpose of this art (Daito ryu) is not to be killed, not to be struck, not to be kicked, and we will not strike, will not kick, and will not kill. It is completely for self-defense. We can handle opponents expediently, utilizing their own power, through their own aggression. So even women adn children can use it. However, it is taught only to respectable people. It's misuse would be frightening..." - Takeda Sokaku

    Takeda Sokaku (pictured left) was raised in the Meiji era (1868-1912). During this time, major changes were occurring (the Meiji Restoration) throughout Japan that involved the assimilation of western ways and the expansion of international trade agreements, as well as the elimination of the "samurai" class structure, to insure that all people would be treated equally thereafter. Among changes made during the Meiji Restoration was, in 1876, a ban on the wearing of swords publicly. Seeing the effects of these new changes, Saigo Tanomo, believed to have instructed Sokaku in the art of oshikiuchi, advised Sokaku to modify the emphasis of Daito ryu (known by the name Daito ryu jujutsu until about 1922. Research indicates that "aiki" was added later to jujutsu at the suggestion of Omoto-Kyo leader, Deguchi Onisaburo) from that of being primarily a kenjutsu (sword) based art, to that of aikibujutsu; which focused more on taijutsu (unarmed techniques). As a result of these changes, and Sokaku's willingness to spread this previously guarded art form to the general public, the revised art of Daito ryu became very popular and Sokaku was crowned with the success of his idea as the "Chuko no So" (Revivor) of the art.

    Takeda Sokaku produced several outstanding martial artists during his life, among the best being Ueshiba Morihei, founder of modern day aikido. Morihei trained and taught Daito ryu Aikijujutsu diligently during the years prior to WWII (pre-war period), while at the same time beginning development of his "aikido" style. After the post-war martial arts ban was lifted, Morihei resumed teaching aikido, which he then continuously modified and refined until the time of his death in 1969. Shioda Gozo, one of Morihei's most revered students, studied seriously for eight years during Morihei's physical prime in the pre-war period.



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