IMPORTANT INFORMATION in addition to Basic Cutting Continued: V-Cuts

Hello faithful True Aiki readers. As I have been teaching this summer’s seminars it became clear to me that I have not been clear about the progression of Aiki development. I shall try to rectify that now:

When one begins Shirata Sensei’s empty-handed Tandokudosa, it is assumed that one is building an Aiki Body via foundational Aiki and Kokyu Taiso, Undo, and Dosa largely derived from Daito Ryu. Shirata sensei’s empty-handed Tandokudosa acts as a bridge between these foundational Aiki Body development exercises and (jujutsu) waza that follow. This better enables one to viscerally understand how the movement of the Aiki body transforms the movement of the jujutsu waza into Aiki-jujutsu. It is a full package.

In the same manner, there are foundational Aiki Ken exercises intended to develop the Aiki Ken/Body (The Aiki Body in connection with Ken). Like their empty-handed brethren these foundational movements are largely ubiquitous among Daito Ryu and Aikido schools. Again, as in empty hand, it is assumed that one is building an Aiki Body via these foundational Aiki and Kokyu Tanren, Undo, and Dosa before one begins Shirata Sensei’s Ken Tandokudosa (Sword Solo Body Movement Exercises). Again, Shirata Sensei’s Ken Tandokudosa are meant as a bridge between the foundational practices and (borrowed) koryu kata that are later learned. And again, this bridge is meant to better enable one to viscerally understand how the movement of the Aiki Ken/Body transforms the (borrowed) Koryu Ken kata into Aiki Ken kata.

Shirata also made a Tandokudosa bridge for polearms and, naturally, there are also foundational exercises that proceed with these. Together these are then followed by further usage forms as in emptyhanded and Ken practices.

Moreover, all of this is meant to lead to realization of the overriding principal, personality, or spirit that is the beginning and the end, inter connecting and interpenetrating all of these. This is Aiki O-Kami. Once this is realized one freed from “models” or “forms” of Aiki because one realizes Aiki itself.

This is not to say that all of Shirata sensei’s Tandokudosa are not capable of further building the Aiki body/mind. They most certainly are capable of doing so. However, they do presume fundamental understanding and development.

This leads me to point out an unsavory implication: If one cannot demonstrate the qualities of inexplicable stability, inexplicable power generation, and inexplicable irresistibility which are the common traits of those famous for possessing Aiki, one can reasonably conclude that one’s practice of “Aiki”, including the practice of foundational exercises were ineffectual. And, seeing as that the “practices” are so common, especially the foundational ones, one must have some fundamental misunderstanding of those practices.

I urge one to keep this in mind while observing the fundamental exercises. If one “already knows” one ought to be able to “already do.” If one cannot “do” what stands as evidence of one’s knowing?

Once again, I think Tom Wharton for is willingness to demonstrate for my camera.

More to come!

True Aiki is free for all to read, but it is not free.  As little as $1 can help to cover expenses and possibly add features to True Aiki.

Thank You!

Please consider becoming a patron of Allen Dean Beebe's True Aiki.  Your ongoing support will best assure the continuance and growth of True Aiki.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!

Liked it? Take a second to support Allen Dean Beebe on Patreon!