1. "Atemi" the leathal and healing potential of Aikido.
"Atemi is the striking to openings corresponding to sensitive points in the body. Atemi strikes can often be applied during Aikido movement to enhance its martial nature". - From M. Fujita shihan's keiko-ho book.
In Aikido, we are in fact very limited in our understanding of "Atemi". We don't make a full study of its potential as both a martial technique as well as a healing technique. Other more traditional arts (such as variants of Tai-Jutsu and Ninjutsu) place much more emphasis on this study.
Some common vital points of the body where atemi is sometimes applied are: the solar plexus, the orbital foramen (just above the eyeball), a point just under the nose, the throat and the genitals. This is just a limited list. Atemi should never be applied in full during practice as it could be dangerous to the practice partner but a gesture to the intended area is a common practice.
Even less spoken about in Aikido is the study of Kappo. The Kappo is a medical system which corresponds to the vital points of the Atemi. "Kappo" can be translated as "The medical techniques of budo". Several revival techniques have been recorded around 1890 by Matsunosuke Inoguchi in his writings about the Kappo system. Included are some wonderful illustrations showing the techniques and corresponding vital points addressed. Here is one such illustration:
Kappo is especially effective as a technique for people who have fainted or passed out as a result of choking or strangulation. Hereby an illustration showing some revival techniques of Kappo:
I discovered more recently a work of Kazuhiko Kuboyama (http://judoresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Kazuhiko-Koboyama.pdf) from the IPU Department of Health Science, Faculty of Physical Education in Tokyo, Japan in association with The 8th International Judo Research Symposium and I credit Mr. Kuboyama with the illustrations which are modifications of Inoguchi's work.
Credit also goes to Masatake Fujita shihan, 8th dan Aikikai and his Keiko-ho book, my original inspiration in researching the connection between budo and healing.
2. Video Selection of the Month
Youtube is full of Aikido footage these days. Here are some links to the clips that caught my eye last month:
- Miyamoto Tsuruzo Shiihan in the World Combat Games last month in St. Petersburg:
- A nice demo discovered by Miho san of Masatake dojo, Israel:
- Yamashima Sensei teaching Tenchi nage to beginners at the EAAC Aikido club in The Netherlands, September 2013:
Finally, growing in popularity, a facebook page of photos and video footage of Masatake Fujita Shihan can be found by clicking THIS TEXT.
"Atemi is the striking to openings corresponding to sensitive points in the body. Atemi strikes can often be applied during Aikido movement to enhance its martial nature". - From M. Fujita shihan's keiko-ho book.
In Aikido, we are in fact very limited in our understanding of "Atemi". We don't make a full study of its potential as both a martial technique as well as a healing technique. Other more traditional arts (such as variants of Tai-Jutsu and Ninjutsu) place much more emphasis on this study.
Some common vital points of the body where atemi is sometimes applied are: the solar plexus, the orbital foramen (just above the eyeball), a point just under the nose, the throat and the genitals. This is just a limited list. Atemi should never be applied in full during practice as it could be dangerous to the practice partner but a gesture to the intended area is a common practice.
Even less spoken about in Aikido is the study of Kappo. The Kappo is a medical system which corresponds to the vital points of the Atemi. "Kappo" can be translated as "The medical techniques of budo". Several revival techniques have been recorded around 1890 by Matsunosuke Inoguchi in his writings about the Kappo system. Included are some wonderful illustrations showing the techniques and corresponding vital points addressed. Here is one such illustration:
I discovered more recently a work of Kazuhiko Kuboyama (http://judoresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Kazuhiko-Koboyama.pdf) from the IPU Department of Health Science, Faculty of Physical Education in Tokyo, Japan in association with The 8th International Judo Research Symposium and I credit Mr. Kuboyama with the illustrations which are modifications of Inoguchi's work.
Credit also goes to Masatake Fujita shihan, 8th dan Aikikai and his Keiko-ho book, my original inspiration in researching the connection between budo and healing.
2. Video Selection of the Month
Youtube is full of Aikido footage these days. Here are some links to the clips that caught my eye last month:
- Miyamoto Tsuruzo Shiihan in the World Combat Games last month in St. Petersburg:
- A nice demo discovered by Miho san of Masatake dojo, Israel:
- Yamashima Sensei teaching Tenchi nage to beginners at the EAAC Aikido club in The Netherlands, September 2013:
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GAMAN (我慢) is a recurring theme because it is an important theme to remember in practicing Aikido. It is one of the highest and most honorable of virtues in the Japanese budo arts/martial arts. It means to bear with, endure or put up with. It is the restraint you need when stressed or provoked. It is holding back when under pressure to act. It is the regular forging and patience necessary in practicing an art. It is being able to not let emotions take control even when there is an emotional opinion in a critical moment. It is enduring difficulties in learning and the slow and sometimes painful climb to mastery. It is declining the invitation to fight and seeking a higher level of resolution and consciousness for ourselves and others.
