31/01/2025
An old student of our dojo (Marvyn) is studying Artificial intelligence at university.
I have spoken to him about the way Aikido is criticised online.
I my opinion, many people (including many Aikido practitioners) do not understand the Aikido history or purpose.
I myself try to continually search and refine my understanding of techniques, history and purpose.
As an experiment he asked the Claude AI to examine the online criticism of Aikido.
The conversation went as follows.
----------------------------------
MARVYN:
Aikido gets a lot of criticism of not being a practical martial art. Can you argue a stance against this. Take your time to answer and explain your reasoning.
CLAUDE.AI :
Let me explore this thoughtfully, considering both the common criticisms and the potential counterarguments about Aikido's practicality.
The primary criticism of Aikido often centers on its seemingly compliant training methods, where attackers appear to willingly follow along with techniques. However, this perspective misunderstands several fundamental aspects of Aikido's approach to self-defense and combat.
First, let's consider Aikido's philosophical foundation. The art was developed by Morihei Ueshiba after he had already mastered several traditional combat systems, including Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu. He specifically designed Aikido not as a sport or competition-focused art, but as a method of self-defense that aims to protect both the defender and the attacker from serious harm. This philosophical approach doesn't make it less practical – rather, it offers a sophisticated response to modern self-defense scenarios where legal and ethical considerations are paramount.
From a biomechanical perspective, Aikido's techniques are built on sound principles of physics and human movement. The art emphasizes using an attacker's momentum and balance against them, rather than meeting force with force. This approach is particularly practical for situations where the defender might be at a physical disadvantage in terms of size or strength. The principles of circular movement and redirection that Aikido teaches are also found in many other proven martial arts, including Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The training methodology of Aikido, while often criticized, serves a specific purpose. The cooperative nature of practice allows students to safely learn complex body mechanics and timing that would be dangerous to practice at full resistance initially. This is similar to how boxers spend countless hours hitting pads before sparring, or how judoka practice throws with compliant partners before attempting them in randori (free practice).
When we examine real-world self-defense situations, many of Aikido's principles prove highly relevant. Most physical confrontations begin with a grab, push, or wild swing – exactly the types of attacks Aikido specifically trains to counter. The art's emphasis on awareness, positioning, and de-escalation aligns well with modern self-defense principles taught by security professionals.
Moreover, Aikido's methods of breaking balance (kuzushi) and controlling joints are based on the same mechanical principles used in law enforcement and military close-combat systems. The difference lies mainly in the intensity of application rather than the underlying principles.
A less discussed but practical aspect of Aikido is its training in ukemi (breakfalling). This skill alone has practical value beyond self-defense, as it teaches practitioners how to safely fall and roll – a skill that can prevent serious injury in everyday accidents.
The criticism of Aikido's practicality often comes from comparing it to combat sports. However, this comparison misses the point that Aikido was never designed for sports competition. Its techniques are intended for self-defense scenarios where the goal is to neutralize aggression while minimizing harm, not to score points or submit an opponent in a controlled environment.
That said, the effectiveness of any martial art ultimately depends on how it's trained and taught. Some modern Aikido schools have begun incorporating more resistant training methods while maintaining the art's core principles. This evolution shows how the art can adapt while preserving its unique approach to conflict resolution.
The real measure of Aikido's practicality might be better understood by considering its complete training system – including mental conditioning, spatial awareness, balance development, and conflict de-escalation – rather than focusing solely on its physical techniques in isolation.
----------------------------------
Interesting, and I mostly agree.
But I also add, In Aikido practice:
Senior sensei recommended that from white belt to black belt the main manner of practice is called Tanren which is just repetition of individual technique.
At 2nd dan we do Kaeshi Waza practice which are reversals against the attacker.
At this level we normally include the study of vital point striking (atemi).
At 3rd dan we do Henka waza practice which are altered technique when the opponent resists.
At 4th Dan we can do oyo waza which are the harder variations.
But none of the online "keyboard warriors" that criticise Aikido mention this so it's not written and not taken into account by AI.
Apart from AI, one of the rules of conduct for the old Japanese schools (Ryu) is, never criticise another school.
As my mother taught me. "If you have nothing good to say. Then say nothing".
I hope you agree!
