09/01/2025
Nishio Sensei was deeply concerned that aikido should not become stagnant, but that it should retain its aliveness, its vitality and its “budo nature.”
In one interview he said, “I want my Aikido to change and develop from day to day. Change keeps my students and me ‘fresh’ in both mind and spirit. That's my interpretation of O-Sensei's wish. Society changes. So why shouldn't Aikido? You have to be more independent and create your own way of Aikido – a way that is influenced by your own roots and traditions. Do not just copy the ‘Japanese way.’ If you are independent, you can develop your specific nature, and that is very, very important.”
Nishio Sensei pointed specifically to iaido, karate and judo as essential elements within his own aikido. In a broader sense there are striking arts and grappling arts. In the West our “roots and traditions” include things like boxing and wrestling which can naturally be incorporated into our understanding, expression and practice of aikido. It’s important to always use the whole body – hands, hips and feet.
