Glossary
Terms that are on use on this site.There are 131 entries in this glossary. Add a new entryAll
Glossary 2.64 is technology by Guru PHP
|
KazeDesigns
Aikido (合気道, aikidō) is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying (with) life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.
Aikido is performed by blending with the motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on. This requires very little physical energy, as the aikidōka (aikido practitioner) "leads" the attacker's momentum using entering and turning movements. The techniques are completed with various throws or joint locks. Aikido can be categorized under the general umbrella of grappling arts.
Aikido derives mainly from the martial art of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, but began to diverge from it in the late 1920s, partly due to Ueshiba's involvement with the Ōmoto-kyō religion. Ueshiba's early students' documents bear the term aiki-jūjutsu. Many of Ueshiba's senior students have different approaches to aikido, depending on when they studied with him. Today aikido is found all over the world in a number of styles, with broad ranges of interpretation and emphasis. However, they all share techniques learned from Ueshiba and most have concern for the well-being of the attacker. This attitude has been at the core of criticisms of aikido and related arts.
Aikidōka (合気道家) is the practicioner of Aikido. The term is rarely heard among native speakers of Japanese, in spite of its common use as a loanword in other countries. In the Japanese language, the suffix ka (家, -ka?), when added to the name of certain activities, indicates an expert or professional in that field. Consequently, the meaning of the term in the ears of Japanese, especially when the field is martial arts, takes on a connotation of one who is exceptionally accomplished and highly respected. Further, because of the connotation of respect, this is a term one would never use with regard to oneself, even if deserved. There is no other word in Japanese carrying the same meaning that aikidōka has acquired as a loanword, namely that of a person practicing the art, regardless of their degree of accomplishment.
The Aikikai Foundation (財団法人合気会, Zaidan Hōjin Aikikai) is the original organisation for the Japanese martial art aikido, officially recognized by the Japanese government in 1940. It is also frequently referred to as "Aikikai Honbu", or more simply, just "Aikikai". It describes itself as "the parent organization for the development and popularization of aikido throughout the world", although there are several offshoots whose arts all are named aikido. The Aikikai is often referred to as an umbrella organisation for various national and other aikido organisations. Its headquarters, the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, is located in Tokyo, Japan.
After the passing of Morihei Ueshiba, his son Kisshomaru Ueshiba took over the leadership of the organisation. The current dōshu of the Aikikai is the grandson of Morihei Ueshiba, Moriteru Ueshiba. The system of having the heir of a martial arts school be the son (either natural or adopted for the sake of succession) of the previous headmaster, was common in koryū (traditional schools) and is referred to as iemoto.
Aikikai is sometimes described as Ueshiba Aikido, and is thought by some to be the most traditional of the aikido schools. It has retained many of the aspects which Morihei Ueshiba valued in his original aikido, such as the non-competitive training system and the emphasis on flowing technique.
Aikikai is also often referred to as a "style" of aikido, although aikido within the Aikikai technically can be very different. The students of Morihei Ueshiba each had their own interpretation of his art, and in many cases other influences as well. This is reflected in the technical diversity within the organisation.
Akihabara (秋葉原, Akihabara) ("Field of Autumn Leaves"), also known as Akihabara Electric Town (秋葉原電気街, Akihabara Denki Gai), is an area of Tokyo, Japan. It is located less than five minutes by rail from Tokyo Station. Its name is frequently shortened to Akiba in Japan. While there is an official locality named Akihabara nearby, part of Taitō-ku, the area known to most people as Akihabara (including the railway station of the same name) is actually Soto-Kanda, a part of Chiyoda-ku.
Akihabara is a major shopping area for electronic, computer, anime, and otaku goods, including new and used items. New items are mostly to be found on the main street, Chūōdōri, with many kinds of used items found in the back streets of Soto Kanda 3-chōme. First-hand parts for PC-building are readily available from a variety of stores. Tools, electrical parts, wires, microsized cameras and similar items are found in the cramped passageways of Soto Kanda 1-chōme (near the station). Foreign tourists tend to visit the big name shops like Laox or other speciality shops near the station, though there is more variety and lower prices at locales a little further away. Akihabara gained some fame through being home to one of the first stores devoted to personal robots and robotics.
Akira Kurosawa (Kyūjitai: 黒澤 明, Shinjitai: 黒沢 明, Kurosawa Akira, 23 March 1910 – 6 September 1998) was a prominent Japanese filmmaker, film producer, and screenwriter. His first credited film (Sanshiro Sugata) was released in 1943; his last (Madadayo) in 1993. His many awards include the Légion d'honneur and an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement.
Alan Ruddock 6th dan Butokukai, 4th dan Aikikai. Alan is the only Irishman who got the opportunity to train directly under the founder of Aikido, O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. He spent 3 years at the Aikikai Hombu dojo in Tokyo. Read the 
Asahi Breweries, Ltd. (アサヒビール株式会社 Asahi Bīru Kabushiki Gaisha) TYO: 2502 is the 2nd largest beer brewery in Japan and soft drink company based in Tokyo, Japan. The company originally led the Japanese craze for dry beer with Asahi Super Dry in 1987, leading to its dramatic turnaround in business performance, and surpassing former second ranker Sapporo Brewery in sales and profits.
Banchō Sarayashiki, （番町皿屋敷） (The Dish Mansion at Banchō) is a Japanese ghost story of love separated by social class, and broken trust and promises that ultimately lead to a dismal fate.
The story of Okiku and the Nine Plates is one of the most famous in Japanese folklore, and continues to resonate with audiences today.
Bruno Mathis, 4th dan Aikikai started practicing Aikido in 1976 in Fontenay-Sous-Bois under Max Mazzone. He went to train intensively at Christian Tissier’s dojo in Vincennes for 12 years and it is at that time that he started his series of travels around the world. He has taught in many countries including Greece, the United States, Ireland, Australia and China. He currently teaches in Beijing at the Shudojuku dojo.
__________________________
To go further:
Budō is a compound of the root bu (武:ぶ), meaning war or martial; and dō (道:どう), meaning path or way. Specifically, dō is derived from the Buddhist Sanskrit mārga (meaning the 'path' to enlightenment). The term refers to the idea of formulating propositions, subjecting them to philosophical critique and then following a 'path' to realize them. Dō signifies a 'way of life'. Dō in the Japanese context, is an experiential term, experiential in the sense that practice (the way of life) is the norm to verify the validity of the discipline cultivated through a given art form. The modern budō has no external enemy, only the internal enemy, one's ego that must be fought (state of Muga-mushin). Similarly to budō, bujutsu is a compound of the roots bu (武), and jutsu (術:じゅつ), meaning science, craft, or art. Thus, budō is most often translated as "the way of war", or "martial way", while bujutsu is translated as "science of war" or "martial craft." However, both budō and bujutsu are used interchangeably in English with the term "martial arts". Some scholars note that an examination of the kanji for the term "bu" reveals a depiction of crossed halberds, a flick of blood, and the character for the word stop. One important interpretation among some schools of budo and bujutsu is that the term "bu" is more accurately rendered as "a means to stop the conflict". This would lead to an alternative translation of "budo" as "conflict resolution".
It is very difficult to precisely delineate the differences between budō and bujutsu. Sometimes, the differences are considered historical; others cite differences in training methods, training philosophy, or emphasis on spiritual development. Although the distinction was first popularized in the west through the writings of Donn F. Draeger, many consider the difference a false construct with no historical basis. 
Christian Tissier (born 1951 in Paris, France) is one of the best known European aikido teachers. He started training in aikido as a child in 1962, and trained under Mutsuro Nakazono in Paris until he left for Tokyo in 1969. He came to Aikikai Hombu Dojo as an 18 year old, and trained there for seven years. Among the teachers that have inspired him are Seigo Yamaguchi, Kisaburo Osawa and the second doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba. He received 7th dan in 1998, and is among the handful of westerners who have been given the title Shihan by the Aikikai.Related Articles
© Copyright Guillaume Erard 2005 - 2009, All Rights Reserved