Is Aikido a Martial Art ?

Henry Ellis Co-Author of Positive Aikido and anpart of our training and study.
early pioneer of Aikido in Britain from 1957, heKi Aikido
was also a direct student of the legendaryAlthough Ki is generally recognized as the spirit
master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 - 1985. In thisand breathing during the application of technique,
article he questions the direction of much of theevery teacher and student will offer a very wide
Aikido we see today. he accepts that there is stilland varied and sometimes bizarre interpretation
some good Aikido Dojos whilst many others haveof the meaning of this much abused word.
been watered down and are becoming quasiThe main problems arise and are created by the
religious as opposed to a martial art. Is Aikido ateachers themselves, who very often mislead
Martial Art?their students to the extent that they almost
Sensei Henry Ellis - 2001believe that Ki is a form of magic. The following is
This article originally appeared in 3 parts on theone prime example from a very prominent Aikido
Cyberkwoon website. It is here published in itsmagazines letters section.
entirety.Title: The Spirit of Protection
PART 1I am a carpenter and 2nd kyu in Aikido. I was
At first sight of the above title I am sure that aworking in a large new home doing repair work, I
lot of Aikidoist's will be angry, they will assumehad finished my job and was heading for a long
that this is yet another attack on the credibility ofstaircase when I noticed the owners two year old
Aikido by other martial artist's.son was heading for the same stairs from the
On this occasion they are totally wrong, I haveopposite direction.
been a student of Aikido since 1956, In thoseAs he approached the top of the stair he was
early days I first started Judo in 1955 at thewatching me and not where he was going. I was
Kenshiro Abbe School of Budo, I studied Karatetoo far away to grab him, so I shot to him (irimi)
with Harada Sensei and Kendo with Tomio O'Taniand stuck my arm straight out to him, my "Ki"
Sensei, so with my background I feel that I havewent through the little boys' face and out the
something to offer to this debate.back of his head, he fell backwards and started
crying.
First ImpressionsHis mother heard the crying and came up the
The Aikido that I first saw being demonstratedstairs, when I told her what had happened, she
by Abbe Sensei in 1956 was without doubt athanked me,
positive martial art.I said "Don't thank me, Thank Aikido".
I was immediately impressed by its positiveThat poor child may well now be as disturbed as
techniques and power, and in those days mythe writer.
fellow martial artists and I were in no doubt thatHarry Potter Ryu
we were witnessing a devastating new form ofThere are many such misguided examples which I
self-defence as demonstrated by Kenshiro Abbewill refer to in future articles, it is this kind of
Sensei.nonsense that brings Aikidos credibility into doubt I
Abbe Sensei had begun his martial arts career atam fully aware that every martial art has its own
the age of five and became a legend in his ownversion of " Harry Potter" in their ranks, what I
lifetime. At eighteen he was the youngest ever allfail to understand is that there are more of them
Japan Judo champion and also the youngest everin Aikido than all the other martial arts combined.
5th Dan at the world renowned Kodokan. He laterThe reason that I am so critical and vociferous
became the oldest ever all Japan Judo championabout Aikido is that every day I see these people
at the age of thirty three.watering down this great martial art that I have
When Abbe Sensei arrived in the UK in 1955 hespent most of my life studying, teaching and
was 8th Dan Judo, 6th Dan Karate, 6th Danpromoting for the past 46 years. I am often
Kendo, 6th Dan Kyudo, 6th Dan Aikido,theasked "Sensei, which do you think is the best and
question must be asked; would this Budo masterworst martial art".
have studied Aikido if he did not believe it to be aI always make the same reply " All the martial
martial art?arts are good, if there is a problem with any
It is my opinion that Abbe Sensei would not havemartial art, then it can only be the people who
studied Aikido as it is today.represent that particular art who misrepresent
Please break my fingertheir art
As a direct student of Abbe Sensei I asked onePART 3
day whilst we were traveling to a seminarThe Converted
"Sensei, how did you first become a student ofIn articles parts one and two I have covered the
O'Sensei and Aikido"?introduction of Aikido to the West, and the impact
He smiled as he reminisced for a few moments;on other Martial Artists, Aikido progressed and
then told me the following story:developed in the UK by visiting existing dojos of
He said that he was a young man at the time andall the various Martial Arts and offering to
the Judo champion of all Japan and traveling on ademonstrate and teach for free in the hope of
crowded train across Japan to yet another Judostarting a small class in the more receptive dojos,
competion.as one can imagine this was no easy task as
Sitting opposite him in the same carriage was anmore often than not our efforts were not an
old man who was trying to make someopen invitation to most dojos.
conversation with him, Abbe had his eyes closedIn the end the positive style of the early Aikido
as he tried to sleep.won through, and this is a very important point to
The old man said to him " I know who you are"make in the early development of Western Aikido
Abbe Sensei replied rather modestly " everyonewas that most of the new students of Aikido
knows who I am, I am Kenshiro Abbe championwere from other Martial Arts. I do not believe
of all Japan" he politely asked the old man who hethat we could have converted other Martial
was, the old man repliedArtists to Aikido had it not been so strong and
"I am Morihei Ueshiba founder of Aikido" Abbeeffective.
Sensei nodded politely and suggested that they
now try to get some sleep, the old man suddenlyKenshiro Abbe Sensei - 8th Dan Judo, 6th Dan
stuck his hand forward and offered the smallestKarate, 6th Dan Kendo, 6th Dan Aikido.
digit to this powerfully built young man, Abbe wasBad breath!
stunned as the old man said "please break myI have referred to the many changes in Aikido
finger" Abbe thought I will break his neck if heover the past 46 years from its history to
doesn't go to sleep, he was now becomingtraining and choreography and Ki Aikido and also
irritated by this old man, he immediately graspedthe many Harry Potters of the Aikido world, as a
the old mans finger in an attempt to shut him up,direct result of these articles I was contacted by
he freely admitted that in his frustration it was hisa Aikido student in the UK to tell me that she had
intention to break the offending digit. To his totalnow stopped training in Aikido because her
amazement he was suddenly slammed onto theteacher stated that he was now going to teach
carriage floor. As he lay prostrate and unable tothe students "To breath through their toes".
move he knew he had to study with this master.Lets Dance
He asked O'Sensei if he could study with him,The most important of all the changes that have
O'Sensei agreed and Abbe stayed with O'Senseitaken place in the past 46 years have to be the
for ten years.changes in technique and its application, the early
O'Sensei had spent many years studying variousstyle of Aikido was very compact and powerful.
martial arts, I believe that the art of Daito-ryuFrom the day of its introduction to the UK, Aikido
and Ju-jitsu had more influence on thewas always taught as a circular moving Martial Art
development of Aikido than anything else he hadwith Tori at the centre of all movement.
studied, and we know he went to Mongolia toAs Uke (the attacker) made his attack, Tori
fight and this would be the perfect opportunity towould turn within his own circle making it possible
test his many skills in a real situation, so we canto carry out the technique in a very small area of
be in no doubt that this incredible man was a truemaybe four square feet. Today the fantasy
warrior and modern Samurai.aikidoist need a football pitch.
A knife for my enemyI have seen some so called "masters" twirling Uke
It was this early positive style of Aikido thataround on the end of one finger and pirouetting
Abbe Sensei brought to the UK in 1955, at thisseveral times before being thrown the full length
time there was also the first Japanese master toof the mat.
Europe, this was Tadashi Abe Sensei 6th DanHarmonising
who was based in France, he was a small manKenshiro Abbe Sensei always taught that Uke
even by Japanese standards, but to my mind hewould only "go" if the technique was effective. I
was the hardest man I have ever met.often hear and have seen some of these people
He was very similar to Kazuo Chiba Sensei who Iwho say they can throw an opponent without
met with in London's West End last week, Whentouching them and sometimes by breathing and
he traveled he always carried a knife with him,projecting their "Ki".
this was not for his own protection but to handYou cannot do that if someone is attacking on
to his shocked opponent, he would say "please,balance, I have never seen anyone do that to a
this is for you".student of mine. Of course if you do attack on
He said that an opponent with his bare fists wasbalance you will then be accused of "Not
no challenge, but a man with a knife was "veryharmonizing".
interesting".Aikido for real
I think we can safely assume that as theseI have read various accounts of the first
teachers were so hard and positive then thisAmericans to practice Aikido in the early 60's.
must have been the style of Aikido that wasThere were Americans practicing Aikido in the UK
being taught at the Hombu dojo in Japan, this wasin the late 1950's at "The Hut" The Abbe School
the Aikido of O'Sensei as a young man, the Aikidoof Budo.
being taught today is that of O'Sensei as an oldThe Americans were members of the USAF
man, there is no doubt that as people get olderstationed in the UK. they were always questioning
they lose the spirit of their youth and become" How would that work in the street?" and we
more philosophical in their approach to life.would often finish up in the car park of The Hut
My father who was once regarded as theafter class and engage in some real Aikido.
toughest man in town later in life found his peaceAfterwards everyone would be in good spirits and
taking his dog for long walks. I believe that wehave a few beers.
now have two aikido's, traditional aikido which ifSunday mornings were always the best practice
truly traditional (this word is much abused) is thesessions with the dojo doors being locked to all
martial side of Aikido, the soft fantasy andbut the Dan grades. It was then that the Dan
dancing style of Aikido should simply begrades would fight each other for real. This was
categorized as an "Art".the only way to truly evaluate your technique.
Those who are true traditional Aikidoists will takeOn one occasion I was fighting with Sensei Ken
no offence at this article, yet the dancers willWilliams (The British National Coach) he hit me
probably be offended and I care little for theirhard and I went down clutching my chest and
feelings as I honestly believe that this soft Aikidomoaning loudly in agony.
has no more right to call itself a martial art thanIt was known that I didn't go down and I never
has synchronized swimming has a right to be inmade a fuss, so now everyone was concerned
the Olympics.for me and as Sensei Williams leaned over me
PART 2asking "Harry, are you OK" I lashed out with my
In my previous article, I attempted to establishfist at his head, just making a glancing contact, he
the hard style of Aikido that was first introducedthen stepped back and kicked me in the head
to the West in the 1950's. I would like toputting an end to my cunning.
emphasize the fact that I get no satisfactionThe smallest of all the Dan grades was Eric
from publicly criticizing Aikido and I get a greatDollimore, he was only about 5ft-6in in height and
deal less satisfaction when I see Aikido beingaround 130 lbs.
brought into ridicule.I always felt that Eric was avoiding me on these
To continue from part one.....Sunday morning sessions, as he was about to
Hard trainingleave the mat I said to him "Eric, would you like
The training in and exercises in those early daysto try against me" he just turned and said "Sorry
were very hard and physical, with karate styleHarry, I have to be at my girlfriends home for
kicking and punching a very integral part of ourlunch". As he left the mat I smiled to myself and
warm up, followed by 200 press ups on thethought "That's what I expected" the smugness
backs of the wrists, with fingers pointing bothdid not last long as I heard a voice behind me say
inwards and outwards, very often while you were"OK then Harry, can we make it quick as I must
in the raised position Abbe Sensei would instructget away".
another student to sit on your back, as we wereIt was Eric; for a moment I was surprised then I
the only group of five Dan grades in the UK andthought to myself if you want it quick I will
all in the same dojo then this was the training in allaccommodate you.
the Aikido dojos in the UK and today we are theI moved in to take him out with the one punch
only organization in Aikido still doing these pressand the next thing I knew I had gone through the
ups.dojo office partition wall and I was still lying
The purists say "these press ups are bad forstunned the office floor when I heard Eric's voice
you" what they really mean is they can't docall out
them, this is all part of the watering down of"See you Monday Harry, gotta go".
traditional Aikido.That was a very important lesson to me, I have
Choreographynever underestimated anyone since the little guy
Aikidoists are often accused of practicing "taught me a lesson.
Choreographed Aikido" and to be honest I mustThe Grading Lottery
admit that these claims are very often justified,If in the 1950's and 60's you saw a 5th or 6th
with Uke (attacker) preparing to break fall longDan you would be in awe of him. I now see so
before he makes his attack, and most of themmany multi grades and to be honest they would
attack off balance , therefore making anynot be graded first Dan in the old days. They
multiples of techniques possible with the minimummake these claims knowing that if they are ever
of effort and of course this makes Torichallenged and prove their mettle they know they
(defender) look "fantastic".can claim that this is against the principals of
What is really sad is that these people believeAikido.
that this is good Aikido.Another favourite of these people is to juggle
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei would always say to usaround with their grades and come up with
that "two" students are training at the same time,multiples of matching grades, for a prime example
one is Uke who is learning and improving hisof this abuse check out the article "British
attacking techniques and hisopponent Tori is alsoAikido-The Controversy" on the web-site
learning and improving his defensive techniques,Mitsusuke Harada Sensei "5th Dan"
whilst we were training with Abbe Sensei if Uke'sHarada Sensei was my Karate teacher in the
foot or heel came off the mat as he attacked1960's, he was then and still is a 5th Dan at the
Abbe Sensei would give the offending leg a goodShotokan dojo in Tokyo. he was graded by the
whack with a shinai (bamboo sword) he wouldfounder of modern day Karate Gichin Funakoshi
then say " My English is very bad but my shinaiSensei.
speaks fluently!".He taught Karate to the USAF at the Kodokan
If Uke attacks on balance then it is obvious thatdojo after the second world war. He was graded
Tori's technique must be good and strong to5th Dan by Funakoshi Sensei in 1957 and is still 5th
throw him, and as Abbe Sensei said so manyDan after 45 years, stating that "Any grade
times " two students are training" .above 5th Dan is totally pointless".
Mark Eastman a strong young Dan grade with meThis is exactly the feeling of Sensei Derek
went on a seminar recently where there was aEastman and myself, although we are two of the
6th Dan. The 6th Dan refused to use him as Ukeonly remaining four of the original group left of
stating " I can not use you as you do notKenshiro Abbe Sensei's group from the 1950's,
harmonize with me", he was not being awkwardwe both agreed that there were too many
or difficult just attacking on balance."Harry Potter" grades around, we then decided
Diluted trainingthat like Harada Sensei we would make 5th Dan
Today all of these traditional exercises and trainingthe highest level in our organization.
methods have now changed to a simple warm up
routine with jumping up and down on the spotSerious study
and lots of deep spiritual discussion.I will take a break now that these articles are
Hard exercise is now considered to be aggressivecomplete and do some serious "Toe breathing".
and not in harmony with the true spirit of Aikido.This will be my last article for CyberKwoon for a
Abbe Sensei said that hard training developed thewhile, I would like to thank Master Fabien Sena for
spirit, he also referred to Ki during those earlyallowing me to air my views on a subject most
days as he demonstrated the power of hiswould try to avoid.
technique, when asked to explain the meaning ofI do not know what direction the Martial Arts will
Ki, he said not to worry about Ki as that wouldtake when all the "Old Timers " are gone.
be a part of our training and development.As one of the comments (to the Cyberkwoon
He then said "Only when you reach first Dan willsite forum) said "We can still make a difference".
you be able to understand the true concept of KiTo the one who asked after my father, he was
as a further extension of your Aikido."not a martial artist, just a hard man who started
I still believe that line of thought, and theworking at the age of 13 years two miles
instructors in our dojo's very rarely speak of Kiunderground in the South Yorkshire coal mines.
although it is taught as a important and integral