Calgary Aikido
Aikido is a pure physical art form and a Japanese martial art. Most of the throws and joint locks that are performed in Aikido are derivatives of Jujitsu and Kenjutsu. Aikido is a martial art that has been described as a spiritual journey, a self-defense technique, and an exercise for physical health and overall well-being.
Aikido was founded in the early 1900’s by O-Sensei (Translated to “Great Teacher”) Morihei Ueshiba of Japan. The physical art form was not given its formal name until 1942, when Ueshiba, a devout Buddhist, perfected the techniques by adding a religious philosophy. Ueshiba once wrote: “The secret of Aikido is to harmonize with the movement of the universe and bring ourselves into accord with the universe itself.”
When Aikido was first beginning to develop, there were three different pre-war teachings of Aikido, which are now referred to as the “old school aikido styles.” These teachings included: Aiki-Budo, Yoseikan, and Yoshinkan, which is still taught to many Japanese police officers. Although this martial art originated as a non-aggressive physical art form, it has developed into a self-defense technique that incorporates spirituality. It is known universally as an art of peace. Anyone who practices this physical art form refers to themselves as an “aikidoka.”
Training for Aikido is usually performed with a partner where one of the aikdoka blends with the motion of the opponent and redirects the force of his attack. Increased energy, elasticity, and muscle development will occur as a result of training, but the practices themselves do not rely on strength for effectiveness. Some dojos (schools) do not use weapons during training at all, while others provide training with swords. Weapon-retention and weapon-taking are both techniques that are sometimes taught to students. [1]
How Judo is Different From Aikido
Judo also originated in Japan in the 1800’s and was founded by Kano Jigoro. Kano’s martial art focused on two versatile phases of combat, which includes the standing phase and the ground phase. Each phase of Judo has its own strategies, special training, and techniques.
People who study Judo are called Judoka and these students do an extensive study on free-style sparring, which consists of sparring on the ground and sparring standing up. For the most part, sparring exercises are practiced to increase strength and promote a potent cardio-vascular system.
Some of Judo’s most popular techniques follow Kata, which are forms that display different martial arts methods. Kata is also used to illustrate techniques which are out of practice, not allowed in competition, or to demonstrate a correct carrying out of a procedure.
Although Judo is a martial art, unlike Aikido it is considered a sport. It was inducted into the Olympics in 1932 for the first time and became an official Olympic sport in 1964. The gold medal went to a Dutchman which helped eliminate the image of this martial art being a ‘Japanese only’ sport. Judo was primarily a man’s sport in the Olympics, but women also joined the sport in 1988. Men and women would practice Judo separately in the Olympics and still continue to do so, but training is co-ed.
The different techniques that are taught in Judo include pins, foot sweeps, joint locks, chokes, falls, throws, grappling, kicking, punching, and knife and sword practices. Many of these procedures are forbidden to use in contests for reasons of safety. During training and contests Judoka must wear a Judogi (a white cotton uniform with a colored belt which indicates a practitioner’s rank).
There are various styles of Judo including Olympic Judo, which is a form of Kodokan Judo, Brzilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kosen Judo, Russian Judo, and even Sambo. The main organization for Judo is an international one called the International Judo Federation (IJF). [2]
How Kendo is Related to Aikido
In general Kendo is done as a sport and Aikido is not done as a sport.
Like Aikido’s bokken work, Kendo was derived from one of the oldest of the martial arts – Kenjutsu (swordsmanship, or the technique of the sword) of which written records date back to the seventh century.
Since traditional training with real steel swords and hardwood swords caused so many unnecessary injuries and deaths, bamboo practice swords were created around 1710 developed by Japanese armourers and Japanese sword masters. Around 1740, Japanese sword masters and Japanese armourers improvised chest and head protectors as well as heavy gloves. As can be imagined, the original bamboo practice swords and protectors were quite primitive and of simple construction. Over the centuries, these were refined by Japanese armourers into the attractive and practical Kendo equipment as seen today in Japan.
Kendo, the art of Japanese swordsmanship, is a way of life designed to contribute to self development through training in the guiding principles underlying the art of the sword. Through rigorous training in Kendo, the student strengthens his or her body and mind, develops a strong spirit, learns to treat people properly, to value truth, to be sincere, to always strive for self-development, love society and country, and contribute to the peace and prosperity of humanity. In Aikido, swordplay is more circular and surgical. Each block is in fact a strike with devastating potential.
Calgary is a hub for Martial Arts and Aikido in Western Canada.
Calgary Aikikai
Calgary Aikikai was formed in 1980 with the arrival of Yasuhisa Inaba Sensei from Japan. In November 1980, a demonstration was held at the Canadian Armed Forces Base in Calgary, Alberta, Canada which later became the 1st dojo. Since 1985 Calgary Aikikai has been associated with City of Calgary Parks and Recreation and Calgary Board of Education, which is ongoing to this day. In 1994, Calgary Aikikai moved to a permanent dojo. Today, the club consists of over 150 students, made up of adults and children. [3]
Masa Kokoro
Masa Kokoro Aikido is a friend and affiliate of Calgary Aikikai. Do you want to study Aikido in Calgary? The first lessons is always free and you are more than welcome to come and watch a class. Enjoy your trial lesson. Women are always welcome!
History of Aikido in Canada
Takeshi KIMEDA is credited with introducing YOSHINKAN AIKIDO to Canada on his arrival in 1964 in Toronto, Ontario. Kimeda, presently ranked 7th dan, systematically built up a network of dojos in the Toronto, Hamilton and Windsor areas. This development was enhanced by the arrival of Mitsugoro KARASAWA, now a 6th dan, in 1970. The major Canadian Yoshinkan instructors in the greater Toronto/Hamilton area include Allister THOMPSON, Fred HAYNES, Enore GARDINIO, James STEWART, Don Hoo, Brian Budgell, Roger Plomish and Greg West. After 1975, Windsor, which is on the U. S. /Canadian border in southern Ontario, also evolved into a center of Yoshinkan Aikido, largely due to the arrival of Takashi KUSHIDA in 1973 in Detroit, Michigan across the border. The major Canadian instructors in the Windsor area are James and Sue JEANNETTE and Kevin and Patricia BLOK. Outside of Ontario, Yoshinkan Aikido has spread to British Columbia on the West Coast where principal instructors are Jim Kootnekoff and Keith Taylor. The Yoshinkan dojos in Ontario under Kimeda belong to the AIKIDO YOSHINKAN CANADA (AYC) organization which has about 12 dojos and more than 500 practicing members. AYC’s current president is Brian Budgell. Historically, this group has had close links with the AIKIDO YOSHINKAI ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA (AYANA) of Kushida and the Yoshinkan Aikido Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. In 1980, AYC, AYANA and Aikido Yoshinkan of California jointly hosted the second trip of Gozo SHIODA to North America which included a visit to Ontario. Kimeda officially ended organizational links with AYANA in 1987 which reduced Kushida’s influence in Canada. The creation of the INTERNATIONAL YOSHINKAI AIKIDO FEDERATION in 1990 has recently altered the political status quo among Yoshinkan dojos in Canada. Moreover, the severance of ties with Kushida by the Yoshinkan Hombu on 1 August 1990 is likely to produce major changes among dojos in North America.
The introduction of AIKIKAI HOMBU-style aikido to Canada begins with the arrival in Montreal in January 1967 of Massimo DI VILLADORATA. A former student of Motokage KAWAMUKAI and Hiroshi TADA, di Villadorata developed a core group of students who in turn opened new schools, primarily in the Montreal area. His Montreal Aikikai is today the largest aikido dojo in Canada with more than 200 members. Some of the early Aikikai teachers active in the Toronto area in the 1970s were Masanori Yazu, Bruce Styles, Henry Kono and Bill Collins. In 1975, Yukio KAWAHARA arrived in Montreal as a 4th dan representing the Aikikai and remained there for several years before relocating to Vancouver, B. C. Kawahara’s coming was due to the efforts of Fumio ISHIYAMA, a Japanese aikidoka resident in Montreal. Ishiyama also later relocated to British Columbia where he is presently active instructing in the Vancouver-Victoria area. Another Japanese instructor in Canada representing the Aikikai and residing near Toronto is Osamu Obata. [4]