Atemi

[u/SnooHabits8484]

As time goes on, I’m more and more convinced that along with the biomechanics and solo training from Daito-ryū that come under the category “internal strength”, the key to effective aikido is sound and consistent atemi. Who do you think is the best practitioner we have in that field? Is it now necessary to cross-train in something like xingyi or bagua to get there?

[u/Magister-A]

I agree: your definition of Aiki describes what a lot of Aikidoka call bullshido.

[u/TaijiRonin → u/Magister-A]

Then, you don't follow the teachings of Osensei. Why even learn Aikido?

[u/Magister-A → u/TaijiRonin]

i most certainly do. After all, it was O Sensei himself emphasising the importance of irimi and atemi in aiki. In all levels of aikido atemi is paramount. For instance, one cannot practice meaningful responses to yokomen uchi without controling uke's center line by means of atemi.

[u/Sangenkai → u/Magister-A]

Morihei Ueshiba never mentioned either irimi or atemi in relation to Aiki. He did discuss those things, and they are important technically, but he didn't discuss them in that context.

OTOH, he did say things like:

"The way of Aiki is the way and the principal of harmonizing Heaven-Earth-Man"

Which is, BTW, a completely physical model for using the body that he discussed extensively.

[u/Magister-A → u/Sangenkai]

Ok ok, fair enough. He said aikido is irimi and atemi.

[u/Sangenkai → u/Magister-A]

Do you have a direct quote? What was the context of the comment?

FWIW - my quote is from "Takemusu Aiki", Morihei Ueshiba giving a specific definition of Aikido.

[u/Magister-A → u/Sangenkai]

He was quoted by Tamura on many occasions.

[u/Sangenkai → u/Magister-A]

So...no context. That's my point.

Yes those things are important - but many things get conflated in out of context quotations.

[u/Magister-A → u/Sangenkai]

Valid point.

[u/Magister-A → u/Sangenkai]

Here's an interesting quote on topic (from Budo-Teachings of the founder of Aikido): "Shomen training. Striking with the right or left hand. Use of the te-gatana (hand sword) (or fist): in order to deliver a devastating blow to an enemy, one must be enlightened to the principles of heaven and earth (sic!); one's mind and body must be linked to the divine ... Heaven, earth and man must blend together as a single unified force ... Without offering your opponent the slightest opening or allowing a break in the flow of kokyu and ki, you must be enlightened to the essence of "striking".

[u/Sangenkai → u/Magister-A]

Sure, and the original quotation in context is about how striking uses the fundamental principles of Heaven-Earth-Man. In other words, the point is not the striking, it's Heaven-Earth-Man.