I am honoured that an esteemed guest has graciously allowed me to reproduce the fine essay that
follows.
Makoto Ohtsu (7 th Dan), is a veteran Aikidoka and Chief Instructor at Aikido Showa Dojo in
Nagoya, Japan. Ohtsu Sensei is also a retired professor of international business studies. He
taught in Japan but also at universities in Canada and Hong Kong. He is fluent in English. His
bilingualism and biculturalism are very helpful in transmitting Aikido to an Anglophone
audience. I have had the pleasure of teaching with him in Saskatoon, and of having extended
conversations with him there.
This article was written in response to a question about how to apply Aikido in daily life. It is a
very thoughtful and well informed exposition. Whether one agrees with him or not, his views
merit careful consideration.
The original essay is quite long. I have edited it slightly for length and clarity. It will appear in
serial form over several installments.