Makoto Ohtsu (7 th Dan), Aikido Showa Dojo Nagoya, Japan Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art based on the spiritual foundation of harmony, love andpeace. Its objective is to defend oneself when attacked, without harming the attacker.…
Shinto and Its Derivatives Shinto, which literally means “the Way of the gods”, is the indigenous folk religion of Japan,reflecting animistic and shamanistic views of life that had long existed there. It is generallybelieved that ancient Shinto started…
I am honoured that an esteemed guest has graciously allowed me to reproduce the fine essay thatfollows.Makoto Ohtsu (7 th Dan), is a veteran Aikidoka and Chief Instructor at Aikido Showa Dojo inNagoya, Japan. Ohtsu Sensei is also…
Aikido and Master Morihei Ueshiba Aikido was created some 80 years ago by Master Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), usually called “Kaiso” (the Founder). He created Aikido after many years of physical training in the Japanese classical martial arts of…
This year will mark my seventy-fifth birthday and fifty years of Aikido training. Aikido has been a major factor in my life since I was a young adult, and I can hardly imagine this life without it. The…
It is with great sadness that I reflect on the passing of Nakamura Yumi Shihan. She was a friend and a role model for Aikidoka. Her contributions to Aikido in Canada were enormous. I, along with her students…
Both men and women can be strong and confident without being arrogant or unnecessarily aggressive. “Toxic Masculinity” is not allowed in Aikido practice. Training is for women and men together, with mutual respect and recognition of physical differences.…
It is said that Budo masters are not judged by the number of students that they have but by the number of masters that they produce. Ueshiba Morihei, O-Sensei, certainly produced many. Outstanding researcher Stanley Pranin interviewed a…
For those interested in the history of Japanese martial arts another fine book is ARMED MARTIAL ARTS OF JAPAN: SWORDSMANSHIP AND ARCHERY by G. Cameron Hurst. The publisher included a good introduction: “This unique history of Japanese armed…
Doing Aikido does not make you a samurai. However, Aikido is a Budo that incorporates the best of the samurai tradition and omits the elements that are no longer desirable. For those interested in the history of the…