Aikido – New Warriorship?

(A Christian View)

By

Rev.Vitold Jordan, Th.M.

O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba demonstrating self-defense technique (Kokyu-nage)

"The way of the warrior has been misunderstood as a means to kill and destroy others.

To smash, injure, or destroy is the worst sin a human being can commit.

The real way of the warrior is to prevent slaughter - it is the Art of Peace"

"Fighting and war can destroy mankind utterly.

Those who seek competition and contention are making a grave mistake.

The Art of peace is required, not the art of war".

"There is no enemy... You are mistaken if you think that Budo [Martial Arts in general]

means to have opponents and enemies and to be strong and defeat them.

There are neither opponents nor enemies for true Budo.

True Budo is to be one with the Universe [God, mine];

that is, to be united with the center of the Cosmos". 

- MORIHEI UESHIBA, Founder of Aikido
 

"Study the old, understand the new". 

- GICHIN FUNAKOSHI, Founder of Karate

“Do not merely listen to the Word [teaching], and so deceive yourselves.

Do what it says…

If anyone considers himself spiritual [or religious; other translations]

and yet does not keep a tight rein on his conduct,

He deceives himself and his spirituality is worthless”. 

-  JAMES 1.22-27

I was been asked to speak on Aikido from the Christian point of view both to Christians who are interested practicing Yeshua-Do and also to my non-religious students. Since Yeshua-Do derives to a great extent from Aikido, and since I am both a Christian and at the same time an instructor of Aikido/Iaido, I think I can speak on the topic from a balanced point of view and avoid exaggerations.

First, let’s take a closer look at the origins of Aikido.

Aikido was developed from the ancient samurai martial art called Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jutsu, created by Shinra Saburo-no-Yoshimitsu (12th century), and was then improved by famous Takeda clan. This combative art had nothing in common with the principles of compassion or mercy. The samurai was train to fight fearlessly to death, and taking the life of an opponent was actually considered a priority and honor. The same spirit can be found today in the philosophies of Aiki-ju-jutsu, some Karate and Ken-jutsu styles, and of course Nin-jutsu  (the art of killing, and assassination) – which are glorified by some Bu-jutsu teachers and Hollywood in order to impress the movie audience. The late Aiki-jutsu grand Master Sokaku Takeda who de-facto became the primary teacher of the future Aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) was involved in many affairs. Throughout his life Sokaku was obsessed with the fear to be poisoned or attacked by assassins, so his techniques were mostly meant to kill or paralyzed an opponent’s immediately. His hands were also stained with the blood of many people. 

Morihei Ueshiba, commonly addressed as O’sensei (Great Master), during his life-long quest for a new Martial Art, was probably closest to find this true one. As a very religious person and Omoto-Kyo (Shinto sect) priest he believed in many gods and worshipped them and communicated with some of them for guidance (I can imagine that this fact would be hard to digest by some Christians); at the same time, though, he believed in  restoring order to the earth by making peace. To realize this vision Ueshiba went to Mongolia in 1924 hoping to create a new "heaven on earth" or a “Kingdom of Peace”. But the people of his time didn't know what to make of this rather strange religious concept, so he fell into many troubles with authorities. Eventually, he became a great master in 32 different Ryu or schools of the Japanese warriorship. With this experience, combined with Shinto philosophy/mythology, he introduced in 1941 a new revolutionary Martial Art called AIKIDO, the Way of Harmony. As a martial artist even at his 80's, this extraordinary warrior/priest, could disarm any foe, throw down any number of attackers, and pin opponents with a single finger. I think his purpose was truly noble by promoting non-violence and returning to the Source of peace through martial training. Unlike most teachers in Martial Arts, which accepted the inevitability of war and emphasized cunning  and deceptive strategy as a means to victory, Morihei Ueshiba understood that continued fighting with others, with ourselves, and with the environment will only ruin this planet. Before his death in 1969 he often used to say, "Fighting and wars will destroy mankind and the earth utterly. What we need now are the techniques of harmony, not those of contention. The Art of Peace is required, not the Art of War". And here, in his last words we can see his true understanding and new vision for the arts of warriorship.

O’sensei during teaching, late 1960’s

However, in spite of his noble desire and vision for the “Kingdom of Peace”, his system does not produce lasting spiritual fruits which can cause a real transformation in man. Although there are many who continue to believe that it can be realized, Ueshiba’s conception of Budo as a way of uniting all people in love and harmony actually died with him; and even among practitioners of Aikido, one rarely sees his ideal put into practice in their own lives.  One of the reasons for this, I think, was Ueshiba’s lack of any practical work of charity for the goodness of mankind. Throughout his entire life he was totally concentrated and worked only on his own spiritual development, seeking enlightenment and martial mastery, often neglecting his own family. If he himself didn't produce the practical fruits of his philosophy of care and compassion, then it is no wonder that his followers couldn't and cannot achieve this.  Near the end of his life, as John Stevens  (6^th Dan), I think rightly noticed in his book "Abundant Peace", O’sensei sadly confessed, "I have given my life to opening this path, but when I look back there is no one following me...” Stevens Sensei continues, "The lamentable lack of harmony among Morihei's  disciples and the constant bickering over who is teaching the "real" Aikido are disheartening, and the number of misguided souls - vicious brutes who violate the heart of Aikido by violence and those who churn up discord with their malicious tongues - encountered during the course of training is distressingly large. The abuse and distortions of Morihei's teaching run on and on".

Well, I believe that we can still find in Aikido clubs many honest seekers of truth; unfortunately, however, the philosophy of Aikido often serves to cover up the fact that Aikido has been turned into a profitable business (for example, the selling of Dan ranks and titles is very common), rather than a bridge of unity and harmony between people. My own personal experience (of at least 25 years in Aikido circles) has also convinced me that there is no visible power among practitioners of Aikido causing a real transformation in the inner man. This observation should be taken as a serious warning for us Christians, since Christianity is challenged and judged daily by the world, probably more so than any other religion. And whatever standard of righteous conduct we present to others comes back to us with a loud echo.

In response, I would like to ask such people the following questions:  If modern Aikido claims to have nothing in common with religions why do we have today so many Aikido instructors promoting Shinto or Buddhist rituals/beliefs in their dojos? Why do they build Shinto altars and commend their students to clap and bow towards it? Why do some instructors even attempt to become Shinto/Buddhist priests? And again why do some glorify Master Ueshiba as a deity?  When Ueshiba left us with Aikido, he had no intention of founding a new syncretistic religion.  That was not his message.  And in no sense did he allow his students to copy his religious rituals. He also did not intend to found a religion that would allow people to continue living sinfully.  When people are impressed with this kind of “religiosity,” which requires no transformation of the inner man, it is understandable that they would be critical of anything that offers the true way to freedom.

I really want to stress that my personal journey through Aikido clubs and schools (my private Dojo included), and my contact with many different organizations and high-ranking Japanese and non-Japanese Shihans (Master-Professor Int., min.6^th or 7^th Dan), was in some way inspiring and beneficial; however, it also convinced me that Aikido has no real power to be the true martial art for peace. Tensions and quarrels about territorial influence among aikido-people are common. And the very words of O’sensei, “Aikido has no boundaries - religious, social, or racial; it’s opened to the world…accepts everyone”, have been abused or violated. Jesus said; “By the fruits you can recognize them” (Matt.7.16).  Indeed, the first thing we should look for are the fruits.  A proof of this biblical saying is that even the best teaching or philosophy must be practically applied in daily life; otherwise it is not worthy, but merely leaves one deceived.

It is important to note that as Christians, while we respect the religious beliefs of the Aikido founder; we Do NOT perform any Shinto or Buddhist rituals common to many dojos (i.e. bowing before a shrine and picture of the founder). To be sure, we can find in O’Sensei’s teaching aspects resembling the truth taught by Jesus Christ himself or the Apostles – such as the necessity for the transformation of the inner man, longing for the Kingdom of God, and global Peace. Nevertheless, we need to be wise in discriminating between clear Biblical truths and facts and Eastern conceptions of relativism and corresponding misconceptions of tolerance.  Some of O’Sensei’s religious teachings are so far from the basic Christian doctrines about salvation and grace, and from true comprehension of the spiritual conflict between good and evil, that they cannot be accepted.  Therefore, careful investigation and discernment must precede one’s every step. 

 “They will beat their swords into ploughshares,

And their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against nation,

Nor will they train for war any more”. 

- ISAIAH 2.4; and - MICAH 4.3

Posted by

Sensei Vitold, 5th Dan Aikido & Iaido

(Head Instructor of Yeshua-Do)

TECHNICAL SECTION

Tai-jutsu technique – Jo-Dori KOKY-UNAGE - presented by Shihan Mitsunari Kanai (8^th Dan Aikido) and myself as his ‘Uke’ (partner) during my Aikido & Iaido Shugyo-training (1988-1989) in New England Aikikai, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

The End

Mitsunari Kanai Shihan and Vitold, New England Aikikai, Boston, USA, January 8, 1989 

1“Abundant Peace”, John Stevens, Shambhala Publications, 1987