What is Aiki? Introduction to a method of analyzing Aiki. (Part 3)

January 1974, Dojo-biraki at Sagawa Dojo
Tetsuya Taguchi (the dojo’s longest training student) to the left of Sagawa sensei
Keisetsu Yoshimaru to the right of Sagawa sensei
Yoshio Ohara, front row right
Masaru Takahashi, second row left

You may recognize Yukiyoshi Sagawa’s student Keisetsu Yoshimaru (吉丸慶雪) in the photo above from the articles “Aiki no Rentai: The Conditioned Body of Yukiyoshi Sagawa” (Part 1 | Part 2), and “Yukiyoshi Sagawa on Bujutsu and Ki-Ryoku” (Part 1 | Part 2).

You may also recognize Yoshio Ohara, famous in Sagawa Dojo for his great strength, whose picture appeared in the second part of “What is Aiki?“, being thrown by Yukiyoshi Sagawa in Aiki-nage.

Masaru Takahashi (高橋賢) also appears in the commemorative photo above. Takahashi sensei was a senior student of the famous Daito-ryu instructor Yukiyoshi Sagawa, and continues to instruct at the Sagawa-den Daito-ryu Aiki Budo Sagamihara branch dojo (佐川伝大東流合氣武道相模原支部) and at the Daito-ryu Sagawa Dojo hombu (大東流佐川道場本部) in Kodaira city.

Takahashi sensei often contributes articles on Daito-ryu to the monthly Japanese Budo magazine Hiden (月刊秘伝), and is the author of a book on Chinese Qigong, 中国秘伝の秘伝術気功法, which has been translated into English and published as “Qigong for Health“.

This is the third and final section of the English translation of his thoughts concerning the analysis of Aiki. You may wish to read Part 1 and Part 2 before reading this concluding section. The original Japanese text appeared in Takahashi sensei’s book “The Truth of Daito-ryu Aiki” (大東流合気の真実), which was published in Japanese by Fukushodo Co. Ltd. in September 2007.

Other sections from this book appear in the articles “Sagawa Yukiyoshi, Masaru Takahashi and Breath Training in Daito-ryu” and “Strange, Odd and False Theories of Aiki“.

Yoshio Ohara (小原良雄) being thrown in Aiki-nage by Yukiyoshi Sagawa 

What is Aiki? Introduction to a method of analyzing Aiki. (Part 3)

(translation by Christopher Li)

Let’s look at a simple approach to Aiki from a neurophysiological and psychological perspective.

Aiki places importance first on the movement of the hands. When one is grasped by the enemy one must gauge their power through the internal senses of the wrists (Sensei expressed this as “Te-no-uchi” / 手の内) – how much power and from what direction the attack has come must be grasped in an instant.

As discussed previously, one must analyze both oneself and the opponent anatomically, and while remaining conscious of each individual section of the enemy’s muscular and skeletal structure, instantly work out the point of attack, angle, direction and footwork. The most important sensor used in calculating all of these factors in an instant is the internal senses of the wrists. It is through this sensor of the internal senses of the wrists, the “Te-no-uchi”, that one gauges and then turns to counter attack in an instant.

From Sensei’s emphasis on “the Te-no-uchi is important” can be inferred the meaning “It is important to sharpen the inner senses of the body while analyzing the power of the enemy”. When utilizing the “Te-no-uchi” adeptly and effectively, there must be no unnecessary power in the shoulders. It can be said that Sensei’s teachings of “remove power from the shoulders” and “don’t put (unnecessary) power into the hands” are required conditions for refining the internal senses.

Let’s explain “don’t put (unnecessary) power into the hands” in a little more detail. For example, in the case of Katate-dori, “power” must be concentrated only in the place on the wrists that is grasped by the enemy. Outside of this area, both above and below on both arms, unnecessary power is not required. This is the meaning of “don’t put (unnecessary) power into the hands”.

When considering the concentration of power only in the wrists in terms of physiological anatomy, it is physically impossible to move only the musculature in that area, and the muscle groups around that area carry more tension than necessary. This is associated with wasted energy, and the reason why “Aiki Shuchu-ryoku” (“Concentrated Power of Aiki” / 合気集中力) cannot be transmitted to the opponent.

As a first step in concentrating power only in the section of the wrist that has been grasped, “intent and imagery” are important. Sagawa sensei expressed this as “Aiki is intent” (合気は意識だ), but the meaning of this is that it is important to have strong intent in the “Concentration of Aiki” (合気の集中).

When expressing power, it is easy to induce a psychological mechanism that seeks to contain that power, and this is the cause of tension in the elbows and shoulders. When this occurs one’s natural power will not be transmitted directly to the opponent. In order to remove unneeded power, it is important to first cast off this “mentality of containment”. The removal of this “mentality of containment” is an important teaching related to “don’t put in power” (力を入れるな). One exercise for removing power from the shoulders and elbows is “Aiki-age” (合気揚げ). “Aiki-age”, which has the effect of conditioning the “Te-no-uchi”, is an important foundational exercise for producing what Sagawa sensei called “Transparent Power” (透明な力).

When compared to the “Transparent Power” that Sagawa sensei used, our power is still at the stage at which it should be called “Muddy Power” (濁った力). “Aiki-age” is a conditioning method that is indispensable for gradually reducing the “muddiness” while increasing “Transparent Power”. Naturally, Sagawa sensei was not able to make free use of “Transparent Power” at first either, and at the beginning must have also had some “muddiness” in his power.

The conditioning of weapons arts is effective in making the wrists soft and strong. For example, even in seated techniques, one cannot apply Aiki only through the movement of the hands. The hands are supported by the trunk and the lower body. There are also such teachings as “keep your body straight”, “don’t move your hips” and “put power into your lower abdomen”. Additionally, since the effectiveness of Aiki will vary depending upon the positional relationship of one and one’s enemy, ashi-sabaki (足捌き) and tai-sabaki (体捌き) become important. Sensei’s teachings of “don’t stiffen the knees”, “use your feet lightly” and “use the tips of your toes” are related to tai-sabaki. Figure 7 is a rough sketch that I am embarrassed to present – my notes on one example of Katate-dori Aiki that Sensei showed on August 19th of Showa year 48 (1973) using Mr. Yoshimaru as a partner. I drew Sensei’s posture when applying Aiki and the posture of his partner as they were destabilized, and noted what I felt at the time were the secrets of Sensei’s Katate-dori Aiki. You can see many of the basic points that were discussed above.

Figure 7: Yukiyoshi Sagawa demonstrates Katate-dori Aiki on Keisetsu Yoshimaru

“Sensei no Aiki”

Mr. Yoshimaru’s heels are floating, the center of gravity of the triangular body has been destabilized, the center of gravity has moved upwards and back.

Sagawa sensei’s wrist, elbows, chest and shoulder are forward, knees are lightly bent. The feet are in “Tsure-ashi” (連足), the heels appear to be down. Sensei’s body is completely soft.

Because human beings are made of flesh and blood the skeletal structure and the muscles are changing with every second. Consequently, from a physiological perspective one must match with the opponent’s body and respond instantly to their joints and musculature. This is another reason that one must not put unnecessary power into the body.

Expressing power carelessly when applying technique will trigger a reflexive defensive reaction in the enemy. When the enemy’s level of wariness is at its highest is when their defensive power becomes the greatest. Therefore, attacking methods are taught that physiologically suppress the enemy’s level of wariness to the lowest possible level and restrain their defensive power.

In addition to mechanical principles, what can be thought of as the great principle of the Aiki taught by Sagawa sensei “Use power efficiently to divert the enemy’s power, destabilize and attack” must be analyzed from the aspects of anatomy, biology, neurology and psychology. Sensei naturally came to understand these academic elements through numerous experiences of actual combat.

Yukiyoshi Sagawa demonstrates Aiki-nage with a walking stick

Conclusion

While it cannot be denied that Aiki Shugyo is extremely difficult, the individual points of advice given to us by Sagawa sensei are not at all difficult. If one follows the structure of the technical method of Sagawa-den Daito-ryu Aiki Bujutsu (佐川伝大東流合気武術), faithfully learns “Aiki Kyotei” (“The Teachings of Aiki” / 合気教程), and while diligently investigating Sensei’s teachings continuously builds their “Aiki Tanren” (“Aiki Conditioning” / 合気鍛錬), I believe that they will absolutely be able to grasp hold of Aiki.

Even if one is not able to realize the level of a master of Aiki, if one makes the effort they will be able to develop each of their individual “natural powers” to the highest possible levels, and will be able to better their mind and body (心身) along the “Way of Aiki” (合気の道) that Sagawa sensei has shown.

What has been introduced here are only basic principles. There are any number of other specific secret methods that were taught and practiced by Sensei. It is out of fear that the national treasures of these secret techniques would be lost to the world that I have disclosed even this small portion.

Masaru Takahashi – “The Truth of Daito-ryu Aiki” (大東流合気の真実)
Fukushodo Co. Ltd. in September 2007.

Christopher Li