AIKIDO

This page is dedicated to a long term current project.  I am researching the modern martial art of Aikido, "the way of harmony."  I am fascinated by the concept of a fighting style dedicated to peace.  I have encountered thousands of practitioners and they consistently prove to be among the most interesting people that I meet and the wisdom offered in passing by both students, Sensei, and Shihan seem too precious to be simply tossed away so I will collect the addages and insights  along with occassional descriptions of actual techniques as they relate to understanding the ideas. (note-I will accredit statements to the individuals who introduce them to me unless they were offered as quotes.)

"See each sword cut first in your mind and let the movement be shadow of that act."

Keisuke Ogawa, 3rd Dan

Writing is similarly a process of developing a certain knowledge of an audience's reaction to a theatrical moment before the curtain rises.

"When pushed yeild.  When pulled enter." 

Henry Smith, 6th Dan 

"A teacher is always there, a teacher is always cheerful."

John Stevens, author

"Heaven and earth are always above and below, meeting in man." Anonymous

"Edit out the extraneous."

Anonymous

To perform a single task with a single mind is the single goal of life.

Zanshin

This is one of my favorte concepts and articulations.  The best writing is a result of the same single minded focus.  The world recedes and my mind is focused exclu-sively on the world of my creation.  My five senses are all employed in the world of fantasy so that I see, hear, touch, smell, even taste the wine on the cafe table in BEDLAM MOON.  This focus unlocks the subconscious and taps the unconscious allowing connections between ideas that are too subtle to consciously craft.  The challenge to all writers is to train ourselves, like martial combatants facing a sword, to recreate that intensely narrowed focus so that when we return to the conscious task of editing there is something substantial on the page to work with.

The untrained mind reacts, the trained soul responds.

Sempei Michael,Edo Yagyu Shinkage-Ryu

I frequently sit and watch students studying Iado, the art of drawing the sword, with Paul Manogue Sensei at Aikikai Philadelphia.  They will spend hours on successive days practicing and perfecting a single solo kata.  Any mistake can result in a self inflicted wound. I have yet to figure out how this relates to the process of writng but I am sure that this is a metaphor for something.

"True victory is self victory..."

M. Ueshiba

                                    SEMINAR RECOMMENDATIONS

  (These are general comments on specific sensei who I can personally recommend for practicing Aikidoka.)

YAMADA SHIHAN:*  Classical Aikido interpreted flawlessly.  Conducts seminars worldwide.

SUGANO SHIHAN:*   Excellent weapons and tachi waza despite leg amputation.

HARVEY KONIGSBERG SHIHAN: Especially informative about connecting movement to ones center.

JOHN STEVENS:*  Prolific author and expert on Japanese philosophy.  Expanded suburi repertorie.

GREG O'CONNOR: Charismatic and generous teacher of fluid aiki-movement.

NIZAM TALEB:  Currently residing in Europe.  Outstanding Seito weapons plus clear interpretation of Nishio.

PAUL MANOGUE: Clear explanations and aggressive movement.  Iado experts as well.

WILLIAM GLEASON:* Phenomenal weapons master.

OSAWA SHIHAN: Master of effortless movement.

SATO SHIHAN: Powerful niho giri interpretations.  Inspired jo kata interpretations.

HENRY SMITH: Martial interpretations of flowing Aikido.  Good weapons also.

MARY HEINEY: Absolutely flawless representation of the power of ki.

IRV FAUST: Martial movement with inspired joint locks.

                                                  *Available on training tapes.