Selected Articles from Issue 7
February 2001
SPRING LEARN-IN 2001!
A club activity for Spring of 2001 has been planned and approved by the club instructors. It will be called, “Spring LEARN-IN 2001!” We have chosen the date, Saturday, March 17, to hold the learn-in. What it will encompass is the conducting of three special classes for all of our students during that morning. The classes will be planned and taught by all of our instructors. Students are encouraged to attend and train in as many of the classes as they can. If they can not make it to all three classes, they should practice in at least one or two of them. All the instructors will be there at the classes to help each and every one of the participants. The learn-in will end with a lunch. There will be a small fee charged to buy bentos for anyone who will be at the lunch. Detailed plans are currently being worked on and further announcements are forthcoming.
Parents are invited to participate also. You may observe, just have lunch with us, or if you would like to, you may participate in the sessions. You will be introduced to the exercises your youngsters go through each session. You may also try and learn breathing exercises, etc. We would love to make this a “family” affair! If the shirts are received on time, we will also be distributing our new “Hilo Seishikan Aikido” t-shirts at the learn-in. So, come and participate everyone, and learn at Hilo Seishikan Aikido’s “Spring LEARN-IN 2001!”
CLASS ADDED TO SCHEDULE
We have been able to get another time slot at the Waiakea Recreation Center and have added another class to our club’s weekly schedule to better provide for our members. The class will be in session on Friday evenings from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. We are currently conducting Open Aikido classes for anyone from beginners to more experienced persons. Everyone is welcome to come and join. Those currently enrolled in our club are also welcome to come and practice during this class time.
T-SHIRT SALE IS ON!
A sale of official Hilo Seishikan Aikido t-shirts is currently going on. The t-shirts will be a shade of blue with the characters for “Seishikan” printed on the back, with the words “Hilo Seishikan Aikido” printed over the characters. On the front chest will be a patch-sized logo of Hilo Seishikan Aikido. On sale will be youth sized t-shirts, adult sized t-shirts, and adult sized long sleeve t-shirts. Prices are: youth t-shirts $8.25; adult t-shirts S-XL $8.50; adult t-shirts XXL $10.50; adult long sleeve t-shirts $15.50. We were fortunate to get some very reasonable prices.
Forms for placing your orders are available through your instructors. The deadline for all orders is Monday, February 26. The distribution of the t-shirts is planned for mid-March, possibly during our Spring LEARN-IN 2001! It all depends on our receiving the shirts in time. At any rate, place your orders on time. Show your spirit and pride in Hilo Seishikan Aikido!
PHILOSOPHY
Dr. Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo, is considered one of the foremost figures of modern martial arts . He is recognized as one of the three giants of modern budo along with aikido founder Morihei Uyeshiba-sensei, and karate master Gichin Funakoshi-sensei. All three of them had interesting and similar philosophies, and it is interesting and valuable to examine some of their thoughts. The following is one of Dr. Kano’s philosophies and worthy of our thinking about.
Dr. Kano said, “There are two types of judo—small judo and large judo. Small judo is concerned only with techniques and the building of the body. Large judo is mindful of the pursuit of the purpose of life: the soul and the body used in the most effective manner for a good result.” The exact same can be said of aikido! Think about it and make this a part of your daily life!
AIKIDO TRAINING
Aikido is a relatively recent innovation in the world of martial arts. Morihei Uyeshiba-sensei created aikido, after training extensively in several different schools of jujitsu, sword fighting, and spear fighting. O-sensei also immersed himself in religious studiess. He developed an ideology devoted to universal harmony.
Aikido is not only a system of fighting, but it is also a means of developing and improving oneself. True aikido has no tournaments, competitions, or contests. There is no “sparring” in aikido. Aikido is learned cooperatively at a pace related to the abilities of the aikido student. Uyeshiba-O-sensei taught that the goal of aikido is not to defeat others, but to defeat any negative characteristics that one may personally hold. At the same time, the potential of aikido as a means of self-defense should not be ignored. Aikido can be a truly effective means of self-defense. Aikido has its roots in several styles of jujitsu. Judo is also rooted in jujitsu. Although aikido has its roots in jujitsu, as well as sword and spear techniques, we must also remember that O-sensei also made his own innovations into aikido techniques. Those who have followed him have also influenced aikido and its practice.
There are no shortcuts to gaining proficiency in aikido. The same may also be said of all other aspects of living. In order to gain proficiency in aikido, one must make a sustained and dedicated effort in training. Learning aikido might be characterized as a “marathon,” not a “sprint.” it is impossible to become good at it in just a few months or years.
There are today many different schools and organizations that offer training in aikido. Many of these differ especially in philosophy and what is stressed in training. In America there are dozens of organizations, each differing slightly from each other. However, we might point out that almost every aikidoist believes in two aspects of aikido training. First, that one should always seek a peaceful resolution to any conflict, whenever possible. Second, that one should seek self-development and self-improvement through aikido training.
We might also look at the word, “dojo.” Dojo refers to the place where we learn “the way,” and also to carry on the way. In our case, “the way” refers to “the way of Hilo Seishikan Aikido.” The word dojo implies much more meaning and feeling than merely “gymnasium” or “place to take lessons.”
(continued in next issue of Tayori)