Mar 27, 2024
Tekubi-waza, the Tomiki method
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Tekubi-waza, the Tomiki method
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The Paradox of "Martial Arts" Without Combat
Introduction: Beyond the Mat – Exploring the Deeper Dimensions of Tomiki Aikido It has been a while since I wrote about my thoughts on martial arts, particularly on Tomiki Aikido. Recent challenges regarding the use of Kenji Tomiki’s books as study tools have forced me to reconsider my involvement in this martial art. I find myself at a crossroads: I could simply disappear from the Tomiki Aikido…
Tanren-shugi and Goraku-shugi in Kenji Tomiki's Budō Philosophy: A Brief Introduction
In Kenji Tomiki’s comprehensive framework for understanding martial arts in the modern world, two contrasting yet complementary philosophical approaches to physical education emerge: tanren-shugi (鍛錬主義) and goraku-shugi (娯楽主義). These concepts represent different dimensions of how physical activity, particularly martial arts, can be approached in educational settings. Tanren-shugi (鍛錬主義): The…
Kenji Tomiki (1900-1948): Pioneer of Modern Aikido
Early Life and Education (1900-1929) Kenji Tomiki was born in March 1900 in Kakunodate, Akita Prefecture in northern Japan. He progressed through Kakunodate Elementary School and Yokote Prefectural Middle School before attending Waseda University’s Second Higher Academy. He ultimately graduated from Waseda University’s Faculty of Political Science and Economics. Tomiki began practicing judo…
Translating Tomiki's Budōron
Translating Kenji Tomiki’s “Budōron” (武道論): Critical Concepts Requiring Clarification The translation of Kenji Tomiki’s “Budōron” (武道論 – “Theory of Martial Arts” or “Discourse on the Martial Way”) presents unique challenges due to its rich philosophical content and historical context. Several critical concepts in this seminal work require careful clarification to preserve their full meaning and…
Mushin Mugamae? What huh?
Mushin Mugamae is a Japanese expression often used in the context of Tomiki’s Aikido. It is usually translated as ’empty mind, no posture’. But is this really the case? We need to understand and describe this expression in a much broader context. A summary of the comments made by Kenji Tomiki regarding Mushin Mugamae “No mind” (“mushin” 無心) represents the highest mental state in human…
Tomiki Aikidō and La Canne
European Martial Arts Through Time European martial arts have a rich history that spans thousands of years, with distinct traditions developing across different regions and time periods. Unlike Asian martial arts, which often maintained continuous traditions, European martial arts experienced periods of evolution, transformation, and sometimes discontinuity. Here’s how they can be traced and…
Aikido as a Performance Art: An In-Depth Exploration
A person is identified not just by their name but by the human values they embody. Strip away those values, and the person becomes an object, easily manipulated by dictators, corporations, and social media.Similarly, a martial art is defined by its name and the human values it imparts. Remove those values, and it becomes vulnerable to exploitation by salespeople, corporations, or worse—it loses…