Kan no me
Kan no me and the power of true observation is the pillar of kenjutsu and Yuishinkai aikido.I have lost count of the amount of times I have heard sensei say “look, don’t see”.Why does he say this.Kan in Japanese is …
Centre attack
It was sometime between 2005-6 that I started to have a deeper look at the idea of centre attack and control. I read quite a bit on WingChung at the inspiration of a friend that had been studying it for …
Budo
I’m In this world of entitlement and I have lost count of how many students have lost sight of the way. Budo is a tradition with a long and sometimes disturbing history. The culmination of which was world war 2. …
Art with no enemy
I was training/teaching up north on the weekend and we were exploring advanced aikido principle. I say advanced but really a very basic concept. To be in the here and now both physically and mentally. We say we are, but …
A formless art is an unteachable art
The techniques of Aikido change constantly; every encounter is unique, and the appropriate response should emerge naturally. Today’s techniques will be different tomorrow. Do not get caught up with the form and appearance of a challenge. Aikido has no form …
The role of uke
Why is it, according to just about all his students, when O’Sensei saw training where uke resisted the technique of nage the founder would fly into a rage and scream “that’s not aikido”? Why did kenjutsu shimizu say that, although …
Peters radio interview
Please have a listen to Peter Kelly’s aikido interview with ABC Hobart – click here – it starts just before the 7 minute mark.
Occupy the space in which the attackers intent lies
“Move the totality of the consciousness along the orbital path, finish in hanmi” “Aikido is not about changing the other, but about changing the self” “When the attacker comes they do not exist, and I do not exist” Morihei Ueshiba …
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Honest attack
If you do this……. No matter how good the sensei is, if the person who is attacking is not honest, it is difficult to handle the situation as freely as he would like. If you are honest and give your …
Understanding Uke
When we walk into a dojo for the first time, we should be taught that we are studying a kata. When we learn to roll and fall, this should not be called ukemi, it should just be called rolling and …
Kata
Kata is the vessel that holds the principles. Technique is a way to move to express these principles, it is not a way to fight, the techniques are just expressed movement in a select moment. Training the heart is utmost …
Aikido is not technique
One of the instructors commented the other day that the comments I have posted online were different to the common rhetoric that occupies the Internet forums. I agreed. There are many reasons for this, firstly Aikido is not technique. See …
What it isn’t….
I quite often find myself in deep contemplation regarding Sensei’s teachings. About the essence of the study of Budo, but more importantly, the essence of the study of Yuishinkai. I have decided I hate the word Aikido attached to what …
“Moon shadow foot” and “lizard leg”
Yesterday I was re-reading the founders book that was written as a technical guide. I haven’t actually had this book in my possession for many years as it was on loan. Anyway I was just thinking about 2003. This should …
My uncle Earnest
This paradox of training in Aikido is a difficult one. Over the years I have met all types of people that train for many different types of reasons. Health, spirituality, martial prowess or just to attempt to find that thing …
Fundamentals
I was discussing today with another instructor about an old video that I had posted regarding ukemi. He commented that he had never heard anyone explain what I was demonstrating in the way that I explained it. I get this …
Aikido has nothing to do with the techniques and forms
O-sensei was often angry during his class, saying, “Don’t be contrived.” When we practice the same technique repeatedly and get used to it, we often anticipate the opponents’ moves and block or avoid the technique unnaturally, even unconsciously. He called …
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Nage is the study of the self
Mind isn’t the use of “jedi” tricks. Mind is increasing understanding through bringing totality of awareness into each and every part of every movement at all times. In Aikido, nage is the study of the self. How the body moves …
Dedicated Aikido Yuishinkai dojo in Tasmania
by Koretoshi Maruyama Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai I have received word that Peter Kelly wishes to build a Dedicated Aikido Yuishinkai Dojo in Tasmania. I wholeheartedly support this proposal. Building a dojo in Tasmania has been a dream of mine …
What is mind? (3)
by Koretoshi Maruyama Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai (Translator’s note: Parts 1 and 2 are available in Japanese at: https://aikidoyuishinkai-japan-honbu.jimdofree.com/blog) I know I am repeating myself, but please allow me another opportunity to tell you about Soshu Shigyo’s definition of “god.” …
Where’s the Dog, Ma? A way to fix the current Aiki Crisis
Ueshiba sensei said, “Aikido is 95% perspiration and 5% philosophy.” By saying that, I have said everything.” (A. NOCQUET) It has happened to the art that I love. I suppose that it has happened for quite a while now, but …
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Ainuke, yeah……maybe not
There are very deep philosophical principles hidden in the art of Aikido. These principles aren’t discovered by the Ancient Greek version of philosophical debate, but rather discovered in the forging of the physical body, through hard work and tenacity. Anyone …
Peter Kelly 10th dan
On July 4, 2020, I granted the International Chief Instructor of Aikido Yuishinkai, Peter Kelly, the rank of 10th dan. In Japan, not just in Aikido, but in all martial arts, it is customary to grant high ranks, known as …
Future, Past, present
I have been away with the kids up the north east and have had far too much time on my hands walking on beaches thinking about Aikido, and more importantly, thinking about my role and the future of the art. …
“I am mind itself 10” by Koretoshi Maruyama sensei
“I am mind itself”10 Maruyama Koretoshi, the Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai I have been thinking about aikido as a martial art. I do not view aikido as a martial art. Aikido was created by Morihei Ueshiba, not for the purpose …
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“I am mind itself 9” by Koretoshi Maruyama sensei
What is freedom? The word “freedom” originated in England. Freedom means that individuals have opinions and ideas based on their own thoughts, and that they are responsible for their own actions. As a result, an individual’s reputation, position, and even …
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International Chief Instructor
Hello everyone. This is Koretoshi Maruyama. On January 31st 2019 I appointed Peter Kelly as international chief instructor and I wanted to take this opportunity to explain the roles of each type of instructor in the new structure of Aikido …
“I am mind itself 8” by Koretoshi Maruyama sensei
“I Am Mind Itself 8” Koretoshi Maruyama, Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai Happy New Year everyone. Every year, the chief abbot of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto chooses a single character that encapsulates his impression of the previous year. For 2018, he …
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“I am mind itself 7” by Koretoshi Maruyama sensei
“I am mind itself 7” Maruyama Koretoshi, the Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai About 400 years ago, in the 1590s, at the end of the Sengoku period, there lived a martial artist named Sekiun Harigaya. He was 180 cm tall, which …
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Ai-nuke and Aikido
“To become poisoned by secret teachings is something that occurs in Aikido as well. Instead of looking at their feet (“The feet reveal the secrets of the universe.”Morihei Ueshiba), people look up and imitate sophisticated movements in a pretentious, empty …
Photos of the 2017 seminar with Maruyama Sensei in Kendal, UK
Many thanks to Ina for making these photos during the 2017 seminar with Maruyama Sensei in Kendal, UK. 8 July morning class: https://photos.app.goo.gl/45gO21fT2qWiy9Ef1 8 July afternoon class: https://photos.app.goo.gl/XnSNHDUF2NFRkAPn2 9 July morning class: https://photos.app.goo.gl/lMcPnZ45LVeyhfjD3 9 July afternoon class: https://photos.app.goo.gl/JVGnNvwO3iGV9QnJ3 10 July …
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Meaning of true Aikido
I have written this article because both Peter and Martijn have asked me to clarify the connection between Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, and Aikido Yuishinkai. I worry that people from overseas, who have grown up in a different …
Interview with Maruyama Sensei in Bologna 2017
From the Chief Instructor Aikido Yuishinkai Italy, Franco Bertossa, Simone Shrap Semprini, Marco Schiavi and dear friends from Aikido Yuishinkai in Bologna. Thank you very much for doing this interview with Sensei. Here’s the interview with Maruyama Sensei who kindly …
Aikido Yuishinkai Motto (Part 2)
I am mind itself. The path I travel is long. However, I must not walk it as if I will reach my goal someday. Each step is the goal. I devote all of my energy to each step. I take …
“I am mind itself 6” by Koretoshi Maruyama sensei
“I am mind itself 6” Maruyama Koretoshi, the Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai We have entered a new year with the commencement of 2017. Looking back, the beginning of last year saw the resignation of Okajima-sensei from his role as my …
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“I am mind itself 5” by Koretoshi Maruyama sensei
“I am mind itself 5” Koretoshi Maruyama sensei, the Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai This year marks the 20th anniversary of Aikido Yuishinkai, we held a gathering of instructors from Australia, England, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands to commemorate the occasion. …
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Aikido Yuishinkai International Instructors
Dear Aikido Yuishinkai national Chief Instructors and dojo Head Instructors, I’m deeply grateful for your daily efforts to help Aikido Yuishinkai to transmit the techniques and spirit of true aikido as handed down directly by Morihei Ueshiba sensei. I would …
“I am mind itself 4” by Koretoshi Maruyama sensei
“I am mind itself 4” Maruyama Koretoshi sensei, the Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai In May of this year (2015), the World Friendship Seminar was held in Matsuzaka City in Mie Prefecture by Minoru Oshima sensei, who is the president of …
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Resources updated
The document with the Ki taiso and Aikido Yuishinkai Kata has been updated. The counting has been written out completely and minor additions to the explanation of the exercises. Click on the resources page.
What is Budo?
“What is Budo?” Maruyama Koretoshi, the Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai Before writing about the nature of ‘budo,’ I should first write about the difference between ‘budo’ and ‘sport.’ This is because even the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, …
“I am mind itself 3” by Koretoshi Maruyama sensei
“I am mind itself 3” Koretoshi Maruyama sensei, the Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai A new tendency to call martial arts and other types of physical activities which imply pair work “sports” has appeared recently. And I was asked recently: …
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Aikido Friendship Seminar in Matsusaka Japan 2015
Click here for the anouncement of the Aikido Friendship Seminar in Matsusaka Japan 2015.
Additional documents online
Two documents “Taiso and Aikido Yuishinkai Kata” and “Additional notes to test guideline” are now online, click on the resources page.
Report of trip to Japan
Click here for a report from Martijn van Hemmen of his trip to Japan with the latest teachings of Koretoshi Maruyama sensei.
New test guidelines
Koretoshi Maruyama sensei created new test guidelines, click on the resources page.
“I am mind itself 2”, by Koretoshi Maruyama sensei
“I am mind itself 2” by Koretoshi Maruyama sensei, the Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai There is a science called ‘quantum physics’. This science teaches that in the microcosm the object under observation definitely experiences the observer’s thoughts or that the …
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“I am mind itself”, by Koretoshi Maruyama sensei
“I am mind itself” by Koretoshi Maruyama sensei, the Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai The motto of Aikido Yuishinkai members starts with the words “I am mind itself”. I think that you visit this page because first you simply thought …
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Video interview with Koretoshi Maruyama sensei
Click here for the video interview with Koretoshi Maruyama sensei during the seminar in Bologna in 2012.
Presentation given by Koretoshi Maruyama sensei
Click here for the report of the presentation given by Koretoshi Maruyama sensei on the subject of Aikido during the Gendai Reiki Network International 2012 in Kyoto.