The Effectiveness of Aikido
2/3/92
Mark J. Norton
In the hands of O-Sensei, Aikido was clearly one of the most capable and powerful
martial arts I have every encountered. Though I never met or had the previledge
to see him in person, I have seen many films and videotapes and have read a
number of personal accounts. All who have witnessed it were captivated by the ability of a
crippled old man (in the later stages of his life) who could deal with hugh powerful
men, killing blows, multiple assailants, etc.
Who among his followers has mastered this same ability? I have not met single a
single teacher of Aikido who even comes close to the qualities we associate with Morohei Ueshiba.
Where is the philosophy of the great master?
Where is the religion? Something in the way Aikido is taught is laking. I have
come to question the effectiveness of Aikido. Something is missing.
Certainly, much of this must be my fault. Even after eleven years of study, I am
very far from mastery of this art. I cannot devote myself to it exclusively for
the rest of my life. I have a career, a family, responsibilities. In some ways,
I lack the self-discipline to train hard: I could work out in the early morning, practice
weapons on the weekend, even arrange practice sessions at work. But I don't. It
is hard to get up early, and I enjoy other interests.
Still, I wonder. How truly effective is Aikido? How would it fare against a strong
Karate-man? Not well, I suspect, even in the hands of a current day Aikido-master.
Defense against powerful, capable opponents is not really taught in modern dojos (that
I can see). A few individuals, such as Alex Rusinko of New Jersey are experimenting
with adaptations of Aikido technique to defend against other forms of Martial Arts.
Steven Segal has been publically challenged by Benny Uriquez and others to
defend Aikido in a one-on-one match against them. He as declined to date.
Aikido seems to work best against two kinds of opponents: unskilled attackers and
fellow Aikidoists. Fellow Aikidoka do not (usually) have the intent to hurt you. This is something which cuts right to the heart of this whole art which bears thinking about.