i was thinking of learning aikido but is it just purly defensive?

Question

i think th elogic of this martial art is soo peacful and i really like it..not attacking but still stopping a conflict but i'm also looking for a mixture of attack and defense..i'v heard of Aikido "Aikikai" wich includes samurai sword...isint' tht the case to all aikido tranings?
and if it's just defensive can u please help me find another martial art?( i lvoe samurai swords katana btw lol)

i need a mixture of weaponry and kicking...and so..not jsut weaponry and not just kickign and not just defense ..lol i know i'm picky hehe

Answer 1

The general perception of Aikido is that it is a purely defensive martial art, and that there are no offensive techniques. In fact, Aikido is not so limited.

As described in a previous article in Dragon Times, there are four levels of technique in Aikido:

KATAI (rigid)
YAWARAKAI (resilient)
KI-NO-NAGARE (flowing)
KI (spirit)
Level 1 is where most training should be take place. The practice consists of a first training partner attacking a second training partner with a grip or strike, and the second partner performing a technique to neutralize the attack. The roles are then reversed, with the partners taking turns being the attacker and defender. In this form of training, the attacker is allowed to get a rigid grip on the defender before the defender begins the defensive technique. This is training to the hilt, because the defender must overcome the entire power of the attacker, who knows in advance which technique the defender is going to use.

Level 3 is similar to level 1, but the defender does not wait until the attacker gets a strong grip. Instead, the defender starts moving into the defensive technique as the attacker is in the process of gripping. This form of technique is flowing in that the attacker is led forward by his own determination to secure the grip.

Level 2 can be considered a transition between levels 1 and 3. In level 2, the defender is overwhelmed by the attacker's power and gives in resiliently like bamboo bending in the wind.

In all three of these levels, the defender merges into the attacker's power and takes control, more specifically transforming the original attacking movement into a new movement which results in the attacker being thrown or pinned. This the principle of AIKI, known in Japanese as AWASE (coming together) or KI NO MUSUBI (link of spirit).

Levels 1 to 3 are the basic training in Aikido, and can be compared to learning the alphabet and basic grammar of a language. The defensive part of the training is generally static, as the defender waits for a physical attack before initiating a defense.

Level 4 is where the defender's spirit and the attacker's spirit are one, and the defender is able to sense and control all movements of the attacker. In the words of Aikido founder O-Sensei Morihei Uyeshiba, "All I have to do is stand with my back facing the opponent. If the opponent tries to strike at me, his will to strike will hit and hurt himself. I am integrated with the universe, I possess nothing. When I stand up, I absorb my opponent."

Although level 4 is the ultimate in Aikido, it is very hard to attain, and to the best of my knowledge only O-Sensei and perhaps a very few others have reached it. The rest of us should not think about it, and train diligently in levels 1 to 3 to improve ourselves little by little, one day at a time.


An Exemplary Gateway
SHOMEN-UCHI IKKYO is one of the most basic techniques in Aikido. It consists of gripping an attacker's arm with both hands and pinning him face down. This technique can, and is in a number of schools, performed in response to a straight overhead strike (SHOMEN-UCHI). As such, the scenario is static defense as presented above.

However, O-Sensei and my teacher Morihiro Saito do not perform the technique this way. As taught by O-Sensei "Step out on your right foot and strike directly at your opponent's face with your right TEGATANA (handblade) and punch his ribs with your left fist." Budo, Teachings of the Founder of Aikido, translation by John Stevens, Kodansha America, Inc. 1991, page 41. Saito-Sensei teaches "The basic rule calls for your initiating a strike of your own prior to your partner's and grabbing his hand has he tries to parry your blow. By taking the initiative you will be leading the hand of your partner out into your own sphere of action." Aikido, Volume III, by Morihiro Saito, Minato Research & Publishing Co., Ltd., 1974, page 40.

This concept is not static defense. The defender initiates the engagement with a strike to the attacker's face. The defender has two choices; do nothing and get hit, or raise his arm in front of his face to block the strike. This latter movement is what is desired, and places the attacker's arm in the proper position for an IKKYO pinning grip. In other words, the defender calls out the attacker by inducing him to move in a desired way, and then merges into this movement and takes control in accordance with the principle of AIKI.

It is highly relevant that one of the most basic techniques in Aikido, as taught by the founder and his most long-time student, begins with an offensive strike. SHOMEN-UCHI IKKYO is not an isolated example. This is downplayed in basic training, but demonstrates clearly that the roots of Aikido run much deeper than static defense.

Reality
Aikido is a martial art that is especially concerned with self-defense. The first premise of self-defense is to walk away from a violent or potentially violent engagement as intact as possible. The main tools of self-defense are awareness and avoidance. If these tools fail and a person is physically attacked by a violent individual or group, the situation can be extremely dangerous and potentially lethal.

Physical self-defense techniques should never be limited to static defense. Especially in the case of an engagement involving multiple attackers who may be armed with deadly weapons, the odds are strongly in favor of the attackers. The difference between life and death can depend on a defender's ability to reduce the odds by preempting an initial attack.

Conclusion
Although basic Aikido training consists of static defense, the gateway to offensive application of technique is in plain sight and leads to another dimension of the art. Offensive technique should never, of course, be used to commit unprovoked attacks on innocent people. However, in some situations the only potentially successful defense is a strong offense, and the scope of Aikido fortunately provides this capability.

Answer 2

This is a common misconception. But why it's a misconception is pretty difficult to explain. I only skimmed the first answer, but it appears to come as close to an explanation as you're likely to get.

On the whole, though, the biggest problem with saying it's a defensive art is that it appears to imply that Aikido is passive. I have to admit, that I've been in Aikido classes where the instructor believed that himself, but as I approach my sandan I'm coming more and more to understand that it simply isn't true.

The idea that attacking is not good Aikido assumes that an attack is motivated by aggression. Aggression runs counter to the ideas of Aikido, but an attack in response to a promised attack can be as defensive as any passive technique.

I think, though, that beginning Aikidoists must learn a passive sort of subset of Aikido in order to avoid becoming aggressive. Later, as you come to a deeper understanding, you begin to explore the more active aspects. But even at a beginning level it's important to distinguish between a reactive mindset and a responsive one. The former doesn't allow for creative response, the latter does and that can make all the difference.

Okay, 'nuff rambling. Read the first response. Don't be passive. Don't be reactive.

Answer 3

I live in Japan and I used to take Aikido when I was younger. It was a lot of defensive stuff in that we focused primarily on what to do when an opponent strikes, but then again we turned that into offensive attack by, for example, if the enemy charges, we can grip them and throw them in such a way that it turns into an offensive move. So even though the offensive moves result from defending yourself, it is not only defensive. I don't remember ever using the samurai sword in that class but maybe I never got to that level. Are you at all interested in Karate/ Tai Kwon Do/ Judo? If you like swords, you should check out Kendo, Japanese fencing once used in samurai training exercises.

Answer 4

OK, I'm going to talk about Aikido. Aikido is one of the best martial arts ever created. It doesn't use unnecessary physical strength like other martial arts. Aikido uses ki, internal energy, and that surpasses physical strength infinitely. That's why Aikido is made up of 3 words, ai, ki, and do. Ai= harmony, ki= internal energy or spirit, and do=path. That basically means "the way of harmonious spirit". Aikido uses techniques that makes the opponent(s) lose their balance and use their strength/momentum against them, which is very good in combat. Aikido also helps with flexibility by doing the Aikido excercises. This art also helps with health, by using the techinque of misogi, breathing with the hara, the foundation of ki. That is what makes Aikido so good. You could combine it with Muay Thai if you wish, because soft and hard martial arts make the best combination. An example of that is Karate and Tai Chi. But if that can't fit your schedule, I recommend practicing Aikido. Aikido might be the "PEACE" art, and that is the thing you want to strive for. But Aikido can be very devastating, because it includes defense against weapons and disarming the opponent. Hope I helped and good luck on your path on martial arts!

Remember, self-defense is a last resort, use it if you REALLY need it. That's when people start attacking you. I thought this was a very interesting question. Thanks for letting me push out all my knowledge for Aikido. :]

Answer 5

Strictly speaking, Aikido-ka would never find themselves in a competitive match: competitions means there will be a winner and a loser, and that concept is anathama to Aikido. Strictly speaking, there are no aggressive strategies in Aikido, therefore, they would never attack. But Aikido-ka are humans, and humans have free will. Attack a human being who knows Aikido, and you might end up with a broken shoulder, or you might not: the outcome is not because of anything to do with Aikido, it has everything to do with the choices that Aikido-ka made. They are free to compete, but the techniques are not designed for competitive edge. And that was the basis for my previous answer: since there is no "reason" to attack (getting points or a KO), and since there are no aggressive strategies in Aikido, the Aikido-ka can only logically wait for the strike to come. In training, though, we do practice realistic strikes. Beginners don't: they are more concerned with the principles of attack and defense. As they become more senior, they are free to resist and become more free-form in their performance. People quit Aikido before they get to this point, because usually, they are frustrated with the progression to "realism" and "resistance". Honestly, if they had given it more time and patience, they'd have understood this. When you have someone's wrist in your control, it is but a quarter-inch in any direction that can make the person think twice about their actions. If they are hell bent on continuing with their attack, or if the Aikido-ka thinks that letting them go would be disasterous for the Aikido-ka, then a step outside the strategies of Aikido is necessary: the wrist must be broken. Will the heavens part the clouds and an admonishing finger be wagged at the Aikido-ka for doing this? Will the Aikido-ka be banned from further practice, or be stripped of rank? No, of course not. Pure Aikido is defense only. But, like yin and yang, it requires to understand committed strikes, and a variety of offensive movements, in order for it to be practiced. And humans are rarely pure at anything. So oftentimes, the question of Aikido's effectiveness (notwithstanding the issue of the matter that the stylist, and not the style, is the one who's effective) is based on several misunderstandings: that Aikido has no offense (that is true, but that doesn't necessarily apply to the stylist, who is free to add in whatever offense their ethics requires); or that Aikido is purely defensive.

Answer 6

Well, I doubt I can top the first poster's answer. So I'll just answer your question regarding the training with a sword. Aikido basic training at higher levels incorporates the practice of "Suburi" or cutting exercises with a Bokken(wooden sword) not as a weapon technique, but as a supplement to your empty hand and disarming techniques, the idea is that, if you can confidently defend against a 30 inch sword, then you can definitely gain enough confidence to defend against a shorter knife or a steel pipe. But that's not all, since Aikido forms are similar to kendo forms, the sword training forms helps you develop proper footwork, a good sense of timing and proper "maai" or distance. The countless repetition of sword strikes also helps develop proper breathing and strengthens your forearm muscles to improve your "tegatana" or sword hand as well as your grip. In addition to this, there is also supplemental training with a Jo or a short staff where you learn to extend your Ki thru your staff and onto your opponent. This is high level training that requires great sensitivity and well developed "Tai Sabaki" or body movements. But proficiency in the above weapons are usually required only when you reach nidan and sandan rank, but you shouldn't have to worry bout that until you reach shodan or first degree black belt rank, just concentrate more on your basic Katame waza(Flooring techniques) and Nage waza(Throwing techniques). With perseverance and dedication, you can cross that bridge when you get there.

Answer 7

I would say aikido is mainly defensive. It is all about using your attackers energy against him. If you master aikido, not much can harm you. It takes like 15 years to be a black belt. It is a really good system. It doesn't have to be the only one you do though.

For a more offensive art, why not some form of karate, muay thai, tang soo do or taitwondo?

Answer 8

No martial art is purely defensive but maybe the style has more counters than straight attacks. Counters are sometimes better than straight attacks. But if you want to do another martial art that involves swords I recommend you try Hapkido. Hapkido is an aggressive martial art.It has many of the weapons that Japanese martial arts have. For example, nunchucks, samurai swords, sais and various staffs. Good Luck!

Answer 9

Then the ideal martial art for you is aiki-jitsu, a mixture of aikido and ju-jitsu