合氣是什麼？大東流合氣柔術的原理解說
｜ About Aiki

English Version

If a discipline bears the name "Aiki" yet does not address the topic of Aiki itself, it is evading the central issue.

So, what is Aiki? As previously discussed, it is a technique that effectively neutralizes an opponent’s resistance. This might involve eliminating any point at which the opponent can apply force, using a strong lower body to avoid exerting pressure at the physical point of contact, or performing techniques through coordinated use of the whole body’s structure. According to Yukiyoshi Sagawa, the true power of Aiki manifests not through brute strength, nor even through conscious use of the hips or body; yet, paradoxically, developing this power requires relentless training of the body. Though this may seem contradictory, it is, in fact, quite reasonable.

Before delving further, one might ask, "What, precisely, is Aiki?" But perhaps this question itself is misguided. Instead, we should ask: "What does Aiki feel like?” and “What is not Aiki?" By seeking out the correct sensation and rejecting the erroneous, by progressively narrowing in on the essence—much like approximating the irrational number π—we can draw ever closer to an accurate understanding. Through this process of infinite approximation, our sense of Aiki can become more refined; paradoxically, the process of seeking the feeling may in fact reveal the very methods best suited for training Aiki. Although this seems contradictory, it may prove the most practical path. Sensation is both the truest clue to the technique of Aiki and, simultaneously, the most treacherous illusion—it is easy to deceive oneself. Therefore, continuous self-doubt and rigorous questioning are essential for polishing one’s technique.

So, “what is the feeling of Aiki?” The current explanation is that it deceives the opponent’s reflexive senses (or, in other words, shuts down the opponent’s resistance mechanism). Deceiving the opponent’s reflexive senses means that once the tori (the one executing the technique) begins to move, the uke (the one receiving) cannot find any point to push back against. The concrete method is achieved through body movement, pivot sliding, pivot release, and similar means. The reason it is difficult to pinpoint the exact method lies in the fact that, through long-term training, the body autonomously executes a series of actions. Once the mind intervenes too much (software overload), it causes the body to slow down (hardware cannot execute), preventing the technique from being carried out with continuity and precision. Therefore, even though the sensation is elusive, it is nonetheless a necessary challenge on the path to Aiki.

Reconsider the earlier statement: “Aiki does not require physical strength, nor does it rely on the body, yet without rigorous bodily training, mastery of Aiki techniques is impossible.” The logic here is clear: Aiki does not emerge solely from strength or the body, but without persistent training, one may stumble upon the essence of Aiki only by chance, never reliably controlling it. This, at present, seems the most plausible interpretation.

Sagawa Sensei once remarked: “Aiki is not about uniting with the universe, nor is it a vague notion of embracing everything with love—it is a precise technique. Just as rockets reach the moon by adhering to exact scientific theory, overcoming an opponent also depends on sound principles." Sensei stressed: “I defeat opponents by applying theory, not force. I do not subscribe to the concept of limitless strength drawn from 'ki' or any divine source.”

“To believe that Aiki can be developed without training the body, simply because it is not about raw power, is a grave mistake. One cannot achieve it by intellect or spirit alone. Yet, even upon grasping the essence of Aiki, understanding how to strengthen it through training remains elusive—I had to figure it out for myself. Aiki is far from simple; it is subtle, intricate, and deeply complex.” 

- “The Color of the Abyss: The Biography of Yukiyoshi Sagawa" by Akira Tsumoto