Originally Posted by
Green_Dreads
This is probably a question which most experienced Aikidoka have become tired with, but it stills gets me. When I read stories about Ueshiba, I get the impression of a completely invincible man.
The stories of O-Sensei's triumphs over Judoka are really inspiring. As are most of his supposed achievements, such as being able to dodge blows from a master of kendo until the kendoka was unable to continue.
Now then, that million-dollar-question, why aren't we that good? We are, essentially, training in the principles and techniques that he laid down. I would even go so far as to say that very little of my Aikido training has been martial in nature, its mainly been about form and kata. This suggests that the people training me are, likewise, not as good as O-Sensei at simply performing nage on a live opponent.
I've heard some good suggestions. For example, iI read in an article I will look for again (but right now can't seem to find) that in Iwama, O-Sensei forbade kiai-shouts, and made the training as unmartial in nature as budo could possibly be. (Note that I practise Aikikai, not Iwama ryu, so I can't confirm this, but others using these boards could). Even then, what about those following the Yoshinkan style of Aikido? This style stems from a different era in Aikido's history, so why can't its practitioners show the same martial skill as O-Sensei at that time?
It leaves a remarkable amount of questioning. One solution that comes to mind is that O-Sensei was simply incredible at kiai-jutsu, and so could mesmorize his opponents and gain the advantage. Another is ki. Look at what some Qi Gong pracitioners can do - take blades to the skin, be run over with a motobike, etc - it seems possible that O-Sensei drew his strength from ki as do modern Qi Gong and other similar arts. Whatever it was, you have to ask, why was this not taught to his students? Or was it, in secrecy (which would mean the knowledge was still in existence today)?
On a related note - how did early Aikido sensei like Tomiki, Tohei etc appear so much stronger than modern Aikidoka? What's changed?
Of modern Daito-ryu - how many today are as strong as Takada? What was he not showing?
I accept that I will probably never reach these standards. The standard I will most likely reach is pretty worldly in comparison. I still have to ponder why this is when I still believe these people were this good.