Is Shodokan aikido, making Aikido effect??
Shodokan or Kyogi?
As a dedicated martial artist and enthusiast of varied combat styles, I have recently discovered Shodokan Aikido (昭道館合気道) through martial arts groups on Facebook. Also known as Aikido Kyogi (合気道競技), this particular style offers a unique and competitive approach to the traditional art of Aikido, drawing inspiration from its sibling art, Judo. It’s interesting to note that both Aikido and Judo have roots in Traditional Jiu Jitsu techniques, diverging during the Meiji Restoration.
Founded by Kenji Tomiki, Shodokan Aikido is a style of Aikido that places more emphasis on free-form sparring, known as randori (乱捕り), than most other styles. This “Competitive Aikido” was formalized in 1976, rooted in the principles of Aikido but also incorporating actual Aikido sparring with full resistance, creating a distinct platform for practitioners to test their skills in a competitive setting.
Originating from the Waseda University Aikido Club in 1958, Shodokan Aikido gained prominence with the establishment of the Shodokan hombu dojo in Osaka, Japan, in 1967 by Kenji Tomiki himself. The art further solidified its presence with the formation of the Japan Aikido Association in 1974 and subsequent certification as a specified non-profit organization in 2005.
Notably, Masako Tomiki currently serves as the Chairman of the Japan Aikido Association, carrying on the legacy of her late husband, Kenji Tomiki. The influence of Shihan Tetsuro Nariyama and Fumiaki Shishida, both prominent figures within the Shodokan Aikido community, has significantly contributed to the development and promotion of this unique style.
The Shodokan Aikido Renmei, also known as the Shodokan Aikido Federation, was established as a result of a significant split within the Shodokan Aikido world. This division resulted in the official recognition of Shodokan Aikido as “Tomiki Aikido” by the Japan Aikido Association, reflecting the intricate dynamics within the Aikido community.
A pivotal aspect of Shodokan Aikido is its approach to competitions and tournaments, which are structured to encompass various events like Embu, Tanto Randori Shiai, Ninin Dori, and Kogodantaisen. These events, each with their unique focus and requirements, provide practitioners with an opportunity to showcase their skills in both structured and unstructured settings, contributing to the growth and evolution of Shodokan Aikido as a competitive martial art.
Shodokan Aikido Tournaments Structure & Scoring
In Shodokan Aikido tournaments, participants engage in a diverse range of events that evaluate their proficiency in different aspects of the art. Embu, taking the principles of kata and applying them in an unstructured manner, tests the ability of Aikidoka to effectively apply specific Aikido techniques in a variety of scenarios. This showcases their adaptability and decision-making skills in real-time combat situations.
Another event, Tanto Randori (短刀乱取), also known as Shiai (試合), involves full competition randori where practitioners demonstrate their ability to deal with a thrusting attack from a short baton, adding an element of realistic self-defense training into the competitive arena.
Ninin Dori (二人取り), a free-style event with three players , challenges participants to showcase their variation of technique and attack, speed of performance, spatial awareness, and general reaction under stress. This event not only requires technical prowess but also demands considerable stamina from the participants.
Kogodantaisen, a seven-person team event, combines the practice of both Randori (乱取り) and Kata (形), presenting a holistic assessment of the participants’ skills taught by the first president, Kenji Tomiki (富木健司).
In alignment with the competitive nature of Shodokan Aikido, scoring in tournaments encompasses various criteria, including Tanto Tsukiari, Yuko, Waza-ari, and Ippon. These scoring systems effectively translate the successful application of Aikido techniques into measurable points, providing a clear framework for evaluating and comparing the performance of practitioners in a competitive setting.
Scoring
Credits
| Technique | Points | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tanto tsukiari | 1 | Awarded for a successful tantō strike. For the strike to count, the tantō must land on the upper half of the torso. The arm must be extended, the strike should be perpendicular to the attacker’s body, and the attacker must be moving forward, finished with good balance. Glancing hits do not count. Obviously, this does not apply to toshu randori. |
| Yuko | 1 | Awarded for a balance break, or for making your opponent retreat out of the designated area. |
| Waza-ari | 2 | Awarded for a full throw or lock, but losing good posture and balance. |
| Ippon | 4 | Awarded for a full throw or lock, keeping good posture and balance. |
Penalties
| Term | Points | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Shido | 1/2 | Awarded to the opponent when a competitor commits a minor violation. Shido are only counted in pairs. Examples of shido include: |
| – Dogi-mochi shido: Grabbing hold of the gi. | ||
| – Taisabaki shido: Failure to dodge properly, e.g. by swatting the knife away instead of moving out of its path or receiving a glancing blow. | ||
| – Tanto shido: Failure to mind the knife. tanto may receive a tanto shido if he or she drops or loses control of the knife; toshu may receive a tanto shido if he or she allows the tanto to be pressed against their body for three seconds. | ||
| Chui | 1 | Awarded to the opponent when a competitor commits a major violation. In American tournaments, 2 chui end the match. |
Resources
- Guidelines of The 3rd WSAF Aikido World Championships
- Bradford Aikido Club
- Rules According to aikido-kyokai
Uniforms and Equipment Used
Shodokan Aikido, like many traditional martial arts, relies on specific uniforms and equipment to facilitate training and competitions. The following table outlines the essential uniforms and equipment commonly used in Shodokan Aikido:
| Aikidogi | Traditional uniform consisting of a jacket and pants, designed to withstand the rigorous movements and techniques of Aikido. |
| Bokken | Wooden training sword used to practice Aikido techniques and kata, emphasizing proper form and movement. |
| Hakama | Traditional wide-legged pants worn over the Aikidogi, symbolizing the wearer’s progression and expertise in Aikido. |
| Jō | Staff weapon used in Aikido training and kata, showcasing the versatile application of Aikido techniques in weapon-based combat. |
| Obi | Belt worn to secure the Aikidogi and signify the practitioner’s rank and level of mastery in Aikido. |
| Tanto | Training knife, typically made of rubber or padded material, used for self-defense and sparring practice in Aikido. |
Shodokan Aikido, with its innovative approach to incorporating competition and real-life defense into the traditional art, may serve as the saving grace for Aikido as a whole. By embracing free-form sparring, structured tournaments, and a scoring system that evaluates the practical application of techniques, Shodokan Aikido offers a compelling and potentially effective form of the martial art.
This evolution not only expands the reach of Aikido but also showcases its adaptability and relevance in contemporary combat scenarios. From this dynamic style, we witness the emergence of an Aikido that is not only preserving its roots but also flourishing as a potent and practical discipline in the realm of martial arts. While Shodokan Aikido has a lot of growth to do, we applaud it over the traditional practice of aikido which has limited its own development
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What distinguishes Shodokan Aikido from traditional Aikido styles? | Shodokan Aikido emphasizes free-form sparring, known as randori, and incorporates actual Aikido sparring with full resistance, offering a competitive dimension to the traditional art of Aikido. |
| How are Aikido techniques scored in Shodokan Aikido tournaments? | Aikido techniques are scored based on Tanto Tsukiari, Yuko, Waza-ari, and Ippon, which reflect the successful application of techniques and the mastery displayed by practitioners in competitive settings. |
| What is the significance of the uniforms and equipment used in Shodokan Aikido? | The uniforms and equipment used in Shodokan Aikido facilitate training and competitions, symbolizing tradition, expertise, and providing the necessary tools for practitioners to hone their skills effectively. |
| What led to the formation of the Shodokan Aikido Renmei and its impact on the Aikido community? | The formation of the Shodokan Aikido Renmei was the result of a significant split within the Shodokan Aikido world, leading to the recognition of Shodokan Aikido as “Tomiki Aikido” by the Japan Aikido Association, reflecting the intricate dynamics within the Aikido community. |
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