Aiki Jujutsu​

Kano Jigoro once referred to Aiki Jujutsu as the "highest form of jujutsu." The origins of Aiki Jujutsu can be traced over 900 years to Minamoto Yoshimitsu, and handed down in secret through the Takeda family until Takeda Sokaku began teaching Daito Ryu publicly in 1898. The historical purpose of Aiki was to create an advanced system of self defense specifically for the Imperial Guards. As such, many techniques originated as weapon retention and were later adapted for empty-hand use.

The principles of Aiki are taught through connection and sensitivity drills, referred to as Aiki no Jutsu (techniques of Aiki). It must be noted that these drills are not combative in nature, and are meant to teach the practitioner about structure, balance and power generation through isolation of various biomechanical principles. This is done to recondition and develop the body culture necessary to express internal power. The principles of internal power are then infused into standard Jujutsu waza to make them more effective and thus become Aiki Jujutsu.

When judging the effectiveness of a martial system, we must do so in the context it was designed to be efficient in. To understand where the true validity of Aiki no Jutsu lies, we must look at the historical context for which these techniques were originally created: weapon retention. Both batto gaeshi (sword retention) and tanto jutsu (knife fighting) help to reveal just how these obscure and often considered esoteric techniques can be used combatively in defense of one's life.

Knife Retention

Sword Retention