私は昔から、同じ属性の人ばかりが集まることに違和感を感じてきた。同じ属性の人が集まると、その集団の中でさらに違いを探し始め、やがて誰かを外へ追いやろうとする心理が働くことがあるからだ。その結果、人が居づらい場になってしまう。私はそうではなく、それぞれの違いを認め合い、その良さを尊重できる場のほうが面白いと思っている。
合気道にもさまざまな合気道がある。若者には若者の合気道がある。元気が有り余っていた頃は、飛び受け身が好きだったし、力強い投げ技にも憧れた。中年には中年の合気道がある。腰の動きで相手を導き、目には見えない力の働きに魅力を感じる。高齢者には高齢者の合気道がある。大きな動きや強い力を使わなくても、相手を導く術がある。また、男女による違いもある。力強く迫力のある合気道もあれば、柔らかくしなやかな合気道もある。どちらが優れているということではなく、それぞれに良さがある。そして、それぞれが混ざり合い、お互いに影響を与え合う。その中で新しい発見や学びが生まれる。その面白さこそ、人間の本質なのではないかと思う。
だから当道場も、今は女性が多いが、これからも年齢や性別、経験の異なるさまざまな人が集まる場になればいいと思う。そして、お互いの違いを尊重しながら共に学び合える合気道ができたらいいなと思う。
遊び稽古
１体操
２杖になれる
３ ２５の杖
４四方投げ表裏ループ
本稽古
１合気体操
２足捌き
３受け身
４気合わせ正面打ち三教ストレッチ
５横面打ち小手返し気型
６横面打ち一教表
７横面打ち四方投げ表
８横面打ち三教裏
９多人数取り逆半身片手取り前落とし
お盆にもかかわらず、稽古に来てくれる人がいる。それは本当にありがたいことだ。
稽古についてはあまり考えないほうがいいと思う。行くべきか、休むべきか。やるべきか、やらざるべきか。そんなことをいちいち考えなくてもいい。息を吐く。息を吸う。そして合気道をする。私は稽古とは、そのくらい自然なものでいいのだと思う。もちろん、仕事や勉強を優先しなければならない時もあるし、休むことが悪いわけでもない。それでも、道場があり、稽古があるなら、肩の力を抜いてふらりと行けばいい。遅刻するなら残り３０分でもいいじゃないか。
合気道は何かを成し遂げるためだけのものではない。乱れた心や身体を整え、本来の自分に戻るための時間でもある。だから、やるべきかどうかを考えなくていい。息をするように、ただ稽古をする。それで十分だと思う。
I have always felt uneasy when groups are made up entirely of people who share the same attributes. When people gather around a common identity, they often begin searching for smaller differences within the group, and before long, someone may be pushed to the outside. When that happens, a community can become a place where people no longer feel comfortable belonging.
I find something else far more interesting: a place where differences are acknowledged, respected, and appreciated.
Aikido itself exists in many forms.
There is an Aikido for the young. When I was younger and overflowing with energy, I loved high falls and admired powerful throwing techniques.
There is an Aikido for middle age. As I have grown older, I have become fascinated by guiding a partner through the movement of the hips and by the invisible forces that operate beneath the surface of technique.
There is also an Aikido for the elderly. Even without large movements or physical strength, there are ways to lead and connect with a partner.
There are differences between men and women as well. Some Aikido is powerful and dynamic, while some is soft and flowing. Neither is superior to the other. Each has its own beauty.
When these different approaches come together, they influence one another. New discoveries emerge. New lessons are learned. I believe this process of mutual influence and growth reflects something fundamental about human nature itself.
That is why I hope our dojo continues to be a place where people of different ages, genders, and levels of experience can gather. At the moment, we have many female members, and I am grateful for that. But more than anything, I hope we can continue to build an environment where differences are respected and where everyone can learn from one another through Aikido.
Play Practice
- Warm-up exercises
- Becoming familiar with the jo
- The 25 Jo Movements
- Shiho-nage Omote/Ura loop exercises
Main Practice
- Aiki warm-up exercises
- Footwork
- Ukemi (breakfalls)
- Ki-awase shomen-uchi sankyo stretch
- Yokomen-uchi kote-gaeshi ki-gata
- Yokomen-uchi ikkyo omote
- Yokomen-uchi shiho-nage omote
- Yokomen-uchi sankyo ura
- Multiple-attacker gyaku-hanmi katate-dori mae-otoshi
Even during Obon, there are people who come to practice. For that, I am truly grateful.
When it comes to training, I think it is best not to overthink it.
Should I go, or should I stay home? Should I train, or should I rest?
Sometimes there is no need to ask such questions.
You breathe out. You breathe in. And you practice Aikido.
To me, training can be that natural.
Of course, there are times when work, study, or family responsibilities must come first. There is nothing wrong with taking a break. But if the dojo is open and practice is being held, perhaps it is enough to relax and simply show up. Even if you arrive late and can only train for thirty minutes, that is perfectly fine.
Aikido is not only about achieving something.
It is also a way to settle a restless mind, restore a tired body, and return to one’s original self.
That is why I do not think we need to spend so much time deciding whether we should practice or not.
Just breathe.
And practice.
That is enough.
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