My first sensei in Japan, Isoyama Hiroshi Shihan (8th dan), was a student of the founder of aikido, Ueshiba Morihei (O-Sensei) and an officer in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. For five years, I trained in his style of "Practical Aikido" (実戦合気 - jissen aiki) alongside members of the Japan Self-Defense forces.
実 (jitsu) "Practical, real, true, actual"
Isoyama shihan took pride in the fact that he was the only instructor who could convince the US Special Forces stationed in Japan that aikido was worthy of their attention and study. His style was--and remains--powerful and explosive. (Check out this video to see for yourself.)
戦 (sen) "Combat, battle, conflict, war"
Aikido can be a very effective means of self-defense.
However, physical safety is only the beginning of aikido training because aikido is much more than self-defense. As Isoyama shihan always reminded us, aikido is a true budō (武道): Aikido is a martial way.
Sincere training in Aikido develops a level and kind of self-defense that is deeper and more powerful than any external technique. This is a kind of awareness, skill, and ability that can be put into practice anywhere and at any time, thereby erasing the perceived divide between the dojo and the rest of our lives.
This is what I consider to be truly "Practical Aikido" (実践合気 - jissen aiki). It is aikido as praxis: Aikido that is practical and practicable every moment of our daily lives.
践 (sen) "Practice, carry out, implement"
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