Roots of Aikido

[wingchun_aikido]

Just wondering if you guys have heard or know of Aikido being derived from Tai Chi. I have been told my another instructor that it has but in books it mainly says Jujitsu and Kendo and arts as such, but never Tai Chi. I mena looking closely at Tai Chi and Aikido they are very similar with their Circle and sphere theories. Just wondering is anyone has seen this documented?

Thank you!

 

[Amos Stevens]

"Tai Chi Analyzed"
DeMaria, Frank

http://www.kungfu.org/messagegm19.shtml
American Center for Chinese Studies (2003)

Recommended w/reservation

This article attempts to take the mysticism out of one of Chinas most widely practiced martial art forms, Tai Chi. In Frank DeMaria’s article, we begin to see the true founding of the art and the possible benefits of it’s daily routine.

The roots to the philosophical movements can be traced directly to Chang San-Feng in the year 1101 CE, who can trace his teachings to the Liang Dynasty of 502-553 CE.

To many Americans the idea of participating in Tai Chi has been surrounded with mystery. In fact it is not well known that Tai Chi has been practiced in New York city long before the arrival of well known masters such as Cheng Man-Ch'ing. At the onset of his teachings in his New York City droves of faithful students began appearing, wanting to learn this new routine and all its benefits. Tai Chi itself has had another recent reinvention as many around the world try to add their own personal uniqueness to it. In current day there are various forms for different body styles, various gender designed forms and even ones that promise particular outcomes.

But soon the questions began appearing such as which forms were best and where did this new exercise originate? DeMaria makes the second part of this question easy as he explains that the exact origins are unknown but that Tai Chi was based on the Taoist’s internal methods of healing, originally noted for their Chi Kung practice which revitalized the natural energies of the body. Many in the rural areas of China attempted to form their own unique Tai Chi programs by incorporating daily motions that made them feel revitalized and invigorated, such forms were know as Shang-Sya Chi Kung (countryside Chi Kung). Modern Tai Chi finds most of its roots from the various fighting forms of mainland China, although many of those that practice them are unknown of their more deadly applications.

 

[Lotussan]

Thanks, Amos!

Anyone, is Chi Kung the same as Qi Gong? Or is that how you spell it...
So many different names...You know the thing with the breathing...

 

[zanshin]

My Sensei and I have this theory that O'Sensei's time in China might have contributed to Aikido. There are many moves in kung fu that resemble Aikido closely. (My instructor teaches both arts.)

And yes Chi Kung is a westernized spelling Qi Gong.

 

[Serena]

My Sensei and I have this theory that O'Sensei's time in China might have contributed to Aikido. There are many moves in kung fu that resemble Aikido closely. (My instructor teaches both arts.)

And yes Chi Kung is a westernized spelling Qi Gong.

Thank you for sharing that, Zanshin, and for your explanation.

Welcome to the site! It's nice to have you join us. I hope you enjoy it here.

 

[suziwong]

Hi Zanshin,
Welcome to the Steven Seagal Unofficial Site.
Amos thank you very much !!

in onenesss

 

[Aikilove]

No Tai Chi has little to do with the history of Aikido as far as I'm conserned. The history of Aikido is the history of O-sensei. He studied alot but it was all japanese MA. Even if Japanese MA once were derived from Chinese MA loooong time ago, all those generations of evolving the MA for japanese needs, customs and ways of battles and fighting compare to the chinese dito they are now two seperate things. Tai Chi has as much to to with aikido (history wise) in this respect as with any other japanese MA, i.e very little...
Just because evolvement of Tai Chi has elements similar to e.g. aikido doesn't mean that they are connected by history.
Again the foremost historian of Aiki related art including aikido is Stanley Pranin. And his page www.aikidojournal.com contain enough information to make for lifetime of reading.

/J

 

[Lotussan]

Thanks Zanshin, for the reply, forgive my bad manners for not welcoming you before starting to ask questions, I'm very sorry...

 

[J. Aiello]

What is taught for Tai chi today in the U.S. is more or less a form of exercise. However, I have been told that, if you find the right instructor, he or she can show you the proper self-defense applications of Tai Chi, and those techniques are very devastating. I heard of one in which both hands are extended into a sort of double palm strike which can send an opponent clear across a room. I'd like to see that one executed.

 

[tenshinaikidoka]

If I may interject my opinion, I am highly doubtful that Tai Chi has much of anything to do with Aikido. Like has been stated before, the Japanese arts evolved and continued to do so throughout it's history. When O'Sensei was in China, I doubt he began training in it's arts. Although there are similarities, many different countries have differnt arts that have techniques that look the same. Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do and Karate. They have many similar techniques. But in history, the roots are some what different. It is true Daito Ryu had much to do with Aikido, almost as the direct influence. However, Spear and Sword did as well. Of course these are all things that O'Sensei learned in Japan. And he continued to refine these skills forming what would eventually be called Aikido. Sorry to have rambled on with this, and to those I have bored, sorry. But I hope as a martial arts community all styles can get along. I do not beleive there is one truly better than the other. Just a matter of personal preference.

 

[Isoyama]

Tenshin is right on. Daito-ryu is THE influence on aikido. O-sensei used to teach Daito-ryu before the 2nd World War. There is also a VERY strong influence from kenjutsu since O-sensei studied Yagyu Shinkage kenjutsu. Stanley Pranin has stated on his website that there is a scroll showing O-sensei's mastery of Yagyu Shinkage kenjutsu. Daito-ryu also is heavily influenced by kenjutsu so you see alot of similar foot and hand movements in the two arts that you see in kenjutsu.