Morote dori-hombu vs iwama

Saito Sensei demonstrates some differences between the Iwama style aikido and the Hombu Style from Tokyo, and how these differences came about.

[@coredor]

I think there is merit in both views. On the one hand, were an aikikai stylist to be grabbed by a powerful and resisting attacker, they may find it difficult to continue "flowing" and be unable to escape. On the other hand, were an Iwama style practioner to be confronted with non committed attacks coming rapidly from different angles, they may not be able to flow as much as they train initially for strong, committed attacks not feints or deceptive ones.

[@jeremyraven3326]

Energy comes in many forms, the more forms you master the better you will become at dealing with an attack. As Aikidoka theres no right or wrong ways but just ways in how to handle energy in any form. Saito Sensei makes very good points as to why the technique has evolved to how it is today in Iwama - the purpose is to control your attacker throughout the whole movement - look, learn and understand.

[@2008August30]

Iwama style teaches kihon until san dan, after that Aikidoka branch out into ki no nagare. If you dont master kihon, specifically kokyu, you dont really understanding blending. Ive trained with Aikikai senseis and have to say their static blending is pretty weak. Yes, Ki no nagare is the echelons of Aikido, but you dont get there by starting from the end and working back to kihon.

[@coredor]

Saito Sensei trained as an uchi deshi at Iwama while O Sensei was still refining the art. He is passing on this knowledge of how the art was modified by O Sensei in later times. Aikido teachers who left earlier to teach in Tokyo didn't get this. But you are right, there is something to be learnt from variations in approaches, so one should not be too dismissive.

[@lancejackson9108]

"Hombu style". What's that? Every Shihan I've trained with in Hombu has many modifications according to different situations.

[@medyou2815]

thank you for sharing

[@b0810071]

Saito sensei tried to show only kihon: basics. But it does not mean he could not use or did not know advanced techniques. He knows so much about atemi:practical hitting methods which can be used in each aikido throwing or submission. So I don`t think Saito sensei could not use his techniques in real fight.

[@miloedo]

well.. as a fact.. you can "Practice" Aikido in kihon but there´s no aikido there, as O´sensei said, the principle of aikido is the dynamics and a soft movements that make you stronger. If you apply kihon you´re doing more like Daito Ryu or Jiujutsu... if you read more about aikido fundamentals you´ll see. I practice iwama and Aikikai, there are no diferent, just ditferent stages of aikido. For basics Iwama is great but aikikai is the goal, not dancing but unifying dynamically.

[@Udansha]

So what ppl here are hinting at is aikikai is inferior to Iwama? Really? So all the original shihan here in the US, the deshi from OSenei? inferior? The folks that keep this feud between Hombu Aikikai and Iwama are the ones with narrow minds. Both are very good, Ive trained both. Aikikai appeals to me cause I dont feel like moving like a robot. Try to keep an open mind when practicing any art. And I have. It pleases me to know that the Ueshiba family has reclaimed the Iwama dojo. I love aikido and after 25 years, I hope to continue to grow and learn. Peace!

[@miloedo]

well, if you realize the right movements in a very relaxed way, you will neutralize any straight from uke. the advance stuff is to having a very calm mind even in dangerous situations.

[@miloedo]

He did wrong the aikikai style on purpose... I like iwama style because it keeps the techniques right angles... but as saito sensei was no as good on dynamics as Michio or Tohei, well he kept all iwama training mostly on kihon... it´s good but if you apply aikido in a real life situation you have to avoid the attacker to grab you or even touch you using dinamics movements. Don´t matter how good a person could be at iwama style, if a very strong person grabs him, he´ll be done...

[@aymenelhabchi1169]

La aïkido est la vois de l'armoire

[@S.Angelov]

Hombu no one technique does not work!

yup, these argumentative BS is what almost destroyed Aikido. there are always some D*ck wads that believe their style is better than the other. Continue with that stupidity and it will continue to lead u to knowing nothing.