Aikidō and Jujutsu

I began training in a modern jujutsu style in 1989, which was a self-defense oriented blend of Aikidō, Judō, Danzan-ryu, Sosuishi-ryu jujutsu, Daitō-ryu aiki-jujutsu, and Okinawan Karate. However, our teacher was more focused on elements of Aikidō and Daitō-ryu, and called his art a style of "aiki-jujutsu". If you restrict the name aiki-jujutsu to direct descendants of Daitō-ryu, it should more properly be called an independent Aikidō or modern jujutsu organization.

Unfortunately, instead of representing itself as a modern mixed martial art, our jujutsu style claimed itself to be a classical and traditional form of Japanese martial arts, with a connection to Japanese mountain religion (Shugendō). However, it was actually is unknown inside Japan, and despite its technical strengths or weaknesses, was invented in the 1970's. I practiced modern jujutsu actively until the autumn of 2005, when I discovered that the history being claimed by its teachers was not true.

In 2004 I had begun training in baguazhang, so upon resigning from my jujutsu school, I focused on learning instead of teaching. I have been fortunate since then to expand my knowledge of both classical Japanese martial arts and traditional Chinese martial arts during the last eight years. I have retained a subset of my Aikidō and Jujutsu techniques (waza) to serve as a complement to my nèijiā practice.

Aikiinyōhō

Aikiinyōhō is the nickname I have given the subset of Aikidō and Jujutsu techniques and practices I retain from my original practice. They have been adapted over time to consistent with the principles of movement I have learned in the nèijiā: bagua, taiji, and xingyi.

The original meaning of "Aikiinyōhō" refers to a school of Japanese neo-Confucianism favored by the Aizu han samurai, and it is associated loosely with Aikidō and Daitō-ryu aiki-jujutsu. Since the waza I still practice, where they have not been replaced with Chinese variants entirely, are derived from pre-war and early post-war Aikidō, I find the name fitting. Additionally, because I have such a strong Chinese influence on my jujutsu practice, the idea of stressing aiki and inyō (yinyang or Taoist complementarity) seem appropriate to my practice.

I have had the pleasure to teach an integrated jujutsu approach balanced with elements of Gao baguazhang practice to one of my earlier jujutsu students. I continue to train and learn more about classical and traditional arts. But at least in modern jujutsu, I have to stand on my own two feet.