Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu

What is Daito-Ryu?

Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu is the hand-to-hand combat system traditionally practiced in the late 1500s and 1600s by the samurai in the Minamoto/Takeda clan. It places emphasis on the turning of defense into offense using the principle of "Aiki" or harmony, where an attacker's energy is united with that of the defender to bring an end to the conflict.

History of Daito-Ryu

Daito-Ryu's history is incredibly vast and detailed; the following is merely a brief overview of the art and its history.

Daito-Ryu (Great Eastern Style) is a Meiji Period Martial Art, belonging exclusively to the Minamoto-Takeda clan members and retainers, and was often referred to as "Goten Jutsu" (Palace Art). Yoshimitsu Shinra Saburo Minamoto (1045-1127) is credited with having founded Daito-Ryu, and developed its Kansetsu (joint locking) techniques by studying the dissected bodies of executed criminals, and gained insight into the roots of "Aiki" by watching the silk spider capture its prey.

In 1573, Kunitsugu Takeda and his family relocated to Aizu Han. This is where the art, at the time called "Goshikinai" began to take shape. It was taught in the Aizu castle by the Takeda samurai and the Shogun's bodyguards, and stayed within the Takeda family until the Meiji era (1868-1912), when it was re-named Daito-Ryu and taught openly to outsiders by Sokaku Takeda.

Sokaku Takeda discovered the principles of Aiki through his immense knowledge of Bujutsu, and his years of training in Jujutsu and Kenjutsu as well as other weapon arts. Takeda Sensei passed away in 1943.

Daito-Ryu and Aiki Today

Daito-Ryu is still practiced today, though it is not very well known. There are a number of varying organizations each with differences from each other though they share the same roots, such as the Daito-Ryu Kodokai, Rengokai, Roppokai, Bokuyokai, and Takumakai among others.

Though Daito-Ryu is not a household word like Karate, Kung Fu or Tai Chi, Aikido (a more modern offshoot of Daito-Ryu) has been put into the limelight by Steven Seagal. Seagal is a 7th Dan in Aikido, and his films are very popular and are a key factor in the growing public awareness of Aikido. While joining an Aiki dojo to imitate a movie star is hardly a legitimate reason, if it gets the student acquainted with Morihei Ueshiba O'Sensei (founder of Aikido and student of Sokaku Takeda), and the beautiful, mysterious concept that is Aiki, the choice is valid.

A Comparison

Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu Aikido

1) Techniques are done with small circular motions, to fast conclusions. 1) Techniques use large, fluid circles, and wider motions, with more graceful steps.

2) In practice, attacks are performed with sharp precision. 2) Attacks tend to be softer, fluid and stylized.

3) Use of "Mushin state" (no mind) as the samurai faced the sword, turning defense into offense. 3) Techniques are designed to neutralize an attack and control it.

4) Techniques are designed to cripple or kill. Control is used according to circumstances. 4) Blends with the attack to neutralize it without injuring the attacker.

5) Good ukemi (breakfalls) are required for the completed, harder technique. 5) Good ukemi necessary but not critical.

6) Pressure point knowledge is necessary. Techniques make use of pain. Strikes are frequent. 6) Pain is applied with restraint, in small doses. Atemi taught to some degree, but not encouraged.

7) Discipline, harmony, faithfulness and austerity emphasized, with respect for tradition and Aiki precepts. 7) Emphasis on peace, harmony, friendship and respect for Aiki precepts, as taught by Ueshiba Sensei.

A Comparison
Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu	Aikido
1) Techniques are done with small circular motions, to fast conclusions.	1) Techniques use large, fluid circles, and wider motions, with more graceful steps.
2) In practice, attacks are performed with sharp precision.	2) Attacks tend to be softer, fluid and stylized.
3) Use of "Mushin state" (no mind) as the samurai faced the sword, turning defense into offense.	3) Techniques are designed to neutralize an attack and control it.
4) Techniques are designed to cripple or kill. Control is used according to circumstances.	4) Blends with the attack to neutralize it without injuring the attacker.
5) Good ukemi (breakfalls) are required for the completed, harder technique.	5) Good ukemi necessary but not critical.
6) Pressure point knowledge is necessary. Techniques make use of pain. Strikes are frequent.	6) Pain is applied with restraint, in small doses. Atemi taught to some degree, but not encouraged.
7) Discipline, harmony, faithfulness and austerity emphasized, with respect for tradition and Aiki precepts.	7) Emphasis on peace, harmony, friendship and respect for Aiki precepts, as taught by Ueshiba Sensei.

A Daito-Ryu teacher once said: "If when you practice a technique your partner smiles, it is Aikido. If he screams, it is Daito-Ryu."

Information condensed from various issues of the Daito-Ryu Kandan (with kind permission of Fujiyama Dojo) and "The Phantom Technique of Daito-Ryu" by Seigo Okamoto.

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