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Get Horizontal: The Mat as Silent Teacher
“आंतरिक” aikido के बारे में बहुत कुछ कहा जाता है, जबकि मैट असली उपयोग के लिए वहीं पड़ा रहता है। मुख्य सुझाव: असल में मैट पर गिरो। कम kuchi-waza (बात-तकनीक), कम खड़े-खड़े “महसूस करने” की कोशिश करना, बार-बार उसी उदाहरण की ओर इशारा करते हुए घोषणाएँ करना। लेट जाओ। A lot gets said about “internal” Read more
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Atemic Analyses: The Shadow of Daily Life
Daily life, as we conventionally live it, might be the very “shadow” martial artists aim to address, shaped by collective traumas that surface in outdated cultural norms. Drawing on insights from Carl Jung and Gabor Maté, we see how outward behaviors and social structures can embody unhealed wounds rather than hidden internal phenomena. True “shadow work” thus extends beyond individual introspection, calling for deeper engagement with the social contexts that perpetuate fragmentation and disconnection. This perspective invites martial artists to reevaluate the aims and methods of training, harmonizing mind, body, and community in more authentic, trauma-informed ways. Read more
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私はラテックス・G.N.R.・スペース・コヨーテである: I am Latex G.N.R. Space-Coyote
この声明は、「ラテックス・G.N.R.・スペースコヨーテ」への改名聴聞会に向けてのもので、名前が持つ意味や歴史、個人の成長とアイデンティティを表現しています。急難の中でも共同体の結束を促進し、自己表現の権利を確保する使命を謳っています。 Read more
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The Ethos of Mastery in Aikido: A Philosophical Exploration of Gendo Shihan and the Embodiment of Humility
Abstract:This brief delves into the philosophical underpinnings and socio-cultural significance of the concept of Gendo Shihan (玄同師範) within the traditional Japanese martial art of Aikido, emphasizing the role of humility in achieving mastery. By examining the intersection of technical skill, ethical conduct, and philosophical depth, the paper explores how Aikido transcends mere physical discipline to Read more
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夢の中の顔のない男; The Faceless Man of Dreams
This paper explores the unique martial arts philosophy of kiba, as embodied and practiced by a contemporary aikido practitioner. Through introspective reflections and dream experiences with a guiding figure dubbed the “Faceless Man,” the author deconstructs traditional notions of skill development and self-identity. Kiba emerges as a dynamic process of interconnectedness, where awareness transcends individual limitations and embraces a universal flow of knowledge and movement. The paper details how insights gleaned from dream encounters manifest in tangible skill leaps, emphasizing the role of procedural memory and implicit learning systems. Ultimately, kiba challenges binary distinctions between human and non-human, beauty and… Read more
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Why don’t you open a dojo in the United States?
In this essay, I engage in a critical reflection on the potential and limitations of traditional martial arts structures, particularly dojos, within the context of American individualist culture. Drawing on personal experiences navigating an American Aikido community as an intersectional identity, I argue that the prevailing “culture of honor” within dojos, built on dichotomies of politeness and violence, reinforces existing societal power structures and marginalizes individuals who do not conform to expected gender and identity norms. However, rather than advocating for wholesale rejection of traditional forms, I propose an alternative vision of martial arts as a practice embedded in “interstitial… Read more
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巨匠への挑戦: 無我夢中で槍を止める
East Asian philosophical and spiritual traditions have long emphasized the crucial role of practice in attaining wisdom and liberation. However, this passage from an unconventional source challenges traditional notions of master-disciple dynamics and offers a radical interpretation of true practice. While acknowledging the importance of a skilled guide in arranging challenging practice sessions, it argues that authentic mastery transcends both the master’s position and the acquisition of transient knowledge. The true “disciple,” it contends, isn’t a particular individual but rather the embodied qualities of willingness, curiosity, and perception. It is these qualities that directly engage with practice, bypass the limitations… Read more
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Enriching a Basic and Applied Science of Atemi: The Role of Joint-Attentional Saliency and Relevancy in Aiki
Beyond the realm of self-defense, this paper explores atemi, a potent concept within East Asian martial arts, as a transformative practice with profound implications for navigating the complex landscapes of human interaction and emotion. Moving beyond individualistic and group-centric perspectives, atemi invites practitioners to engage with the “topologies of emotion,” dynamic and interconnected spaces where perception and stress shape the flow of experience. Through mindful attention to these emotional landscapes, atemi disrupts habitual responses and opens the door to non-violent interventions that can alter the course of future events, both in the immediate present and across atemporal and aspatial realms.… Read more
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Crediting and Citing Martial Sources; A Strategy of Cohort Replacement in Development, Deployment, and Maintenance of Martial Research
This paper challenges the dominant focus on individual attribution in martial arts knowledge production. Analyzing the limitations of “stop work order” approaches to model-driven attribution, it explores the concept of “cohort replacement effect” as a powerful, naturally occurring mechanism influencing knowledge transmission. By integrating insights from social science and martial arts history, the paper argues that manipulating social dynamics for knowledge control raises serious ethical concerns. Instead, it advocates for reframing knowledge production through the lens of cohort dynamics. This approach prioritizes open dialogue, collaboration across diverse perspectives, and critical reflection on research practices. Ultimately, the paper calls for a… Read more
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Instructor, Be Prepared
This paper challenges the conventional approach of labeling students as “open” or “closed” in educational settings. Drawing on philosophies and practices from East Asian traditions, particularly Aikido and Buddhist concepts, it argues that such labels can be limiting and even harmful. Instead, the paper proposes a framework for fostering learning that prioritizes respect, empathy, and a “suspension of artificial training relations.” This involves recognizing the inherent openness present in all students, approaching them with sincerity and compassion, and creating a learning environment based on mutual trust and joy. By rejecting manipulative techniques and embracing positive emotions like sympathetic joy, loving-kindness,… Read more
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How to Display Japanese or Chinese Calligraphy for the Home, Office, or Dojo
… where the surface and nuance of paper and ink scintillates light Read more
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Taking the Self Out
… opens so directly that within each thing is all other things and I am not here… Read more
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This Situation is Unthinkable
This article narrates the transformative journey of a martial artist deeply engaged in Aikido and Jhanic practices, emphasizing the integration of rigorous physical training with profound spiritual development. It explores the significance of continuous practice, meditation, and the impact of receiving the Bodhisattva Refuge Vows from Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, highlighting a personal evolution towards enlightenment and self-discovery. Through a blend of personal anecdotes and philosophical reflections, the piece delves into the essential role of mentorship, community, and the fusion of traditional martial arts with modern technological advancements in fostering holistic growth. The narrative serves as a testament to the power… Read more
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what aikido is; [to]explore[d]…
This article explores the integration of Aikido philosophy with Taoist principles, presenting a nuanced analysis of how martial arts embody ideals for societal harmony and personal growth. It employs MDL principles (i.e., axioms) to dissect the complexities of neuro-physiological activity in Aikido, drawing parallels to Taoist notions of the ineffable path and name. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the author delves into philosophical, societal, and existential inquiries, advocating for a model of society that emphasizes harmony, adaptability, and continuous moral development. The analysis concludes with a discussion on the potential of Aikido’s principles to offer profound insights into addressing modern societal… Read more
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Some Thoughts on Ukemi
This article explores the nuanced understanding of ukemi within Aikido, emphasizing its role in harmonizing energy and consciousness through continuous engagement with physical and metaphysical elements. It highlights the transformative potential of ukemi, viewed as a dynamic process that encompasses resetting momentary fields of integrated energies and the cultivation of awareness beyond physical execution. Through personal anecdotes and reflections on teachings from Saotome Sensei, the author delves into the essence of Aikido practice, extending its principles to daily life and interpersonal interactions. The piece underscores the importance of sincerity, mutual support, and the careful calibration of challenges in martial arts… Read more



