This five minute introduction to Koichi Tohei (10th dan) is from our new Ki Aikido Course. Written by Christoper Li, produced by Roy Dean. Learn more: academy.aikidoj...
I often wonder what aikido would've become if Tohei Koichi became Dosshu after Ueshiba. It makes me sad that I didn't live in that alternative universe.
Why wonder? History tells us the answer...Kohei would have been doshu for a while and than got bored and continue with another endeavour. Being doshu is not about being an aikido rockstar, its about being able to guide the aikido community keep it unitited and keep it growing. Kisshomaru did an excellent job. Thanks to his selfless efforts under his vision and guidance aikido grew to an international organisation. All other aikido rockstars failed to grow their aikido organisations, and their organisations didnt prosper too well after their passing. Saito, Tomiki, Tohei, Shioda..
Ueshiba's son was meant to continue Ueshiba's original teachings while Koichi was meant to create his own movement. If Koichi became Dosshu, then the original art of Ueshiba would be lost as it would be modified. Thank God that you don't live in that alternative universe
One fundamental difference: Tohei took aikido beyond martial arts and his teachings transmit what is unique about the Chinese/Japanese traditions: the Taoist/Buddhist influence. Ueshiba failed in this respect (maybe that is why he stopped teaching at the Honbu after the war). It is interesting to note how Theravada Buddhism has so little influence on martal arts in countries where it is dominant. Incidentally , this is why many senior aikido teachers who initially followed Tohei later left his organisation - they could not go beyond the narrow goals of martial art.
Ironic that the problem originated from Aikido passing from founder to son, instead of to the best student. And then after Tohei dies his organization passes to his son. (Not saying he's not the best, don't know him.) But this is often an issue with martial arts organizations. For instance O Sensei had several students who were older than his son and arguably better (Though by what criteria?) Most stayed inside the organization as senior teachers, but some like Tohei went their own way. Tohei seemed to be a creative guy and developed his own, effective, teaching methods. However that's not to say he captured all of O Sensei's art, or spirit. Hikitsuchi Sensei stayed within Aikikai but had a very different interpretation. So did Saito Sensei. Gozo Shioda created his own school. Stanley Pranin covers this and many other cases very well in his writings. One problem is that few people want to speak honestly on the record, as it can cause additional rifts, be seen as disrespectful and also hurt feelings....best not to criticize at all, perhaps.
Aikikai wasnt O senseis Aikido anyhow. When the Aikikai was founded he already was in Iwama and retired. Morihiro Saito was still there and the longest student untill his end. I think he is the true successor.
@Tai Chi Tube I don't think this is a matter of genetics, but about training and effort. I won't deny Kisshomaru had his skills... but with Saito and Tohei we are talking about two authentic prodigies in matter of aikido. Kisshomaru didn't do it bad at all, don't get me wrong... and probably tradition (bloodlines) speaks louder than skills in this world of budo, but come on... look at Tohei and Saito, they were different than any other aikidoka we have seen at that time! And I'm not ignoring other prodigies such as Shioda or Mochizuki... but they didn't follow that specific path of preserving Kobukan... of course is my opinion!
You are very fortunate. I learned Aikido in Florida during the mid/late Sixties. I recognize all of the techniques as being from Master Tohei. He had the real idea that powers Aikido. It is not a sequence of grappling and throwing techniques, it is a flow of life energy. I went into Tai-Chi during the early Seventies, as I could not find a good Aikido school in the East Bay area of San Francisco. I haven't seen good Aikido for many, many years. Aikido and Pa-Kua _sure_ have a lot in common ...
@@gordonames1892 Yeah, that's how it came to the US. I lived in Satellite Beach, Florida, which is immediately adjacent to Patrick Air Force Base (my dad worked at Cape Canaveral.)
@@loktar1234 Kisshomaru in a teaching once said that his father was trained in Daito ryu only a few weaks. What is a total joke. Like he want to ignore that Daito Ryu was that main part. Actually Aikido is Daito ryu with a few changes. Also the true successor Morihiro Saito was also be quite ignored from Aikikai. Looks like Kisshomaru was a liar and assh...
@@Gieszkanne As far as we know... for most aikidoka and daito-ryu instructors aikido is, in fact, a style of daito-ryu; Ueshiba-ha daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu! Kisshomaru must have forgotten one of the first books published by his father: "Aiki-jujutsu Densho" (1934) with hundreds of drawings of daito-ryu techniques, later re-interpreted and slightly changed (some of them completely preserved tho) in his "Maki-no-Ichi" (1954) which was known as the first "official" book of aikido techniques. Daito-ryu roots in aikido are undeniable and absolutely beautiful!
