These are some brush sketches I did for my old sensei, Marcus Caires founder of Aiki Institute in Ribeirão Preto, the so called Brazilian California.
“Yokomen Uchi Kiri Oroshi”
Aikido 合気道 is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.
“Kotegaeshi”
Aikido is performed by blending with the motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on. This requires very little physical energy, as the Aikido Practitioner "leads" the attacker's momentum using entering and turning movements. The techniques are completed with various throws or joint locks.
“Ryotedori Tenchi Nague”
Aikido derives mainly from the martial art of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, but began to diverge from it in the late 1920s, partly due to Ueshiba's involvement with the Ōmoto-kyō religion.
“Yokomen Uchi Sumiotoshi” & “Kotegaeshi”
Some say that George Lucas studied Aikido and consciously took a lot from it for the Star Wars movies. It seems that many of the concepts attributed to The Force in Star Wars films, come directly from an active principle forming part of any living thing, The KI 気, that is frequently translated as "energy flow", or the life-process of energy that sustains living beings.
“Ni Nin Gake Morotedori Bokyu Nague”
Today Aikido is found all over the world in a number of styles, with broad ranges of interpretation and emphasis. However, they all share techniques learned from Ueshiba and most have concern for the well-being of the attacker. This attitude has been at the core of criticisms of Aikido and related arts.
