Here is a new video I found of Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba demonstrating a wide variety of technique. This demo, like many of his previous ones, showcases his superb suwariwaza (kneeling techniques) and his unbelievable lightness of movement on his knees. He also demonstrates some excellent weapons techniques, including an interesting section of jo techniques in which he alternately performs techniques with the stick and the same techniques empty handed.
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Sometimes I wonder what it must be like to be the Doshu. This man did not simply learn this art to a high skill level - he inherited the thing from his father (the previous Doshu) and from his grandfather (the founder, Osensei) with the responsibility to preserve it and pass it on into the next generation of the family. I wonder what it is like to have people want to revere you for something over which you have no control (i.e. a hereditary title). My first thought is that it must be a huge ego trip, but humbling at the same time. I figure it must be tiresome.
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Have any of you readers ever met this man? Layed hands on him during practice? Talked with him over a beer? What is he like as a man?
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Sometimes I wonder what it must be like to be the Doshu. This man did not simply learn this art to a high skill level - he inherited the thing from his father (the previous Doshu) and from his grandfather (the founder, Osensei) with the responsibility to preserve it and pass it on into the next generation of the family. I wonder what it is like to have people want to revere you for something over which you have no control (i.e. a hereditary title). My first thought is that it must be a huge ego trip, but humbling at the same time. I figure it must be tiresome.
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Have any of you readers ever met this man? Layed hands on him during practice? Talked with him over a beer? What is he like as a man?
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To my mind, the worst part would be if, God forbid, you had a better idea, or picked up something from another system that you thought would improve aikido. Trying to make even beneficial changes in a system that you inherited and are expected to preserve--well, I would think it would be stressful.
ReplyDeleteIn a recent book I read, Royce Gracie mentioned how it wasn't easy being a Gracie. My own teacher inherited his martial system from his famous father and he's told me of the pressure to keep everything totally intact and to be as good as his dad, which can never happen. So a lot of pressure gets placed on these guys.
ReplyDeleteI love how he showed the empty hand technique, and then the weapon technique back-to-back... same technique.
ReplyDeleteVery nice demo.
I believe I have inherited a martial art system - mine is an early version of Taekwondo. Not by familial lineage, of course, but by training. I feel a great responsibility to protect my system, but this doesn't mean that I can't "pick ... something from another system" given that there is so much overlap between systems. The core of my practice is a syllabus and training approach. Beyond that, applicability and practicality are my highest priorities. I believe this approach would be how the ancient masters approach their own practice - guarding their treasures but keeping their eyes open to everything around them.
ReplyDeleteColin
I work with one of the inheritors of the World Taiji Boxing Association. Eli Montaigue is impeccable.
ReplyDeleteHe has had so much training; it might not be so bad!
I think the hard part would be dealing with bozos attempting to test the inheritor. The pressure to teach dedicated folks might be, well, delightfully difficult.
I liked the hanmi handachi more than anything else - somehow more natural.
ReplyDeleteHe has a tough row to hoe - no doubt about it :)