by SIMONE CHIERCHINI - Years go by but the story is always the same, again and again: that of assorted martial artists who have nothing better to do but spend their precious time criticizing every aspect of Aikido. Time to have a word!
by MATTHIEU JEANDEL - I have been practising and teaching Aikido for more than 20 years now, and as time passes, more and more comments discredit the practice, always quicker to pop up, as sharp as a Katana blade...
by SIMONE CHIERCHINI - Fiore de' Liberi's name is little known name among Japanese Budo enthusiasts, although his work was of primary importance in Medieval European fencing history. We are pleased to present an overview of his personal life and of his richly illustrated 14th-century manual, the “Flos Duellatorum”, presented in a downloadable version. The similarity between Fiore's techniques and those of the Japanese classic tradition is amazing
by PAUL WILDISH - More than anyone else, Ohba Hideo sensei can be considered the ‘teacher’ of Tomiki Aikido. Prof. Tomiki was the architect of Kyogi (Competitive) Aikido, the developer of systems and technique and conductor of seminars. As Tomiki had his professorial duties at Waseda and his academic work within the Kodokan and learned Budo societies, it was very much Ohba’s job to teach the student clubs and develop the next generation of teachers. I have always described Ohba as the most perfect self-effacing disciple but I think he deserves to be considered the most perfect partner that Tomiki could have wished for
by ANDRÉ COGNARD - The limitations caused by the restrictions on travel and meeting have led to dojo closures (in France, as well as in Italy and other parts of the world). Many students are wondering how to continue studying Budo and training
by SIMONE CHIERCHINI - This interview with Hideki Hosokawa sensei was realised by Simone Chierchini in 1988 and at the time published by "Aikido", the Italian Aikikai magazine. Regrettably, Hosokawa sensei has been absent from the Aikido scene for several years now due to a serious illness that has prevented him from returning to teaching. We are confident that the Aikido international community will take an interest in his words
by ANTONINO CERTA - Nothing better than an old-fashioned tale to illustrate an always valid precept: if we hope to succeed at any level in any human discipline, we need to dedicate constant commitment and focused application to the basics of the art in question
by CARLO CAPRINO - As it is well known to those who have experience of how an apprenticeship in a craft workshop or training in a traditional school of arts (not necessarily martial) develops, very little time is spent to provide the apprentice with detailed verbal instructions. These are limited to some initial essential rudiments to avoid injury to oneself or others or damage to tools or material to be processed
by GOZO SHIODA - What is it that is important for atemi then? It is timing. Even if you go and watch a boxing match, for example, you will often see someone get knocked out by a very casual looking punch. This is an example of judging the opponent's changing movements and punching with absolutely perfect timing
BY RIONNE "FUJIWARA" MCAVOY - Yokota Yoshiaki sensei, 8th dan Aikikai, should be one of the world's most renowned aikido shihan, up there with great names like Yamada and Chiba, Tada and Tamura. In my eyes, he is the best of the best, but until one fateful day in 2008, I had never heard of him, despite having lived and trained in Japan for six years at the time. Truth be told, Yokota Sensei saved me from quitting Aikido. I've never quit anything before in my life, but around the time right before I met sensei, I was very disillusioned with where Aikido was taking me
Aikido Italia Network 