1  INTRODUCTION

1.1  What are the Secrets of AIKIDO?

1.2  What is AIKIDO?

    Because Aikido techniques depend upon balance, precision, and timing rather than speed or strength, they can be practiced by nearly everyone, regardless of sex, age, or size.  There is something for everyone in Aikido, whether you want a physical workout, to learn self-defense and self-confidence, or to become One with the Ki of Universe.  There are no competitions, because you study Aikido by helping others, and thereby helping yourself.  In fact, what you learn today, you can teach someone else tomorrow.

1.2.1  The History of AIKIDO

    Morihei Uyeshiba (1883-1969) is the founder of modern Aikido.  He is the man who transformed the deadly techniques of Takeda Aiki-jujutsu into a peaceful way of harmony; from a means to destroy one's enemy into a means to resolve conflict.  The contrast between Aiki-jujutsu and Aiki-do is mirrored in the contrast between Bu-jutsu, military techniques, and Bu-do, the code of conduct for the warrior.  The first focuses on practical results, the second on character and ethics.

1.2.2  O'Sensei Morihei Uyeshiba

    On the way to his dying father, O'Sensei met Reverend Wanisaburo Deguchi, the founder of a Shinto sect called Omoto-kyu.  This religion would play a major role in O'Sensei's life and in the development of Aikido.  Rev. Deguchi insisted that O'Sensei open a dojo to teach budo.  Deguchi also suggested that O'Sensei call his art "Aikido."  O'Sensei stayed in the Kyoto district, practicing Shinto and teaching budo.

    In 1934, Uyeshiba followed Deguchi on a "Crusade of Peace" onto the Mongol plains, there heralding the Kingdom of God, healing the sick and handing out food.  However, this disturbed the regional master, who had them arrested and tortured.  (Now, doesn't this sound familiar?)

    In 1938, O'Sensei built a dojo and temple in Iwama, north of Tokyo, to teach Aikido.  Some of the greatest masters of the time in the martial arts came there to study.  Tokyo Aikikai was opened in 1948.  From then on, Aikido was to spread throughout the world.

    O'Sensei Morihei Uyeshiba died 1969 in Tokyo, at the age of 86.

    O'Sensei was not known to be easy to understand in his lectures, as they were full of religious terms.  He could say, "Whatever wisdom one may have, he cannot understand my lectures because even I cannot understand what I mean."

1.2.3  Styles of Aikido

• Tomiki (Tomiki),
• Korindo (Minro Hirai),
• Nihon Goshin (Shodo Morita),
• Yoshinkai (Shioda), and
• Ki No Kenkyukai, or Ki Society International, founded by Koichi Tohei.

1.2.4  Koichi Tohei

    During the Second World War, Tohei served 4 years in the army in central China.  After the war, he continued studying Zen, misogi and Aikido with the war time experiences as a turning point.

    O'Sensei continued to baffle his students with statements such as "The God of the Universe turned into purple smoke and came into my body."  When Tohei studied philosophy with Master Tempu Nakamura, Tohei heard that "the mind moves the body."  He realized then that O'Sensei's most important technique was leading the opponent's mind first and then his body.  This was the beginning of Shinshin Toitsu Aikido.  Tohei says: "It is the real meaning of Aikido that we coordinate the mind and body and become one with the Ki of the Universe.  Therefore, it is not necessary to wait for God to turn into purple smoke and enter our bodies."

    Tohei started teaching Aikido in the United States in 1953 under Aikikai, beginning in Hawaii.  Master Koichi Tohei would obtain a 10th degree black belt in Aikido, and become Chief Instructor of Aikikai Hombu in Tokyo, directly under the founder of Aikido, Master Morihei Uyeshiba.

1.2.5  Ki Society International

    The Ki Society has four (4) separate groups of study. They are:

1. Shin Shin Toitsu Do = Ki Development,
2. Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido = Aikido with Ki,
3. Kiatsu Ryoho = Ki therapy, and
4. Ki no Genri Jissen Kai = Ki gatherings for spreading the principles of Ki.

1.2.6  Ki Development

    Ki Development classes give practice in:

1. the four basic principles for mind and body coordination;
2. a well-balanced system of exercises to maintain positive Ki in motion;
3. Ki breathing methods (standing, sitting, walking positions);
4. Ki meditations (concentration and expansion methods); and
5. application of Ki to daily life (how to concentrate, how to relax, how to sleep soundly, how to maintain mental and physical fitness, etc).

    Ki has many meanings.  In China it is called Chi, in India Prana, etc.  It may mean air, vitality, spirit, breath, atmosphere, or convection.  In English the closest meaning would probably be Intrinsic Energy or Vital Force.  It is the goal of Ki Society to help everyone to develop this universal energy in order to have a longer, happier, and healthier life.

1.2.7  Basic Aikido

    The Basic Movements in Aikido are:

• to move out of the way of the attack.  The most important technique in Aikido is to not be there when the attack arrives, be it a punch, kick, blade or bullet, and
• to lead the energy of the attack in circles back to the attacker.  All techniques are combinations of circles.  Even when doing the smallest movement, you must be in the center of the circle in order to control the movements.

1.2.8  Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido

    Most self-defense techniques have destruction as the ultimate goal.  However, by utilizing Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, it is possible to move attackers without even touching them, thus allowing you to teach an attacker a lesson without doing harm.  You could, for example, be helping an over-fortified friend.  Also, keep in mind that any weapon you might use can be turned against you.  So, instead of staring down the barrel of your own gun, or facing a major lawsuit because you had the audacity to defend your life, you might instead walk away in control of a nasty situation.

    The throws of Ki-Aikido are fluid, the movements are like a dance.  Although an effective system of self-defense which uses the principles of Ki in the execution of its techniques, the purpose of the training is not to beat an opponent but to learn how to control oneself.  The study of Ki-Aikido promotes self-confidence and self-discipline.

    O'Sensei often said, "The best technique is to avoid combat."  It was his vision that Aikido would be the ultimate tool to create a brotherhood of man and protect all life.  Christianity teaches us that when struck, we should turn the other cheek.  Aikido teaches us that we should turn the cheek before we are struck.  This way, no-one commits a sin.  Therefore, Aikido is active non-violence.

    In no other martial art is it such a weakness to be strong, in no other martial art is it such a big advantage to be small, and in no other martial art does the mind rule over muscle so completely.  The old saying, "The harder they come, the harder they fall" summarizes Aikido in a nutshell.

1.3  What Is The New Jersey Ki Society?

    The Chief Instructor of New Jersey is Terrence (Terry) Pierce.  He started studying Aikido in 1960 under Air Force Sergeant Robert Danza.  In 1963, Pierce studied under Master Yoshimitsu Yamada of N.Y. Aikikai.  In 1965, Pierce co-founded the N.J. Aikikai in Merchantville, N.J.  In 1968, he became the Chief Instructor of the South Jersey Aikikai on Long Beach Island, N.J.  In 1975, he founded the N.J. Ki Society in Riverton, N.J. (officially recognized in 1976 by certification).  In 1978, he was appointed Chief Instructor of N.J. by Master Shizuo Imaizumi, 7th degree black belt (DAN), then Chief Instructor of the United States for Ki Society International.  In 1983, while studying at Ki Society H.Q. in Japan, Pierce was appointed a Leader in the Ki No Genri Jissen Kai.  Upon return from Japan, Sensei Pierce received his 4th DAN in Aikido from the Ki Society under Shizuo Imaizumi.  Pierce holds an Assistant and an Associate Lectureship Certificate for instructing Ki as well as a Chuden rank in Ki Development.  In January 1991, Pierce received his 5th DAN in Aikido from the Ki Society under the current Chief Instructor of the United States, Koichi Kashiwaya, 6th DAN.

    Sensei Pierce has been featured in Who's Who in Karate and other Martial Arts 1982/83 (first edition), Who's Who in American Martial Arts 1984/85 (second edition), and Who's Who in American Martial Arts 1986/87 (third edition).

    For information on how to get classes for your organization, into your school system, or how to join an established class, please contact the New Jersey Ki Society.  We will also lecture and/or hold workshops in Ki Development and/or Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido for any group, school or organization.

    Classes for the N.J. Ki Society are (subject to change):

1.4  NJKS Aikido Quiz

1. Who was the founder of Aikido?
2. Who was his teacher and what style of martial arts did Aikido come from?
3. What other arts did O'Sensei study?
4. In which country was O'Sensei arrested and why?
5. Who named "Aikido?"
6. Who is the founder of Shinshin Toitsu Aikido and the Ki Society?
7. What is the main purpose of the Ki Society?
8. What is the Ki No Genri Jissen Kai?
9. To whom does the (Japanese) Ki Society report?
10. Who is the second President of Ki Society.
11. Who was the previous Chief Instructor of Ki Society in the United States?
12. Who is the present Chief Instructor of Ki Society in the United States?
13. Name a few of the founding instructors of Ki Society in Hawaii, the first Ki Society in the USA.
14. Name some of the Chief State and Federation Instructors of Ki Society in the United States.
15. Where is the Ki Society H.Q. located (town and province)?
16. What are the 4 Principles of Mind and Body Coordination?
17. What are the 5 Principles of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido?
18. What is the New Jersey Beru Tori?