Part 1: Aikido Ancient History
Present day aikido can trace it's history as far back as EMPEROR SEIWA (AD 858-876). MINAMOTO YORIYOSHI, a 5th generation descendant of EMPEROR SEIWA had among his sons two in particular - YOSHIEI HACHIMAN TARO and SHINRA SABURO MINAMOTO NO YOSHIMITSU. These two warriors are credited with the development of AIKI JUJUTSU in the 11th century.
The warriors of the MINAMOTO developed the techniques during their many battles with their mortal enemies the TAIRA during the GEMPEI wars. Tried and tested in battle the MINAMOTO AIKI JUJUTSU was a deadly effective component in the warrior's arsenal.
The warriors of the day were essentially mounted archers who followed the way of KYUBA NO MICHI the way of the horse and bow In a typical battle scenario the opposing armies would draw up opposite each other at a chosen site and with much pomp and ceremony the stage would be set for the conflict. Signal arrows would herald the commencement of battle and champions would ride forth and issue their challenges hoping to find someone of equal or higher rank to engage in combat.
A typical exchange would be: "I am MINAMOTO HACHIMAN TARO named after the war god. If there any among you who is confident in his abilities come forward and I shall show you what the TAIRA must face today." A confident yet curiously polite challenge from one who actually expected to fight to the death. A TAIRA champion would then ride forward and just as confidently and politely accept the challenge. Etiquette having been observed the warriors would charge their mounts towards each other letting loose arrows from their bows as they rode. If both survive then they would dismount and battle would commence with their TACHI. The sword favoured by the warriors of the day was the TACHI a long sword hung edge down so as to accommodate the earth to sky draw which was most effective for a mounted warrior cutting at footsoldiers.
MINAMOTO AIKI JUJUTSU
Should the swords break as often happened the warriors would resort to grappling. Grappling in armour was called KUMI UCHI. The armour of the day was quite cumbersome and would have restricted the agility of the warriors although it was quite light the large KABUTO helmet and the box like shape of the armour would not lend itself to involved or complex movements. The techniques would most likely have consisted of rather unsophisticated locks trips and pins the main aim of which would have been to facilitate a thrust with the TANTO dagger which the warriors wore alongside their TACHI. It was at a later date that the wearing of the DAISHO long and short swords came into favour.
Armour and Samurai battles would change over the years and MINAMOTO AIKI JUJUTSU would adapt to theses changes. The name of the art would also change - it would be known as TAKEDA AIKI JUJUTSU.
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