In my short time so far as an aikidoka I have successfully passed two gradings. I now hold the rank of 5th Kyu. These gradings have been very different in nature to my experience of grading in Dentokan Aikijujutsu. The first point of contrast is that the Yoshinkan Aikido syllabus starts with tachi waza, or in other words standing techniques. In contrast Dentokan Aikijujutsu begins with suware waza (sitting techniques). The second most obvious difference is the fact that each grading in Yoshinkan Aikido, or at least at this stage as a kyu grade, involves demonstration of a different set of new techniques; unlike Dentokan Aikijujutsu, which involved demonstrating every technique necessary from white belt upwards. This means the gradings tend to be shorter and more focused.
This in no way means I have mastered the techniques needed for my 6th kyu grading rather, what I believe is being assessed is not whether I can perform the same technique to a higher standard with every grading, but am I progressing in the basic movements and fundamentals of Yoshinkan Aikido and can I integrate them into the waza in the syllabus? For example Katate Mochi Shihonage 1 incorporates the Kihon Dosa movements of Shumatsu Dosa 1 ( see videos below) and Katate Mochi Sokumen Iriminage 1 incorporates the movements of Tai no Henko 1. Thus rather than seeing the Kihon Dosa as the basic movements to improve foot work and posture that every beginner has to start with, they are in fact integral to every waza.
Shumatsu Dosa 1
Katate Mochi Shihonage 1
The Kihon Dosa teaches you how to align your body so that you have strong posture and low centre of gravity, which are very important to good balance and effective techniques. The Kihon Dosa also means there is no shortcut to success in Yoshinkan Aikido: it truly requires discipline and practice to execute correctly and that is at the most basic level when you are performing them solo, let alone when you have to perform them in pairs and then in the waza!
Shu Ha Ri
Shu Ha Ri is a Japanese concept and teaching paradigm. It is found in many Japanese arts and is taught also in traditional Japanese budo such as Aikido. I have just finished reading a book of the same name explaining the concept and its principles as well as how it applies to one`s Aikido training. Having studied Aikijujutsu for almost 3 years I was familiar with various martial concepts such as Mushin (no mind), Maai (distance) and kuzushi (breaking balance) but I had never heard of Shu Ha Ri.
Shu Ha Ri has to do with the progression from student to teacher with each stage taking several years (sometimes decades) to achieve. Neither is it guaranteed that all Aikido students will achieve all stages.
Shu
The first stage Shu has to do with learning and being a student. This stage as indicated in the book I read is from 8th kyu (white belt) to nidan (2nd Dan). This is the most substantial period of learning and theoretically is the longest stage in the process. The book I read estimates it could take anywhere from 10 to 15 years. During this stage ideally the student will learn from the same teacher for the entire duration and not begin teaching themselves after they achieve shodan (1st Dan), which is so often the case in many clubs and dojos. Throughout this time the student learns uncritically from their teacher and seeks to perfect the waza as instructed and passed onto them.
Ha
The second stage Ha sees the aikidoka progressing from merely learning to experimenting with variations and attempting applications while still learning and perhaps also now teaching themselves in a limited capacity. This stage is from sandan (3rd Dan) to yondan (4th Dan). During this stage, which again can last anywhere up to 10 years, the basic waza is continued to be practiced and reinforced but variations can now be added and experimentation in different levels of resistance and chaining techniques together etc. can be practiced. This is the level most martial artists manage to achieve but few rarely progress from.
Ri
The final stage is Ri and this is the most elusive of all stages. Ri should only be sought after achieving godan (5th Dan) and is essentially the ability (through mastery of the waza and sheer experience) to be able to discard the waza altogether. In theory it is about being able to distill from the waza its very essence and even create new waza, in effect personalizing the art to make it your own. I`m assuming this was the level at which Morihei Ueshiba (O-Sensei) was able to create his new and distinct art Aikido from the Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu he had learnt under Sokaku Takeda.
Implications
Shu Ha Ri is a complete paradigm shift for me. It has changed my perspective on the martial arts as a lifestyle and a form of self-expression. Shu Ha Ru may not be a practical concept for those who need to learn self-defense quickly, whether because they live in a dangerous area or because their work/career demands it i.e. the Police Force or Army. But, there are many legitimate reasons to train in the martial arts not just purely the need for self-defense. I train because I love to train. There are several reasons why I love to train including (in no particular order):
- Gained confidence
- Exercise and doing something physically demanding
- It is therapeutic
- It is unlike what I do for a living and provides a contrast to my work
- Being a part of the traditions and culture of Japan
For many martial artists they train for the same or similar reasons. I think in this respect Shu Ha Ri gives us a paradigm with which to inform and focus our training. It can make our training more purposeful and meaningful as well as keep us (and even whole clubs and dojos) in check from cutting corners and hiding deficiencies or a lack of competence. So many clubs encourage students to essentially enter into the Ha stage too early and there are many teachers who are not competent enough to teach properly. Shu Ha Ri ensures students invest in mastering the art before trying to personalize it and experiment irresponsibly with the waza. It also gives students and teachers a good measuring stick to use to know whether one is becoming complacent in their practice or training. If students teach too early they run the risk of stopping learning and some teachers once they achieve Ha may fail to strive to reach Ri. I am glad and thankful for learning about this concept so early into my Aikido journey. The martial arts are a life long learning experience and Shu Ha Ri provides the paradigm to follow that path.
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