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Morihei Ueshiba and Jigoro Kano: The Resonance of Two Great Masters
Morihei Ueshiba 植芝 盛平, the founder of Aikido, and Jigoro Kano 嘉納治五郎, the creator of Judo, were two of the most influential martial artists of the 20th century. While their approaches to martial arts differed significantly, they shared a deep mutual respect for each other and for the values of traditional Japanese Budo. Their interactions reflect an interesting dialogue between the preservation of martial tradition and the evolution of combat into a modern sport. Jigoro Kano (1860–1938) was a visionary who sought to modernize traditional Jujutsu into a structured discipline suitable for education and competition. He mastered both Kito Ryu 起倒流 and Tenjin Shinyo Ryu 天神真楊流 Jujutsu 柔術. In 1882,…
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Unleashing the Power of Aiki: Arcade Fighters in Motion
Arcade fighting games have long served as arenas where diverse martial arts styles collide. Among the plethora of techniques showcased in these games, Aikido and similar martial arts have secured their place in the roster of iconic characters. This article delves into the portrayal of Aikido and akin disciplines in arcade fighting games, examining their impact on character design and gameplay dynamics. Aikido, renowned for its focus on redirecting an opponent’s energy with harmonious movement, has intrigued game developers aiming to craft distinctive and authentic characters. The core tenets of this martial art, such as blending, circular motion, and joint locks, align seamlessly with the dynamic and acrobatic nature of…
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The Rare Beauty of Aikido in Japanese Manga
The popularity of Japanese manga, or comics, has surged globally, largely due to their distinct storytelling, art style, and cultural significance. One popular genre of manga is martial arts, which spotlights the art of combat and various fighting styles. Numerous manga series have been created based on different martial arts, such as Karate, Judo, Kendo, Sumo, Kung Fu, Boxing and MMA. However, manga with Aikido as their primary storyline is rare. Evil Heart is one of the few popular Aikido manga series. It is a drama telling the story of Masaki Umeo, a high schooler with a bad temper who encounters an English teacher from Canada, who is also an…
