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Purification of Body and Soul: Misogi in Japanese Culture and Aikido
Misogi 禊, deeply rooted in Japanese culture and religious tradition, is a ritual of purification aimed at cleansing both the body and the spirit. Typically, the ritual involves immersing oneself in water, often a natural body of water like a river or waterfall, to wash away impurities and negative energies. The attire is typically white garments, but in many cases, men may wear a loincloth. The practice dates back centuries, and it is said to originate from Izanagi 伊邪那岐, a kami in Japanese mythology, who felt contaminated and purified himself with water after his visit to Yomi 黄泉, the world of death, to see his deceased wife Izanami 伊邪那美. Misogi…
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Masakatsu Agatsu Katsuhayabi: The Path to Victory in Aikido
Aikido is said to be a non-competitive art that emphasizes harmonization with opponents, transcending the common concept of winning or losing. However, the founder Morihei Ueshiba did explain the concept of victory in Aikido through the phrase Masakatsu Agatsu Katsuhayabi 正勝吾勝勝速日, a simple yet profound expression. Before delving into its meaning, let’s discuss its origin. The phrase first appeared in Japanese mythology. According to the Nihon Shoki 日本書紀, Susanoo-no-Mikoto 素戔嗚尊 or 須佐之男命 (as mentioned in Kojiki 古事記), the son of Izanagi 伊邪那岐, made a vow in front of his sister, Amaterasu Omikami 天照大神, stating, “If my heart is pure, a male kami will be born; if impure, a female kami…
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Divine Revelation and Enlightenment: Morihei Ueshiba’s Vision for Aikido
In the realm of Aikido, the founder Morihei Ueshiba embarked on a transformative journey, guided by profound divine revelations that bestowed upon him a sacred mission to manifest harmony and purification in a world fraught with turbulence. According to legend, Ueshiba received numerous Shinji 神示 (divine revelations) throughout his life. One significant revelation occurred on December 14, 1940, which coincided with Ueshiba’s birthday. At 2:00 AM that day, Ueshiba performed a one-hour Suigyo ritual, a water purification ceremony. During this ritual, he prayed for the descent of deities (kami) associated with Aikido, resulting in the arrival of 43 guardian deities. The first to descend was Sarutahiko-Okami 猿多毘古大神, followed by others,…
