Aikido is a martial science and at Mushin Dojo we emphasize the science part of the martial sciences, particularly in the case of Aikido. Over time, Mushin Dojo has begun to investigate some very progressive ideas on Aiki-Bujutsu mythologies. The main idea of this emphasis stems from the fact that Aikido’s origins are that of a weapon’s system, and that this idea was the primary school of thought for the Koryū schools that existed in the pre-do period of Japanese history. In contrast to this was the post-do period, or Gendai period. This period was founded after the beginning of the Meiji Restoration of 1866. Consequently, this period marked a fundamental shift in the methologies that went from the study of the science associated with that of a weapons system and a science to a system that emphasized a martial art, whose primary focus was generally more upon the introspective and more esoteric ideas that dealt with the development of human enligtmenet, self-improvement and individual spiritual development. These historical shifts were later made poplular by Morihei Ueshiba. This was in part due to his self-interest in his religious and meta-physical beliefs, and in larger part due to the historical and political environment of post war Japan. These factors, either directly or indirectly, lead most Aikido schools to formulate basic principles that are credited to him and his works.

For more than a year now, Mushin Dojo’s curriculum has begun to shift to the idea and methods that bring into light its weapon’s origins by doing what I call “Completing The Aikido Paradigm”. Aikido’s roots are in edged weaponry, but not exclusively, and much of this weaponry has largely been ignored by most, if not all, of the mainstream curriculums. Mushin Dojo is attempting to complete the study of this weapon’s system by taking a comprehensive look at the structure, type and function of all the main weapons carried by the Samurai. Primarily, these weapons include the long sword, half sword, or short sword and knife. It not only takes into account that all of these weapons had specific functions, but it also looks at the more complete transcriptions that exist between weapon to empty hand, and empty hand back to weapon.

If you have any further questions on these ideas, or other related ones, please feel free to contact us at 386-747-6946, or by e-mail at: sabaj81@gmail.com