Suenaka Sensei’s rich, extensive experience makes him uniquely qualified to comment on what aikido is and is not, and to dispel the many misconceptions which plague its history, philosophy, and martial technique. Nothing makes him angrier than to hear people disparage the art to which he has devoted his life, or to read uninformed or inaccurate accounts of events in aikido’s history of which he was a part. Because of this, Suenaka’s students have urged him for decades to put his thoughts and experiences down on paper, but he had always declined. He is a humble and modest man, content to teach, not desiring fame or recognition. It is only to address the misconceptions noted earlier that he has finally consented to write this, his first book.
Complete Aikido: Aikido Kyohan is divided into two sections. The first, A Martial Biography of Roy Yukio Suenaka Sensei, is a recounting of Suenaka’s early martial arts training, with a focus on his introduction to and study of aikido, and his martial philosophy. Here you will find a wealth of entertaining and illuminating personal anecdotes from his life, particularly his studies with Hohan Soken, Koichi Tohei, and O’Sensei. This section also contains details of many controversial incidents in aikido’s history, some of which have never before appeared in print. As such, it is acknowledged that there may be some who also were involved whose recollection may differ.
The second section of Complete Aikido: Aikido Kyohan focuses on Suenaka-ha Tetsugaku-ho aikido philosophy and technique. It is possible to skip to the second section without reading the first, but it is not advisable. Only by reading Suenaka’s martial biography will you truly understand the wealth of experience he brings to his technique, and the authority behind it.
Finally, a note on the narrative style. Complete Aikido is the result of over twenty hours of tape-recorded interviews with Suenaka Sensei, and countless hours of casual conversation with him over the past ten years. It is not written in the first-person, at Suenaka Sensei’s insistence, for no more mysterious a reason than he does not feel comfortable writing about his own experiences and achievements. Instead, his biography has been summarized from his discussions and dictation, and is highlighted throughout by dozens of first-person narrative passages taken verbatim from the interviews with him. The entirety of the second section was written from Suenaka Sensei’s personal notes and under his direct instruction, and it is Suenaka himself who demonstrates the techniques. He personally reviewed each successive draft of the text, and made changes as he saw fit. Despite this writer’s byline, you may rest assured that Complete Aikido: Aikido Kyohan is Suenaka’s work alone, and his spirit and authority underlies each and every word. Also, rather than adhere to a strict chronological retelling of events, many of the events and stories Suenaka relates in the biographical portion appear out of sequence, which will appear obvious as you read. This was done to preserve the flow of the narrative, and to group stories and events of like significance.
“Complete” and “kyohan” have similar meanings. Kyohan means master text, or canon. Nevertheless, this book is not meant to be a complete encyclopedia of aikido. It is, rather, a distillation of Suenaka Sensei’s martial history and aikido teaching. It is a canon as it relates to Suenaka Sensei’s life in aikido. On behalf of Suenaka Sensei, I hope you enjoy Complete Aikido: Aikido Kyohan, and that it becomes a valuable and permanent addition to your martial library, and your life.
Christopher Watson
May 14, 1997
FOREWORD
For many years, martial artists of varying degrees of expertise have written books on aikido. Recently, more and more books have been written, but only a select few of these books have some genuine value. Aikido theory can be very sophisticated and complex, in turn making the physical aspects, the techniques, seem extremely difficult and varied. As in all things, over the years aikido has changed, evolved or, in some cases, regressed. To have any significant value, a good book should demonstrate consistency within aikido, and have a systematic purpose. The purpose of Complete Aikido: Aikido Kyohan is to provide this consistency.
Aikido is often defined as a peaceful martial art, an art of love, spirituality and mental discipline. While this is correct, the true and legitimate historical aspects, martial and practical applications of aikido have oftentimes been grossly misrepresented. This compels me to address the current state of aikido. Some styles teach aikido primarily as a philosophy of life and as a means of spiritual development and social intercourse, ignoring the defensive or martial aspects, treating them as a means of exercise. Still other styles teach aikido solely to vanquish an adversary as quickly as possible, ignoring the spiritual aspects. While all of these motives are valid reasons to study any martial art, separately, they are not conducive to the understanding and continued integrated development of the total martial art form aikido was meant to be.
Further, as a result of these differing conceptions, aikido has often been described as an ineffective martial art, a formerly effective art that has been “watered-down,” a martial arts dance form, and other derogatory definitions. The truth of the matter is, if aikido is practiced diligently and sincerely, with emphasis on its original martial traditions and standards, it is one of the most effective means of self-defense in the world. The techniques in aikido are extremely potent, and can cause crippling or even fatal injury. However, if practiced under ideal conditions with a knowledgeable teacher, one can learn how to apply aiki principles in everyday life. It is this integrated approach that defines true aikido, and one should seek out an aikido style that teaches self-control, humility, confidence, and discipline, emphasizes spirituality, and yet is ultimately street-effective.
While this book is titled Complete Aikido: Aikido Kyohan, it is considered the canon, or master text, of Suenaka-ha Testugaku-ho aikido, and is meant to provide an overview of this style, as well as a grounding in the basic principles of all aikido styles. I have also attempted to systematize and simplify the practice of aikido in general; to provide an integrated approach by explaining the philosophy, history and evolution of aikido, so the reader may understand the many often confusing or misinterpreted aspects of this martial art.
I have been very fortunate to have studied many different martial arts in my life. My initiation took place as a child in Hawaii, studying with my Dad, and continued under other highly-acclaimed teachers there. In 1958, I opened one of the first aikido schools in California and the continental United States. The Air Force then sent me to Japan and Okinawa, where I met and studied under many of the foremost martial arts teachers in the world. My life has been a quest to learn as much as I can, to become the best I can be as an integrated human being. It is my hope that Complete Aikido: Aikido Kyohan helps you to do the same. As the saying goes: Perfect Practice Makes Perfect.
The Morihei Ueshiba quote appearing on page XIII is excerpted from The Art of Peace, translated by John Stevens, © 1992. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Inc., 300 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA 02115.
The Morihei Ueshiba quote appearing on page 11 is excerpted from The Spirit of Aikido, by Kisshomaru Ueshiba, ©1984. Reprinted by arrangement with Kodansha International Ltd., 17-14, Otowa