効果抜群
Koukabatsugun
Exceptionally effective
Is Aikido effective as a martial art? Effectiveness is defined as “Being capable of producing a desired result.” Thus, based on the definition, Aikido is effective. This is probably the most asked question when someone calls my dojo. It seems that despite my response, most callers are still skeptical. What most probably want to know is if Aikido can be a valid form of self-defense. The answer is still yes. Look at it from the standpoint of a gun. A gun is considered a deadly weapon. However, on average, a trained police officer is only about 30-50% accurate in a gunfight. If I told you that Aikido can be lethal, which it can be, but only 30% of the time then you’d probably laugh at its ineffectiveness. However, like a gun, Aikido’s effectiveness increases with training and is based upon the individual. Furuya Sensei used to tell us that a martial artist, regardless of style, can expect a 40% drop in technical ability if they were to get into a street fight and that is why he wanted us to train as close to 100% as possible. But, 40%!? What if we only trained at 60-80% and then lose 40% of that? The martial arts aren’t the most effective weapon in battle. Joseph Stalin said, “Artillery is the god of war.” What he was referring to was that in combat range is the king. In terms of warfare, the hierarchy of arms is supposed to be: fist, knife, sword, spear, bow, gun, artillery and nuclear bomb. The farther you are away so as to not sustain damage while still being able to harm your opponent is supposed to be the best. Thinking about Sensei’s assertion, this hierarchy and that range is king, then one might make a case that the martial arts are obsolete and, on a certain level, they wouldn’t necessarily be wrong. However, in terms of self development, there is no better way to develop a human being than with martial arts training. Martial training builds our character and strengthens our bodies and teaches us things like self-discipline, perseverance, and dedication. However, when we think about effectiveness, most don’t realize that there are many different levels of effectiveness. At every level of training, effectiveness means something different. For example, when we are young or just starting our journey, effectiveness means being able to win a fist fight. When we get older, effectiveness might mean being able to control one’s temper and have self control. So the long story short is that if effectiveness means being able to bring about the desired result then it depends on what we want that result to be. If we just want to fight then Aikido can be effective but Aikido and life can be so much more than just mere violence. Aikido can be effective in helping us become better people on so many different levels and thus Aikido is an effective martial art.
Today’s goal: Want to change your life? Start taking a martial art.
For more on the effectiveness of Aikido, watch the Aiki Dojo Podcast: