The pacific philosophy of Aikido: An interactional approach

Lefebvre, Augustin 2016. The pacific philosophy of Aikido: An interactional approach. Martial Arts Studies (2) , pp. 91-109. 10.18573/j.2016.10066

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Abstract

This paper engages with the question of the invention of martial arts by examining the case of the Japanese martial art aikido. Relying on existing schools of traditional martial arts, Morihei Ueshiba [1883-1969] created aikido with the goal of transforming techniques aiming at killing the opponent into techniques which could benefit both partners. Instead of becoming stronger than the opponent, the goal of aikido practice is to improve the individual’s behaviour during their physical interaction with their partner. The question I examine in this paper is how practitioners manifest such philosophy during their practice and through their embodied conduct. I focus specifically on how practitioners simulate a situation of conflict through semiotic structures [Goodwin 2000] through which they construct a world of movement in which anticipating the attacker’s movement becomes possible. Because practitioners are organized with such a framework, they can, through movements of the whole body, pacifically produce and resolve the situation of conflict. This study contributes to understanding how a practical philosophy is implemented within the practitioners’ bodies and is manifested during social interaction.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General) G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GT Manners and customs G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure
Publisher:	Cardiff University Press
ISSN:	2057-5696
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	22 June 2016
Date of Acceptance:	21 May 2016
Last Modified:	04 May 2023 20:07
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/92084

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