Aikidō S. A. (合気道S.A.) also known as Shoot Aikido (シュート・アイキドウ, Shūto aikidou) is a Japanese
martial art
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense; military and law enforcement applications; competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; and the preserv ...
. It was founded by Fumio Sakurai (currently Aikido S.A. representative instructor), who was ranked 6th in the
Yoshinkan Aikido
Yoshinkan (養神館 ''Yōshinkan'' lit. "Hall of Spirit Cultivation") Aikido is a style of aikido that developed after World War II in the Yoshinkan Dojo of Gozo Shioda (1915–1994). Yoshinkan Aikido is often called the "hard" style of aikido b ...
, trained under the style's founder,
Gozo Shioda
was a Japanese master of aikido who founded the Yoshinkan style of aikido.Rings Experimental League, early
shootwrestling
Shoot wrestling is a combat sport that originated in Japan's professional wrestling circuit of the 1970s. Professional wrestlers of that era attempted to use more realistic or even "full contact" moves in their matches to increase their exciteme ...
, and J-Cup Tournament.
* The contents of the physical training include basic movements, Kata training, hit rehearsal, wrist sumo (unique competition type for Aikido S.A), Aikido kumite (Aikido technique + hit rehearsal), and sparring. With the introduction of kumite, research on combinations of aikido techniques and reversal techniques has been active, and it is still evolving and developing. During a match, asides Aikido techniques, use of palm strikes and kicking is allowed, and striking under the clavicle is permitted.
* During sparring, it is forbidden to hit vital points such as the face.
* In addition to physical combat, weapon arts, such as
tantojutsu
Tantōjutsu (短刀術) is a Japanese term for a variety of traditional Japanese knife fighting systems that used the tantō (短刀), a knife or dagger. Historically, many women used a version of the tantō, called the kaiken, for self-defense, ...
,
kenjutsu
is an umbrella term for all ('' ko-budō'') schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration. Some modern styles of kendo and iaido that were established in the 20th century also included modern forms of ...
, jōjutsu, as well as disarming is also performed. In addition, the organization hosts "Actual Battle / Real Aikido Championship" tournaments and can be held twice a year (mainly in April, occasionally in October.)
* Aikido S.A. also offers distance learning for people who cannot attend in remote areas.
Match format
As in regular Aikido, there are some schools that play randori and games like the Japan Aikido Association, but the Aikido S.A. events are characterized by calling on martial artists from other styles to participate in the open tournament. Forms of tournament are:
* Real Battle / Real Aikido Rule Tournament
* Traditional Aikido Rule Tournament
* Rookie tournament
Shoot Aikido reception
During the 1980s and 1990s, practitioners of Shoot Aikido participated in Hokutoki Tournaments hosted by Daido juku.
Aikido S.A.'s Shoot Aikido is currently very limited to native Japan. Considering modern reputation of Aikido, it is unlikely there even is a market for Shoot Aikido outside Japan. However, certain instructional DVDs featuring Fumio Sakurai have been released to western public.
Videos
*Shoot Aikido DVD 1: Basic Techniques & Combinations
*Shoot Aikido DVD 2: Offense & Defense in Actual Combat
See also
*
Hapkido
Hapkido ( , , also spelled ''hap ki do'' or ''hapki-do''; from Korean 합기도 ''hapgido'' ) is a hybrid Korean martial art. It is a form of self-defense that employs joint locks, grappling, throwing techniques, kicks, punches, and other stri ...
- South Korean style with similar Aiki-style martial arts heritage and combination of striking moves
*
Yoshinkan Aikido
Yoshinkan (養神館 ''Yōshinkan'' lit. "Hall of Spirit Cultivation") Aikido is a style of aikido that developed after World War II in the Yoshinkan Dojo of Gozo Shioda (1915–1994). Yoshinkan Aikido is often called the "hard" style of aikido b ...
- parent style to Shoot Aikido
* Yoshokai Aikido - very similar style, branched from Yoshinkan Aikido as well
*
Aikido styles
Though the art of aikido is characteristically different from other Japanese martial arts, it has a variety of identifiable styles within the family of organizations descending from the teachings of Morihei Ueshiba.
Pre-war aikido
In the pre-war p ...