Chicago Aikikai Collection

Aikido Mag Piece Kinescope

Transcript (Download)

You Size and strength are not important to Aikido If one has the right mental attitude and training one should be able to defend himself against any attack The idea is not to hurt your opponent merely to suppress his aggressions Aikido was developed from a combination of Japanese martial arts with the movements of the swordsman predominate It is taught here at the Illinois Aikido Club at 1103 Bryn Mawr on Chicago's North Side as a pure self -defense art Because there's no need for physical strength.

It has great attraction for the young there are special classes for children on Saturdays many women attend the mixed classes Women and Aikidoists who have won their black belt wear the traditional Hakama a split skirt Aikido does not use muscular strength Instead Aikido depends on a flow of power from the combination of mind and body Isao Takahashi the senior instructor Emphasizes the relationship of mind and body in his teaching Aikido is actually a practice in the spiritual martial art What is special spiritual martial art in this case? We're talking about ki Ki cannot find another words in English are very difficult, but I can explain to you very briefly It should be mind and ki and the power in other words the mind Must be in action the moving things and it becomes a power for purposes of practice a partner is used But Aikido is not a sport and there can be no contest as there is in judo or karate There's no thought of defeating anyone The philosophy of Aikido is of inner calm with feelings of peace and love for nature and humanity It has attracted a wide variety of persons in the Chicago area.

Tell me why are you studying Aikido? About three months ago I had a bleeding ulcer and my doctor recommend that I should take something like Aikido which will disperse my mind a little bit and And I am much feeling much better right now than what I when I had the ulcer and I'm sure it's healing No other troubles bother you while you're on the mat You can only have your mind on one thing instead of your pills and everything else that may affect And why are you studying Aikido? well, one of the principles of Aikido was the principle of non -descension and coming to a dojo is a unique way of practicing non -descension in Society where there is so much conflict So here we can come in train and train to respond to further violent attacks in a relaxed way In a way that's Mizoron Harmony I understand you had occasion to use Aikido once in self -defense.

Can you tell me about it? Yes.

Well When I'm a freshman year I was coming home from school with my girlfriend and a boy attacked me and I told him to leave me alone I walked away and Foolishly enough he came back and attacked my purse.

I turned his wrist.

He busted his collarbone his elbow and his Elbow and so he was in the hospital for three months and I didn't get a lawsuit or anything like that So he learned his lesson and no one picks on me at school.

I'm just everybody else Advanced Aikido training includes rapid attack and practice with a sword and staff Teacher Takahashi is expert in both I Kido was perfected during the past 50 years by Morihei Ueshiba a master of the martial arts, but it wasn't until 1951 that it was made generally available to the public Since then it has spread widely through Asia and Europe and most of the United States This is Sidney white NBC News report

Date Of Production
February 11 1969
Abstract
A kinescope of a local Chicago NBC News segment depicting NBC reporter Sidney White visiting the Illinois Aikido Club in Chicago. The segment features senior instructor Isao Takahashi and includes brief interviews with students at the dojo.
Description

The Illinois Aikido Club was located at 1103 W Bryn Mawr Ave in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood.

 

In this news segment, NBC reporter Sidney White briefly describes the practice of the martial art of aikido and its history in the United States over images of instructor Isao Takahashi working with students at the dojo.

 

The students at the dojo are of many ages and races, and include both women and men. White interviews four students — engineer John Nishimura, bricklayer William Bentley, university student Richard Reed, and high school student Karen Chino — about why they practice aikido.

 

White himself participates in the instruction, and his signoff to the segment is humorously punctuated by him throwing another student to the ground.

Format
16mm
Extent
187 feet
Color
B&W
Sound
Optical
Reel/Tape Number
1/1
Has Been Digitized?
Yes
Language Of Materials
English
Element
Print
Genre
News
Sports
Form
Newsreels
Subject
Sports
Related Collections
Chicago Aikikai Collection

Related Places
North America ➜ United States ➜ Illinois ➜ Chicago ➜ Uptown

Distributor
NBC News

Participants And Performers
Isao Takahashi (is participant)
Sidney White (is reporter)
John Nishimura (is participant)
William Bentley (is participant)
Richard Reed (is participant)
Karen Chino (is participant)

 
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