We completed this year’s Taigi Competition on the 24th of September.
The purpose of this Taigi Competition is never based upon technique only, but on the depth of mind and body coordination of each participant. This competition is to test how much of yourself you are able to use.
Someone might ask “But why does Shinshintoitsu Aikido need to do competition? Isn’t it a peaceful martial art?”
Let me compare the difference between competing and fighting.
A mind that is truly competing is a mind that always has respect for the opponent. Opponents can develop each other if and when their Ki is connected. In this way, they can accept their opponent.
A fighting mind does not have respect. In a fighting mind, Ki is disconnected, because there are some feelings of condescention, scorn, denial, and a desire to win over the opponent.
When you make effort alone, there can be limits to growth potential. However, when you have a nice opponent, you may be able to push those limits.
In the Ki Sayings book, written by Koichi Tohei Sensei, you may find “The Principle of Non-Dissension”. This tells you not to have a fighting mind, but it does not refuse competing.
Recently in Japan, some people think competing is wrong. If you refuse to compete, it means you resign from growing. This might be one of the reasons why Japanese National power is falling lately.
I was one of the players in our Taigi Competition more than 20 years ago.
Before the competition, I practiced the same techniques again and again and it was really hard. I sometimes thought “Why do I need to practice this hard?”
I found the answer on the Taigi Competition day. I found that there is no meaning if you cannot be the most of yourself on a real stage, no matter how much you have ability and techniques.
The most important thing is how much you can use your ability when facing an important situation. I noticed that I have learned “Keep One Point” “Relax Completely” “Keep Weight Underside” “Extend Ki” through daily practicing to be the most of myself.
During my performances, there were some parts that I could use my full ability, and then there were some parts that I could not. I learned from both parts well.
Everyone does their best, but since it is a competition, there is a ranking. Ranking is important, of course, but more important is what you learn from it.
The one who can achieve the desired result must know that it is the “result for today” and it may not be the “result for tomorrow”. Tomorrow, you need to do your best again. That is daily practicing.
The one who is not able to achieve the desired result must also know that it is the “result for today” and it may not be the “result for tomorrow”. You need to practice how to be the most of yourself through daily practicing.
I would like everyone who has attended this years’s Taigi Competition and practiced for it for many hours, to learn well from this experience and use it in your life later.