There have been some significant changes in my Aikido and general martial arts (budo) world in the last few years, which is part of the reason for the lack of posts here in that time. Perhaps most significantly, the loss of two key figures from that world...
First of all, the illness and death of Stanley Pranin Sensei, historian, instructor, and founder of Aikido Journal. He had started to become something of both a friend and mentor to me. Since part of my family tradition is involvement in history, museums and archives, I was drawn to that side of his work as well as to his vision of Aikido. Had he not gotten sick, and had there been enough time, I cherished a dream of perhaps relocating and assisting him; but that was at best a tentative idea.
On the technical martial side, Pranin Sensei was one of those in the Aikido community who had become aware that there seemed to be certain lacks in how Aikido is commonly practiced, limiting the use of the end results of training. He was actively exploring a restoration to the Aikido Founder's own standard by deeply studying the footage he had collected, and seeking out the subtle, but crucial, differences between O-Sensei's technique and that of later generations. Among his last big projects was seminars, and a video course based on them, focusing on those explorations and his findings.
We are immensely grateful that Pranin Sensei's work did not die with his body: he passed on Aikido Journal to the very able Josh Gold Sensei, who has continued that project, and updated it to fit changing technology, including creating a subscription streaming service, giving access to a variety of media and videocourses. Anyone seriously interested in Aikido, both history and practice, should consider subscribing if they have the means.
The other loss was thankfully not a death, but James Neiman Sensei, the subject of several earlier posts here, retired from martial arts. Last I had heard, some of his stalwart students continued to meet to train according to his unique style. I very much hope that they still do so, and offer all moral support and encouragement. (Note that because of his retirement, relevant links in our posts focused on his work have gone dead.)
Another change of an entirely different nature has come about. I have become part of a nascent project to form a society devoted to a combination of martial arts, spirituality and intellectual development. Although not at all limited to that community, it is spearheaded by Hindus who wish to see their traditional martial culture brought back to the forefront. In line with core Hindu values, it will support other traditional cultures and spiritualities; at the same time, its name, Brahma Kshatra Akhara, and its structure are effectively Hindu in origin and spirit; but this is no different from the inherently Japanese culture, and for those who accept it, spirituality, of Aikido. No doubt more will be written about this Akhara here, as plans proceed. The Akhara isn't tied to any one martial art, and is not a style in itself, but certainly Aikido is among those that will have an influence, making it relevant to this blog.
Note: Akhara is a word in several modern Indian languages, appearing in several spelling variations, that can mean both a training place, approximately translating "dojo", and a religious order.
