Born on this date in 1883 was Morihei Ueshiba, founder of the martial art of Aikido. 10 things you might not know about Aikido.
Aikido is often translated as "the way of unifying with life energy" or "the way of harmonious spirit".
Rather than attacking an opponent head on, the philosophy of Aikido is to redirect the energy and force of an attack. Ueshiba's goal was to create an art which practitioners could use to defend themselves but also protect their attackers from injury. Aikido uses throws, pressure on nerve centres and joint locks rather than strikes. Aikido techniques do not require strength to perform, as any force needed is provided by the attacker. Therefore anyone can learn it.
It’s a relatively modern martial art, developed primarily during the late 1920s and 1930s. The term aikido was coined in the 20th century. It’s knot known exactly when Ueshiba began using the name, but it became the official name of the art in 1942 when the Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society reorganised and centralised Japanese martial arts.
The largest Aikido organisation is the Aikikai Foundation, run by Morihei Ueshiba’s family.
In some parts of Japan, police officers are required to hold at least a Shodan (black belt) in Aikido.
One of the first things a student will learn is Ukemi, or how to break their falls.
Aikido is the only martial art allowed in the U.S. federal prison system.
The actor Steven Seagal is a 7th degree black belt in Aikido. In fact, before going to Hollywood, he was the first foreigner to run an aikido dojo in Japan.
The uniform worn for practising aikido (aikidÅgi) is similar to the training uniform (keikogi) used in most other modern martial arts; simple trousers and a wraparound jacket, usually white. Aikido systems add a pair of wide pleated black or indigo trousers known as hakama, which in some schools is restricted to instructors and black belts.
Morihei Ueshiba once pinned a Sumo wrestler using just one finger.
A Very Variant Christmas
Last year, Jade and Gloria were embroiled in a bitter conflict to win back their throne and their ancestral home. This year, Queen Jade and Princess Gloria want to host the biggest and best Christmas party ever in their palace. They invite all their friends to come and bring guests. Not even the birth of Jade's heir just before Christmas will stop them.
The guest list includes most of Britain's complement of super-powered crime-fighters, their families and friends. What could possibly go wrong?
Gatecrashers, unexpected arrivals, exploding Christmas crackers and a kidnapping, for starters.
Far away in space, the Constellations, a cosmic peacekeeping force, have suffered a tragic loss. They need to recruit a new member to replace their dead colleague. The two top candidates are both at Jade and Gloria's party. The arrival of the recruitment delegation on Christmas Eve is a surprise for everyone; but their visit means one guest now faces a life-changing decision.
Meanwhile, an alliance of the enemies of various guests at the party has infiltrated the palace; they hide in the dungeon, plotting how best to get rid of the crime-fighters and the royal family once and for all. Problem is, they all have their own agendas and differences of opinion on how to achieve their aims.
Not to mention that this year, the ghosts who walk the corridors of the palace on Christmas Eve will be as surprised by the living as the living are by them.
Themes Christmas; superheroes; reunions; parties; life choices; shocking surprises; mistaken identity; kidnap and rescue.
Reasons not to read it
- It's a bit short. You could probably read it in one sitting.
- Most of the action takes place at a Christmas party. In a palace.
- It's all about Christmas but there doesn't seem to be a schmaltzy moral message.
- There are a couple of babies and some small children in it - and one nearly gets eaten.
- Santa appears in it, but he isn't really Santa.
- Superheroes. Again.
- Not to mention a whole bunch of super-villains. Again all new ones and not the ones we know from Marvel or DC.
- It's a bit short. You could probably read it in one sitting.
- Most of the action takes place at a Christmas party. In a palace.
- It's all about Christmas but there doesn't seem to be a schmaltzy moral message.
- There are a couple of babies and some small children in it - and one nearly gets eaten.
- Santa appears in it, but he isn't really Santa.
- Superheroes. Again.
- Not to mention a whole bunch of super-villains. Again all new ones and not the ones we know from Marvel or DC.
No comments:
Post a Comment