Hatenkai: Opening the Doors of Practical Aikido to All
Master Tenkei Fujisaki, who presides over the Practical Aikido (Jissen Aikido) Hatenkai, not only pursues the combat potential of Aikido but also offers a diverse range of classes for children, parents and their kids, and individuals interested in self-defense. We spoke with Master Fujisaki about his teaching philosophy, which opens the dojo's doors to anyone with an interest in Aikido, regardless of age or gender.
A Welcoming Stance, and the Mindset for a Practical Path
"We don't ask about gender or age. Anyone with an interest in Aikido is welcome," Master Fujisaki says calmly. However, he adds that for those who sincerely wish to pursue a practical path in Aikido, there are some points that must first be understood.
Aikido and "Ki"—On the Prevalent Images
The first thing the master addresses is the popular image associated with Aikido, such as "sending people flying with 'Ki'." "No such supernatural power exists," states Master Fujisaki. "Aikido is a martial art based on the laws of physics, where you control an opponent by utilizing their force through rational body mechanics and technique."
At the same time, he does not completely deny the word or concept of "Ki" itself. "This is not my area of expertise," he prefaces, "but it's conceivable that psychological effects or mental stability can be achieved through mental focus and breathing methods. However, it must be clearly understood that this is entirely different from a force that can physically move an opponent."
The Use of "Ki" from Past Experience
While stating that he has "never belonged to a school that specialized in Ki," Master Fujisaki reflects on his past experiences. "In the school I was part of during high school, the word 'Ki' was used in specific contexts. For example, synchronizing the speed of movement was expressed as 'matching Ki' (ki o awaseru), and the vector of force or momentum in a technique was called the 'flow of Ki' (ki no nagare). I was also corrected when my center of gravity was too far back, being told 'your Ki isn't projecting' (ki ga deteinai), or when my arms lacked proper tension, 'you don't have Ki in it' (ki ga haitteinai). I believe these were used not to indicate a supernatural power, but as concepts tied to body mechanics, a state of awareness, and concrete physical sensations."
Eliminating Ambiguity for Concrete Instruction
However, Master Fujisaki notes that in that school, such corrections came without concrete explanations; he was "simply told 'your Ki isn't projecting.'" Now an instructor himself, he analyzes this by saying, "I suspect that a variety of technical issues, like a retreating center of gravity or insufficient tension in the arms, were being expressed comprehensively with that single phrase. This can lead to confusion, as the student doesn't know what to fix. They would have no idea if it refers to a qigong-like power or to fighting spirit. At Hatenkai, we avoid such ambiguous expressions and emphasize explaining technical points concretely, providing examples when necessary."
The Position of "Kitai" in Kata Practice
Traditional Aikido kata practice includes four stages: Kotai (Solid), Jūtai (Soft), Ryūtai (Fluid), and Kitai (Gaseous/Ki), the last of which uses the word "Ki." Master Fujisaki explains this as well. Kotai involves techniques against a resisting opponent, while Ryūtai focuses on seamless flow and harmony. Kitai is considered the final stage and is sometimes treated as a secret teaching, involving advanced movements that attune to the opponent's actions, occasionally even having the receiver fall without direct contact.
While stating that "Kitai should be respected as one form of expression in Aikido when performed as a demonstration between practitioners who share that specific worldview," he also cautions that "when performed in front of the general public who are unaware of these training stages, care must be taken to avoid misunderstanding."
The Mechanics Behind "No-Touch Throws"
Master Fujisaki explains that even techniques that appear to be "no-touch throws" have a physical principle. "For example, when executing an action like parrying a punch while delivering a palm strike to the chin (irimi-tsuki), the receiver, trying to avoid danger, may lean back (sway), lose their balance, and take a breakfall on their own. Through repetition, you might see cases where the receiver reflexively takes a breakfall the moment the master merely initiates the motion. This is something akin to a conditioned reflex and can be considered one aspect of kata practice. To a third party, it may look like there was no contact, but in reality, there is an exchange happening at the brink of contact. It is not caused by any paranormal force."
Hatenkai's Emphasis on Practicality
Hatenkai places a strong emphasis on practical application. "Those who have no interest whatsoever in practicality may find our dojo's direction is not for them," states the master. "In our youth and parent-child classes, students learn the principles of Aikido in a fun environment, but in the general class, we incorporate striking and sparring drills designed for real-world scenarios. It may not be the right fit for those seeking a fantastical image of Aikido."
Stance on Ground Grappling: A Self-Defense Approach
His stance on ground techniques (newaza) is also clear. "Aikido fundamentally does not include ground grappling, but from a practical self-defense perspective, we cannot ignore it completely. We don't delve into it as specialists, but we do teach the minimum necessary self-defense skills, such as counters to tackles and basic methods for defense and escape if taken to the ground. For those who wish to study ground grappling in-depth, we recommend specialized dojos for Judo or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu."
The Scope of Self-Defense and the Value of Learning Other Martial Arts
While pursuing Aikido as a method of self-defense, Master Fujisaki also recognizes its limits. "It is difficult for any single martial art to handle every possible situation. If asked, 'Do I need to learn anything else?' I would answer, 'If you wish to further specialize.' For instance, if you're interested in weapons, a basic knowledge of Kendo or Sports Chanbara would be beneficial. For ground grappling, a foundation equivalent to a Judo first-degree black belt would dramatically expand the range of situations you can handle," he says, acknowledging the value of studying other Budo.
Cross-Disciplinary Exchange: The Encounter with Daido Juku's Master Takashi Azuma
Master Fujisaki also values exchange with other martial arts, noting that his encounter with the late Master Takashi Azuma, founder of Daido Juku Kudo, was a significant influence. "Master Azuma told me, 'You can't counter what you don't know. We need to learn Aikido, too.' I was deeply impressed by his words, and they served as a great encouragement to me."
Master Azuma's View on "Ki" and His Budo Spirit
According to Fujisaki, Master Azuma stated unequivocally that "the idea of 'Ki' having any efficacy in combat sports is impossible." He apparently had a student who became infatuated with a karateka who claimed to have Ki-based powers, but Azuma dismissed it as "completely baseless." He is also said to have pointed out that "there are cases where people combine Aikido's off-balancing techniques with karate strikes and present it as if it were the power of 'Ki'."
Master Fujisaki also recounts an experience where he was deeply moved by Master Azuma's Budo spirit. "When I had the honor of teaching an Aikido class at the Daido Juku headquarters, I saw Master Azuma himself training diligently in the weight room. I believe he was over 60 at the time, and I was truly inspired by that sight."
Changing Preconceptions Through Direct Experience: Training with a Daido Juku Instructor
Direct experience can change fixed ideas, the master continues. "When I was teaching the Aikido class at the Daido Juku headquarters, there was an instructor (2nd dan) who participated enthusiastically. He later told me that he initially saw Aikido as something like a health exercise and was skeptical of its practical use. However, his perception completely changed after he was 'unable to handle' my techniques several times in randori under Hatenkai-style Aikido rules. Of course, the rules were to my advantage, but his surprise was apparently immense. The fact that he continued to participate with such enthusiasm after that was a meaningful experience for me as well."
Conclusion: An Open Dojo for the Multifaceted Aikidoka
This episode illustrates how direct experience and exchange with different schools can alter preconceptions, leading to mutual understanding and new discoveries. "Hatenkai welcomes everyone with an interest in Aikido, offering classes suited to various goals and levels, from serious combat-oriented practitioners to those seeking fitness, self-defense, or a family activity," the master says. "We want to support the path of those who aim to become multifaceted, well-rounded Aikidoka with a comprehensive perspective."
Master Tenkei Fujisaki maintains his commitment to seeking the essence of Budo while keeping his dojo's doors wide open. Practical Aikido Hatenkai will undoubtedly continue to move forward, together with people of diverse goals and backgrounds.