Principles of Tamura’s aikido

Most of Tamura’s words reach us in translation (Japanese → French → English). We keep quotations short and link to the published source. Where the English is ours, we say so.

One aikido

Tamura would not have his teaching called a style. For him aikido was O-Sensei’s creation, and he argued against “new aikido” or a “Tamura-ryū”.^[9] He said he came to Europe “above all” to work for the unity of aikido.^[10]

“The goal of Aikido is none other than unity.”

Rei: etiquette as the heart of budo

In Étiquette et transmission he puts rei at the centre of budo: without real respect, form is an empty shell. Cleaning the dojo purifies oneself as well as the room, and the teacher must lead by example.^[12]

Budo as protection

He described budo as a way of purification (misogi), beyond victory and defeat, not a way to destroy an opponent. In one image he gave, the true meaning of bu is a mother protecting her child.^[9]

Musubi

“Aiki is musubi”: union is what lets something be born. If you see yourself as separate, nothing can come into being.^[9]

Body, breath, posture

Simplify the body and the technique becomes simpler. Breathing governs the mind, and posture governs breathing.^[16] He held that good work on the knees (suwari waza) is the source of good standing technique.^[9]

Weapons and empty hand

For Tamura, aikido came out of weapons practice. Empty-hand and weapons work form one whole, and weapons should not clash.^[9]

Humility and endless study

“The greatest danger is excessive pride.”

Study means trying to do what you cannot yet do, and there is no shortcut.^[9] He spoke of the teacher as an educator and guide, who gives each student the “tea” that student needs.^[13]

Loyalty

Asked in 1983 about the students who did not follow him after the 1982 split, he answered that loyalty is a fundamental principle of bushido, and that his students remain his family.^[10]