The 70 videos from the last two Embukai of the Nihon Kobudo Kai [2023/1][2023/2][2024/1][2024/2] provide an insight into the multitude of traditional Japanese martial arts schools and their techniques. In 1868, at the end of the Tokugawa period, there was an official list of over 52 schools of archery, 718 schools of sword fighting, 148 schools of spear fighting and 179 jujutsu schools. These numbers include the groups whose style was the same but which represented a different branch (i.e. Ha or even Ryu).
Maybe Aikidoka are more interested in those Ryu that show techniques that are practiced nowadays in a similar form in Aikido. Some Aikido teachers still borrow techniques from the Koryu to integrate them into their Aikido.
Ueshiba Morihei
In the long development from Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu to Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) taught first many Daito-Ryu techniques, although he reduced their number significantly. They were mostly used for self-defense, for example when he was teaching high-ranking military or police officers. Later, when he became a follower of Omotokyo, they were more used to train the mind and the body. In his last years, however, he said that he did not perform any techniques at all, but acted spontaneously in the respective situations.
There are reports of a demonstration in 1942 in Manchuria in which the Uke, Hideo Ohba, decided to attack in a totally realistic way. At Embukai, Morihei Ueshiba usually only showed the techniques in didactic forms in order to explain his philosophy. In this case, however, he had to act really effectively and thus gave a convincing example of his skills.
Ueshiba Kisshomaru
Ueshiba Kisshomaru (1921-1999) took on the honorary burden of leading the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo in 1942 and, after his father's death, also the position of Doshu in the Aikikai. He led the classes in the Hombu Dojo and - together with Tohei - systematized the techniques and put together a curriculum and examination regulations.
There are reports that Morihei Ueshiba sometimes came to the dojo. Then all the aikidoka immediately stopped practicing and sat down expectantly on the mat. One day they did not immediately notice his presence and he was able to watch them for a while. He is said to have expressed indignantly that what they were practicing on the mat was not aikido.
Some people therefore claim that the Aikido that is practiced today is not the Aikido of Morihei Ueshiba, but that of his successors.
Tohei Koichi
Tohei Koichi (1920-2011) was chief instructor at the Hombu Dojo. He reduced the number of techniques and performed them in a "less mechanical" manner, most preferably without exerting physical force. He achieved this with the help of his concept of Ki and with dedicated rhythm. He also changed many of the names of the techniques. Later he put together his own curriculum and examination regulations.
Yoshigasaki Kenjiro
Yoshigasaki Kenjiro (1951-2021) first taught the techniques of Tohei. Later he developed his own theoretical concepts such as lines and shapes. Finally, he said that he did not teach his own style, but simply looked at his students' techniques and improved them.
According to him, techniques are predetermined processes to achieve clearly defined results in certain situations.
In order to overcome this mechanical aspect that techniques can have, he ultimately emphasized the individual acts in the sequence of events.
He said, he taught the aspects of Japanese culture that are of general value to all people.
The Japanese nowadays don't know what Japanese culture is. That's the problem!
And then there is another question. Why do Italians have to follow Japanese culture?
To be more precise, I don't teach Japanese culture in general, but the culture that existed in Japan and produced many good things. Now this culture can be applied all over the world.
Question: How can you apply one thing in all different environments? This requires "mathematics". That's why I'm talking about mathematics. If you live in Japan and follow Japanese culture, you don't need mathematics. If I make the same product all my life, I don't need mathematics. But if I make a different product, change dimensions, etc., then mathematics is needed.
Conclusion
Already in Koryu times, new schools were constantly emerging because there was often more than one student with the Menkyo Kaiden (teaching authorization). This led to technical development and diversifications. The techniques in Aikido come from several sources and Morihei Ueshiba also went through a technical and philosophical development. These are just two reasons why there are different Aikido "styles". There is a certain core of techniques that are practiced in all Aikido styles and which nowadays mostly serve as forms of exercise for developing mind and body or for understanding other aspects of Japanese culture. Many Dojocho and Shihan add components from their own areas of experience. Aikido may be therefore very different from dojo to dojo. So, an Aikidoshi first needs a certain level of trust in the Sensei and will later find out for himself/herself what is important to him/her in Aikido and what he/she wants to learn and practice, not just in technical terms.