Comparison between Traditional Aiki and Modern Aiki

Many potential students ask me what the difference is between Karate/Tae Kwon Do and Aikido. That is a fairly straight forward answer. What I would like to discuss here is the difference between Traditional Aiki (Nihon Goshin Aikido) and Modern Aiki (Aikido). Below I have included a list comparing the two.



Traditional Aiki (Nihon Goshin Aikido)



1. Use of small, quick circles

2. Street Specific Attacks

3. Techniques are used to end the fight. Control is determined by what the attacker does or does not do.

4. Pressure Points, Pain Compliance, Submissions, Standing and Ground Grappling, Strikes, and Throws are frequent.

5. Discipline, harmony and camaraderie are emphasized with respect for tradition.



Modern Aiki (Aikido)



1. Large, fluid circles

2. Less use of street likely attacks

3. Techniques are used to neutralize the attacker without injury

4. Strikes used to a lessor degree, little to no ground grappling

5. Peace, harmony, camaraderie and aiki principles are emphasized



Keep in mind, these are general descriptions based on my personal experience in Nihon Goshin Aikido and various other systems of Aikido. All are good and all represent true budo. However, the individual sensei, national leadership, or organization guidelines may vary the way in which training is held at local, regional, national or international academies.


Sensei John Carter