Brief History of Aikido: Part 8 - Future

Tori-i

* The Plum Blossom, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum and Orchid respectively represent “The Esteemed Four Gentlemen” and are a Confucian sentiment representative of well mannered and reasonable people who refrain from unseemly arguments and thus do not inflame unnecessary conflict.

* The Jewel, the Mirror and the Sword are an ancient Shinto trinity, symbols of the inner workings of the human being in relationship to the great cosmic forces of the Universe.

* Mount Fuji or Fuji-Yama is Japan’s highest peak (3,776 metres or 12,388 feet) is an almost perfect conical volcano. At the time of this writing it is classified as “dormant” and Mt. Fuji has displayed no volcanic activity in the almost 300 years since its last eruption, a major one in 1707. It’s beauty is striking feature with its covering of wisteria blossoms in spring- time and in winter when its upper half is covered with snow. Annual pilgrimages to reach the peak are held by pilgrims awed by its mystique. All mountain peaks allude to the great heights and closer proximity of heaven to earth (‘ten chi’) and the fertility of their union which gives life to all. It is Mt. Kumano, however, not as well known, which is deemed to be a truly sacred place.

YOU ARE THE FUTURE

The world is yours and your children's.

But only if aggression, violence and injustice in all its forms becomes obsolete.

Extinction of the human race should not be an option despite the misguided efforts of those who are restless and spiritually unwell and choose war and planetary destruction.

.....................................................

* The unique structure is called Tori-i and is a Shinto Gateway Shrine or Jinja and alludes to the treasured value of the gift of all life, consciousness and the human frame which was deemed by ancient mystic warriors to be ‘Hito-Jinja’ or a Living Temple of God, an Organic Shrine of the Divine. It also alludes to various spiritual symbology among which is purification and that of consciously passing through into a higher dimension of consciousness. Tori-i are usually found before the entrance to temples and some dojos which practice ‘Do’ or The Way.

* The circular symbol is an ancient icon representing the Universe and the movements of Its Essence throughout Nature and Existence.

* The motto of the Blue Mountains Academy (Shodan and above) is:

“ KAMI NO HIKARI NI
HIRAKU KONO MICHI”

when literally translated means:

“ THE DIVINE LIGHT WITHIN OPENS
AND MAKE CLEAR THE WAY”

This was a favourite didactic ode of Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido.