Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido (Exclusive)
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: Limited to those of Honorable Alignments. No Attribute requirements.
Skill Cost: 20 Years

Aikido was created in Japan by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). Originally called "aikibudo" and "aikinomichi," Ueshiba changed the name of his style to "Aikido" in 1942. Drawing upon his training in Daito Ryu Aikijustu, kendo/kenjutsu, several varieties of jujutsu, and sojutsu, Ueshiba combined many of the techniques of these styles, along with some of his own creation to develop the style. Ueshiba felt that there could be an art designed to control one's ambitions and desires along with martial training, so he immersed himself in religious studies and developed a philosophy devoted to a universal socio-political harmony. By incorporating these principles into his martial art, Ueshiba developed many facets of aikido in concert with this philosophical and religious ideology. This allowed him to present aikido as a vehicle toward enlightenment. Ueshiba is considered "O-Sensei" by all aikidoka (practitioners of aikido). Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido (Aikido with Mind and Body Unified/Coordinated) was created in 1974 when Koichi Tohei, then the Chief Instructor at the Aikikai, resigned from that organization and founded the Ki no Kenkyukai to teach Aikido with strong emphasis on the concepts of Ki.

Aikido uses throws and joint locks from jujutsu and combines these techniques with a sharpness of body movement derived from kenjutsu combined with flexibility and smoothness derived from jojutsu. Striking is learned, though not often utilized. This is done primarily for safety during training, yet it is taught so that the aikidoka can apply striking techniques effectively. Techniques are also taught in a systematic manner with students learning both attack and defense. In the Aikido arts you learn how to take rolls and falls safely as well as how to throw and perform joint lock techniques. Basic techniques are used for testing but literally hundreds of moves are possible. Yet for all it's martial devotion, Aikido is not exclusively a combat system, but instead a method of self-improvement. The goal of Aikido is not to learn how to defeat others, but rather, to defeat one's own negative qualities. By doing so, this style emphasizes the art of counter-attack because the number of possible counters contained in the technical methods of evading an attack, weakening its extended force, and subjugating the attacker through a projection, a blow, or immobilization are interminable. Toward this end, the aikidoka uses Simultaneous Attacks, Automatic Body Flip/Throws, and Automatic Holds/Locks against striking attacks and uses reversals against grappling attacks.

In addition to physical techniques, Aikido stresses self-discipline, observation and modification of both psychological and physical responses. Aikido training emphasizes proper etiquette at all times to facilitate psychological responses, social courtesy, and cooperative training. Techniques in aikido are learned through observation (of demonstration of techniques and self-observation in regards to self-discipline) and through cooperative enterprise. Aikidoka learn to cooperate by practicing techniques with a partner, not an opponent. The training is highly idealized and stylized initially, allowing aikidoka to learn the basic patterns of movement. At advanced levels, the practitioner increases the power and speed of attacks which teaches the student to adapt the basic strategies of aikido movement to a broader variety of attacks.

Shin Shin Toitsu is one of the softest styles of Aikido and is characterized by soft movements that often involve the practitioner jumping or skipping during the movement. Overall though, training does not concentrate on the practical application of the techniques, but rather uses them as exercises to further develop Ki. Tohei Sensei places a great deal of emphasis on understanding the concept of Ki and developing this aspect independently of the Aikido training for application to general health and daily life. Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido stresses the use of Ki not only in technique but also in daily life to remain calm & relaxed in stressful situations.

Costume: The primary costume of the aikidoka is the Keiko gi/do gi/gi or Practice uniform. This is further supplemented through wearing Hakama (a Split skirt/wide legged pants). Additional costume features include a Tenugui (small hand cloth to wipe face which is also worn under the helmet in sword practice), Embu Gi (demonstration uniform), Montsuki (wide sleeved top with mon(family crest) on chest, sleeve and back), Uwa gi (practice top), Obi (typically white or black belt), Zekken (chest patch embroidered with own name and dojo name) and Tabi (split-toed sock-slippers) for wear inside the dojo and Zori (sandals) for use outside the dojo.
Stance: Aikido's standard position is the Shizentai Gamae, a natural stance that can be facing either right or left. In right stance, the feet are a shoulder's width apart, right foot facing forward, left foot pointing left, right arm loosely extended at chest level, left arm a hand's width from the body, hands extended loosely with all fingers separated.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +2 to M.E.
Add +2 to M.A.
Double Normal Chi
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 1
Escape Moves: Breakfall, Roll With Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Circular Parry, Disarm.
Hand Attacks: Knife Hand Knock-Out.
Basic Foot Attacks: None.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Automatic Flip/Throw, Critical Flip/Throw, Leap Attack.
Holds/Locks: Automatic Elbow Lock, Automatic Finger Lock, Automatic Wrist Lock.
Weapon Kata: None.
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select a total of TWO (2) Martial Art Powers from among Chi Mastery and Martial Art Techniques. If desired, any number of Martial Art Powers can be traded, on a one-for-one basis, for Basic Skill Programs (excluding Physical).
Languages: Japanese
Cultural(Pick Two): Bonsai, Calligraphy, Go, Haiku, Ikebana, or Ukio-e.
Philosophical Training: While there is no unified philosophy of Aikido, many aikidoka share a loose collection of metaphysical, ethical, and religious beliefs commonly transmitted by word of mouth. Ueshiba himself was an adherent to on quasi-new religion, called Omotokyo. Omotokyo is comprised partly of neo-shintoism and partly of socio-political ideology. The goal of this philosophy is the unification of all humanity in a single, "heavenly kingdom on earth" where all religions are united under the aegis of Omotokyo.
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Aiki-Buken (5 Years), Kokikai Aikido (4 Years), Seidokan Aikido (6 Years), Tomiki Ryu Aikido (3 Years), Yoseikan Aikido (5 Years), Yoshinkan Aikido (5 Years), Yoshokai Aikido (5 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Breakfall, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Disarm.
2nd: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery or Martial Art Techniques.
3rd: +1 to Leap (add 2 ft to Leap Distance), +2 to Body Flip/Throw (includes all throws)(Throws do an extra die of damage for a total of two dice of damage).
4th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Disarm.
5th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery or Martial Art Techniques.
6th: Critical Body Flip/Throw on Natural 19 or 20, +2 to Body Flip/Throw (includes all throws).
7th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
8th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery or Martial Art Techniques.
9th: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Disarm, +2 to Body Flip/Throw (includes all throws)(Throws do an extra die of damage for a total of three dice of damage).
10th: +1 to Breakfall, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +2 to Leap (add 2 ft to Leap Distance).
11th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery or Martial Art Techniques.
12th: +1 Attack per Melee, +2 to Body Flip/Throw (includes all throws).
13th: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Disarm, +1 to Leap (add 2 ft to Leap Distance).
14th: Select One (1) Zenjorike.
15th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery or Martial Art Techniques.
Why Study Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido?
Disregarding the physical aspect of combat, this style of aikido instead stresses internal chi mastery.