Tomiki Ryu Aikido
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: Limited to those of Honorable Alignments. No Attribute requirements.
Skill Cost: 8 Years (6 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style).

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). Tomiki Ryu Aikido was founded by Kenji Tomiki, a high-ranking judoka, whom Jigoro Kano sent to O Sensei to learn Aikido. Tomiki Sensei believed that a "rationalization" of Aikido training, along the lines that Kano Sensei followed for Judo would make it more easily taught, particularly at the Japanese Universities. In addition, he believed that introducing an element of competition would serve to sharpen and focus the practice since it was no longer tested in real combat. This latter view was the cause of a split with O Sensei who firmly believed that there was no place for competition in Aikido training.

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.

The primary focus of Tomiki Aikido is kata (forms) that strive to teach and capture the fundamentals of Aikido. Tomiki de-emphasized the concept and importance of Ki, and instead decided to concentrate on the physiological side of Aikido. Training is in Kata (prearranged forms) and by holding competitions, both empty handed and with a knife.

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.

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 +1 to P.S.
Add +2 to P.P.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Breakfall, Roll With Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Combination Parry/Strike, Disarm.
Hand Attacks: Knife Hand Knockout , Punch (Human Fist).
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick Attack, Roundhouse Kick.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Automatic Flip/Lock (New!), Automatic Flip/Throw, Entering Throw (New!), Hip Throw (New!), Reverse Hold/Throw (New!).
Holds/Locks: Automatic Elbow Lock, Automatic Finger Lock, Automatic Wrist Lock, Clothing Hold (New!).
Weapon Kata: W.P. Tanto (knife)
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select a total of TWO (2) Martial Art Powers from among Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, and Special Kata. 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
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Tanto (knife)
Philosophical Training: None.
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), 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
2nd: +1 Attack per Melee, +2 to Body Flip/Throw (includes all throws)
3rd: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
4th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact
5th: +1 to Breakfall, +1 to Disarm , +2 to Body Flip/Throw (includes all throws)
6th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
7th: +1 Attack per Melee
8th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact
9th:+1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Disarm, +2 to Body Flip/Throw (includes all throws)
10th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Breakfall
11th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact
12th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
13th: +1 Attack per Melee
14th: +1 to Disarm, +2 to Body Flip/Throw (includes all throws)
15th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
Why Study Tomiki Ryu Aikido?
This style of aikido stresses physiological development rather than combat or chi development. Still effective as a self defense martial art though.