Aikido is a combat sport based on an attacker/defender principle. Unlike other martial arts, which aim to target vital points or directly attack the opponent, Aikido turns the opponent’s strength and aggression back against them. Considered the pinnacle of self-defense, there is in reality no fight in this martial art: it ends the very moment it begins. Aikido’s goal, also called “the way of harmonious energy” (合気道), is to bring both practitioners to a state of harmony, through an energy exchange between the attacker and the defender. This unfolds in three steps that repeat continuously:
- Welcome the other’s intention
- Read their direction, speed and center, then adapt accordingly
- Redirect their energy to neutralize the attack without brute opposition
Thus, the attacker ends up unsettled, left in a void, while the defender uses no violence to overcome their opponent.
There are two main grade categories in Aikido:
Kyu grades (級), generally for beginners, ranging from white to brown belt.
Dan grades (段), corresponding to black belts and higher levels.
From the 1st to the 5th Dan, these are reserved for seasoned practitioners, capable of teaching and passing on their knowledge. The 6th to 8th Dan are awarded only to masters of their discipline, with an even deeper understanding of the practice. Finally, the 9th and 10th Dan are almost legendary grades — the latter having been officially awarded only once in the entire history of Aikido — recognized by the Aikikai, the official Aikido organization.