Those who learn aikido must master some of the basic movements before aikido practice can be realized. To this end, basic movements are repeated over and over in the aikido dojo.

Let me quote from "Kata (Forms)*" by Minamoto Ryô-en and see the process by which we master the "forms".

There is a concept of "Shu (remain), Ha (break), Ri (free)", which describes how an individual is involved in "forms" as one training develops. "Shu" is the process in which we follow the forms faithfully and try to master the basics of the art. It is the so-called stage of learning.
Since excellent predecessors who made every effort and fumbled around for a long time have built up the forms, it is natural to follow them. It it inevitable that we put ourselves into the finished forms, and we train within them.

Even if "the forms" are wonderful, it cannot be helped that there is something everyone does not feel suits them, because each form has been born from different persons who have different qualities, bodies, and basic experiences in life from oneself.

When deepening the learning of forms, naturally difficulties arise. At this point, we may have the desire to break "the forms", destroying the forms we have mastered. This is the stage of "Ha". However, "Ha" is not a long- standing situation, because this action is not supported by the creative spirit. The more the forms break, more we feel emptiness. We find ourselves caught up by "the forms", while we are breaking "the forms". And we want to free ourselves from such captivity, and wish to perform with a truly free mind. When this is achieved, we reach the stage of "Ri".

Ri is the stage of creating new forms when "the time is ripe". There, the trainee has already forgotten the forms, and performs that which is not in the forms.

The number of those who learn aikido has been increasing year by year. Also, those who continue practicing aikido are increasing in number. While beginners are clearly at the stage of "Shu", what about those who practice for a long time? Where do they put themselves? At "Shu", which is too faithful, you tend to fall into a mere name. At "Ha", which is easygoing, it might cause confusion. And at "Ri", which is imprudent, you cannot get rid of anxiety.

(November, 1998)

* Minamoto Ryô-en, "Kata" , pp253-254, Sôbunsha, 1989