Author:
Corey Minatani
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Date Posted: 23:50:15 06/09/04 Wed
Liam:
Good questions. The meaning is nothing, as far who is more legitimate than the other. The Menkyo Kaiden is the highest award one can receive in the older kyoju dairi license programs. If Hisa gained (or was observed) as an 8th degree as well, this is great, but it is relatively just a footnote compared to the Menkyo Kaiden. For example, Uyeshiba received only a Kaiden rank, but issued to Tohei Sensei an 8th degree sometime in 1960s, which was the highest at the time, and Tohei eventually became the first 10th dan before the founder's passing.
Tohei, like Hisa's skill, was definitely more technical and applicable. For example, not only did Tohei have more seniority and skill than Uyeshiba's sons, he was simply a better instructor to some degree. Many people (Tohei interview in Aikido Journal) went to train with Tohei after he essentially got booted from the Aikikai, and were sent home packing with their tails between their legs. One should remember that Tohei acted rash during challenges against karateka, judoka, and laymen and easily sent them all to the mat. Tohei was doing UFC stuff with aikido before Gracies and NHB fighters way back in the day.
Hisa, being more reserved than Tohei in the realm of challenges, probably had the skill, no doubt. This is not to suggest that Tokimune line was skillless, but Hisa line might have been organized and more logically based as far as teaching methodology goes. Now, there might be an argument for the Tokimune line saying that the founder will teach all the "real Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu" stuff to his son. Yeah, maybe that is true, but it depends upon how much time Tokimune had to train, and if Sokaku had enough teaching ability to make his son absorb in a short period of time before his death.
For example, Hisa could have taken years, with no stress about timeframes to learn the material. So he could think, analyize, etc., and make comments or ask questions if problems came up. Tokimune might have the technical base, but not have enough experience or time to ask all the questions that could be answered by Sokaku. In any event, one should learn from both, but the idea of seeking a "more pure" line is silly in the sense as what is pure? Techniques change from year to year, from uke to uke. Having more experience will yield more techniques.
Bottom line, you choose, but both are legitimate and valid, both are a valuable resource.
Corey
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