A demonstration – supported by O Sensei's film footage – that the driving force behind the movement in Aikido is the release of energy along an axis running from the earth towards the sky. The founder of Aikido constantly used this form of energy in his techniques.
O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba wrote in his book Budō, : ‘The true master of the sword is he who wears a smile’.
Aiki demonstrates the mysterious workings of the soul of sounds (kototama) – キ其業ハ言魂ノ妙用ラ示 – O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba – Budō
The ken linear study exercise was designed by Morihiro Saito so that it could be broken down into different directions without altering the initial technical sequence in any way.
Point 18 of Budō reveals a major arcane of Aikido: the manifestation of Aiki is related to the ten-chi vertical action.
In Aikido, one moves up and down along a vertical axis, regardless of the technique.
