On the contrary, I believe (caveat, only a mudansha) Yoshinkan aikido
can be effectively used in a street-fight, even if only in avoiding one
(as Mr. Shumaker pointed out). I agree with Mr. Shumaker that all modern
martial arts need modification to work on the street otherwise anyone
who was ever an uke would have a) irreparable body damage or b) be dead.
Just practicing shiho-nage can be deadly as is evidenced by deaths
caused by its practice in Japan (sorry, don't have the specific
references at hand). Let's look at this another way; how often have any
of you come close to injuring your uke? I know I've come close
(thankfully not too close), but stopped before injury occured. On the
street there would be an injury.

Before anyone jumps down my back, NO, I am not promoting Yoshinkan has
the goal to injure people. But the fact is, Yoshinkan is derived from a
lethal martial art and can be dangerous if not lethal if a technique was
applied against an attacker. I believe (again, MY opinion) that ignoring
the martial capabilities in Yoshinkan is a mistake; either the technique
works or it doesn't which translates to me 'it would be effective on the
street or it would not'. And let's face it, we train ukemi so that we
can take the technique without getting hurt. What if you asked a new
student to take any technique requiring a breakfall? There would be an
unnecesary injury.

And I would also beg to differ that jiyu-waza does train for real
situations. Granted, the attacks are highly likely to be different on
the street, but not completely foreign. A punch, a kick, and a swung
stick all could be adapted to from jiyu-waza training.

NO, I'm not looking for a fight, BUT Yoshinkan Aikido training does give
me the increased ability to avoid and if necessary defend myself in one.


Fred