Via the "related video's" link I stumbled across this clip, featuring Steven Seagal. Now I realize that this is "only a movie" and therefore not real, and that Seagal is only acting a role, but how on earth can someone who is probably the most famous practitioner of Aikido in the world today (and therefore to the majority of people their only impression of what "Aikido is") make a scene like this?
Seagal is a big enough star to be able to have some level of input into what kind of material he will or won't do. Surely one of the fundamental aspects of aikido is that we have built into our system ethical options, not just "hit first, ask questions later", so to make a scene with this level of unecessary violence is contrary to everything that Aikido stands for.
Have a look and please make comment. Am I being over-sensitive here or has Seagal forgotten that Aikido means The Way of Harmony?
Advanced warning - this scene contains a lot of bad language and violence.
Depends on how you view aikido.
ReplyDeleteSeagal the actor as opposed to Seagal the aikidoka ....he attempted to introduce concepts of aiki and harmony into movies like 'On deadly ground' and was made the subject of mirth by many. I believe if you want to watch the 'real' Seagal in action then watch lawman - there you see somebody who cares about others, upskills those around him and also tries to bring aiki into every encounter he faces ....trust me not a easy task in that job (I know). Sad to say his star isn't what it used be but it still doesn't make this scene right....but just remember it is nothing but fiction .....now the 3 or 4 Aikido sensei I know who raise pitbulls now there is a interesting discussion !
ReplyDeleteI have not seen this movie, but acting and real life are different places. Is Anthony Hopkins the same man as the character he played in Silence of the Lambs?
ReplyDeleteA discussion of Steven Seagal as an aikidoka might include his skills, his history, his current contributions, but his acting?
Great post! keep it up!
ReplyDeleteuh.. Seagal uses hapkido, not aikido. The primary difference is that while aikido emphasizes a unique lack of offensive strikes, hapkido encourages them while still striving to use a flowing momentum in combat.
ReplyDeleteSeagal is a seventh dan in Aikido... not hapkido... look it up. They come from different territories. Seagal had a dojo in Japan and California. The strikes you see are "Atemi" which are Aikido and he also has a varied karate background... which is incorporated as well. My sensei has had students of his personally.
DeleteI've heard a lot of things, but I've never heard that he studied much Hapkido. Anyway, certain styles use quite a bit of striking - even the Founder used quite a lot of atemi.
ReplyDeleteIt's movie for crying out loud.
ReplyDeleteJust another poor attempt at having a pop at Mr Seagal.
If you want to talk about something, why not talk about the state of certain aspects of Aikido today in the REAL world not the MOVIE world.
Namaste to you all.
I have practiced Hapkido and TKD for years and no martial artist should act like Steven Seagal as he did in this movie clip. This goes against all martial art principals.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but I think this scene is disgusting and I agree that it is unnecessary violence. I'd like to think differently of Aikido.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Seagal associated with hapkido in any way shape or form. His training in aikido is documented though. I've never seen this movie, but he is an action film actor and is portraying someone who has had enough of a certain type of people. Everybody likes seeing somebody who deserves it get what's coming to them. The "let's be all nicey-nice" thing doesn't sell at the box office in the action genre, or in alleys.
ReplyDeleteYes I think so..... It's only make believe gratuitous violence which unfortunately is only too real in the REAL world, So if you can't watch it then don't, it's as simple as that. Maybe aikido should not be portrayed as a martial art? My honest opinion is it has become a religion with exercise derived from martial arts. Maybe that is why it's so ridiculed now as a fighting art.....?
ReplyDeleteAikido IS definitelt a martial art, but of course it depends on how one trains. Same as Tai Chi, karate, Kung Fu etc.. there are many style and philosophies and some have more in common with cardio workouts in the gym than anything functional/martial. My point is that one of the key differences with Aikido is that we are trying to develop a level of skill that allows us to have an ETHICAL choice in confrontational situations rather than just putting the aggressor away. Seagal does not reflect this in this and some of his other movies. My point being that I dont consider that any honest Aikidoka would play a role like this and portray the art in this fashion.
ReplyDeleteA NEW Aikido film is slated for release in 2015. Not to be confused for a Steven Seagal film.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt4190342/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4