Great Throughts Treasury

This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.

Mitsugi Saotome

Japanese Aikido Master Instructor

"If you were all alone in the universe with no one to talk to, no one with which to share the beauty of the stars, to laugh with, to touch, what would be your purpose in life? It is other life, it is love, which gives your life meaning. This is harmony. We must discover the joy of each other, the joy of challenge, the joy of growth."

"We must discover the joy of each other, the joy of challenge, the joy of growth."

"It is other life; it is love, which gives your life meaning. This is harmony. "

"Love of the enemy is a very strict love. Sometimes, for the protection of others, that love means destruction. Society must be protected. The rights of the individual and of individuality must be protected. The weak and the children must be protected. But personal ego cannot be involved. Group or national ego cannot be involved."

"Bushido is challenge and sacrifice."

"Cleaning is an active prayer of thanksgiving. It is each student's responsibility to assist in cleaning the dojo and to cleanse his or her own mind and heart."

"Everyone has different physical abilities and different reasons for study. These must be respected."

"Everyone is studying the same universal principles and the essence which is the same in each individual becomes brilliantly clear as the mask of insecurity and ego is shed."

"Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill."

"In trying to win you lose. ... everyone loses."

"It is not technique of destruction, but of creation. It is a tool to develop a better society through the character development of the individual."

"It is the responsibility of each student to cooperate in creating a positive atmosphere of harmony and respect."

"It is your responsibility to cause no injury. You must protect your training partner and yourself."

"On the mat we cannot hide our true selves. We sweat together, face stress together, help each other, and we learn to trust."

"Pure Aiki is the proper and flexible application of technique appropriate to any changing circumstance."

"The correct attitude of respect, sincerity and modesty, and the proper atmosphere are essential to the learning process; and ... essential to the safety of each individual."

"The strengths of Aikido are not in muscular force, but in flexibility, communication, timing, control and modesty."

"There are no individual kata in Aikido, for Aiki is the harmony of relationships."

"There is no right or wrong in Aikido."

"There will be no ego conflicts on the mat."

"We must all be aware of our limitations."

"You are here for practice. Do not pressure your ideas on others."

"You must not spend your life searching for security. If you cover yourself with layer after layer of heavy armor you will be unable to move, unable to fight and protect yourself or others. You will never feel the warm touch of the sun nor the sharp sting of a hard rain. Joy will be lost. Your freedom and independence will be lost."