I am often asked by prospective beginners, as they pass through Altrincham Leisure Centre on a Sunday evening, 'Is Aikido better than Judo, Karate, Taekwondo or Kung Fu, etc.? Which is the more powerful? Which is more effective as a self-defence?
Having studied Karate for a number of years before taking up Aikido, I often find myself comparing the two martial arts. Although still a relative beginner, I have not yet found an answer to the above questions, and probably never will!
I have recently stumbled across an interesting quotation in a book about Jeet Kune Do. This is probably as good an explanation as any:
"As far as other styles or schools are concerned -
Take no thought of who is right or wrong, or who is better than.
Be not for or against.
For in the landscape of spring there is neither better nor worse. The flowering branches grow naturally. Some long. Some short."
Bruce Lee
Chris Wallace Published 1996
