What is a good age for starting Aikido training?
Kisshomaru Ueshiba: You can start training at around age 7 or 8, but ideally serious training should start at about 15 or 16. Physically speaking, the body frame becomes sturdier and the bones somewhat stronger at that age. Besides, Aikido contains many spiritual aspects (of course, so do other forms of Budo), so at that age one begins to acquire a perspective of the world and of the nature of Budo. So, all in all, I would say 15 or 16 is a good age for beginning the study of Aikido. B: Compared with Judo, there are very few occasions when one grapples with his opponent in Aikido. So not much physical strength is required in Aikido. Besides, you can handle not just one but many opponents at the same time. It is truly ideal as a Budo. In that regard, are there also many hoodlum-types who come to study Aikido? Kisshomaru Ueshiba: Of course, that sort of individual enrolls, too. But when this type of person studies Aikido with the intention of using it as a tool for fighting, they don’t l
