Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, is a Japanese martial art that first became widely known in the early 20th century under the headmastership of Takeda Sokaku. Takeda had extensive training in several martial arts (including Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū and sumo) and referred to the style he taught as “Daitō-ryū” (literally, “Great Eastern School”).
Although the school’s traditions claim to extend back centuries in Japanese history there are no known extant records regarding the ryū before Takeda. Whether Takeda is regarded as either the restorer or the founder of the art, the known history of Daitō-ryū begins with him. Takeda’s most well known student was Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido.
[From Wikipedia. More here]
the wrapping of hands for safety reasons before training / or actual combat or sparring |
[From Wikipedia. More here]