Re: Martial Ineffectiveness
I presume that when Ueshiba named his art, there already was the understanding that a 'do' was an art that had transitioned away from purely technical (practical) utility. I could be mistaken here.
Is it possible it's his students that continually want to bring aikido back from the land of 'do'.
What do you make of him kneeling in seiza, his students rushing in, laying hands on the top of his head and then doing a forward roll?