I wouldn't classify Aikido as either, although it does use some techniques that are classified as strikes or grappling.
There are some techniques - called "atemi" - which are strikes, but they are not meant to knock out, poke out, or break anything. Although they can, their purpose is to distract and off-balance.
There are other techniques that we use, such as pins, which are close to grappling. But grappling means to "seize", and in Aikido, we don't seize. Aikido is not a grappling style AT ALL. Sure, we can "seize" (grapple) an opponent. If we do, it's usually the thing that's hitting us - a punch or a weapon for example - but we never seize an opponent the way we might in wrestling.
My response is yes to both.
There is striking in aikido. It is called atemi waza.
There is also grappling in aikido. Grappling is defined as to grapple, seize. struggle, and grasp. All of those are done in aikdo. Most people today thing of grappling as fighting on the ground. But grappling is not limited to only only to ground fighting. It include grabbing, throwing, choking, and pinning. In aikido there are times that you grab an attacker, throw the attacker, pin the attacker and even apply joint locks standing, kneeling, and sitting.
Aikido is defensive only. It is unique in that respect, so it could be considered in it's own category. It's original forms were related to Judo and Jujitsu. Techniques in early forms of Aikido were indistinguishable from its root arts. Later teachings are completely defensive, and unless acting as an attacker, there are no true strikes or grappling moves. There are primarily joint locks, unbalancing moves, and throws which involve circular movements and re-directing an attackers energies. If you had to categorize it, I'd call it "Defensive".
Aikido is a "way" or "do" which means that it encompasses the entirety of one's life in all aspects as do all traditional Japanese martial arts; i.e., it is a lived philosophy that has actual applications.
It is based on the way of the Japanese sword and has its roots in Daitoryu Aiki Jujutsu. It contains weapons, atemi/strikes, joint locks and throwing techniques.
both, as well as weapons
traditional arts are not categorized by grappling, striking, etc. since most contain aspects of all of them, because they are both needed as well as compliment each other.
sports break down there styles because of rules and often try and classify all martial arts in them, when you cant.
It is standing start like judo or wrestling, that prioritizes disarms, preventions, and joint locks. Strikes are only used to weaken the target or unbalance it, and is not a primary offensive tool. The range is shorter than melee.
It's right in the name: Aiki. That means returning the opponent's force back at them. Aikido contains both striking and grappling techniques, but beginner's are introduced the more complex world of grappling techniques first, which often gives people the impression of it being a grappling-only style of martial art, which is actually false.
I'd classify it as a self defense art.
Striking, grappling, etc.?
