It’s all about structure | Jujutsu, Aiki-jujutsu & Aiki-no-jutsu

As I continue to push at my understanding of Daito-ryu, the more I find myself working on refining the waza (techniques) I was taught as the basics, which turn out not to be so basic!

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Daito-ryu techniques are about the disruption and manipulation of structure, jujutsu tends to tackle the structure head on with the proper application of force (mostly external) through the structure of the opponent.

Aiki-jujutsu does the same, while trying to avoid the opponents power head on, using the structure to carry the power through and using as little external power to do so. Some force may be applied to the technique but little is necessary.

Aiki on the other hand, completely relies on the structure of the opponent but seeks to undo the structure with no external power at all. Avoiding the opponents power all-together and exploiting the structure to carry through the technique, no power is necessary and actually ruins the technique if applied.

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Jujutsu techniques teach structure and manipulation of it, aiki-jujutsu techniques are a refinement of the same technique but the lessening of force and an increased understanding of structure are required for success. Lastly, aiki is a greater understanding of structure, so much so that no force is necessary and an increased sensitivity to the opponent’s structural weak points is needed for success. None of these is greater than the other since all versions of techniques are in fact Daito-ryu and all are what’s required to see the brutal beauty of it’s techniques.

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Daitoryu Aiki-jujutsu Tora Dojo located at 5 West Passaic Street, Rochelle Park, NJ
For more info please email us @ info@daitoryu.org

Kagami Biraki 2016 | New Year celebration and demo

This year our Kagami Biraki 2016 | New Year celebration and demo was held at Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu, a dear friend’s mo-kwoon.

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Daitoryu Aiki-jujutsu Tora Dojo located at 5 West Passaic Street, Rochelle Park, NJ
For more info please email us @ info@daitoryu.org

That $#! ¥ is crazy!

That $#! ¥ is crazy!

I often hear that exact phrase or a sentiment much like it when we delve into aiki waza (techniques), often subtle and surprisingly powerful movement that isn’t routed in physical power but rather physics applied through the opponents body structure that results in a control and/or a pin.

The notion that aiki is some sort of magic is the initial reaction of many, it is a balance of the understanding of anatomy, physiology, physics and guided by intuition. What parts of the body are you attacking, how will those parts move in response to the attack, how much or little force did you need to apply and your intuition guides all of this making subtle adjustments in order to maintain all this in play.

It seems magical or impossible but it’s neither, it’s almost always simple physics that require little in the way of power but much more in the way of intuition and sensitivity. Creating & maintaining the aiki connection in the technique is the hard part but as with any skill constant practice gives consistent results.

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For more info please email us @ info@daitoryu.org

無常 | Impermanence

Mujo | Impermanence


3559191954_BigTake heart, nothing is meant to last!
When training in classical Japanese arts, we will set aside the debate whether Daitoryu is koryu or gendai budo, one wants to preserve and preform the waza (techniques) as they were done for centuries. The truth is that like a lighthouse the adherence to tradition helps guide your training but times change and if you intend your martial arts to remain useful, then a certain amount of change must happen in order to keep it relevant.

I don’t mean to change every aspect of the art until there is nothing left of the original but rather be open-minded enough to explore the waza and it’s application after learning the original technique’s intention and application. In this way you grow in your understanding of the waza, the art and yourself.


Impermanence, signature: Heisei 18 nen fuzuki Nihon ni oite Gido, 2006, calligraphy, ink on paper


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猿も木から落ちる | Even monkeys fall from trees

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Saru mo ki kara ochiru | Even monkeys fall from trees

Sometimes it takes a monkey to remind us we are human.

Every so often I make a mistake in the dojo, whether it’s mis-remembering a sequence in a kata or something else and I remember this proverb before getting too hard on myself. Sometimes the notion that sensei are always to be correct even rests with the sensei, not from an arrogant place but rather feeling responsible for the instruction and guidance of those that come to the dojo.

I take the leadership and instruction of the dojo very seriously so the image of the monkey falling out of the tree makes me smile and reminds me to then laugh at myself and not take myself so damn serious. I am, after all, in the dojo for the love of budo (martial arts) and therefore in my happy place of sorts.


 

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Daitoryu Aiki-jujutsu Tora Dojo located at 5 West Passaic Street, Rochelle Park, NJ
For more info please email us @ info@daitoryu.org

七転び八起き | Fall down 7 times get up 8

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Nanakorobi yaoki | Fall down 7 times get up 8


Fall down 7 times get up 8, what? Fall down 7 times, stand up 7 times…right? So is someone bad at math or is there more here?

To my mind, inherit in that phrase is that there will be another fall, expect the 8th fall even though it hasn’t come, you already have committed to accepting it and moving past it. That’s how determined you should be, failure is nothing more than proof you are trying.


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Daitoryu Aiki-jujutsu Tora Dojo located at 5 West Passaic Street, Rochelle Park, NJ
For more info please email us @ info@daitoryu.org

 

One of my favorite sayings…

“When your bow is broken and your last arrow spent, then shoot, shoot with your whole heart.” —Roger Zelazny


To me this is about courage, not the absence of fear but rather the strength to move forward in the presence of fear as it surrounds you.

I believe it’s also a comment on being a martial artist at your core, not because you put on fancy pajamas and swing a weapon around in some prearranged pattern but that you’ve internalized your martial art so completely that you’ve blurred the line between where you end and the martial artist begins.


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Daitoryu Aiki-jujutsu Tora Dojo located at 5 West Passaic Street, Rochelle Park, NJ
For more info please email us @ info@daitoryu.org