Class Log: Friday’s past review

                                                 

Morning – Sorry it’s taken this log to update the blog.Tonight is class, so I decided what better time to update the blog (laughing).

The title or theme for last friday I would say – Togakure ryu ninpo taijutsu. The name/title encompassed many aspects shown and talked about friday past. To list a few topics covered was the exploration of rokushaku bo, kunai, tanto and sword – happo bikenjutsu. We started the night off with one of the kata’s from the sanshin no kata – “chi no kata”. The sanshin no kata is a form of kuden (orally transmitted teaching) that primarily teaches natural movement.It emanates from the Gyokkyo Ryu kosshijutsu which is one of the nine schools in the Bujinkan system. This form of kuden was taught to Hatsumi sensei by his teacher Takamatsu Soke which represents the basis of all the taijutsu found within the Bujinkan fighting arts. Kuden, sanshin, fudoshin and juppo sessho became the guiding principle for our three hour training. One of my blackbelts showed the form the way it was taught in 2005 with the shinkan gata feeling of gyokko ryu and did a terrific job. I taught a way of doing the “chi no kata”  starting off from shizen no kamae and going into ”togakure ryu” ichimonji no kamae the way Oguri sensei taught from my last Japan trip using the legs (low kamae). Everyone’s attention was focused on this expression of fudoshin. I improvised this movement with the rokushaku bo – from there we did some striking, locking and trapping with the bo. This approached showed many variations with weapons of choice at the time (kunai, tanto). Kieru no kankaku seems to be the hot topic in many buji circles today, especially for those who have been to Japan of recent this year. Hiding in the movement was what I taught from the action of disappearing in the space, thus controlling everything within and around me. My opponent was always in a fog not knowing what was happening (present) nor what was to happen (future). The space became everything, it was from the void of nothing (between realization in the moment and present) the spirit of ninpo was found. With the migration of principles, concepts and aspects from the previous years bore fruit to an invisible awareness of “menkyo kaiden”.  Also of interest was my groups participation in the making of a documentry filmed at our dojo for a local high school student project. The energy was incrediable and powerful with everyone’s enthusiasm to share their knowledge and insights of Ninjutsu presently known as Bujinkan budo taijutsu. To the amazement of the interviewer and cameraman we demostrated some amazing techniques with the feeling disappearing. They were very impressed and content with their interview of our art. I could’nt be more proud of my group. Shortly afterwards we talked about juppo sessho and the use of the kunai discretely when moving in and through the space. From kumiuchi I moved further in the space between me and my opponent which virtually blinded him from seeing the kunai being drawn thus hiding in the movement to use as a distraction to further control my opponent, the space and envoirnment. Literary alot more openings became apparent to move and act in accordence to the flow (nagare) of the situation.

Now one of my favorite quotes – “Techniques you memorize, your eventually forget. Also techniques that are memorized or to slow to transmit them. Techniques that you do not memorize are able to adapt to the environment”

In the spacious present -

Anthony Lucas, Dojo Cho

Class Log: Ikkan Hasso + Juppo Sessho + Yugen no Seikai

 

Our weekend in review – this past friday we explored many aspects of ninpo. We did movement drills focused on moving the whole body in and out of space to better acquaint ourselves with the theme. Everyone seemed to grapse this approach and became aware of using the space to their advantage. We did the same movement in technique form off a punch and grab. I showed how the weapons (tanto, kunai , shoge and sword) to be exact did’nt change the form but, gave the pupil a different perspective of the space and beyond. Again emphasis was placed on kamae and the hips. While in space my opponent’s structure broke and ikkan hasso came through naturally that enabled me to inflict confusion and panic. There was a mental bond established between me and my opponent that clearly expressed the feeling of in/yo. A couple of things came to mind when I talked openly in terms of training to my students and watching me show something, in turn imitating the base movement as they are, and not embellish the movement (technique) with extra forcefulness,  elegance or anything else not found naturally. Three guiding principles or maps of realization as a rule, 1 - imitating the feeling til the feeling is apparently inherent in the movement. 2 - is the beauty, not the illusion of fancy techniques rather the truth that underlies the heart of budo. This beauty could be evoked by means of letting go preconceived techniques. It is the “instant” that we pierce through the moment which emanates from space that brings forth the beauty of life and death. 3 - Bujinkan budo taijutsu is the sublime in my opinion. This refers to esoteric beauty. The essence of the three treasures I mentioned. 1- the phyiscal beauty 2- the natural beauty (supernatural). 3- nothing, space - there is a zen absolute I was reading and it says there is a reference to a place without good, evil, right and wrong where nothing exist but consciousness “shiki”, or the absence of rationale.  Divine dwellings within the space brought another thought to mind “juppo sessho”. Up til this point in the Bujinkan every year and every theme from 1982 brought the emergence of ”tenchijin” to the forefront where many who journeyed to Japan saw that truth is beauty, and that the beautiful aspect of anything could be brought out and expressed through man, the heavans and earth.

To my satisfaction everyone demostrated their individual ways of moving and expressing what was taught throughout the night. A major shift and determination from everyone proved to me that our Japan tour was not in vein, yet gave hope and admiration to everyone. I had the pleasure of meeting up and talking with Rich Maloof of Japan this past weekend at Jeff Christians seminar held in New York City. Unfortunately I did’nt get the chance to train at the seminar do to a prior committment. I did have the opportunity to stop by to say hello to Jeff, Rob, Jesse and afew of the students of muzosa dojo. During the break I spoke with Rich Maloof about training in Japan, and alittle about their culture. I so appreciate talking to people living and training in Japan. Rich has alot to offer, it was a pleasure to listen and learn. Jeff Christian of the Muzosa Dojo is hosting another seminar in mid June, I will post the details here in my next entry. It’s a shame in NYC there is something like 8 + dojo’s and rarely do you see any instructors from other dojos representing. Oh well!

Overall the weekend was awesome and I’m so glad I got the chance to stop by Jeff’s seminar and see some old friends I have’nt spoken to nor train with for a long time.

 Time for my favorite quote – Enjoy & Cheers!

            ”The soul is not a finished process, but a process of becoming”

 

Class log: Ashi sabaki + Muto dori + Kieru + Mitsubushi

The weather was perfect for outdoor training this past tuesday. I’ve missed training outdoors, forgot how invigorating it is. We started out doing footwork drills with uke doing “tento kiri” and tori in shizen no kamae. Whoever did the tento kiri used the time wisely to practice their sword cutting while tori worked on his ashi sabaki. I’m big on using the legs and body to adjust the right distance. My students has heard this phrase enough where it has become a mantra(Laughing). Move slower then slow, another one of my common phrases. These reminders gives volumes of insight to many concepts, principles and variations of our training. Fortunately for me I have the pleasure of training with students who’ve trained in Japan at lest once and knows first hand what training in this art entails. Tuesday we worked on ashi sababki to evade the downward cut (tento kiri) with the shinai. An aspect of muto dori covered for purposes of learning how to move (walk) in the space unarmed. A lesson in of itself, yet very basic. My theory from a perspective of having no weapon is to close the distance of the attack depending on the length of the opposing weapon and control your opponents ability (mind & body) to use his or her weapon. Also manipulating your opponent’s perceptions (kyojitsu Tenkan Ho) through the use of deceit, false flattery as a friend mentioned to me yesterday also has signifigence. Evasion through whatever means possible. Very simple and basic characteristics of the Togakure ryu which is the theme for this year. In Japan I notice all the Japanese shihan used this method of deception with mastery skill. While teaching most of the time they mentioned “kyojitsu” etc. Most of us go to Japan to have this awesome experience and soon upon returning home begin to work with these principles, concepts and ideas into our style, training and life. This last trip took me some time to digest and process (subconsciousely) what I have been expose to therefore being frustrated from time to time and wondering why I could’nt muster up the familiarity of the experience. Its been alittle over two months since my return home and I’m now beginning to recall & experience alot of my process (taijutsu, concepts, principles, kuden). It’s amazing how everyone’s process varies in terms of digesting and transmitting (showing, teaching) from what they’ve learned in Japan which at some point defines where they’re at presently. On tuesday I talked and demostrated briefly about deception and illusion particularly with the use of mitsubushi whether it been in the form of a substance or nothing, either way the idea was to know how and when to apply this distraction momentarily. When I was in Japan Peter Crocoll shihan taught me how and when to throw out the intention with my fingers to the eyes of my opponent as if I was throwing mitsubushi. Prior before I was taught how to use this characterist of deception properly, it never occured to me the possibility of throwing out the wrong kind of intention. haha!  It was fun to explore this component of the 18 skills (juhakkei). My student eventually learned the fundamentals of this very common trait we budoka’s possess. I showed him the Togakure ryu ichimonji no kamae Oguri sensei showed us and how sensei talked about his early years of training with Hatsumi sensei. Good kamae is essential / crucial to understand space, distance and control. I showed how to pair up the hips to my opponent’s when moving in and out of the kukan and how much of a difference it makes to break the structure of your opponent thus controlling the body, mind and spirit (everything). This concept ties in with Kieru (disappearing) while dancing in the space. I also use the term “dancing” in the space because often I see people moving in the kukan obviously stepping in with a lack of flow that can lead to detection which would enable their opponent to counter. To dance in the space is to flow as if your the clouds in the sky. Sensei talked about throwing away the idea or belief of being good (martial artist, etc) and become zero, nothing. He said that there are good bushi out there that can see and counter what we do. So this concept cannot be taught he said, you have to practice with the idea of being countered. One of my students is 6 feet plus, much physically stronger then me, yet I practice with this in mind and always throw him off mentally and move in the space as if I’m  - nothing and disappear which leads to him being controlled with much pain to go with it. Haha!

In closing its time for one of my favorite quotes to share – “People believe that they perform techniques with their own strength; unaware that it is actually the Gods who guide their actions”.

 

To disppear is like the air we breath, shizen.

Anthony Lucas, Dojo Cho (peace)

Class log: Japan review + Jutaijutsu + Kukan + Happo Biken

Class friday evening we reviewed some basic footwork and concepts mixed with alot of interesting henka. People I’ve trained with often have tendacies to hurry through kamae and movement thus disabeling there ability to see beyond technique. Why? Could be alot of reasons, maybe being afraid of the unseen possibilities or just thinking about the technique more so then the feeling (i.e. concepts, principles). It’s important to study the basics throughly as possible. This will give way to glimpses of the unseen providing  you remember to move slowly with opponent. We did some footwork drills applying a light touches to the arms / hands uke carefully not to give away any information as to whats happening. The idea of this drill was to just practice disappearing in the space using the legs/feet to do so with emphasis on resisting the temptation to do technique. I found the blackbelts have a harder time doing this then kyu grades because the beginners are trying to duplicate what they see from the instructor as oppose to blkbelts who seems to think they know what the teacher did, so they don’t realize the possibility of overlooking the essentials. I practice my taijutsu using the space and controlling my opponent. Often during these techniques my opponent never realized what was actually happening, mainly because I’m learning how to accept that its not all about the technique or how good I am or will become. Sensei spoke about being good is not enough, we have to become zero, allow the space in the moment to gave way to the instant which is like a flash or spark and don’t be fixed on thed instant but, understand that the space, moment and instant is everything. This awareness has the potential to sustain your deepest desire of wanting to do more and present an opportunity in that instant for you to act (this I suspect is when uke’s shield drops). Everyone seemed really patient with themselves to learn. I mentioned a principle way back from Juppo sessho (if you seek it, you will not find it) in relation to one of my students had a sword and he kept thinking about using his weapon more so then moving in the space and patiently observing the many possibilities. Some of the weapons we used in question was – kyosetu shogu, kunai, ninjato, tachi, hanbo, jo and bo, shuriken, shuko, tanto.

Note: Please read the last three post please, they were all posted today 5/11

 

In closing, here is one of my favorite quotes – “Juppo Sessho is not a concept, it is reading between the lines”

 

In a friendly way –

Anthony Lucas, Dojo Cho

 

It

May 2008 training schedule

May training schedule –

2nd week - Wed 14th 8:30pm to 10pm (Room 4F) – Basics - (MA & BB)

2nd week - Fri 16th 7pm to 9pm (Room 4D) – Ninpo - (AL)

3rd week - Wed 21st 8:30pm to 10pm (Room 4F) - Basics – (MA & BB)

3rd week - Fri 23rd 7pm to 10pm (Room 4D) - Ninpo - (AL)

3rd week - Sun 25th 12pm to 1:30pm (west 72st / CPW) – Basics – (AL)

4th week - Wed 28th 7pm to 9pm (Room 4-J ) – Basics - (MA & BB)

4th week - Fri 30th 7:30pm to 9:30pm - New Jersey – Review of Japan Training - (AL & CC)

4th week - Sat 31st 1pm to 3pm – (Room TBA) – Ninjutsu – (AL & PB)

5th week - Sun 1st – No Class (check for June schedule @ Koteki Dojo wordpress)

(Classes are lead by AL – Anthony Lucas, MA – Merridith Allen , BB – Blaise Barron) 

(Special friday class on the 30th & 31st will be lead by AL – Anthony Lucas, CC – Chris Carbonaro and PB – Pierre Benoit)    

              Please make sure to pay for each class at the end of training.                                                                                   

News Update: May 14th – New Beginners Class – NYC

Wednesday is our first offical beginners class being held at 440 Studios. This class is not exclusive for beginners only. Dan grades are also welcome to attend. After all this NEW class is about learning / practicing the basics.

Location – 440 Lafayette St, NYC. Room 4F (always check the building directory for changes)

Date – May 14th, 2008

Time – 8:30pm til 10pm

Topic of study – Combination of Dojo syllabus and Shinden Kihon Gata

 

There is a registeration fee. With this fee you”ll get the following (keiko gi, dojo manual). The cost for the class is $20 per class. Everyone is expected to honor the training cost. There will be no exceptions unless brought to the dojo cho (Anthony Lucas) attention in advance.

There is NOW 3 classes per week – you only pay for wed and friday classes, sundays are FREE. Look at our schedule for the remaining month of May soon to follow this post here at koteki Dojo wordpress.

PS: Visiting students from other dojo’s are welcome to train with us. There is a mat fee.

 

In the spirit of budo I salute you all –

Anthony Lucas, Dojo Cho

PAUL MASSE KUGYO HAPPO BIKEN (15TH DAN)

                     Paul Masse Shihan, NYC

 If you’ve trained with Hatsumi-sensei in Japan anytime during the last 14 years, you certainly will recognize Paul Masse.  Always paired with Soke’s unbreakable uke, Yabunaka san.
Paul has developed into one of the strongest foreign practitioners of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu in the world.  For his strong Budo spirit and skillset, Paul has been featured in Soke’s video production of “What is Budo?” and has been awarded a 15th dan, making him one of the highest ranking foreigners in the world.

 

                        Theme –  Kukan + Kuden

 WHERE: Fight House, 122 West 27^th St. 2^nd Fl.  

WHEN: Saturday, June 28^th, 2pm – 7pm

HOW MUCH: $75

REGISTRATION:  Paypal registrant name and fee to:  ben@bushinbooks.com

QUESTIONS:       ben@bushinbooks.com

Note: None of the seminar proceeds will be kept by the hosting dojo; everything goes to Paul after room rental costs.

 

Class log: Budo Taijutsu – The New Days

This past weekend training with various practitioners of the Bujinkan turned out to be surprisingly fun. I realized when you leave all gossip and judgement behind and put your best efforts to train hard and openly, new experiences occur and lessons are learned. Usually it takes years to develop this kind of attitude. With the evolution of change anything is possible. We all know this from training with Hatsumi sensei. Friday night we continued to practice and cultivate what we learned from Japan. It turned out to be a good platform to work from. The majority of students from the koteki dojo is of nidan and above. This allowed us to focus more on the concepts and principles. Everyone showed something that he or she have been working on – this allowed me to learn from them and in turn show what I’ve been working on. The concepts we learned is not easily to comprehend. One thing though, comprehending is not the point, its about training and cultivating the feeling into your movement, remember kamae is important to take the right distance with small movement. Kyojitsu tenkan ho is very necessary so I have found out from training in Japan. Openings and shields is of paramount in learning the strategy of setting up your opponent. Friday night we explored many concepts. There was lots of talk about “inryoku and juryoku”. At work the other day someone lent me two magnets and it was really interesting to see when you put two magnets together what you get. What struck me the most was the force between the two – the unforseen force. I told my students that this is the goal, to become the force, void, nothing - when one can see/experience the moment it is where many possibilities of opportunities to enter or accept your opponents resignation so to speak. LOL

I talked about points, moving from point to point. I created this excerise with taijutsu for everyone to practice the rhythm of moving in the space leaving a slight opening, to hit each point as intended to throw off their opponents. Everyone seemed to like this, in fact after class one of my students commented on this and had a positive feed back for me. Nice!

Saturday at the Tanuki dojo the atmosphere was very  relaxing and non intimidating. Everyone showed up to train. In fact there were a few senior grades there to really work with the feeling of this year theme along with concepts and ideas to explore. I loved it.

I’m not going to talk much on this but, I wish to say one thing on this matter. Community among other practitioners of the Bujinkan is important for a number of reasons. First, Soke has request that we form communities and second its good for the individual as well as the soul.

Manolo and Estelle Serrano from Montreal drove all the way from Canada – Gustavo from Mexico, Oliver Martin from NYC, Danny Parks, sorry Danny I don’t know where you from. Anyhow there were a few 5th dans in the house that made our training even more memorable. I can’t forget the kyu grades that showed up and trained hard and showed humility among blackbelts where I’ve seen people get discouraged. Anyway Oliver and Chris did very well, I was quite impress with there abilities in transmitting the feeling and concepts of whats being taught in japan currently… Thanks to all.

I’ll end on that note – now its time for my favorite quote – “The more aware we become, the more intuition developes for us. The more we can access our intuition, the faster we grow and change. the key is to understand the language of intuition”.

 

Patience is the key – Anthony Lucas, Dojo Cho