The title of our blog says it all. For the past few classes “japan no kanjo” has been our theme and the training has taken on new highs. Kokoro no Gamae is best to describe it. Our most recent class consist of the sanshin no kata and some stuff from the KH. The basic form was taught with a weapon (knife / tanto) – we did this same movement looking like “non martial artist” to further explore the feeling. I’ve sinced realized it’s not possible to transmit the feeling I learned in Japan. Budo no kankaku can easily be transmit through the practice of taijutsu with someone who has been to japan this year. This is why I think its equally important when traveling to Japan for training – train with all the Japanese shihan. They all possess unique qualities that carry aspects of Hatsumi sensei.
On another note – we have been having fun and training hard of late. Last night (wed 6/18) in particular we saw muso dori, musha dori, ganseki nage from a few different perspectives. The class was small which means more detail and personal attention was granted. A disadvantage of holding a bigger class ( 15 or more students) is the lack of personal attention to the student and their needs. Each pupil demostrated one of the techniques mentioned above and everyone has a couple of minutes to practice and explore the base technique. Usually i’ll take either technique and show the essential approach thats more effective and efficient using less energy and power needed to demostrate the endless possibilities. I’ve since found to my amazement each students creative nature once they see it does’nt have to always be like this or like that in terms of technique, movement, etc. The distance factor is of paramount as well as the angle, eventually from many repetitions you will develop the necessary timing needed to enter levels of discovery and self awareness.
This week has been very rewarding for me to say the lest. I’ve managed to train everyday and not get hurt or hurt anyone. Everyone seemed more relaxed, open and not fixed on any particular way of doing the techniques shown, except when ask to show the base technique the student demostrate the way they were taught the technique. Discovering the space as the essence to effective technique will allow you the freedom to move through and within the space of your opponent where openings are visible. Last night we practice entering and stepping off line therefore to see how our opponent falls in the space, both works accordingly to the distance needed. We did stuff from kumichi where there was tension and the idea of grappling, I showed how not to give off any sense data (mental, physical) and walk in undetected with my opponent not knowing whats happening til its to late. Reminder – when I walked in, to my opponents surprise they did not take notice to the structural offset therefore enabling me take them off gaurd.
Friday – we covered distance, timing and angling – basic taijutsu with weapons, lots of pain.
Saturday – taihenjutsu, precision work, sanshin no kata, kihon happo – weapons, etc.
Monday – precision work, distance, angles and timing were our theme with weapons.
Tuesday – sword, yari and taijutsu with the feeling from japan (we actually captured some video)
Wednesday – afew techniques from the koho gata of the kihon happo with emphasis of the feeling from japan.
The above video was shot in a local park with just me and a student messing around with some principles, concepts and movement picked up from Japan. Please if anyone have any comments on this video contact me via email rather then openly which can be discouraging for anyone interested in Bujinkan budo taijutsu. Its the political way of doing things.
Email – Anthony@kotekidojo.com
I love to end my shares with a quote of my liking – “In our dream life we visit other levels of existence, and gain needed skills”.
Keep training no matter what!
Anthony Lucas, Dojo Cho
