Class Log: LEGO’S OF TAIJUTSU

The title of this dicussion says it all. Today we focused on kamae, structure, moving with the feeling of hiding within your technique. Beginners should be taught the teachers interpretation of the “right” way that I so often hear in the Bujin community. I happen to agree this time. LOL

We visit the kamae of “jumoni no kamae” and the third kata from the Kosshi Sanpo Gata of the Kihon Happo. This was an amazing class – time appeared to fly by as it often does when your doing something you enjoy. We spent a great deal of time looking at the jumonji no kamae, how it feels, how far to place you footment apart from one another, etc. Then we read Sensei’s book (unarmed fighting techniques of the samurai) the third technique from the kosshi sanpo gata section. I talked about doing the kata slow as suppose to doing it fast. So much is lost when you do these movement fast – most advanced pupils don’t realize that these katas, forms are excuses, yet must be learnt in order to enter the world of change/henka.  We started out doing the kata as 1, 2 , 3 , 4 then looked at 2, 3 – minus 1, and 4.

This went on for nearly two hours, in closing we took a look at the first kata from the torite goho gata – omote gyaku. We played with the hand placement along with using all three component (legs, hips and torso). It was fun exploring the endless possibilities of such. Anyhow we’re continue this sort of practice friday for anyone interested to see our style of training at this time.

Ever read “Horton Hears a Who? – Dr. Seuss, remember what that poor elephant found on the little speck of dust?  There was a whole civilization living on it – well thats what taijutsu in the space – its relative. If you practice seriously, you can find a whole world of openings inside.  Taijutsu is alive and like you and me, it needs to breath. Your movement will dictate how much is needed based on your dedication to practicing. There is no rule hard, fast or slow, usually,t he sharper the attack, the shorter the sustain. The vice versa is also true.

PS: The title : Legos of taijutsu is just that, building off the basics to discover a world and feeling of change.

 

Blog quote of the day – “If you demand the best that is within you, then you become more then realize that you are”.

 

In the space of beginning and endings.

Anthony Lucas, Dojo Cho

Class Log: Budo taijutsu no Seikai

 

                         

                          (Buy it at www.kotekidojo.com)

Budo Taijutsu is the operative word here – It’s been a while since my last entry. My blog is considered to be a virtual diary. Anyway our classes has slowed down considerably, meaning I have since re-visited the kihon approach as well as the kamae at beginner level. Hatsumi Sensei NEW book came out alittle more then a week ago and is available for the general public. Off subject, the book is available at www.yugenshop.com or www.kotekidojo.com either address will bring you to our online shop to purchase the book if you have’nt already.

Since the inception of this remarkable book we (dojo) has taken the opportunity to correct the needed tools. For all Bujinkan budo taijutsu enthusiasts, this book in my opinion is the densho and maki mono all in one. There is no need for anything else in text form except the book and a good teacher who goes to Japan regularly. It is my belief without a teacher the book is just that a “book” (as the general public views it).

When I was last in Japan Oguri sensei showed us a basic kamae that he was taught in the beginning of his training with Hatsumi sensei – this kamae felt ackward at first considering I learned a different way of doing ichimonji no kamae. I soon discovered the benefits of learning ichimonji no kamae  from Oguri sensei after returning home and practicing the kamae with the feeling. The feeling within this kamae happens to be an integral ingredient for all the kamaes in the Bujinkan. Tuesday past class consisted of practicing ichimonji no kamae and jodan tsuki properly. This goes without saying the feeling is what give this practice life. Friday class we was fortunate to introduce two new people to our art, they took well to this new approach and picked up enough information and desire to make a beginning.  I taught shizen, ichimonji and ihen no kamae along with fudo and shuto ken to learn the first waza of the Kosshi Sanpo in its purest form. In addition there was talk of “ki” vital energy and how this force flow while moving from and through kamae to the next thus another technique was born. I believe the kata is important but, what proceeds the kata and form? most people over look the kamae (posture) + kankaku (feeling) + tai (body, mind & spirit) that allows the ki (vital energy) to perpetuate the whole body to move – this is where the kata follows. The info here is my interpretation and experience in terms of explaining and teaching the basic kamae. Following class we talk about Hatsumi sensei, Japan, training in America.

 

My quote for the day ” This Kihon Happo (eight basic principles) is like the root of Budo”.

 

The dance of a warrior -

Anthony Lucas, Dojo Cho

Class Log: Past Weekend Seminar Review

                                       

        (Bujinkan Keiko Kai, Cliffside NJ – 2008)

The Paul Masse seminar held in NYC prior before the keiko kai in NJ set the volume for some really good training. The NYC seminar was an important link that tied in with the NJ seminar. Most of the instructors from the NY seminar attended the NJ keiko kai for some Japan like training.

                                       

      (this is what part of the atmosphere looked like)

 

On saturday morning when I arrived Chris gave me a purple shirt which later I found out all the instructors were given a purple shirt – this was a reminder of the last Taikai. Back in 2004 in honor of Takamatsu Soke’s 33rd anniversary of his death the Japanese shihan (Noguchi, Nagato, Oguri and Seno sensei) wore Gold. 

The seven instructors including myself got along very well and worked together to transmit the feeling each one of us picked up in Japan. This is the year of Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu. Last year while in Japan I remember Hatsumi sensei saying in Ayase next year 08) were going to disappear. End quote!

I was soooo excited to see and learned what he meant by disappearing – While in japan this past spring I discovered what sensei spoke about a year prior was a metaphor of his undescribable budo. I say this to say you can’t understand nor get it from a detailed description, you have to experience it.  Hatsumi sensei showed many ways of disappearing within his movement. I trained sincerely and hard while in Japan, upon my return home all I did was practice what I learned to the best of my ability with the help of others who also had been exposed to this feeling in Japan.  This experience with a couple of seminars with some really talented people brought me to an amazing seminar held in New Jersey the weekend of July 4th. Keiru no Kankaku (the feeling of disappearing) was the theme or concept in question throughout the weekend. 50 or so practitioners showed up and trained hard during the most critical heat wave of the year to hopefully captured this feeling. The energy on saturday was so freakin high, everyones enthusiasm was the symbol of determination, courage, nobility and humility like I’ve never experience before outside of Japan. I’m not only saying this because I took part in the training – the atmosphere was warm, friendly and most importantly helpful.  We started promptly and each instructor showed a technique with the feeling of ninpo. Chris added some flavor to each instructors technique from his perspective of a thrid persons view. This approach provided a link for us to work from. They’re was a serious vibe in the dojo and everyone did’nt seem to be confused from the varity of instrutors and there individual styles of moving. In fact it was like a jamming session where all those playing would just perform and have fun, no ego to deter the flow. After the bow in Chris shared the meaning of all the hanging scrolls in the dojo that I would say we’re the keys to unlocking the barriers of east and west.  Men kyo Kai Den + Ko waza + Yoyu + Fudoshin – to learn the meanings of these words If I’m not mistaken Chris posted them on his blog at www.tanukidojo.wordpress.com

On sunday for me, the energy was’nt the same as I had felt and experience on saturday. Neverthelest I observed something that I did’nt on saturday and that was all the participants who trained hard to capture the feeling being transmitted via seven instuctors, not to mention all the other Shidoshi who showed something. I made it a point to get out there and interact with most of the people. This was very humbling and useful to my training. I learned alot and had the opportunity to work one on one with students I would’nt usually get the chance to train with. I do hope I was of help to anyone.

Seminars is good arena to set aside what you think you know (menkyo kaiden) as it means with the play on words and how Hatsumi sensei wrote the characters. The bottom line is for you to learn and work on your taijutsu. I often do this and take with me some very helpful information to add to my repertoire. The highlight for me aside from training this past weekend was when I worked with a few people on the side and saw how they improved there taijutsu and understanding simply from a one on one experience with someone who has been training longer.

Chris and his students did a really good job this weekend hosting such a big event in the tri-state area. It’s an unfortunate that there is so many teachers who don’t share the same vision. The problem with westernes is the ego and politics – bad combination. Hopefully more people would see the need to communion with eachother in the future. 

 

Here is the end of my blogs favorite quote -  “…….for you have no idea of the difficulties involved in explaining time to someone who must take time to understand the explanation”.

 

In the spacious present

Anthony Lucas, Dojo Cho

Class Log: Paul Masse Seminar Review

Paul Masse Shihan long time resident of Japan was in town for a seminar this past weekend. Many thanks to Ben Cole for hosting such a great event. There were many high ranking buyu from (NY/NJ) and afar who showed up and supported this rare yet unique event. I hoped many other Bujin folks would have showed up. Unfortunately this is the result of negative politics & stubborness that interfers with a students opportunity to learn and perhaps meet and train with someone of jugodan level who trains directly with Hatsumi sensei.

Paul talked about kyojitsu, yoyu and the space (kukan). It seemed like these concepts were the unseen force that perpetuated his movement. Many of the instructors showed techniques of togakure ryu ninpo taijutsu – using kyojitsu and yoyu (for definitions of these terms if you don’t know, ask your teacher). Paul showed many variations of these forms with the feeling of ninpo as taught in Japan. Soke is a major influence in all of our taijutsu and budo, so why not follow his wishes and do what your told.

This coming weekend is going to be another great weekend of good training for anyone in the Bujinkan who is free July 5th and 6th. This seminar is going to be unique because many of the instructors who will be showing techniques have been to Japan this year and eager to share the feeling of ninpo taijutsu.

 

Here is a really good and appropiate quote for this post – “What joy and comfort you can give, then give. What support you can render, render. Do you realize that by doing this you become more then you think you are”.

 

In a special way,

Anthony Lucas – Bujinkan Dojo Cho