Class Record: Suwari Ukemi + Jutaijutsu Gyaku Waza

Class: Thursday May 16th

We did some rolling drills up and down the dojo from seiza, both backwards and forwards.  Next we did some take-downs using the feet from which uke had to perform zempo-ukemi as the angle/timing didn’t allow for rolling. We used the feet in other ways to control uke’s attack.

Next we did some Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu looking at a few kata that demonstrated some of the footwork, locks, and throws from this Ryuha, in the seated position. Some “kuden” was given. We did similar stuff from standing also and does with that jutaijutsu feeling Alex showed how the resulting throws could be very meaty indeed so good ukemi was required.

We then did some syllabus work - “uchi-mata” and “gensaki otoshi”.

 

Thought porovoker: Alex’s classes are described as “intermediate to advanced”. Do they make you think you need more basic training? Have you tried Rex and Shanes classes?

-Ali Martinez

 

Class Record: Kamae + Shinnenjutsu + Togakure Happobiken

Class: Monday 12th May

A pretty advanced class containing all sorts of ideas that show how our skeletal struture, driven by timing and spirit,  allows us to interupt an adversaries skeletal structure. It was all manipulation of kukan both in the taijutsu and with the sword work. From a basics perspective it showed how making the kamae your own and really knowing them with your body, can lead to unknown techniques. The sword work had similar ideas to Kukishin Ryu Dakentaijtusu of drawing your opponent out in the first few cuts before entering in. We saw how this might be usefull with the ninjato. There was also the idea of decending leaping, cutting with kamae, shielding while moving and using the uke’s extended skeleton - by virtue of them holding a sword - to take various balance points using the hips. Body-and-sword-as-one is wrapped up in all of this and doesn’t necessarily involve an actual sword.

Though provoker: What home-training are you doing to make these things your own?

As Alex has said recently before: “What are you waiting for?”

 

-Ali Martinez

kyu grade testing

The next opportunity for dojo members to test for a new kyu rank will be on Wednesday, May 21st at 8pm.

There will be class from 7pm on, with testing starting at around 8.15pm.

Class Record: Gyaku Kaeshi + Syllabus + Happobiken

Class: Thursday 8th May

Ukemi practice was done in a robust free-flowing pattern with a look at not having form.

Our taijutsu began with counters to omote gyaku which allowed us to take advantage of uke’s set idea to perform the lock. While uke is set, we are free to adapt and flow with various timings and footwork. We could also use our basic kamae to affect uke’s structure, which he/she needs to perform a technique. Strikes were not excluded and over all it was another example of choshi dori practice - capturing rhythm. Everyone was asked to show their movement and uke’s ukemi was also challenged.

The kyu grades looked at syllabus work, with some exams coming up soon, while the seniors looked at some ideas from Kukishin Ryu Happo Biken that relied on timing, footwork, kamae, spirit, muto-dori feeling and the same rhythm-breaking seen in our taijutsu. We also saw some elements of moguri gata - decending techniques.

Thought provoker: If it’s about rhythmn breaking, what does that say about uke’s attack and how it could be “better”?

- Ali Martinez

Class with Doug Wilson, Friday May 23rd

Hi all,

As you know if you follow this blog, Japan-resident Bujinkan shihan Doug Wilson will be in Ireland in a few weeks time to teach a seminar at my invitation. He’s been good enough to write some kind words about the course on his own uber-blog, which is read by thousands of people a day and as a result we’re expecting guests from the UK, Germany and even Australia!

Anyway, Doug has gratiously agreed to teach a class at my dojo in Rathmines the night before the Dublin seminar. We did this the last time Doug was here and it was a busy session with lots of people, so this notice is to let people know this is happening again.

What: Class with Doug Wilson Shihan
When: Friday, May 23rd, 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Where: Bujinkan Meehan Dojo, 5 Kenilworth Lane West, Rathmines, Dublin 6
Fee: €20 or €15 for those attending the full seminar over the weekend.

All current Bujinkan members are welcome to attend this session. This is a great opportunity to get some extra training in with someone who has an excellent technical understanding of Hatsumi Sensei’s budo, and a unique understanding of the culture and thinking behind the 9 ryuha that make up the Bujinkan martial legacy.

- Alex Meehan

Class Record: Bo + Choshi Dori + Nage Waza

Class: Tuesday May 6th

On a hot Summers evening Alex skipped formal ukemi practice and we went straight into taijutsu using the bo to manipulate kukan and mess with uke’s rthymn. We carried on this feeling with taijutsu and this led us to do some randori-like training where the idea was to occupy the space uke might have for recovery or counter-strikes or general balanced movement. This would lead to good positioning and “techniques” rather than having a pre-planned technique in mind.

Alex made an important point about the willingness to let go and to be hit or mess up. This letting go feeling was carrried through very well by Rex when he was asked to show something and he gave us some nice flowing nage waza. We practiced this with some technical modifications and use of footwork by Alex.

Thought provoker: Did you get hit during the randori? How did it affect you mentally?

Ali Martinez

Class Record: Ukemi + Happobiken + Kubisugi Tonso Gata

Class: Thursday May 1st

We started with ukemi and looked at rolling and breakfalling from seiza while being attacked form the front and behind with shinai.

We then did a paired sword drill that involved several cuts and counters making use of distance, timing and kamae. In this drill each person’s role shifted from tori to uke as they investigated openings and how kamae can work dynamically.

I was asked to show “Kubisugi Tonso Gata” from Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu and demonstrated the use of rhtymn breaking, kamae disruption and gyaku waza within the technique. Alex showed variations of the kata with different kinds of footwork and kicks.

Thought provoker: Did you let go in the ukemi practice?

- Ali Martinez

No training tonight, due to bank holiday

Hi all,

Just a note to remind you that there is NO TRAINING tonight, as it’s a bank holiday.

Training will be held tomorrow instead, at the normal monday night times.

- Alex Meehan

Reminder: beginner’s course starting this week.

REMINDER: BEGINNER’S COURSE STARTS THIS THURSDAY

There’s a new beginner’s course starting at the dojo this Thursday and there are still a few places left open for people interested in commencing training. To find out more about it, visit this link.

It’s still not too late to sign up for this, even if you haven’t been able to attend to watch a class. You can just turn up on Thursday evening, but you do need to call or e-mail us to let us know you’re coming. You’ll find the details on the dedicated beginner’s course page linked to above.

As you might know, a small article appeared in a national newspaper about the course last week, so as it’s still timely, I’ll reproduce it here.

Class record: Koto Ryu Koppojutsu, kenjutsu kihon & tameshigiri

Last night’s class was a long one, going from 8pm to almost 11pm. There was a greater than average number of kyu grades present, so the class was pitched towards that skill level. We started with Hoteki, from the shoden level of Koto Ryu Koppojutsu and spent some time looking at the timing, angling, distancing and the importance of using the opponent’s skeletal structure to minimise their ability to continue attacking. We also looked at how the spine and legs can be used to move uke forcefully.

This led us into variations designed to isolate out individual components of the technique, but also to allow us to have some fun and work with flow. After tea, we looked at some kenjutsu basics involving tenouchi, kamae and cutting, and the dan grades present got a chance to cut some of the authentic tatami omote we recently imported.

- Alex Meehan