Class Record: Seminar review + San-nin Dori + Koppo

Class: Tuesday 21st Oct

The recent seminar with Thomas Franzen threw up a lot of ideas so we explored some of them in class. When looked at it closely, it really involved the idea of “koppo” as described at various times by Soke – of manipulating the structure behind defence/offence. Shizen no kamae is our natural structure as upright bi-peds, so this was explored initially.

With this we built upon some one-on-one techniques and extended that to San-nin dori or “3 man capturing”. Dealing with multiple attacks in a smooth and mobile manner. Everyone demonstrated this concept for the class. After break we studied a different type of “koppo” that we have in happobikenjutsu – with the use of the ninjato where the same light and mobile feeling allows us to deal with another extreme attacking situation. Rather than multiple opponents, we have the sword to contend with.

**Congratulations to Chris, Matt, Quentin, Ian, and Steven for their promotions last night!**

Thought provoker: Are you exploring the seminar idea of zero excess tension in class?

-Ali Martinez

Class record: Ukemi, tsuki-gata & bojutsu

As Shane Duggan is away on his honeymoon, I took his class last night, focusing on kihon waza or basics. We spent an intensive 2 hours looking at zenpo kaiten and koho kaiten, along with variations such as jun nagare and gyaku nagare. After this we looked at power generation in basic punching and some basic bojutsu.

- Alex Meehan

Class Record: Naginata + Gyaku Waza + Moguri Gata

Class: Monday 25th August

With the new high ceilings we took advantage and broke out the naginata to look at a few techniques. It was shown how kamae, kamae, kamae is all important and can lead to proper excution of blocks, cuts, capturing, deflections etc. We also saw how grip and the knees are used with a structured posture. The swordsman’s perspective was also looked at as well as some features of the kamiyari, the bisento and the nagimaki that make them the same but different.

We then did some unarmed gyaku waza based on circular motion and generally winding uke up. We worked in the idea of decending from the center to capture uke’s center where kicking, punching and even agressive ukemi helped to disable them. It was intersting to see how certain features that have been drilled trhough TYR training have come out stronger in everyones technique.

Thought provoker: What are the the naginata kamae?

- Ali Martinez

Class Record: Hicho no henka + Demo practice

Class: 05/08/08

We checked out some close-range versions of Hicho no kata, looking at how to close in and take balance before and because of, striking. This sort of tai-sabaki became useful with some techniques against a tanto attack making use of whole-body movement as the hands secured the weapon. Some of the movements naturally leaked over from our recent study of Takagi Yoshin Ryu. We then continued to study this in demo format and Alex made a particular point of asking us to practice kiai if we are to use it in the demo. The kyu grades explored some of the TYR waza further and myself and Alan continued to work on shinobi zue waza working out ways of handling the chain in a dramatic yet controlled manner for the Embu.

Thought provoker: How will you practice your kiai?

- Ali Martinez

Class Record: TYR: Omote Gata + Tai no Kata

Class: Thursday 31st July

We went through the Omote Gata of Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu again with emphasis placed on punctuating the moves for an audience to see. Some “reiho” or “etiquette” also introduced so as to formalise the techniques and frame them in the context of a performance. The seniors demoed these kata to the class so that a sense of the timing and other things could be examined.

Some kata from the other levels are being shown as well and we all saw and practiced these too – they involve sutemi waza and interesting throwing techniques. I got a chance to practice some “Shinobi Zue” with Alan – our newest shodan, and it looks like we’ll have a couple of techniques each from this “ninpo” weapon to show.

Alex gave an interesting talk on the idea of practicing the kata formally the way we are doing now, versus normal dojo practice. He spoke of the idea of “kyojitsu tenkan ho” and “shin-shin shin-gan”.

For more on this, check out an on-line essay written by Alex for the free edition of Bujinmag: http://www.bujinmag.com/Magazine/2k5/1205/02/1205_02.asp

Thought provoker: The way we are practicing techniques for the Demo has been different recently. Has your role as uke felt, or been, different? If so, Is it helpful to your understanding of taijutsu?

- Ali Martinez

Class Record: Demo prep + Paris Review

Class: Thursday 24th July

We all got into our groups and practiced our Takagi Yoshin Jutaijutsu for the Embu. Alex made the important point that with these kata the uke is learning to attack and also talked about the difference between Embu practice and class practice in terms of performance.

After tea, Natalia, Chris, Mat and myself showed a few things we learned at the Paris Taikai. Chris gave us a sword retention technique using he priciple of Sanshin – points of contact. Natalia showed us the art of taking rhthymn with a flowing gyaku waza. Mat did a teho doki waza that took advantage of uke’s willingness to attack and I showed a technique that messed with uke’s perception of distance. All of these things demonstrated some aspects of ninpo taijutsu that can be used in any technique you care to mention.

Thought provoker: How can could these things be done in the Kihon Happo for example.

- Ali Martinez

Class record: Takagi Yoshin Ryu & Paris taikai debriefing!

Another sweaty-as-hell August night last night, with a decent turnout. We finished covering the omote-gata (first level) of Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu, and covered a few of the shimewaza (strangulation techniques) in preparation for the embu happening next month.

Eight students from the dojo travelled to Paris for Arnaud Cousergue’s Shitenno Tai Kai last weekend, and despite training solidly for three days straight and enduring flight delays that meant he didn’t get home till 4.30am, Jason Coleman made it to training last night and took half the class, attempting to summarise what he’d learned from the four teachers in Paris. He did a smashing job, and it was really nice to jump in with everyone else and get thrown about.

It will be a pleasure to see what they others who went to Paris have to show on Thursday night!

– Alex Meehan

Class Record: Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu + Ganseki Nage

Class: Monday July 8th

The next few weeks will see a dedicated study of HTYR as we prepare ourselves for the upcoming Embu (demonstration).

So we looked at the 1st three kata from the Shoden Omote Gata. Some priciples involved were: use of the knees, the distance of attack, the angles, the footwork, the spiral movement of the center. A lot of these technique are from seated positions and so mobility on the ground is all important.

We also looked at version of “Karame Dori” from the omote gata which involves a capture from behind. All of these techniques involve “zanshin” at the end and Alex made particular note of this concept.

Gavin was asked to show a technique and he did a very nice flowing Genseki Nage which Alex exapanded on with strikes and tactical use of footwork.

All senior students are advised to wear hakama for the coming classes.

Thought provoker: What modern equivalent could the seated techniques of HTYR apply to if the principles are studied?

Class Record: Ukemi + Omote Gyaku + Yoyu + Takagi Yoshin Ryu

Class: Monday 30th June

We examined the technique behind yoko nagare kaiten – sideways flowing roll – and saw how all extraneous movement can be stripped away to allow for smooth excecution of this ukemi waza.

Our spotlight on Kihon Happo continued with Omote Gykau and the form allowed us to use our spines and footwork to perform this reversal without brute force. A Richard said, for example, bringing the arms in allows a gear shift such that less power is needed.

We played with the element of timing later on and other gyaku emerged. Alex talked about this concept of “yoyu” or “leeway” manipulation which has a space-time componenet that causes uke to react or be in a position of least ability to compensate for external forces.

In the end we practiced Kasumi Dori from Takagi Yoshi Shoden no Maki and saw how centrifugal forces within tori and uke can allow for a smooth takedown.

Thought provoker: The method of stipping down the ukemi practice we saw – can we apply this to anything else?

- Ali Martinez

Class Record: Shinobi Sabaki + Hicho no kata + Hiryu no ken

Class: Monday 24th June

We looked at smooth, small rolling techniques with some other methods of getting around using the hands and feet shown and practiced too. Silent and smooth were the watch-words here.

We continued our study of the Kihon Happo Gata with Hicho no kata from the basic form as in the published densho into adaptive strikes and kicks and gyaku waza. Sabaki waza proved to be important here too.

We took a look at one of the kata practiced at the recent Togakure Ninpo workshop – hiryu no ken and practiced it’s basic form as well as the some of the ideas that it contained.

Thought provoker: The Togakure ryu uses shorter swords. How was Hiryu no ken different as different length swords were used? What about the curvature, tsuba or not etc.

- Ali Martinez