TSYR and aikido cross paths.

In the week just been my Sensei took Toby Threadgill and the other visitors from abroad to an amazing dojo found in the Coromandel, New Zealand. Three members from our branch also went. The Koru dojo was designed by an aikido practitioner called David Lynch and as far as I know there is nothing like it in the world.

Toby Threadgill Sensei with members of TSYR.

The dojo is surrounded by native New Zealand bush and has a unique roof. Over four nights this was their home. David and his wife made the kobudo group very welcome and the setting and hospitality impressed so much that it is likely the branch will visit there again. 

Battojutsu

Needless to say, I am extremely happy to see the two arts that I practice combining in the name of budo. It is times like these I realise just how lucky New Zealand is to have such quality in budo locations and practitioners. Despite being on the bottom of the world. 

What's wrong with aikido?

For years now, people have rubbished aikido by saying it isn't a practical martial art. I can see their point. But I think the Founder's aikido was very practical. So what has happened?

In this article:
http://www.aikidojournal.com/article?articleID=519

Todd Jones says the following about students of O'Sensei, "Yes, so they understood these things fundamentally. He didn't have to waste time teaching basics… they were either qualified to step into his dojo or, “Sorry, we don’t have time.” I think, partly because of that, aikido — the way it’s taught today - is built on an expectancy of those fundamentals; those basic skills should already be there. I see aikido as a high level, or graduate school, martial art. If you've done ten years of judo, or if you've done ten years of karate, or if you've done ten years of kendo… it’s very easy to step in and say, “Oh yes, I see.” This just makes training all that much easier, all that more efficient, all that much better."

Let's look at the implications of this. If aikido was originally taught to students who had come from other martial arts backgrounds we can assume they were already taught how to strike, use timing and understood ma-ai. 

Morihei Ueshibi then advanced them further with aikido. 

Now move forward to contemporary aikido and untrained people are walking off the street into that kind of training paradigm. Here, I believe the problems begin. 

Aikido as a set of principles and techniques is a solid martial art in my opinion. However, the training paradigm is wrong. 

I can speak from personal experience around this. I now study a kobudo with others trained in another martial art, most people on the mat are Dan-ranked in a gendai budo. The training is intense as every practitioner is competent in their ability to move their body around. Of course we have our strengths and weaknesses. The karateka strike well but have had to learn how roll and breakfall. I can roll about all day (coming from an aikido background), but must learn to strike correctly. Those trained in Judo find the body throws a piece of cake. 

If I was to take this experience and retrofit it to an aikido dojo, I'm sure the training would be very satisfying. Imagine a group of Judoka, karateka and kendo practitioners working through aikido techniques. Alas, this is simply not the case now. 

I think this would solve problems of colluision between uke and nage. It would stop problems around poor attacks and it would turn aikido back into a serious martial art once more. 

Enter the Kaicho...and his students!

I have just spent a weekend training with the headmaster of TSYR, Toby Threadgill. Now, he has been over to New Zealand quite a few times but never with some of his senior students in tow. We had the pleasure of training with Marco Pinto of Portugal, Brent Carey from Hombu Dojo, Colorado and Douglas Walker from Portland, Oregon. These three men hold Shoden teaching licences and could teach a seminar by themselves. 

How would I describe the two days I attended? EXHILARATING! 

We covered tanto disarms, kumitachi, taijutsu and kumi tanto. Just being on the receiving end of an attack from one of these guys is an experience. They bring another level of intensity to the training. 

Threadgill Sensei was at his best. His techniques were subtle and he took my centre so early in a technique that he had me from the moment of contact at times. Better still he had great ways of explaining how to do some of the stuff he was doing. 

The members of the Hamilton dojo are progressing as well. No matter who I had as a training partner on the mat, I was working with a competent martial artist. It made for a fulfilling experience.

So thank you to all those who stepped onto that mat over the weekend. My training was better for it.

The Long Slog Ahead...

I'm reflecting on the training I had last night. Sensei had me partner up with another member of the group to work through a set of kata involving the sword vs. O-tanto (large dagger). I had never done these techniques before and I'm the first to tell you my sword skills are probably the weakest of my TSYR skill sets.
Can you imagine facing a swordsman with your tanto hand outstretched as an obstacle. It sure doesn't feel safe at all. The shitachi needs very good timing and entering to make the techniques work. Add to that how tired I was last night and you get to see that the session ahead was demanding.

Its one of those moments when you tell yourself that this is what I signed up for in a koryu. Sometimes training is just hard. In that situation I was the weakest practitioner and had the most to learn. I felt incompetent and frustrated with myself at times. There is a long road ahead. Constant practice is the only thing that will allow me to progress along that road. This was only one kata set of many at this level of the curriculum. It is mind-boggling to think how we are going to practise all the different kata we know enough to progress. There doesn't seem to be enough time outside of family commitments and work. However, this is what I have signed up for.

Despite what I have written above. I count myself as lucky. Lucky to have the opportunity to study a koryu in NZ. Luck enough to have an outstanding martial practitioner as my sensei and lucky to have great training partners.

So, back to the mat and back to training.

Dean.

Koryu snobbery

I would estimate that only a small percentage of any country's population study martial arts. Then of that group only a small number may study koryu arts. This may make them elitist or exclusive. Due to this there has been a feeling out there among some people that the koryu practitioners look down at other Japanese martial artists. Perhaps even see them as inferior.

I have been reading a very interesting forum about this topic. Here is one response:

"Let me suggest that the koryu are "elusive" rather than "elitist" or "exclusive". I think this terms suits both the koryu schools and perhaps their teachers/exponents.

Are the Koryu dying? Well, one might think so. Much like European fencing or Viking axework, there is not much call for these skills in the modern era, and therefore not much interest in learning them.

As a result, the arts themselves are somewhat elusive because instruction of any kind, much less quality instruction, is so very difficult to find. Once found, legitimate koryu teachers/exponents are generally very particular about who they bring into the fold.

In my experience (primarily with Shinto Muso-ryu Jo), koryu exponents view their study and practice as stewardship of a great cultural asset which happens to be a martial art. As a result they take their practice and the choice of potential students/training partners/successors very seriously. This doesn't mean they are snooty or demeaning.

Again in my experience, seasoned koryu practitioners are very approachable and accessible to folks who respect their arts and take them seriously. Do they have strong opinions about people who without benefit of genuine experience, prattle on about koryu ... when perhaps these people should just keep their mouths closed? Sure, wouldn't you if people were belittling something you treasured?

To put it another way ... what if, instead of martial artists, we were discussing the rare folks who carry on traditions like the indigo-dyeing of Japan, the dulcimer music of Appalachia or the batik painting of India? If one were to seek these folks out and ask to learn their craft, they would almost certainly be met with the reserved caution we often see in koryu exponents and mistake for elitism. The only difference is, I doubt we'd consider them elitist.

Instead, we probably consider them artisans, committed to perfecting their craft and finding the right people to whom they might pass on the cultural asset with which they were entrusted."

I like what this person states. I certainly uphold to the idea of learning about and passing on a cultural asset, even if it is not my own culture. What are other people's thoughts on this matter? Do those of us who practice koryu really act elitist around others?

The Witchy Stuff

The above title was in the subject heading of an email a friend of mine sent to me today. He is an aikido practitioner and a good friend who started his aikido training at my old dojo here in NZ then continued his practice back in the States. Here is what he had to say:

On Sundays, an old Taekwondo friend and I go to a hunting property that we lease to work on stuff. We always talk about martial arts, our dojos, etc. I started to tell him this story and then stopped. He would think that I'm crazy, delusional, etc.

Erwin had started to push me by stepping up his attacks (in terms of speed, power, intent). Even if I make the correct shape, with the correct distance and the correct timing, he can shut me down almost every time. I started trying something different a few weeks ago (out of desperation!) and it works better each time I do it. The split second before he touches me, I visualize blasting his center with my intent. It's amazing! Many times, he goes down before he can touch me. He swears that he not taking a fall. It doesn't matter what the attack or technique is. To test it, I can make the same shape without the blast and it doesn't phase him. Your thoughts? As great as all of this sounds, it doesn't work as well on anyone else and not at all on others. My theory is that you have to understand the relationship between your center and your opponent's as well as the reverse before it works. It's eerie and amazing. I look forward to your thoughts and experiences in this matter! 

I was excited when he wrote about his revelation because something that is discussed often in TSYR is intent. It appears that as we get more sensitive and our technique gets more subtle, intent and visualisation becomes more important. The mindset of the practitioner is paramount. I do not believe any of this is ki or magic but simply the refinement of physical principles and mind-body connection. In other words, neurological pathways becoming stronger and more efficient with repeated movements.

I certainly know that if I am tired or not focussed my waza is certainly worse for it!

Do internal strength exercises and grow three centimetres!

I know, it sounds like a dodgy advertisement but since training in the nairiki no gyo in TSYR I have increased three centimetres in height.
My partner noticed I was looking down at her and when we met eight years ago we were the same height so it got us thinking. We measured each other against the door frame and then got out the tape measure just to make sure she wasn't the one shrinking! She is still 1.83m while I now stand 1.86m.
The only explanation I can give is that the internal strength exercises are causing the muscles to stretch my spine resulting in better posture. I certainly hold my posture better than I used to.

Had this not happened to me personally I wouldn't have believed an adult could grow taller. I'm 37 years old so there is no chance of an overdue growth spurt.

Just another good reason to train in internal strength.

Dean.