200+ AND BARELY A PEEP.

I’ve been checking the stats from my Box.net account, and since uploading it on May 24th, the Jo Manual has been downloaded 187 times.  That doesn’t include those people that were kind enough to email me to request a copy.  All together, that’s over 200 copies out there!  Where’s my feedback!?  I’m getting to the next stage, which is revising the text and illustrating the movements.  As far as text revisions, the main point will be to revise the terminology again so that it is consistent, from Suburi to Kumijo, and then add a glossary.  As far as illustrations, I’m going to illustrate ALL of it.  Then I can get to work on the Aiki Ken and the Ken Jo no Riai books.  So, talk to me people.  Let me know what’s up.

HEY, HEY, HEY! UPDATES.

I have had a LOT of downloads for the Draft 5 copy of the AJNM.  I have had little feedback.  Just so you know, I’m looking for ANY sort of feedback: constructive, corrections, suggestions, help of any sort.  The last thing I’m looking for is a pat on the back, although, they are greatly appreciated.  I did take some posed photos today with my friend Mackensey.  We did them VERY fast, VERY early this morning, but I think that they will suffice to illustrate some basic points.  Since there was only two of us, I showcased the Jo Kamae, 20 Jo Suburi, 31 Jo Kata, and the 13 Jo Kata.  That means that the next draft, which will be 5.1, proper, will have those sections illustrated.  I’m dusting off my layout skills now, so, it may be a few weeks.

Other than that, I’m also gearing up for a Tribe-K seminar this weekend.  Mr. Scott Gray, Head Instructor of the Kodenkan Dojo here in town, has invited Joseph Turner and myself to teach a four hour presentation of various ideas.  I’m going to cover the basics of Kali, and how they relate and transition to empty hand striking and throwing techniques.  Joseph has cooked up a little surprise that I’m not quite ready to let out of the bag just yet.

Lastly, I will be deejaying again this Wednesday at The Eclipse.  If you haven’t been, I would love to see you!

TAKING A SMALL BREAK FROM BUDO.

When I’m not doing Martial Arts, or ranting about something that pisses me off, I have all kinds of fun, all kinds of ways.  One of those ways is deejaying.

AIKI KEN: HERE WE GO.

Since it’s the 1st of June, I thought I would go over the “Ichi’s” of Aiki Ken, as an introduction to my notes on Aiki Ken.  If you’ve been following my blog at all, you should have seen this coming.

Ichi no Suburi

In Aiki Ken, since there are only seven forms in the suburi, they are simply numbered and not given a descriptive name.  The first suburi is done standing in place in Migi Hanmi.  Raise the ken straight up over the head and slide back a bit, rotating your hips.  Slide forward as you cut back down and be sure to settle your hips as you twist them forward to cut.  This arm, hip, and foot movement is the most basic practice in Aikido, armed or unarmed.

There is a Suburi Awase practice also.  Both partners face each other and practice the suburi together at the same time.  This will develop a very basic skill of moving as your partner moves.

Ichi no Awase

In Aiki Ken, the first awase is a counter to the firsts suburi.

• Uchitachi: From Migi Hanmi, slide forward and strike with Ichi no Suburi, Migi Uchikomi
• Uketachi:  Slide forward in migi hanmi and cut at uchitachi’s left wrist, OR slide to your left while moving to hidari hanmi and cut uchitachi’s right wrist

Moving like this with a partner is the most basic practice in Aiki Ken, and also forms the basis for the Tachidori techniques.

Coming up next: Ichi no Tachi, Henka no tachi, Ninin Awase, and Tachidori.

Take THAT

RIAI: WHAT AIKIDO IS ALL ABOUT

Riai means “blending of truths.”  In Aikido, that means that our techniques are the same, whether we are armed or not.  It does not matter if our enemy is armed or not, and it does not matter if we face one attacker or several.  This is because Aikido is a complete Budo, designed to allow for all of these circumstances at once.  Inagaki Sensei shows this wonderfully at the 47th All Japan Budokan.  In his presentation, he faces three partners: one unarmed, one armed with ken, and one armed with jo.  He faces each one in turn, in that order, and uses a matched technique each time to demonstrate Riai.  I will describe each technique that he executes.

Round One: Throwing with Tenkan Ashi as the principle.  He enters and turns to the side of the attacker, facing the same direction of his attacker.

Taijutsu: He faces his partner who attacks with Gyaku Hanmi Katatedori.  Inagaki uses tenkan ashi, the classic urawaza footwork, and grabs uke’s hand in a manner that allows him to lock uke’s right elbow over his left shoulder.  This is an example of kansetsuwaza, or joint locking, and in this case is used as both atemi and kuzushi.  Uke is then thrown forward with a kokyunage.

Tachidori: He faces his partner in migi hanmi.  As uchiken slides forward with an overhead cut, Inagaki moves forward and tenkans while matching the ken strike by cutting down with tegatana over uchiken’s hand.  He then grabs the tsuka to throw and disarm uchiken with kokyunage.  This is a kihon tachidori.

Jodori: He faces his partner in hidari hanmi.  As uchijo thrusts, Inagaki enters to his partner’s side and gives an atemi with his left hand to uchijo’s flank.  He then turns to his partner’s side and grabs the jo in a manner that locks uchijo’s left elbow, and throws uchijo forward with a hijiate kokyunage.  This is a kihon jodori.

Round Two: Throwing with Irimi as the principle.  He enters directly omote, to the front of the attacker, and throws the attacker back in the direction that they came from.

Taijutsu: Uke attacks with shomenuchi, and Inagaki matches uke’s movements.  Inagaki continues his irimi movement to grabs uke’s right hand with his left, and strike uke’s face with his left hand for a throw.  In Aikido, this is called ago ate kokyunage.

Tachidori: Inagaki faces his partner in ai hanmi, and enters directly to uchiken’s front as he strikes with the ken.  Inagaki holds the tsuki with his left hand and strikes uchiken’s face with his right hand to throw him.  This technique is also done by stepping on uchiken’s right foot.

Jodori: Same as the tachidori technique, Inagaki enters to the front, grabs the jo, and strikes uchijo’s face to throw him.

And so on.  On the third round, Inagaki uses Sokumen Iriminage.  On the fourth round, Inagaki uses Kotegaeshi.  On the fifth and last round, Inagaki uses Rokyo.  All of this serves to showcase that Aikido is indeed an art based on all inclusive principles, not individual techniques.  Understanding any technique on the principle level is required for true understanding in any martial art.  Whether your partner is armed or unarmed is a manner of training method to practice principles which are then illustrated by technique.  A breakdown of that may look like this:

Principle: Kotegaeshi. Training method: Jodori. Technique: Choku tsuki kotegaeshi.

MY RESPONSE TO A POST ON AIKIDO JOURNAL.

Read it here. Great topic.

AIKI JO NOTEBOOK AND MANUAL – GET IT WHILE THE GETTING IS HOT.

I’ve made it even easier to get your own copy of my notebook.  Simply download it from this location.  You can also grab it from the embedded Box.Net widget on the side column. Don’t forget to help me with your input and feedback.  How easy was that?

AIKI KEN: HELP ME HELP YOU.

The Aiki Jo project won’t go much further until I illustrate it.  I plan to do it in parts, and release each completed part in order until it is done.  Until then, I’m going to go ahead and submit my Aiki Ken Notebook for review.  It’s still in scattered note form, and I have a few more items to review, but it should be available for review soon.  There are a couple of things that I would like some help with, if anyone wants to help.  I’m trying to gather some more information about the Ken Awase, Ki Musubi no Tachi, and relevant variations.  Please feel free to contact me via email with any information you have.  Thank you so much.

SELF DEFENSE CLASS: WE SHALL BARTER.

The one question that I have had the hardest time answering is how much I will charge for classes. i have decided that, in the spirit of wanting to share our diminishing resources, that I will accept barter as the primary unit of payment for classes. So if you are interested in classes, please consider what you are willing to barter per hour of instruction wanted.

Here is a list of individual courses that I currently offer:

Aikido, Taijutsu. The unarmed techniques of Aikido
Aikido, Kenjutsu. The sword techniques of Aikido
Aikido, Jojutsu. The staff techniques of Aikido
Kali. A Filipino martial art that teaches you how to use and protect yourself with any weapon, and also includes empty handed techniques.
jeet Kune Do. A set of principles based on your own personal abilities that draws from several martial arts.
CCQT: Civilian Close Quarter Tactics. A system I developed when I was a member of The Guardian Angels to train the volunteers for safety patrols.

Expect to train outdoors and one on one. Expect to train during the day, with some afternoons/evenings available for a slightly higher barter fee. Sundays all day available for a slightly higher barter fee.

As far as what to barter: Be creative and show my your talents as well. We all have resources and talents at our disposal, and I’m willing to listen to any idea you may have.

Spread the word and let me know.

Cheers!

Autrelle Holland

AMBER’S BLOG

My friend’s blog is an attempt to raise awareness about lupus.  She openly discusses how she deals with it from day to day.  There was no single section that stood out amongst the rest to use as an example: the whole blog is great.  Please check it out.

AIKI JO NOTEBOOK DRAFT FIVE NOW AVAILABLE.

I have received a LOT of feedback, support, and technical advice on the notebook, most notably from Alejandro Villanueva and Jason Wotherspoon.

Anywho, here’s the updated table of contents:

• Introduction
• Terminology
• Stances
• Suburi
• 31 Jo Kata
• Additional Suburi Practice
• Jo Awase
• 31 Kumjo
• 13 Jo Kata and Awase
• 1 -10 Kumijo
• Jo Dori and Counters to Jo Dori
• Jo Nage
• Additional Jo Movements

As always, this is up for critique if anyone wants a copy!

TONIGHT: DOING THE RIGHT THING

Tonight is my second night deejaying at The Eclipse for the “GUILTY PLEASURES” night.  Tonight’s theme: Pajama Party.  It can’t get much better than that.  Oh wait, it can: For the first hour, I’m throwing down nothing but Joy Division, New Order, and Bloc Party.  I’m ROCKING tonight.

SECOND UPDATE TO THE AIKI JO NOTEBOOK.

There are two points here.  The first is to formalize the actions that happen in the Awase and Kumi techniques as solo practice.  The second is to increase familiararity with the different ways the jo can be handled. These are organized in accordance the 5 basic Aiki Jo Kamae.  Since these are not actually practiced this way formally, there is no need to commit these to memory, however, these techniques, once understood, will reveal the basic variations of the Kumi techniques.  I have notably omitted things that are already given in the Kihon techniques.

Tsuki no Kamae

Choku
Hayagaeshi Men – Fast change to a high strike
Hayagaeshi Hiza – Fast change to a low strike
Gyakute Uchi – A reverse grip strike

Kaeshi
Hayagaeshi Men
Hayagaeshi Hiza
Gyakute Uchi

Ushiro
Zengo Gyakute Uchi – Thrusting to the rear and then a reverse strike back to the front
Chudan Gaeshi Tsuki – Turning the jo over and then a direct thrust

Gyakute
Chudan Gaeshi Tsuki

Chudan no Kamae

Hidari
Chudan Gaeshi Tsuki
Chudan Gaeshi Hayagaeshi Men – Turning the jo over and then a fast change to a high strike
Chudan Gaeshi Hayagaeshi Hiza – Turning the jo over and then a fast change to a low strike
Chudan Gaeshi Gyakute Uchi – Turning the jo over and then a reverse grip strike

Migi
Chudan Gaeshi Tsuki
Haya Hasso Gaeshi Uchi – A fast change to Hasso no Kamae and then striking
Haya Hasso Gaeshi Tsuki – A fast change to Hasso no Kamae and then thrusting Gyakute Tsuki

Ushiro
Age Uchi Chudan Gaeshi Tsuki – Rising strike and turning the jo over for a direct thrust
Katate Gedan Gaeshi Gyakute Uchi – Single hand low-to-high strike and then a reverse grip strike
Katate Hachinoji Gaeshi – The figure eight strike

Uchi no Kamae

Chudan
Menuchi Gyakute Uchi – The forward strike followed by Hidari Gyakute Uchi
Gyaku Yokomen Gyakute Uchi – The reverse strike followed by Migi Gyakute Uchi

Jodan
Gyakute Tsuki Hasso Gaeshi – Gyakute Tsuki back to Hasso no Kamae
Gyakute Tsuki Chudan Gaeshi Tsuki – Gyakute Tsuki followed by turning the jo and a direct thrust

AIKI JO NOTEBOOK UPDATE: KAMAE IN AIKI JO.

In writing my Notebook, I have started to consider two things: the area of Jo Awase, and breaking the shell of the practices so that Aiki Jo can be understood as a fighting art.  I have started back at the with the Awase section, which should properly follow after the 20 Suburi and the 31- and 13 Jo Kata techniques.  When reviewing the material I have at my disposal, I understood that there are a number of fixed positions in Aiki Jo that are used to strike, thrust, and change the jo.  However, the stances are not what’s important when you want to talk about fighting with the jo.  The postures need to be understood as vehicles for applying strikes and thrusts.  I have compiled a list of the basic postures in Aiki Jo, along with some words from none other than Musashi himself.  I hope that this will be useful to anyone else that reads this.

From my Notebook:

Aiki Jo Kamae

Jo no Kamae – This is the basic standing posture with the jo held vertically in the left hand in front of the left foot.
Tsuki no Kamae

• Choku – From Jo no Kamae, grabbing the jo in the manner of Choku Tsuki.
• Kaeshi – From Jo no Kamae, grabbing the jo in the manner of Kaeshi Tsuki.
• Ushiro – From Jo no Kamae, grabbing the jo in the manner or Ushiro Tsuki.
• Gyakute – Grabbing the jo as Ushiro Tsuki but thrusting to the front with Hidari Gyakute Tsuki.  This and the Ushiro grip is the basis for Chudan no Kamae.

Chudan no Kamae

• Hidari – The Gyakute hold in the left posture.
• Migi – The Gyakute hold in the right posture.
• Ushiro – The Gyakute hold in the right or left posture with the jo to rear, as in prepartory to Gedan Gaeshi.

Ken no Kamae

• Chudan – The middle position for ken.
• Jodan – The high position for ken.
• Ushiro – The jo gripped as ken but held to the rear.

Hasso no Kamae

These are the basic postures from the Aiki Jo curriculum.  I include these for the sake of understand the different postures you can assume with the jo and how they relate to each other as they become strikes with the jo.  It’s not important to assume a particular stance at a particular time, since you cannot and do not fight that way.  You win by striking, thrusting, throwing, pinning the opponent, not by virtue of Kamae.  This is called “having a stance but not using a stance.”  Musashi writes about this with more than enough eloquence:

THE FIVE ATTITUDES

The five attitudes are: Upper, Middle, Lower, Right Side, and Left Side. These are the five.  Although attitude has these five divisions, the one purpose of all of them is to cut the enemy.  There are none but these five attitiudes.

Whatever attitude you are in, do not be conscious of making the attitude; think only of cutting.

Your attitude should be large or small according to the situation.  Upper, Lower and Middle attitudes are decisive.  Left Side and Right Side attitudes are fluid.  Left and Right attitudes should be used if there is an obstruction overhead or to one side. The decision to use Left or Right depends on the place.

The essence of the Way is this. To understand attitude you must thoroughly  understand the middle attitude. The middle attitude is the heart of attitudes.  If we look at strategy on a broad scale, the Middle attitude is the seat of the commander, with the other four attitudes following the commander.  You must appreciate this.

THE “ATTITUDE NO-ATTITUDE” TEACHING

“Attitude No-Attitude” means that there is no need for what are know as long sword attitudes.
Even so, attitudes exist as the five ways of holding the long sword. However you hold the sword it must be in such a way that it is easy to cut the enemy well, in accordance with the situation, the place, and your relation to the enemy.  From the Upper attitude as your spirit lessens you can adopt the Middle attitude, and from the Middle attitude you can raise the sword a little in your technique and adopt the Upper attitude. From the lower attitude you can raise the sword and adopt the Middle attitudes as the occasion demands. According to the situation, if you turn your sword from either the Left Side or Right Side attitude towards the centre, the Middle or the Lower attitude results.

The principle of this is called “Existing Attitude – Nonexisting Attitude.”

The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy’s cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement.  It is essential to attain this. If you think only of hitting, springing, striking or touching the enemy, you will not be able actually to cut him. More than anything, you must be thinking of carrying your movement through to cutting him.  You must thoroughly research this.

Attitude in strategy on a larger scale is called “Battle Array”. Such attitudes are all for winning battles. Fixed formation is bad. Study this well.

OTHER SCHOOLS WITH MANY METHODS OF USING THE LONG SWORD

Placing a great deal of importance on the attitudes of the long sword is a mistaken way of thinking. What is known in the world as “attitude” applies when there is no enemy. The reason is that this has been a precedent since ancient times, and there should be no such thing as “This is the modern way to do it” in dueling. You must force the enemy into inconvenient situations.

Attitudes are for situations in which you are not to be moved. That is, for garrisoning castles, battle array, and so on, showing the spirit of not being moved even by a strong assault. In the Way of dueling, however, you must always be intent upon taking the lead and attacking. Attitude is the spirit of awaiting an attack. You must appreciate this.

In duels of strategy you must move the opponent’s attitude. Attack where his spirit is lax, throw him into confusion, irritate and terrify him. Take advantage of the enemy’s rhythm when he is unsettled and you can win.

I dislike the defensive spirit know as “attitude”. Therefore, in my Way, there is something called “Attitude-No Attitude”.

In large-scale strategy we deploy our troops for battle bearing in mind our strength, observing the enemy’s numbers, and noting the details of the battle field. This is at the start of the battle.

The spirit of attacking first is completely different from the spirit of being attacked.   Bearing an attack well, with a strong attitude, and parrying the enemy’s attack well, is like making a wall of spears and halberds. When you attack the enemy, your spirit must go to the extent of pulling the stakes out of a wall and using them as spears and halberds. You must examine this well.

Since Aikido is a martial art, we must concern ourselves with the practical application of techniques.  I sincerely hope that the reader will think about Musashi’s words regarding kamae.  If we think of Aiki Jo in the terms that Musashi uses, we can understand that Tsuki no Kamae as the general as far as thrusting, and Chudan Ken no Kamae as the general as far as thrusting.  This means that things like Chudan no Kamae and Hasso no Kamae become the variations of the first two instances.  You must understand that in an instant, any posture you make can change to any other in the course of using the jo.  Understand that any posture you assume is designed to strike your opponent.  In Aikido,we usually do not strike at our partner, but allow him to come as he wants and deal with it accordingly.  This is not a defensive attitude.  We allow our opponent to perceive an opening and when he attacks he is already lost.  Other times, we draw out our attack, and force him to attack or defend in a manner that is not favorable to him.  We control the encounter and the issue is already decided.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT AIKI JO.

While doing my research and gathering input and feedback from the people kind enough to review my notes, I have learned much.  The Aiki Jo system as it is contains so much information that I think myself a fool to even try to put the basics down.  I’m glad that I did though, and I recommend that any serious Aikidoka practicing any sort of formal weapons curriculum to notes somewhere.  I know that there are some teachers that don’t use a strict set of guidelines regarding weapons which is fine.  To really delve into the practice of it, I feel that you need a core.  In my research, the core items of Aiki Jo are the 20 Jo Suburi, the 31- and 13 Jo Kata, the 31 Kata Kumijo and 13 Jo Kata Awase, and lastly, the Jo Awase techniques.  Rightfully, the Jo Awase techniques should be the first partner practice with the Jo.  The techniques contained in the Jo Awase techniques are the necessary tools to make sense and practical application of the rest of the Kumi exercises.  Recently I had a most reliable source share with me some video footage of the earlier Saito Sensei Jo Awase techniques along with their proper variations.  It’s not enough to say that I was blown away.  While I have seen only a few examples of the Jo Awase techniques on the internet, and what little bit is in the old Saito Sensei books, I was never taught these techniques.  They are simply amazing.  If anyone more in the know wants to have a discussion about these area of Aiki Jo, please, please, please: LETS.