Jissen Kobudo Jinenkan - Sessa Takuma Dojo

Change - from John B Will's Blog

2011-10-31T03:31:00.000-07:00

Look around – carefully; and you will notice that everything is changing, all of the time. Raindrops are falling, each second the world is different, unique, as it was never before; each leaf moving on each tree, constructing a new and unique world each and every second. So too are we, cells are degenerating, regenerating; our brains think new and novel thoughts, each and every second. On the mat, as we roll with our friends, each moment is different than the last, each grip is slightly different, pressures ebb and flow, the fight unfolds differently this time than it did last time. When people tell me they are bored – I tell them to open their eyes: JBW

Thursday 14th

2011-07-13T21:09:00.000-07:00

Well, although it was supposed to be a lay day, it really wasn't. After sleeping in a little and
getting myself started, a decided to ride around a little and eventually wheel my way down to
the onsen in Nanokodai. I think I left the hombu at 2pm and returned at 9 o'clock. Buying Manga
and some books for the wife, gorging on Sushi, doing some window shopping, losing my
way for an hour or so in the back roads of Noda, and then eventually discovering that the
onsen we would always frequent has been shut for a year or so!? What? Luckily there is another
one nearby that has been operational for the past 6 years. A little smaller but newer and shinier.
Becoming lost, particular on a day when one has no plans, no underlying agenda or schedule and
really nothing to do is something I'm quite partial to. Nup, don't mind it at all. As help, a convenience
store, a phone etc, isn't really that far away in this country, I find myself completely at ease to explore
the neighbouring areas, rice fields and paddocks and in the process find out something new and
unchartered (well for me, anyhow..) The slight disadvantage of this, however, is that the further you go
off the main roads the more likely you are to encounter roads without footpaths, shoulders and anything
resembling a bike-oriented spaces....Oh well.

Tuesday and Wednesday were very successful, enjoyable and enriching days (as the overall experience has
been for me here).
Keiko with Simon has been great. We've been able to push each other, discover some fantastic insights and
ask all the questions we want as it is just he and I. Gyokko ryu Geiryaku has been deeply explored, as has the
Kihon Happo and Koto Ryu Moto Gata. Tomorrow we will being the Shoden. As you know, I have practised
and learnt them with many of you, sometimes at different stages, but as I plan to teach this to my students
after returning I would like to be fresh and ready to initiate this ryu.

Also a pleasure to finally meet and spend some time with our newest arrival to the Hombu, Federico.
Took a while for my Italian to kick in, a storm of brain farts and many pauses, but a very patient and
understanding man indeed. Era veramente un piacere a finalmente conoscerti e cenare insieme.

Today, a little shopping. Guys and girls. Not too sure you're aware of it but there's a shop here called
UniQlo which is similar to our Jay Jays (I suppose) but higher in quality and possibly better in price. Stocked
up on a couple of shorts and a pair of pants. Surprised they stock my size, hey? Yeah, me too!

Allora, a la prossima!

Sunday the 10th

2011-07-10T08:57:00.000-07:00

What a couple of awesomely wicked days....pardon the Bostonian.
2 hours of some complex Nito-Ryu. Jumping into Kihon Toho with double blades is something quite foreign to me as I am quite a novice with stuff. Tricky enough maintaining control with one blade, now think about two! Onto Kata, which employ some exquisite movement (as most things) and trapping the blade, scissoring it, pinning it then entering with a cut. 30 plus minutes of that then 10-15 minutes of Randori. No, it may have been more. Will have to check my notes, but I might be under the vague impression that we may have performed Nito kihon toho, one kata and then randori in accordance with the kata for two whole hours. Now if that isn't technical fine tuning, then what is? I guess that's how we do it, eh?
Train into Tokyo, cruised through Roppongi, rubbed shoulders with the affluent Hills Zoku (tribe), and meandered into Azabu Juban intending to find a pick up point for my long time Tokyo mate Jacqui to come and meet me. After desperately searching for a pay-phone for a half hour and finally finding one, I am pressed to source a landmark to help me. I ask a Japanese man in 60's in my most polite Japanese to be only stumped with, "Ai amu souri, Ai amu kwaito sutrenjaa hia". Huh? He immediately repeats himself. "That's ok, buddy", so he repeats himself again. Ok, I get it and quickly duck into a nearby grocery store that has no distinct name of course. I ask and receive, "Gourmet City". Of course. I call Jacqs and, "Where the hell is that?" Ummm, in Azabu Juban. She finds me, after a couple of more phone calls, straps me onto the back of her bike and we blitz on out into the sunset and enjoy some sights and views from the Rainbow bridge. The Sky Tree, BTW, is rather tall. Don't get why that built it for, but hey, each to their own, right? Stop into Odaiba, head into ToysRus, ask for the little vinyl outdoor pool she was after but no cigar, Miss and we're poop out of luck. Jac, you see, was intending to erect a little outdoor pool in her outdoor balcony area to escape some of the summer heat. She decides that her next port of call will be CostCo. Not today though. Me is hungry.
Head back to Nishi Azabu and she shows me her sweet shared pad and all its benefits. I really like!
Next to feast on some YakiNiku. JoJoen is the place and what an ambience, peeps. Waitresses in Kimono, Waiters to the nines and then service just off this planet. Aprons to wear in case the meat squirts off the grill.
We chat about lots of stuff, latest happenings back home (carbon tax) and of course the earthquake and radiation.
2 hours later back on the train for an a hour or so ride and the 25 minute walk. To bed!!!

This morning up at 8, downstairs to vacuum the dojo, drenched and sticky without having gi'd up yet and Sensei and Iida san arrive. Warm up with Gyakute waza and onto geiryaku. Kaisoku, Iaifu and Kuryaku learnt. Iida san is a gun and he just keeps getting better, more confident and faster each time I see him. 58 kilos in weight and he picks me up on his shoulders to perform kata-guruma. THREE TIMES!!! That would be like me doing likewise with a 150 kilo opponent. Please line up!
We bow out, Sensei leaves and so Iida san refines some of Nito Kihon, kamae and to-ho. Infatuated!
A ride to the station, board the train and I'm on my way to the Jinenkan Tokyo Dojo run by Bob Gray. 1 hour of some quality instruction. Ukemi, Ura gyaku, Shato (Koto Ryu) and Ate Gaeshi (Sanbo). A good, humble crew who work hard and commit to focussing. After finishing we head to Bob's house to chill with his wife and son. I find it quiet easy regressing to a three years of age and as long as there's toys around, I'm a lost puppy. Rengo is tonnes of fun to hang with and quite an entertainer. Thanks, bud!

Lay day tomorrow, so off to the Sento, rest, shopping, Iai review and maybe meet with a friend.

8th of July

2011-07-08T07:18:00.000-07:00

Spent today roaming Kashiwa and its limited pockets of fun and amusement. Espresso Frappucino, a $10 haircut, pasta for lunch (bolognese carbonara fused dish, which incidentally, I ate with waribashi - disposable chopsticks), a macha frappucino and then met with Eric, boarded the Tobu Noda train for Noda. 20 minutes later we alight and begin the 30 minute hike to the station.
After a warm up and chat, Sensei enters, changes and we begin practising some Tsubame Gaeshi whilst waiting for Bob to arrive.
Bob arrives shortly after, we bow in and begin.
Anyways.....Keiko again was hot, intense and somewhat frustrating. We worked on the three first kata of the geiryaku to the finest degree possible. Eric is now bothering me upstairs with mindless chit-chat so will have to let you all go. Stay tuned!

Today (7th of July)

2011-07-07T05:19:00.000-07:00

Today is Tanabata in Japan. I believe it is originally a chinese festival where the boy shepherd and the girl weaver, who have been separated for the past year, are able to finally unite, get it on and then say goodbye before the stars and planet begin a new astral alignment and consequently sequester each of them to their respective domains (could be wrong).
Started the day with Tacfit warrior (6 sets of tabata), some stretching and mobility drills downstairs in the dojo. Already sweaty and buggered I decided to get some brekkie, albeit a late one, at Jusco. Lotus plant tempura, ham schnitzel, crab croquette, a rice ball and about 2 litres of fluids. Finished with a kohi float (coffee ice thing) and a book in the local food court. Back to hombu, crashed for a couple hours and awoken by Kato-san. Immediately, before handshake or anything, I receive a hachimaki that Mario has sent to me when they were there last in Belgium. It has in 4 kanji print, Sessa Takuma. Cool. So I take it that this was probably sent to Belgium (order maybe) then passed on to me, courtesy of Kato san, here in Japan. Very grateful and with a deep Rei - Dank U, Mario!
Sensei shortly arrives afterward, we have a chat, I brag about my job and its benefits, make them laugh a little, talk about the latest ailments, radiation, family, seiko etc. and then proceed downstairs to start keiko. Bob subsequently arrives, we gi and hakama up, and get going. In a sentence, people, keiko was this: One hour and forty-five minutes of Iai. Yes, that's right. Sheer and unadulterated Iai. Corrections galore, profuse amounts of sweat excreted, some frustration and plenty of smiles from Sensei. Lots to show you people when I get back. Shiho-giri refinements plus the new and much talked about Tsubame Gaeshi. The latter is very short, sharp and sweet. Swiftness and agility are essential and the movements are nothing but exquisite. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
There are no wasted movements,
Osu

Please excuse the typos....I'm a little tired and a feeling of indifference pervades..

2011-07-06T01:36:00.001-07:00

Yeah so, finally made it out of the Boso Hanto (South east coast of Chiba-ken). After spending two glorious days with Mum and Dad and being spoiled like a 5 year old at Christmas. Too much to tell and I would only be making people jealous. I feel my In-laws were my real parents, or siblings in another life time. A relationship that is harmonious yet at times tumultuous, filled with laughter and based on mutual respect.
Spent last night with one of my best mates Paul (legend) and his gorgeous girl, Mitsuko. Another mate Jeremy was rather gracious to swing by and before you know it we're a pack or two of Asahi 500ml cans empty and it's time for bed as some of us have to work tomorrow. Slept in the company of some fine Japanese crawlies, however awoke unscathed albeit a little balmy. After sending off an order of manga and dvd's to my most precious, I intended to treat my ride and newly found friend, Mitsuko to some brekkie. As luck would have it the car, whilst buzzing at the lights, decides to shut down and go to sleep. Slipping it into neutral and looking for a challenge to start the day, I was able to push it back and then forward it the nearby Family Mart (combini) and suss out the situation. All liquids at appropriate level, oil good. Able to get it started again and the timing also seems fine. Hmmmmm? The friendly Japanese surfer who has come to help and I can quite get a grasp on the situation so Mitsuko and I decide to puff it home which is only a short distance away. Back home she starts making some calls. Being quite esoteric in nature (yoga instructor) she starts rationalising the circumstances. "Yesterday a flat tyre, today the engine....what will happen tomorrow? This must be sign!" She proclaims with a rather convincing aura. Oh, I forgot to mention, today she will be starting her first shift at a bar down in the next suburb. In about an hours time! What to do?! She calls to inform her boss that due to unforeseeable circumstances she will be running late as she has to see that her car is seen to and repaired. Miss Boss doesn't sound all that please, but...but these things happen don't they. She calls the car repair/yard/mechanic/everything to explain the situation and they promptly call back with the best news of the day thus far. They will arrive within the hour with a tow truck and courtesy car to attenuate any inconveniences they have caused thus far. Serious?!?! Nah, man! I remember this place being good, but not this good. We then meander off to a nearby cafe for some hard earned grub and coffee. Big Mama's, which should have opened by this time, doesn't look like they're ticking yet as it's 10 minutes past opening and not a soul, nor cat in sight. It seems not all Japanese are punctual. We head over to the nearby Hawaiian joint which, surprisingly, is alive and sizzling. Anyways, after some Hawaiian Poki, Diamond Head/Vanilla flavoured coffee concoction we head back to Paul's and chat whilst waiting. Within a half the sales people arrive (in tow truck carrying courtesy car) unload the car, load Mitsuko's and their off. 5 minutes later Paul arrives from work for some lunch. Mitsuko, an hour and half late, bounds out the door to experience her new job.
Paul, after some lunch see's me off at the Ichinomiya station and I'm now off to Noda. 5 changes and 3 hours later I pull up into Noda station. 30 something degrees, 70 something percent humidity and 30 something kilo's to lug and a half hour walk a head of me and I charge. This is always an exciting part of the journey for me. I am almost always, to some degree, exasperated and nauseous each time I first arrive at Noda for keiko, but the thrill of what await just pushes me on. I walk past the taxi rank and think, 'not this time, guys. Maybe in twenty years or so' and charge on through past the mini-stop and past the iconic Kikkoman factory.
Walking, I feel, is such an intuitive and natural activity for us people. Why not exhaust our own finite resources, burn the excess calories most of us gratuitously consume and get around? I think about Trav and his love for running, Simon and his stories of meeting hard-core soldiers during his teaching stints around the country. One story of a man, burly and built like a freight train, strapping on a 50kg back pack (army issue) and just headingn down the main highway for 30km's in his own country town in NSW. I remember also as a kid, walking to the shops with Mum to help her with the shopping. We would walk up 30 mins, do the shopping, have it delivered and then walk back 30 mins. I must of been in primary school and although the memories are vastly fading I can still remember feeling knackered and mum shouting back at me, "Hurry up big bum!" This kind of stuff would be unheard of these days. Something has to change. We need to wizen up and get moving again. Walking, bikes, anything really that is self-propelled. For the planet and for our physical well-being. Lift Aussies!!
I finally make it to the hombu. It's locked and nobody is in sight. I drop off my bags in the hallway upstairs, mentally jot down Sensei's number and head back to the local convenience store which I passed only 5 minutes earlier. I buy a couple of riceballs and a red bull. 500 and something yen, change received and what'ya know? The number has been erased from the impermanent white board which is my brain. "Lady, I beg a favour from you. Might you allow me to peruse your phone book", I politely ask the sales attendant. No go. Only the business pages. Oh well, back to the hombu for another attempt. No pen you see. This time I'm successful, Sensei is home. "Just returned from some mountain climbing" he cheerily informs me and promptly comes to hand me the keys to my accommodation for the next ten days.
How's that for a day?

Wise Words on Motivation

2011-06-02T04:09:00.000-07:00

HIGHLY MOTIVATED …

John B Will.
Throughout decades of teaching, I have noticed a couple of different types of motivation in effect on the mat … one seems to be more effective than the other; here’s my two cents …
The first kind starts out well but usually has a pretty short shelf-life; and that is the repellant kind of motivation. In other words, we feel motivated to move away from something – being overweight, being scared, being weak, etc. This starts out with a bang but the problem arises when we have successfully removed ourselves to some degree from the thing we are moving away from; for then, the motivational impetus tends to lose momentum. The further we remove ourselves from the picture/idea/feeling we are trying to escape then the weaker the motivational force becomes.
The other style of motivation (that I actually prefer) is when we are moving TOWARD a new paradigm rather than away from one. The thing about this style of motivation is that when we begin seeing results (we are in fact getting in better shape, feeling more courageous, etc) the motivational force tends to become stronger; we build momentum and move closer to our goal.
This style of motivation is also a much more positive way to think but it does come with a few problems; the main one being that we don’t tend to recognize and applaud ourselves for those first small incremental gains. When we make small gains but fail to recognize that we have, we tend to mistake this for ‘wasted effort’. Eg: We lose one kilogram (out of 15 that we need to lose) but we fail to see a result in the mirror and so we may give up thinking that our efforts are wasted. This is a great pity, because the big secret to success is to aim for small incremental gains and recognize them when we achieve them. When we improve our situation by 5%, and we recognize that we have done this, we can more easily do it again and again until we begin to see obvious results – at that point in time, momentum takes over and our motivation increases exponentially.
Recognize your incremental achievements – roll on.
JBW

Something on Ahisma...

2011-05-06T16:33:00.000-07:00

At this retreat, my teacher gave the following 3 Steps for Addressing Violence:

1. Physically remove yourself from the spot. Run, move, shut the door, or hang up the phone. Just leave until the emotional heat dissipates (if ever.) Okay, no problem. I can run faster, farther than most people, even while carrying my kids. I’ve learned to remove myself from the escalation before its tipping point (and can continue to improve there.)
2. If you can’t leave and they persist, then speak your truth and try to reach the heart of divinity which is within every person. Appeal to their divine nature. I’ve studied conflict resolution techniques, such as “Verbal Judo” among others, but this was something deeper. You actually have to give a shit, and reach across the void - through the fog of your frustration or fear - and call to the greatness within an individual who has temporarily “lost it.”
3. If they follow you, insisting on your persecution, get angry. Anger is healthier than sadness, because it takes corrective action. The gentle folk laughed uncomfortably at this guidance, but my mouth was hanging open, as if suddenly I had a place in this peaceful society. If a deer comes and eats your garden, you can’t reason with it; you pick up a stick and threaten it. Though… for me, this begged the question, what if the deer calls your bluff. (Okay, so maybe not a deer, but you know what I mean.)
Then, came the answer. Though addressing the massive crowd of students, she looked over at me, as if she knew how this problem vexed me. She offered the story of Krishna appearing to Arjuna on the battlefield…. written in the Mahabharata.

Arjuna, a fighter and leader, on the very day of his people facing annihilation by an invading army, decided to become a monk to avoid violence. Lord Krishna appeared to Arjuna, not because he was spiritually developed enough to deserve it, but strictly from having the compassion for the impending massacre of Arjuna’s people. Krishna told Arjuna that his duty to protect the innocent overrides any offense to his spiritual aspirations, “Remember the divinity within each of us and fight!” My mouth dropped.

You see, it was this part that had plagued me. Was it more enlightened to visit violence upon those who persisted in persecuting the innocent, or on removing yourself completely from the violence altogether? I had been offered an answer.

Again, perhaps you’re more enlightened than I was. But for me, in this wisdom my fighter and my yogi were finally wed:

4. If persecutors do not cease hostilities even when threatened, your duty to protect the innocent from harm overrides any spiritual aspirations of personal non-violence.

I’m not suggesting this imperative applies to you. I am a fighter, trained by some of the brightest and best coaches in the world. Furthermore, I’m a great coach as well, able to trick even the most stubborn student into greater depths of mastery. If I’ve exhausted all other options of peace, and imminent jeopardy looms upon innocents, then even if harming others repulses me, I’m morally obligated to do so (until such a time that those hostiles cease their aggressive advance.)

I must be courageous enough to face the specters which may come from causing harm to others, if urgent necessity demands. But better me than someone without my training and experience. Better that I do this than the gentle folk who don’t have my training and aptitude, and better that I do this than the aggressive folk who lack the restraint and mastery to use the most minimal force necessary to find a cessation to the hostilities. Keeping God in my heart, compassion for even those lost in the fog and friction of violence, I’ve learned my duty to fight when circumstances leave no option. And I can do so knowing that I can look in my teacher’s eyes without the oppressive yoke of self-deprecating guilt. Certainly not pride, but definitely not guilt.

Taken from Scott Sonnon's RMAX website: http://www.rmaxinternational.com/flowcoach/?p=568

Zanshin!

2011-05-06T15:35:00.000-07:00

Last nights keiko was one of those memory bank sessions for me. It was simply pure joy. Everyone had attended. The atmosphere was slowly becoming electric as each student stepped onto the mats at the beginning of the night. We were all in attendance. Game on!

Morris’ perspective was different to those of his students. He sees more in our actions, movements and energy than we could ever hope to know about ourselves at this stage in our training. He is the observer, the mediator and tone setter. He was disappointed in our efforts for one very simple reason. Zanshin!

We were in the moment during the techniques, but our attentions were oscillating outside of the waza. We were buoyed to see each other all on the mats together, enjoying the camaraderie. For one reason or another we’d all not been able to get to keiko on the same night for weeks.

We allowed ourselves to become distracted and too jovial between the, “Arigato gozaimashita”, and the next, “Onegaishimasu”.

Morris pointed out to us at the end of keiko that this was simply not acceptable. While he was pleased with how we were progressing, he was crest-fallen at our inability to sustain our focus for a mere two hours.

“Sure, it’s encouraged that you enjoy your training and that you’re not robots the whole time, but don’t forget your zanshin!” he reminded us harshly but fairly after our cool down.

I had been feeling the high we often get from an intense and enjoyable session, but it was soon replaced with a degree of balance on reflection at my own lack of zanshin at times during the night.

To summarise, Morris, pointed out that although we can’t walk through daily life with a warrior’s frown and snarling focus we should at least take the awareness and mindfulness from our training into our everyday lives. We train for a reason. We train in order to heighten our awareness. We train to become more mindful. We train to polish and refine our character. The least we can do while in the dojo is train that focus as if our lives depended on it. And they do depend on it in the realm of Jissen Kobudo training.

“These are dangerous and sometimes fatal techniques we’re dealing with here. We have to stay in a state of zanshin for our own and each others safety.”

I know we will always enjoy our training but I also know that we will all do better to remember this lesson. We owe it to ourselves and to each other.

Beginners Mind

2011-04-30T21:35:00.000-07:00

"When we begin the practice, we have the gift of the beginner's mind. Beginner's mind is a beautiful mind. You are motivated by the desire to practice, to transform yourself, to bring peace and joy into yourself and that peace and joy becomes contagious. Allow yourself to be a torch and allow the flames of your torch to be transmitted to other torches. Practicing like that, you can help peace and joy grow in the entire world." - Thich Nhat Hahn

Confucious

2011-04-29T04:45:00.000-07:00

If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character....
If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home……
If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation…..

If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world……

Doing justice to this 'intelligent fighting'

2011-04-27T01:52:00.000-07:00

Continuing from my last post, I'd like to discuss how one can fulfil or manifest this idea or philosophy of intelligent attacking when you are 'uke'. During keiko I think it is wise and definitely behooves us to train hard, realistically but also rationally. If you as uke must punch or kick, one should be thinking about really kicking or punching and nothing else. If this not adhered to then keiko (as you've heard relentlessly from other dojo-cho) becomes insipid, insubstantial and nothing is gained from it. You also discredit the intelligent nature of the attack and commit a great disservice to your partner. Control of course, must be administered as safety for you and your partner is of the utmost priority. Punch and kick straight. If your opponent, for some reason hasn't moved or evaded then lessen the blow or simply stop it short right at their chin, nose or cheek. You both will realise whether tori has moved efficiently or not. When throwing, train your entry as fast and as explosively as you can. The goal is to raise your opponent off their feet or to displace or disrupt balance. Once this happens, control must be exercised and you must really learn how to place your opponent down carefully until they and you become more proficient.

"The training should be harder than the real thing but shouldn't be more dangerous" (Scott Sonnon)

Intelligent fighting

2011-04-27T01:03:00.000-07:00

I'm not too sure where I heard this or it may have been something that I pieced together via osmosis regarding Ryu-ha and uke.
If one looks at the attacks which uke commit to, one will notice that they are not simple or basic, nor are they mundane or unrealistic. If we take for example, Keto from the Joryaku no maki, one will see that the attacking uke attacks feints with kick and then immediately proceeds with fudoken tsuki to men. This by itself can be viewed as cunning and deceiving and thus very good practise for the tori, whereupon one learns to deal with hidden and surreptitious attacks. Upon further analysis, however, we can then, as uke, increase the stakes by in fact placing a committed zempo-geri, pulling back at the last moment and continuing with fudo-ken. Thus people, the feint is not really a feint but more a nimble and speedy correction of a foiled plan of attack. Uke, as you will notice is not simply a product of telegraphic, obtuse and mindless attacks but of something more purposeful, intelligent, constructed and trained.

Kan, Kyu, Kyo, Jyaku

2011-04-26T04:26:00.000-07:00

As Morris has mentioned, we've been going through the Gyokko Ryu's Jo-ryaku & Chu-ryaku no maki this year. I have seen these techniques taught in other dojo's I've trained in, but have never had the fine detail revealed. Manaka sensei's emphasis on adhering to kihon has made even more of an impression on me during the study of this particular ryu. Without kihon, none of the kata could be performed with any real skill, proper intent or flow. Flow is still something I'm working on but with Morris' constant drive to master & fine tune our basics, I feel I am able to at least get to the meat & bones of these kata now after spending the last two years just on our kihon.

The thing about Gyokko Ryu, for me personally, has been the fine motor skills involved while executing the gross motor movements, but this has also led to other fundamental reminders about how we train & move within combat. I used to hold the opinion that fine motor skills were just something to consider later. Fact is, later is too late. The beauty & subtle layers hidden within the Gyokko lineage are slowly revealing themselves to me each time I perform the kata.

The larger gross body movements are there not only for evasion & the set up of maai but also for the proper execution of the counter, whether they be strikes, joint locks, throws, nerve attacks and so on. Without the proper set up, a fine motor attack or manipulation is not always possible. One aids the other & one flows into the other, & sometimes back again.

None of this is ground breaking information. Both are vital to a well rounded strategy & a well rounded fighter. Both need to be trained. When training these techniques I sometimes place emphasis on the intricate movements, but forget about the larger ones thinking, "I can always come back to that later". I then find I am not in the proper position to execute the fine motor skill anyway. Sometimes, I'm only concerned with the larger evasion & distancing, but find I have no mental energy left (especially towards the end of our two hour keiko) for the fine motor aspects. I am trying to learn the balance between the large & the small...difficult at times. It's just like training kata without any concern for strength & conditioning, you'd get nowhere in the grand scheme of things. You can't rely on only one type of movement or one type of strategy.

The kata, so far within the Jo-ryaku & Chu-ryaku, display the light & shade of real combat to me. The hard & the soft, the fast & the slow. Kan, Kyu, Kyo, Jyaku. I have heard Morris say this to us before. I have read other dojo-cho speaking of Manaka sensei highlighting this important point also. It's not until you get in & get your hands dirty with the work of going through the kata that you can truly begin to see & experience it for yourself.

Keiko: May 2011

2011-04-24T23:47:00.000-07:00

We have been focusing on Gyokku Ryu this year. I have gone through Jyoryaku no Maki in the finest detail I deem possible. Breaking down each movement, drilling each movement into muscle memory and then practising the full kata with intense zanshin. We are deriving much value from this keiko and I love how I am seeing this from a new perspective, in a new light almost as if I were a beginner again. I am understanding what Unsei Sensei means when he tells us that kata must be practised over and over again, until they're embedded in one's blood, in one's soul until they start to effect the sequence of your DNA. Sensei also affirms that once completing the study and practise of a Ryu-ha, one then proceed to another in the same manner and then the next until you arrive to the first one again. This takes years, supposedly, and reconfirms, among other things - kihon, zanshin, and spirit (seishin ryoku). I really enjoy how I can feel my body perform the techniques more confidently, view them with different, experienced, seasoned eyes and enjoy and celebrate the movement once more. Sensei also extolls the virtues and benefits of learning Gyokko and Koto Ryu at a deep level as they form and set a solid foundation for all the other ryu-ha. Sensei, much like Musashi, regularly asserts that if you master one ryu-ha (or thing) it is much easier to learn and master another. It is with this axiom that the Sessa Takuma dojo undertakes its journey into the illuminating and often painful realms of Gyokko and Koto Ryu.

4/7/10 Keiko

2010-07-05T06:54:00.000-07:00

Jinenkan Sessa Takuma Dojo Keiko here has been off the wall. I never experienced such an environment in all my years of martial arts training. I am here with people whom I consider of the highest calibre and amongst the best martial artists in the world.
Today I went for a run with Mario, Chad and Amanda. Around 5km under the hot sun with about 80% humidity. Chad gave me some awesome tips on running which akin to our ashi-sabaki requires one to lower hips, move on the balls of our feet, focus on ones core, keep the chin up to help breathing and unlike conventional running minimises vertical movement and shock. We then had a play on the park equipment and did some chins and dips.
Keiko this afternoon was intense. About one hour on shiho-giri and just on the first cut - hitotachi- which is do-giri. We were required to leap forward and cut our opponent in front of us, the movement being about 2 metres with no okuri-ashi (or set-up step). Very tricky, indeed!
The next hour was one hour of solid kukishin biken-jutsu kihon focusing only on seigan no kamae. The hombu, already feeling like a sauna, my dogi, already drenched pushed us to our limits and proved challenging to all of us. Truly spiritual and enlightening for all of us. The wisdom given, discovered, shared has kept us all talking about it till now (11pm) and will probably keep us up till late. Some of us might even dream about it. I certainly will.
Sensei compared our keiko today to a 'cock-fight' where the winner is almost the person who is stronger and who uses brute force. In other words our keiko lacked good movement, tai-sabaki and relaxed movement. He constantly re-iterated the importance of being relaxed and removing unnecessary force and strength from ones shoulders and arms. So much to think about and so much yet to learn. Until tomorrow!

Jissen Kobudo Jinenkan - Sessa Takuma Dojo: From the LA dojo...

2010-06-21T01:47:00.000-07:00

http://blog.jinenkan.la/2010/06/fear-fighting-how-we-train.html#more>

Geelong Study Group

2010-06-21T01:30:00.001-07:00

Jinenkan Kobudo Study Group Geelong A lesson in humility & knowing ones limits was learnt by yours truly on Saturday. Am just getting into surfing & went to catch some waves w/ Moz on his side of the bay. After an hour or so in the freezing cold water, we found ourselves surrounded by 30-40 other surfers all in a pocket only 50 meters wide going for the same waves. It was getting agro & way too crowded...madness. We moved down the coast a bit but I was cold to my core, couldn't feel my hands at all & should have called it quits then & there. Not wanting quit early or miss out on the fun I got in again & struggled to paddle out the back to even attempt catching a wave. After another 30 mins or more, I was spent! My arms were painted on, truly useless! String beans thrashing at the surface ;)
Moz & his mate headed in after a couple of good waves. I noticed I was drifting out away from the point. I was caught in a little rip, nothing serious, but w/ no arms to paddle, the cold & discouragement setting in I was in a spot of bother to be honest. Moz could see I was struggling & began to wade in. I was going to wave him away to say I was fine, I mean really, how embarrassing! But when I saw him swimming towards me I was a little relieved I must admit. He took my board to paddle in while I swam in with the resource of my legs which were still fine. I know the ocean & am a good swimmer but I was spent. I would have drifted out to New Zealand if Moz hadn't come in to help. To think, I considered trying to handle it myself! What an idiot!!! I was humbled, belittled & crest fallen at my poor surf fitness & the predicament I'd got myself into.
The lesson? Know your limits & don't be afraid to reassess them from time to time, as things change. We feel tired, we feel cold, we get older or we're just not being honest wi/ ourselves. Whether socially, intellectually, physically or tactically, we all have peaks & troughs in our assumed abilities. In the dojo we do this too. We should never be to proud to admit needing help. We should never be too proud to ask a question. The only stupid thing about questions is to not ask one. We're all beginners at some stage, or we might have overestimated our perceived talents & attributes. Stay honest & in the moment, you could miss out on something. In my case it was my own personal safety that was at stake. Thanks for saving my arse Moz, I owe you one brother!

Location

2010-04-28T23:00:00.000-07:00

Fall you non-Facebookers, the new location of our bi-weekly keiko is at the Chikara Karate Dojo at Factory 25, 91-95 Tulip St, Sandringham. Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7-9pm. If it is your first time please come down and watch for a couple of sessions, ask as many questions as you like and see if it appeals to you. Alternatively call me for a chat and some Q&A.
Yoroshiku!!!

Knife

2010-04-23T19:57:00.000-07:00

Something I would like to focus more on in keiko is knife defence. My understanding of it at present is as such;
Firstly, if you can run, run! Thus include running, sprinting, jumping, hurdles etc in your conditioning regime. If you perceive the threat and even if it's only half apparent we really should be getting out of there. Work those legs and really work on hauling arse. Something we will work on in keiko is using a form of metsubushi, i.e. coins in pocket, dirt, sand, spit etc to create a smoke screen which might just give us an extra second of space. From there - BOOM, get the hell out of there. Look for safety, a place to hide or a weapon. This we will focus on also. Use of a chair, a coat, a broom stick, a bottle, or anything that can give you the the edge or create some form of equilibrium.
The second measure to the equation is dealing with the knife. In our keiko, for this to be real and proper, stabs and cuts will be whole hearted, committed strikes, packed with aggression and violence. Remember that we want to train as realistically as possible and thus we will probably be using head gear. Sewing machine like stabs, slash-stab combos and slash combos will be worked. Three types of principles will be worked. (1) If you are too late, minimal torso rotations to counter a tsuki (stab) and hold the knife at your abdomen area (2) if it is perceived, the pushing and driving back of the opponent (ala jumonji, hoko or SPEAR system). And (3), if we are somewhere half way and freak out, then getting our midsection out of the way and controlling and attacking the knife hand will be an option. This is a method seen in our Koto-ryu and something I recently saw Sifu Luke Holloway demonstrate on youtube.
My attitudes and opinions will change and evolve (as intelligence and understanding should) and I would like to you all to take this element of our keiko very seriously. Reflect, meditate and ponder as I feel it is something becoming more and more prevalent in our society and quite pertinent to our everyday well being.
Keizoku wa chikara nari (repetition builds strength)!!

Keiko last night 12/4/10

2010-04-14T00:11:00.000-07:00

Ichimonji, Jumonji and hicho with some advanced basics were worked on. Ukemi, gyaku waza and about 50 shiko were completed. Koto Ryu kihon was also introduced. Well done Cammy!!!

Food, glorious food!

2010-04-13T23:54:00.001-07:00

Something off topic but definitely related is the topic of food. Having just come back from the supermarket and putting my groceries away I begun to reflect on peoples (and my) dietary habits. During my time in the queue at the supermarket I am often able to predict what the person in front of me has on the conveyer belt or if what I see on the belt is indicative of the person buying. Most times I'm right and most times I'm appalled. People shopping with kids filling their trolleys with high in fat, high in sugar products and buying bundles of it. I don't understand how they can do it. When one thinks about it the consequences of constantly ingesting this stuff can lead to dire consequences and thus may be considered of form of suicide! We also now beginning to learn more and more the strain this can present to the medical industry and other forms of public services. Of course one could argue that it is the government's (and other regulating bodies) fault and we are not to blame and blah, blah. I believe that people with high self-efficacy (e.g. us martial artists) can do better than this, choose our food correctly, research and buy and cook wisely. I personally have started a veggie patch in front of my bungalow that is going well and try to eat as healthily as possible (well 90% of the time anyway). If you catch me off guard please remind me;)
Manaka Sensei by the way, follows a strict Japanese diet of pickled vegetables, rice, curry and spicy korean foods. I have never seen nor heard him eating hamburgers, ice-cream and other western 'poisons'. One most remember that the Japanese cuisine traditionally is very healthy, low in fat and contains a good balance of proteins and carbohydrates.
Comments please!!

Random thoughts in the pool...

2010-03-30T21:42:00.000-07:00

Swam a little less than 2km today at the local pool. Incorporated Noshi, Nukite and the other strokes taught to me by Unsui. As I love to surf I also try to include elements of breath control, duress practise etc., and use some strategies suggested by a friend in the military (Adam). I was feeling pretty tired today which was probably due to feeling tired yesterday and trying to overcome it. I did manage to sneak a kettle bell session, do a little personal training with a cousin and then a good session of dead lifts to 'cool down'. This morning I felt quite flat, lethargic and drained. This type of feeling rears its ugly head every 2-3 weeks although if I'm really gunning it, i.e. working out hard every day, then it can appear more frequently. I do my best to overcome this feeling and adopt various methods to inspire and motivate. This may include watching movies, clips on youtube, books and at times (although I do try to avoid) copious amounts of espresso and/or red bull. Whilst in the pool today though, several thoughts, ideas, problems etc., presented themselves and did their best to distract and interrupt me. Namely, is it good to train whilst tired, i.e. do we ignore these feelings and brush them off? Of course there have been occasions when I have been dragging my feet after an intensely busy schedule, struggle to even think about anything and feel the gravitational pull of my bed. However at times when one is flat, tired and just not up for it then how should one respond? Sensei would always notice this in the dojo and nonchalantly confirm it with the dreaded, "Kyo choushi yokunai na" (You don't seem to be in good form today, do you?). There are days where one cannot perform at one's peak, feel ill and achy etc. During my time performing and participating in keiko in Japan, I would always make a point of making it to the dojo no matter how I felt. Even during times when I had broken something, torn this ligament, strained that tendon etc, I would always do my best to make it to the hombu, watch, learn and try to be inspired (with the belief that this would promote and accelerate healing). How hard do we push? What is wise? Would this discussion even occur in times of old or would they simply have laughed it off and thought absolutely nothing of it?
The second dominant thought refers to Unsui's statement, "To become extraordinary you have to live extraordinarily". I wonder if this has something to do with it? Is it simply a matter of pushing and overcoming that inner procrastinator? I recall a day at local gym near to where I was living in Abiko, Japan. There men there in their 60's and 70's running on treadmills, lifting weights that even I would struggle with and some flexible as yogi. I would ask them what it was that kept them going, kept them in shape and what was their secret that allowed to perform like someone in their 20's or 30's. Time and time again it was, "keep going, never stop and always keep things in moderation". Maybe that's it.

Karate (29/3)

2010-03-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

I stepped into the unknown last night and participated in a student's (Cam) Karate class. Not as easy as I expected and this morning I am understanding just how necessary strong and flexible hips are for these type of martial artists. The session was well rounded, high paced and everyone was very well focused. Movements were simple, well explained and much like our dojo drilled repeatedly.
We then did a good 20-30 minutes of sparring which was exhilarating, eye-opening and humbling. Having experience with kickboxing and boxing I was able to employ tactics with some effectiveness but nevertheless copped a few (or ten) good punches to the face (well done Cam!). Although I was able to maintain a good pace, apply pressure and keep Cam at bay with my reach, I still felt at times that my feet were asleep and ineffective. Cam would enter in, bridge the gap with a sweep or low leg kick and then enter above with a punch. This is exactly what I wanted to experience. Something different, foreign and confusing. Another algorithm to keep me baffled for the next month or so.
A good, fast, focused straight line attack, with varying combinations, high-low targeting and with the use of feints is something that all martial artist must get comfortable with and learn to deal with.
One might argue that the focus of our art is different and that combat has no feints and point systems. There isn't any pacing back and forth, jumping on toes, setting up and looking for or creating an opening. Our art is all or nothing and we learn and train to respond and incapacitate committed, focused attacks as quickly and effectively as possible. This is of course true but is it the 'truth', I dare ask? Is it not experience that makes us grow, facilitates refinement and smoothens the rough edges?
Tell me what you think as I value all comments (posts, emails or even conversations over coffee are all acceptable).
I must say though that getting out of my comfort zone, putting myself on the line and experiencing a new art is like travelling to a new country and experiencing a new exotic culture. Refreshing, exciting, invigorating and more importantly - humbling. As it is said in anthropology; "It is only by living in another culture can you truly understand your own".
Ikkan!!

Saturday's (27/3) reflection

2010-03-29T17:16:00.000-07:00

A brilliant session with Prashant and myself going through some solid, strong kihon. Training barefoot on freshly cut grass is definitely a privilege and something I'd like to repeat more of. Some insights discovered regarding omote gyaku and jumonji no kata that I would love to share with you (I'm busting to do so in fact) so let's try and meet soon.

Keiko tomorrow!

2010-03-19T04:38:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to a good session tomorrow at Jubilee Park. Nice location with heaps of green, leafy space with a good smell of Eucalyptus in the air. Nothing better than the great outdoors. Lots of kihon scheduled with some bo and ken on the agenda as well. This will be after 2 hours of surfing at Leo of course....

Back into it!!!!!

2010-03-18T00:58:00.000-07:00

Ok, so how are you all? It has been a while but better late than never and as they say, 'the longer one leaves things the harder it is.....'
Heaps to talk and think about.
Just came back for run/walk/sprint/workout and came to a realisation. When performing 'fudo-ken' it is very important that when we lunge we align all limbs, i.e. toes, ankles, knees, femur with the front ilium (hip bone). This prevents pronation and bowing of the knees and maintains integrity within the joints, right? If this is the case with Fudo-ken then it is also the case when performing rear 45 deg evasions like jodan uke, uke nagasu, forward 45 deg evasions, kara take wari, bojutsu's men, do-uchi etc, etc. One could argue that easily 80% of movements in this art revolve around a lunging in some direction with wide displacement of the body via the legs and hips. For efficiency and safety of form the knee should always be in alignment with the toes and hip, yes? WIth this logic I turn my argument to walking and running. Should we not also pay attention to this when we walk and run and ensure that toes are in alignment with our knees and hips? This was made apparent to me some weeks ago when a student informed me of the fact that he took part in a computerised running analysis at a shoe store to maximise a proper shoe fit (approx $20 and something I personally recommend BTW). He was informed that misalignment was occurring, his form was out of wack and to seek further advice, possibly in the form of a running coach. This makes me think about practitioners in our art and in other kans who favour the gani-mata or 'toes-pointed outward' walk. Some consider this natural and purposeful for the sake of expedient action if and when required. I wonder if this is in fact healthy and good for our joints? When looking at running and walking videos on youtube, much emphasis is placed upon keeping the foot straight and pointed forward, much like for our lunging movements. I also remember on a seminar, Tom Brown (Native American Tracker located in New Jersey) commenting of that fact that after years of experience in tracking and analysing foot prints he was able to help elite running athletes shave their times by simple re-focusing and mending foot position and direction. Definitely food for thought, I think.
For those of us who have joint issues I think it is crucial that we never for instant stop being analytical of our form, seek advice and do all we can to our better ourselves.
Comments and opinions please!!

Off to Japan!

2009-11-14T21:53:00.000-08:00

So here I am all, at the shiny, marble floored spectacular that is Tullamarine. Off to Japan after about a year absence and looking forward to some hard training. Mario and Dale will be there, eagerly awaiting, hungry in fact, to get into some serious intense keiko.
I'll be back in about a months time and can't wait to meet you all again and get stuck into it! I enjoy training with you all very very much and I hope you do to. Keiko is what I live for and will continue to do it for as long as my body will allow me.
While I'm away, please do your best to stay strong and work on your fitness. It will get hotter but as long as you prepare for it, plan for it and do not stay sedentary, you will survive.
Gambare!!

Welcome to Gyokko Ryu!

2009-10-01T20:17:00.000-07:00

Timing is of the essence. Wait for the kicks and punches, be brave and dare yourself. Remember the same principles that we have have implemented in our kihon practise apply. During the ura and omote transition in Renyo for instance, be sure to keep yourself covered and ensure that there aren't any openings. Be alive and aware in your attitude whilst performing these kata and consider it real. Explode, spring up, forward etc and maintain composure via zanshin.
I hope you enjoy it..
獅子奮迅の動力を入れろ！Train with the ferocity of a lion!

Can't make keiko.....?

2009-09-05T19:55:00.000-07:00

No worries, just remember to at least do something, anything even if it's not jishu (your own keiko) get out and run, do pushups, swim, squat. Hell, I have friends who even climb trees for exercise!! 30 to 45 mins of hard, explosive work will suffice in maintaining fitness, emotional and spiritual levels and reduce feelings of 'having missed out'; well for the most part anyway! Just get out there and do something people!!
Wasshoi!!

Note on Shuto 手刀 (sword hand)

2009-08-28T19:53:00.000-07:00

Remember to always have the elbow at your centre line. Using this solid base, the hand pivots and rotates (whilst held loosely) from the elbow around the outside (supination) for omote and the inside (pronation) for ura. At its lowest or shortest point, the hand will come close to your forehead and in the beginning and as a mnemonic you might want to pretend you are wiping sweat off your forehead. For ura, your thumb and for omote, the back of your hand lightly swipe your forehead. The hand tightens into the shuto position on impact. Before this it is in loose and relaxed fist-like state. To deveop full body coordination practise with ken (kesa giri - migi/hidari), shoto, tanto etc. To build leg power and agility train this deep, low and as explosively as you can. Be sure you have relatively good, strong basic form and build up from there.
Ose, ose!!

Hola!

2009-08-28T19:25:00.000-07:00

How are you all? Well I hope and all fired up about keiko! There are times when I can't stop thinking about it and even during work and school I get jittery and ended dropping my hips and rocking side to side (ADHD?). There was something that popped up in my last night at work that I wanted to discuss, but as with most creative endeavours, 'if you don't write them down there and then, they just float away!'. It'll come back I'm sure. For now though I'll just continue this reverie based on enthusiasm.

Random memory: Shawn Havens (now resigned as Dojo-Cho) would practise Kihon To-Ho every morning in earnest, committing to 100 or more reps! That boys and girls equates to 700+ cuts! He would do this first thing every morning.

Another impressive test in discipline and commitment is the Kosei Yugoh (formerly Yasuragi Dojo) Hatsu Keiko in New York. I would love to attend this one day and am waiting as patiently as my anxious self will allow me for that day.
Check this link out people: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV1rvc9BzaE

5 mins a day is better then 1 hour per week....

2009-08-27T05:43:00.000-07:00

Sensei discusses this a lot. Rather than leave your keiko to a one week session, allocating 5-10 mins per day of practising kihon (and basics alike) will develop fluency and strengthen physio-neurological pathways. This has been proved in various studies, not just with budo, but basketball, golf etc. I remember when I started keiko with Sensei and I told him of my circumstances with work and the inability to train everyday. He simply advised me to visualise my own keiko, utilise imagery, shadow train and even practise weapons empty handed with the spirit of holding one. This I did the next day at work, taking the stairs and climbing up to the top floor of the building which housed the office I was teaching english at. Taking off my shirt and tie, rolling my trousers up (it was summer mind you),I began going through the motions of 'my' personal keiko. This I still do (as other dojo-cho do) unconsciously and in some cases anywhere, regardless of the interest it might attract from gawking bystanders. It does however serve to keep the body loose, limber and fluid. Sensei also added at this time that one should also advance in their 'shadow training' to the point that they can do it as if one is holding a weapon, like a rokushaku bo for instance. Via my own personal experiential research the more one trains with a live or real weapon, the easier this becomes.
See how you go and give me feedback.
Cheers!

What a place!

2009-08-16T05:13:00.000-07:00

I have been known at times for my minimilist approach to things, but people, this to me is definitely worthy of mention. A reserved dojo-cho who always greets you with a big smile. Besides being an outstanding ambassador to our organisation, Matt Stennett, I also regard you as one cool brother!
Check it - http://www.jinenkanseigi.com/our_dojo.htm

Random thought....

2009-08-16T04:35:00.000-07:00

I was at a teaching seminar the other week when I caught a talk from a prominent and renowned principal who has worked in various schools in Melbourne, has done some hard yards and who has been around the proverbial 'block' a couple times or so. The advice she had for new teachers was 'passion'. To paraphrase, her discourse went along the lines as such;
"Be passionate about what you do and don't give a damn what others think. The best way to involve others, inspire others and influence them is to move them with your passion - make it come alive!".
Immediately, I thought of what we do . How many times has someone looked at us funny, been indifferent and not understood the love of our art. "You what?! Cut bamboo with real swords?! Use old weapons?! Travel around the world training?! Why would you wanna do that for?!" I'm sure we've all experienced this before. Do your best to explain, make analogies, smile and then move on. If a chance arises, by all means invite them to keiko and allow your passion to further the explanation (non-violently of course). I am convinced this passion we have for keiko and kobudo, transmutes to other endeavours in our lives and allows us to transcend tedious and mudane discussions such as...."Why would you want to train classical jujutsu for?!"

Blitz!!

2009-08-07T22:38:00.000-07:00

A big thankyou to Travis for sacrificing his time and taking brilliant photos and also for exhausting his writing talent on creating a superb article. Well done brother!! A big thankyou to Vinod as well. Good job being uke and putting up with the retakes. Cheers!
I'm very happy the way the article turned out and look forward to the reaction it will generate (both negative and positive).
Hope you're all training hard!
Osu!

pushup variation...

2009-07-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

Try and do these when you get a chance. Personally I find them quite challenging.
Let me know how you go. Remember to tuck the head between the shoulders on the way up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pevabLndk_k&feature=channel

While waiting...

2009-06-18T15:03:00.001-07:00

Some of us have been sick, some of us busy, some us not in the mood. The important thing is to keep going. Even at times when your uninterested and not at all in the mood to go to keiko or jishu (keiko by yourself) it is important to get out there and do what you can. At times, I find myself sluggish, tired and uninspired but I still drag my feet out there (albeit listless) and do it. Whether or not it is your best session is not the issue. Forging the iron will is. TANREN!
I get inspired by the most trivial things at times. There was an AMEX commercial playing in Japan last year. It's of Tiger Woods playing on a sunny day on some pristine golf course talking about his dedication and love for the game. It then segues to a shot of the same golf course this time however with rainy, gloomy weather, a day defintely not fit for a game of golf. He then says something along the lines of, "some of us would take a day off and wait it out.....for me there aren't any days off", with the next scene showing the golf god out on the same wet, unforgiving course wearing a simple poncho practising his pitching.
Immediately after seeing that I was compelled to put on my runners and get out to the nearest park and practise bojustu.

Groundwork

2009-05-28T17:05:00.000-07:00

For newaza always remember hips and legs. This is just like taijutsu.
When you're under in guard or under his mount, keep your hands in (so he can't use them to create a lock) and pump those hips up (ala bridge) to create space and thus make a getaway. When on top (i.e. mount) be sure to keep control as I told you, hook in feet etc and smother him. With the mindset of Jissen however, rememember that we don't want to stay there for too long. In keiko, we can have fun (well some of us), roll around, try new things, but in all sincerity this is a place we don't want to remain in for anymore more than a few seconds. Take down, gain control, compound attack, roll off and away.
Keep it strong!

Being rattled....

2009-05-28T06:41:00.000-07:00

Some good things for the ego;
-getting your toes crushed whilst trying to evade a sword cut!
-getting punched in the eye and losing a contact lens whilst trying to demonstrate the strength of kamae...
-getting the wind knocked out of me from a throw...
-getting smacked in the face whilst demonstrating some blocks from the ground
and most recently..
-getting choked out with sankaku jime from mount!! Amazing!!
Well done to you all.
Thankyou for working hard and for popping me one now and again when I'm off guard. This is Budo, this is Jissen and this is what I've wanted my whole life!
Keep it rockin!!
Osu!!

After training care....

2009-05-09T03:00:00.000-07:00

Best advice on this is to chill and relax. Listen to your body and do what you need. I notice that most dojo-cho (bar a few restless Americans) like to relax, eat and drink well and have a good sleep after keiko. Common sense eh? In Japan, Eric and I would regularly jump into an onsen after keiko and just melt away for an hour or so. Sometimes if we could make it, we would even head out for an after-keiko surf! Heaven sent. Eric also regularly ices his knees after keiko and running. They don't really bother him that much, he says, it's just preventative medicine and something that he hopes will help sustain his keiko into his twilight years. (This is recommended advice that every physiotherapist I have encountered has given me)
Sensei likes to see a masseur or seitaiin (like a japanese chiro) every two weeks or so and he loves it. Adam and Chad like to finish with a Guinness or 2 afterwards and tell jokes whilst Dale likes to either sleep, talk shop or talk about the organisation till the early hours of the morning. Some buyu seem invincible to me. I often wonder why they need to do martial arts? Some can get by without (what seems to me) adequate rest, sleep, food, hydration etc and be on fire the next day!
The power of the mind I guess....
In any case, Sessa Takuma Dojo-in, please pay attention to your body and figure out what works well with you. You can never experiment enough and you can never stop learning. Stretch, ice (if need be), keep fluids up and sleep well!!
Osu!

Tsukareta!!

2009-05-09T02:44:00.001-07:00

A Great session today guys! You have just done approximately 4.5 hours of continuous keiko. Definitely no small feat and a commendable effort. If you're like me, I'm sure you are still rehearsing some of the movements we did today as you're going back forth to fridge or pantry to replenish that expended energy. You now have pushed yourself to new limits and know that you are capable of going the distance. If you set your mind to it and get in that 'zone' of keiko you can go all day and all night long. Some of us even without having anything to eat before hand (BTW not something I recommend)!! You all went hard today, pushed without any complaints and kept talking to a minimum. Be assured that Sensei and all dojo-cho would be proud of your efforts today!
kyo wa honto ni sugokatta!! Well done!!

Good stuff!!

2009-05-07T15:00:00.000-07:00

Well done with last night fellas! That randori is coming along nicely. Remember that progressive, positive resistance is key. There's no point exerting 100% force, tensing your muscles till your puffed and not giving any leeway. Sometimes you have to give to receive. In kata we allow openings, invite our opponent to enter and have them commit to a move in order for the plan to succeed. This midrange grappling randori will develop sensitivity, awareness and confidence. Allow this to happen by keeping your composure and explore options. As with all endevours in this art, we never ever want to tense and keep tension in our shoulders (or upper body regions for that matter). Sensei tells us time and time again that this puts excessive attention in our arms hence preventing us from fluid footwork and moving efficiently. This energy must be focused in tanden and in the legs, thus think 'low' instead of 'high' and focus on moving from your centre, maintain balance and good posture. Most importantly relax, keep your composure, explore, give a little and enjoy!!

About Chad Flakker....

2009-05-02T06:16:00.001-07:00

One hundred shiko (sumo squat leg raises) followed by 1000 push-ups. Thats right folks, 1000 push-ups!!

Check him out here.....http://www.goukendojo.com/

Latest advice: Drink a gallon of water of day and be sure to take in Cayenne pepper with your meals.
This boy is a machine. Super nice guy, funny as hell but also a very intense martial artist. I was a little unsure of him when we first partnered up to train. Big, strapping and boisterous. I thought to myself, "Am I going to come out of this unscathed?"...sincerely though, a great guy and I hope you all get to meet him someday soon!
Buyu para siempre...

bits and pieces.....

2009-05-02T05:56:00.000-07:00

Randori is definitely one of the more difficult entities in our art (or in any for that matter). Sensei has told us that there are four or so levels and each of them must practiced diligently before proceeding to the next. I find it challenging, confronting, somewhat frustrating but without a doubt, exciting;) Randori will show you how cool and collected you really are, how well you can move, what your weakpoints are and whether your feet are asleep or not. It is also a great exercise for the attacker as it gives you a feel of dynamic movement, quick changes in direction, learning to react if your opponent steps to your blind side and also what it feels like to connect and hit (with control of course!)....Stay relaxed, keep calm, maintain zanshin and no matter what happens try not to cuss at yoourself...
As we are just beginning, remember to close the angle and enter in to your opponents side then yoko aruki away to a safe position. Either 45 back (which have practiced extensively with ichimonji no kata) or 45 (or sharper) inwards. Do not open up your angle. Once we have become fluent with this we will incorporate hands. Sensei always says, "In the beginning just feet, keep your hands to the side. If we use our hands without mastering our feet, tension will build in our shoulders and we will lose focus of tanden and therefore our feet!"
Remember this..
Keiko Ikkan

Some anecdotes!

2009-04-24T00:19:00.001-07:00

For the next posting I will try and rack my memory and tell you all about the self-keiko that some of my Buyu do (or have done) and the crazy stories Manaka Sensei has recounted!

自習 Jishu (self training)

2009-04-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

Some have asked recently regarding training by oneself. This is an issue that can take sometime to get a grip on as each of us has our own different flavour. I can only suggest that you research different methods of training and conditioning (on the net, youtube etc) and come up with a formula that suits you. Experimenting is the key and I feel that one's routine should always keep changing and evolving. At the moment I like to do a circuit where I'll skip for 3 minutes, deep fudo ken for as long as I can, do push ups for as long as I can, shadow box (or image training as Sensei refers to it) then back to the start for 3-4 sets. I may mix in some kettle bell swings or instead of fudoken perform bo strikes/kata for 3 minutes straight.
For those who like to jog or run, may I suggest that you try mix up the tempo, pasue briefly and mix it up with push ups or shadow train (on your trail). Make sure you keep the intensity up and try(which is hard for most of us) not to overtrain! Keep a little left in the tank so you can train again the next day. Actively warm down (10-20 mins) to relieve lactic acid and have fun experimenting!
一心不乱！！

Spirit!!

2009-04-09T19:38:00.000-07:00

Although you are coming along rather nicely, I would like to again stress the importance of fitness and more so conditioning. As I have gone through possibly 80% of all kata with Sensei, one thing that I have found extremely important is conditioning, i.e. strength, flexibility, stamina and the ability to take a pounding or a solid fall and keep coming back up. I have seen many all over the world, who have done their absolute best to perform kata only to be disheartened by lack of strength, flexibility, not enough 'heart' or to much 'pride'. As warriors you must be able to train around injuries (to the best of your discretion) and endure through the keiko session or the fight. Take a break if needed to tape up, stretch out or massage, but keep in mind that there is no quarter given in combat. This may sound a little sensational, but as you all know, this the direction of our sessa takuma dojo. Osu!!
Keep it going strong, little chatter and an abundance of TANREN!!

ichimonji no kata

2009-04-05T17:33:00.000-07:00

With this kihon movement step off the line (back) and try and create a 45 degree angle in relation to your opponent. This will put you out of danger and have you in a safe place. Your aim is to finish in kamae. It has been said that from the beginning of the movement to the end movement (process/transition included) you are always in kamae and maintaining a state of Zanshin.
Practise the sumo squat (which we did last Thursday) and build the required strength and flexibility for this movement. Lateral leg raises are also helpful in building the hip strength to whip your back thigh back out to allow your body to evade. By accentuating this movement from your hip (or knee if you like) you are making sure that your feet and knee are also on the same angle (45 degrees), in alignment with each other (i.e. knee above toe) and by doing so, are protecting the knee and ankle from any acute or chronic injury.
Remember to move from the lower part of your body (i.e. tanden and feet) and to keep the head in alignment with the spine. Maintain a straight, upright posture.
A fairly basic movement with lots and lots of intricacies. Train this hard and try to do it with out any shuffle or wasteful preparatory steps.

suri-ashi

2009-03-05T03:29:00.000-08:00

Suri comes from "suru" or "kosuru" which means to rub, chafe or file. Ashi, of course, means leg or more so foot in this case. Thus, think of rubbing the soles of your feet against the earth, tatami or whatever surface your on. In the case when you're doing this barefooted, be sure to raise your toes up (like you were a doing a karate mae-geri) so to avoid stubbing your toes on something.
If you come too far off the ground your movement will become ballistic and ineffective.
Learn this well, practise hard, as it appears often within kata and make your movements, transitions quite powerful and explosive.
Keiko Ikkan!

A note on Gedan Kangi

2009-02-24T15:57:00.000-08:00

As opposed to the first one, be more aggressive with this one and do not allow your opponent to enter. Try to keep him on the back foot.
After the first ashibarai, pop the left foot to the side so to accelerate the strike to kasumi, like a flash, to create surprise. Ba-bang!
For now, hit last kasumi with a normal step but then gradually work into a switch step (suriashi) and always remember to leap away to safety.
Ousu!!

something to aspire to....

2009-02-19T03:36:00.000-08:00

Rather than get accustomed to my lanky, gigantic and somewhat thud-like movement,
for those of you who haven't yet met, allow me to introduce you to one of my closest buyu.
I give you the Belgian, Mario De Mol. This is what one can achieve with hard work, commitment and perseverance. Enjoy!

Note the Bojutsu kata from 4:09

Kangi

2009-02-17T18:36:00.000-08:00

Something else on the meaning of "kangi". According to Jim Breen's WWWJDIC, kan 扞 refers to restraining and gi 技 to skill; art; craft; ability; feat; performance; vocation; arts or in our case technique. Thus restraining the opponent with this technique or waza.
Yoisho!

Bojutsu (a little more)

2009-02-17T16:18:00.001-08:00

Make sure for gedan and kote haneage that the elbow of the lead arm is inside the thigh, not outside, nor on top. This can save some bruising.
For Ashibarai, punch the back hand into your chest to create maximum impact. Keep lead elbow in tight and think of attaching it to your hip to derive as much power as possible from your legs and core.
For Jodan Uke, shoot lead arm up straight ala "Che Guevara: Revolucion para siempre". The rear hand spears up to the lead hand (don't worry about bumping) and the whole forearm gets under the bo to protect.

Bojustu (beginning)

2009-02-16T16:16:00.000-08:00

Remember to keep low, move from tanden, and enact all strikes like your fudo ken.
Elbows in tight and attack with your whole body! Manaka Sensei trained this weapon more than
any other and has some interesting anecdotes.
Always grab haji or saki (end) and keep in mind that the battle bo would have had spikes and metal knobs at the end of them for more striking impact and thus wouldn't have allowed you to grab the end.
Gambare!