that was a sweet technique. here was me expecting the guy on the right to pull something off, bit of a surprise first time.
KUZUSHI THE HARD WAY Hi Brido It is always a delight ot see the common principles executed by a master.From a swordsman point of view we must NEVER attack from such a wide maai without defending the centreline. Watch as Enoida shihan mounts his attack. He thrusts his maai te (distance hand) forward (defending his centreline) in this case his left hand before entering deaply into the rear kuzushi of the opponent.This is easy to miss if you are not looking for it. The O tsuke draws the defender's kokoro kamae upwards and the attack on the kuzushi is chudan (middle level) knocking out the hips. As perfect a use of kuzushi as I have seen. Below the same kuzushi (aikido) used in a sword demonstration. Basic principle. Basic to ALL arts.The swordcut to the rear kuzushi shall have the same effect. (well ALMOST ) regards koyo edit check out the clip on thread otake risuke started by nickh (brilliant) THAT is swordsmanship.
A question with regards to movement. The basic steps that we are taught Tsugi Ashi, Katen Ashi, etc.. and the eight changes in direction. Are these the only steps and types of movement for all techniques in Aikido or is there any other movements outside of these? If this is the case then does a technique performed with a different type of footwork make it wrong? Regards Teddy Bear
Hi Koyo I've seen the clips you mentioed to Brido, it's a great program. One question became apparent when I watched it recently was when the swordman raised his sword into yodan kamae before performing a shomen cut his elbows are out but in Aikido we keep our elbows in tighter, is this a stylistic difference from Aikiken and japanese swordsmanship? Regards Teddy Bear
Lads, Why does everyone keep referring to it as 'Yodan kamae' ? It's Jodan No Kamae or Jodan Kamae (上段の構え・上段構え )
Apologises, Jodan No Kamae I stand corrected! :bang: I'm dyslexic so that's my excuse and sticking to it! I don't know about everyone elses? Teddy Bear
Hi tedi kuma If you raise your arms naturally from the empty handed chudan kamae to jodan (thanks kogusoku) the elbows do not stick out.When entering against a sword cut the elbows sticking out can be struck. Kendo friends also point out the vulnerability to kote in jodan with the elbows out. As for footwork. We move naturally in a triangular kamae either "sliding" or stepping always bringing the rear foot up into natural kamae. The specific footwork you mentioned are exercises for taisabaki. The martial artist's fighting posture should reflect his every day posture. regards koyo
Hi Koyo, Thanks for the reply. With regards to the elbows issue I was asking if there was a reason why the swordsman in the clips allowed his elbows to go out when in Jodan No Kamae (this ones for you Kogusoku), which was in contradiction to anything I had been told about sword work. I was just wondering if their was a reason for him doing it? With regards to Taisabaki I wanted to know whether the body movements we practise were the the basis of the movements used when performing techniques as I have seen Aikidoka do different types of foot movements when performing techniques from that practised in taisabaki?? Regards Teddy Bear
Hi Teddy kuma. If the art is trained in as a MARTIAL art the taisabaki is much more pragmatic. The attacker is made to spin, spiral or circle around the aikidoka NOT the opposite. The secret of effective aikido is in the triangles. regards koyo
Hi koyo That's what I think as the Taisabaki is all about moving in angles and using triangles but as I said I have seen different movements from taisabaki used to perform techniques which I found unusual. I have also seen clips from practitioners who are students from guys who trained with Kenshiro Abbe back in the old days and the techniques they do look some what different from what I've done. I find these discrepancies concerning! Can you shed some light on this? Regards Teddy Bear
I am still training myself so I cannot comment on other people's aikido. I expect that the main differences you shall find shall be in the approach. If there is no emphasis on weapons training or martial technique then you will see quite different ways of executing the techniques. Find the one that answers your own needs then train sincerely. regards koyo regards koyo
Yeah, you are probably right there. Can you suggest any books and dvds on Aikido that would be worth having for reference as I think there is too much contradiction and confusion by using the internet as a reference tool. I am more focused on wanting to do Traditional Aikido with it's strong influence fom the weapons? Regards Teddy Bear
On my last post on the ki in aikido and aikijujutsu thread aikiwofie provides a link to some video. I recommend Chiba shihan and Saito shihan. Books? Saito shihan's traditional aikido 5 volumes. regards koyo
Thanks koyo, do you know where I can get those books? They don't seem to be easy to source. Regards Teddy Bear
AIKIDO KAMAE There is nothing particular about aikido kamae. It should be our natural way of moving. Should you take a few steps then come to a stop with one foot forward this is aikido kame. There are no stances (dachi) in aikido. Indeed Enoida shihan (pevious posts) stated that there are no stances in karate. Kamae is better understood as attitude hence jodan kamae upper level attitude chudan kamae middle level attitude and gedan kamae lower level attitude. We assume a triangular kamae by naturally placing one hip forward. This is a stable position that allows optimim movement in all directions while offering a small target area to an opponent . This is called san kaku ho (triangular posture) When entering or exiting a technique this kamae is sharpened to become hito emi (making the body small) Below it may look as though I do not hold a posture but I am well balanced and capable of moving in any direction. The technique has been executed powerfully but I must maintain natural posture throughout. The principles of body alignment, timing, unbalancing and decisive natural movement have all been used. regards koyo edit sorry tedi I do not know where the books are available. I have already invited bear to come visit and have a look through my library you are welcome to join him.
Koyo, would you always keep an upright posture in Aikido, or is inclining allowed if you maintain the structure? Such as this chap: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3c/Wu_Chien-ch'uan_Yun_Shou.jpg He is inclined, yet you can see the straight line through his back to the top of his head, thus still keeping a strong posture. Would be interested to hear your thoughts on such inclining?
Hi Brido I find that the nature of aikido demands an upright posture . However judo techniques such as osoto gari tai otoshi and aikido koshi nage allow for an inclination of the posture (not a curving) as you say.So as long as the spine does not curve or the balance become compromised. I would agree..yes. Sorry I cannot download the clip koshi nage (one from the old days) You can see how my hip has been angled to "trip" him over my waist.The rear heel is raised as I pass though him. Both acceptable in this form of technique. regards koyo
Hi Koyo Thanks for the invite. I will take you up on that some time soonish. With regards to the Kamae I have been working on it as you have stated to me many times. As I said the more I research Aikido information I seem to come up against a lot of contradictions. I just like to ask questions about these in case I am missing something. I would have to agree with you that if you pay more attention towards attitude and intent it seems to make performing techniques easier and less complicated. Regards Teddy Bear
I feel this point should be emphasised. Intent, in Chinese called the Yi, drives everything, to the point they say power is developed by the Yi, not the muscles. Just yesterday at Judo practice I done ground work with a girl at the class. Since I weigh more than twice than her I started turtled. However, I could hardly feel her on my back. Sensei then came over and had her do some chokes, which she managed effectively, but I digress. I compared this to a few months ago doing groundwork with another girl, who maybe weighed 5kg or so heaver than her, but she felt 50kg heavier! The difference was intent. This girl was just thinking about taking me out. She used her weight to drive me to the mat, kept grabbing and pulling and letting me know she was there, the difference was amazing. She obviously had the developed fighting spirit, the intent. Same with standup, I can tell a good fighter in the first few seconds of sparring with them. They have that intent, before they even lay a hand on you. I have fought good fighters who have a playful spirit, but when people turn this intent on it takes it to a whole other level. That's what impressed me about Koyo's students, they had this spirit during practice. I have too much carry on in my head during class.
Brido's post should give you something to think about when you compare approaches to aikido teddy bear. Too often I see aikidoka "waiting" for an attack and then "looking" for a way to "harmonise" with that attack to execute a technique.Rather urealistic. The intent in advanced aikido is to cut through the attacker's intent to attack. As Brido says this spirit completely changes the dynamics. Another suggestion is to execute a technique as shown , do it slowly and identify ANY openings that you may give to the attacker. This highlights any weaknesses in the taisabaki. We also execute the same hand technique against a knife. If the blade points at you even for an instant once you have begun the technique, again question the taisabaki. Even if his technique is unsophisticated it is the warrior with the superior fighting spirit who shall prevail Kamiizumi Nobutsuna (progenitor of the Yagyu shinkage ryu.) regards koyo Hi Brido yes the boys are serious during training but they DO have a sensei humour Gerry showing intent.
