Some Japanese historians cast doubt upon Musashi being the author of the Book of five rings saying it is much more likely that it was written by anothet swordsman based on writings left by Musashi. I have an essay somewhere written by a Japanese ancient language proffesor which points out many misinterpretations of the book of five rings by modern authors. It was written at the request of master kendoka who felt that those who had written it had been too heavily influenced by modern kendo and they wished to have it interprated by one who understood the archaic language. As for the taoist connection.. I have always attempted to understand martial arts in a more pragmatic manner so would have nothing of value to say on such matters.
Although aikido principles shall allow powerfull techniques to be applied..taking a KUDEN from judo.. with maximum effect for minimum effort the aikdoka must be in possesion of a strong spirit and powerfull body otherwise his training has been lacking. Rather like a swordsmith making a sword the sensei shall "beat out the impurities" before forging the blade. This makes great physical and spiritual demands upon the trainee who may view the sensei as ruthless and remorsless lacking only malice in his demands realising that evey challenge makes him stronger. Having cross trained for fifty years I have the greatest respect for all who train martial arts be they sport,competative or traditional. I thrive on challenge but I have NEVER been challenged to the degree that my early training in aikido demanded. True aikido cannot be achieved without challenge and a "sense of danger". Training with compliant partners is of no value at all. The sempei kohei system is best. This demands that the sempei (senior student) mounts the attacks in such a manner that the kohei (junior student) is always out of his comfort zone and more and more is demanded of him. This is THE ONLY way to progress. Anecdote One seminar in particular stands out. It was in Bellahouston Sports Centre in Glasgow. I was knocked out twice and left at the side of the mat. Tom Pierce rushed up to be uke when I collapsed he was thrown around until I got back up only to face more of the same.The seminar ended and I again could not find the strength to leave the hall. My wife was there and was distraught and demanding to know if I was crazy to continue to attack. The shihan who had taken had left in a taxi but returned and "apologised for my accidents" Later it was claimed that the students attending should thank me for showing the true spirit of aikido. At that time politicaly aikido was being presented in a manner most likely to attract more students..perhaps that was why a demonstration of the power of aikido was needed at that time. saddly many misunderstood and an entire group left to seek instruction elsewhere. Had I known the direction many would take I would have volunteered to go through it again.
Observation (old school) This thread is also intended to give an insight into "old school" training so I must state that the severity of the training mentioned at times was NOT common and was restricted to a few who showed the spirit to embrace it or who were being trained as "pioneers" of the art. The training was hard and enthusiastic but not without it's humerous moments. One example being "stookie" are rather cruel knickname we gave to a fellow who had a prothetic leg. He would turn on his good leg and fallover backward to perform ukemi. However when thrown with kote gaeshe he would spin on his good leg and his "stookie" would catch some unsuspecting victim on the thigh and he too would crash down. There was also the occasion grunt when someone was unfortunate enough to roll over said extended limb. There were also seminars where karateka,judoka,kendoka and aikidoka shared venues and crosstrained together and the mischief we got into then would fill a book. koyo kokoro kai your father was a witness and participant in many of these "adventures" his input would be of value. (nothing too graphic)
On a more serious note. Chiba shihan had told me that if I underwent serious aikido training I would be "taken to places where there was no escape". The experience at the Bellahouston Sports Centre was certainly an example of that. Afterwards my wife had been most angry at me saying,not for the first time, that I was crazy. I told her that aikido was becoming more popular and in some areas was being marketed in a manner that almost denied it's martial relevance. I also said that I had been given the opportunity to test my spirit.Quoting when in a situation wherein there is no escape and you CANNOT win...you MUST fight. Again I got the "look" that said crazy. So my follow up really sent her wild when I said "It's good to know that "crazy" is there in case you ever need it!" It also stood/stands me in good stead if ever confronted (with a situation from which there is no escape)..I tend to think "What can they bring on that I have not already been through." I have said it before "tough" is NOT what you can give ..but what you can take and get up again.
BLOODBATH:evil::evil: OK dad aka moi. I know your request for a bio is a poorly worded excuse to hear about "real fights" so just for you a mass battle I was in where I left at least half a dozen victims traumatised and the manager of the establishment almost having a heart attack. I worked as a doorman at "Waves" a trendy bar on the river Clyde in Glasgow along with Steven a dan grade aikido old school from my club. The male clientelle were all posers really expensive suits and hairdos. the night before I had taken a katana in to show Luigi the boss .He had placed it behind the bar (his girl friend was visiting and it was there in case his wife appeared and he had to commit sepuku) Near the end of the night an incident ocurred at the door with Steve. Some of the boys were "slapping at him". He hung a nikkyo on one who screamed like a girl that his arm was broken . This brought a chorus of more screams from the other guys. Guys screaming and slapping just got to me and I do not know what possesed me but I ran to the bar reached behind it and came up with a...large bottle of tomato ketchup. With a loud kiai I unleashed a classic kessa giri diagonal cut that sent the sauce all over some of those expensive suits. The screaming rose in intensity and bodies began to fall over each other in their desperation to escape. By now I was in full Toshiro Mifune mode and cut again over the fallen bodies. I heard a yell from behind and turned to see Luigi sprawled on a chair behind the bar being attended by two of the bar maids. All he had seen was the "blood" from the victims. I also had some on my beard and face. When I went over to Steve he was sitting on the floor giggling like an idiot with tears on his face. Would you believe one escapee had called me a mad bitch...BITCH???? regards koyo Just thought of a punchline.. One wee Scot shall overcome the odds..if he has the bottle.
SAN TAN Third techniques. Once the body is strong and the basics of principles (first being do not get hit) are grassped then we begin to study techniques/principles. Omote to enter is the most important principle in aikido as it builds fighting spirit and timing. Entry is off line "along the line of attack NOT wide and NOT circular. Below in answer to a right jab left hook (intended)combo I have moved off line still protecting my centreline with my right handblade and struck to the ribs negating the left hook. The elbow is cut to a kuzushi executing ikkyo.The entire technique must be applied in an instant. There is no thought of grappling or manipulating. KUDEN NEVER attempt to throw someone who has not been unbalanced properly first by a strike or a cut. The body alignment angle of entry and timing come from spear and sword. Photo 3 shows a similar sword technique. Rather than study the techniques from photos..it is better to see the angle of entry,protection of the centreline and use of kuzushi. Ichi gan.
Hi Koyo I may be mistaken but was it not my dad that was bouncing with you at "Waves" situated near the Clyde.Because I remember reading about incidents from that pub in his diaries I could be wrong
Yes Tommo worked there with me but the incedent reported was a private function and someone less "volatile" was hired.
ONE CUT ONE KILL When asked to describe the essence of swordsmanship Ito Ittosai founder of the Ittoryu said that there was no spiritual essence to swordsmanship he was contemptuous of the Yagyu shin kage ryu that spoke of the life taking sword and the life giving sword. The intent was to kill the enemy with ONE CUT ONE KILL. This was mitigated a little by other/later swordsmen to attack at all times show a superior fighting spirit and destroy the enemie's will to continue. One strike one kill is also associated with shotokan karate. However the meaning is to be capable of summoning total power and delivering in an instant a decisive blow that shall give the karateka the intitiative and control to CHOOSE whether to "kill" incapacitate or control the aggressor. I am suspicious of those who present a "spiritualy superior attitude" in martial arts,aikido in particular, as I would question any philosophy which may hide ineffective techniques. The initial musubi (contact) must see the enemy struck and unbalanced by one cut the initiative and control stolen/taken by the martial artist. The initial premise comes from swordsmanship of another age but the ATTITUDE remains the same.The ability to kill but choosing not to. In budo are the principles TAI HISATSU Which means to "kill" the body by striking at all openings at all and any weaknesses the opponent shows. WAZA HITATSU To strike his attack aside. To crush his attack. To present a kamae or rythm that leaves no openings. KI HITATSU To dominate and intimidate the opponent crushing his fighting spirit. This is use of the principles..Attack at all times show a superior fighting spirit and destroy his will to engage.All aspects of empty hand combat in a self defence situation.
ONE CUT ONE KILL In photo 1 the attack to the head has opened up the ribs to a strike. This TAI OKUROSU In photo two the triangular entry and cutting through the attack is WAZA OKUROSU In photo three he is attacked while unprepared (rising from a previous throw) this is KI OKUROSU in that he is not allowed to even consider an attack. Either of these three "opportunities" shall be seized AS THEY APPEAR or better still as they are created.
This brings a whole new interpretation to 'Redbeard'. Pictish warrior? Small anecdotes like this incident, allow the flow and tone of the book's essential 'story' to change/pause for breath, here and there, before going back to the core thrust. If this thread is intended as a precusror to more formal writing as a sounding board, and/or as something to show a potential publisher, its always helpfull to break up the narrative here and there, along with the style of delivery (IMHO.)
I think your "one strike that establishes control" is an excellent explanation of the principle. Obviously you're not going to literally kill someone with one punch in almost any scenario, regardless of your punching ability. Creating an opening or establishing control with one solid punch, though, is much more feasible. The best example of this would be Rashad Evans v. Lyoto Machida at UFC 98. There was no "trading of blows." Machida fought very conservatively, relying on evasive footwork, and Evans essentially never laid a glove on him. In both the first and the second round, Machida evaded and played the distance until he saw an opening, and then hit hard with a single blow that staggered Evans (and followed up each time; it's not like Machida froze after each strike, assuming that that would "do the job"). In the first round, he threw a front snap kick / stepping punch combination; the stepping punch staggered Evans and Machida went in for the kill, though Evans eventually recovered and Machida retreated back to his distance. In the second round, Machida bided his time until he created an opening and landed a perfect reverse punch on Evans' chin that visibly made Evans' legs go rubbery. He then pounced on him with a flurry of blows that led to the knockout.
Thanks for the post . It is good to hear the same principles from a "different" perspective. It surprises me the number of martial artists who tend to minmise the effect JMS (shotokan) principles have had on Machida's tactics.
SHI RIKKI After you have developed awareness and the ability to see clearly this must be combined with a flexible powerful body aignment and understanding of fundamental principles. When those three can be used "as one" all actions be be executed shi rikki EXECUTE BOLDLY. I have chosen to use the words execute boldly rather than the litteral translation which is with strong ki. The instant the word ki is mentioned there are so many nonesensical connotations. In fify years training I have met EXTRAORDINARY men but they are extra ORDINARY.I have NEVER met someone who can "lead my ki" or even unbalance me let alone throw without touch. Nor do I ever expect to. There are no secrets in martial arts other than constant hard training. There are no ADVANCED techniques. A mastery of the basics is advanced martial arts. KUDEN Cut dierctly through his INTENTION to attack.
OBSERVATION While those four principles are BASIC AND FUNDAMENTAL to training in martial arts in genetal and aikido in particular. They CANNOT be studied or even approached using a compliant /non resistant attacker. Those three words are mutually exclusive. To train in such a manner as to change the art to suit particular received observations and philosophies that are not based upon thr reality of the art is a negative and pointless endeavour.
