Volume 1, Issue 1 Budo Society Musashi December 2011 Aikido, Aiki Jujitsu, Ju Jitsu, Kyusho Jitsu, Dim Mak, Kobudo Dojo At the moment we use two venues. On the Monday we train in Hele s secondary school. The other venue is Laira United Church. More details about training days and times are available on our website. Budo Budō ( 武道 : ぶどう ) is a term describing Japanese martial arts. Budō is a compound of the word bu ( 武 : ぶ ), meaning war or martial; and dō ( 道 : どう ), meaning path or way. Similarly, bujutsu is a compound of the words bu ( 武 ), and jutsu ( 術 : じゅつ ), meaning science, craft, or art. Thus, budō is most often translated as Civilian vs. Military Many consider budō a more civilian form of martial arts, as an interpretation or evolution of the older bujutsu, which they might consider a more militaristic style or strategy. According to this distinction, the modern civilian art has a de-emphasis on practicality and effectiveness in favour personal development from either a fitness or spiritual perspective. The difference is between the more "civilian" versus "military" "the way of war", or "martial way", while bujutsu is translated as "science of war" or "martial craft." However, both budō and bujutsu are used interchangably in English with the term "martial arts". Budō vs. Bujutsu It is very difficult to precisely delineate the differences between budō and bujutsu. Sometimes, the differences are considered historical. Others differentiate on the basis of training methods, training philosophy, or emphasis on spiritual development. Although the distinction was first popularized in the west through the writtings of Donn F. Draeger, many consider the difference a false construct with no historical basis. aspects of combat and personal development. They see budō and bujutsu as representing a particular strategy or philosophy regarding combat systems, but still, the terms are rather loosely applied and often interchangeable. Individual preference There is no test or standard to determine the classification one way or another, and it is certainly possible to consider these distinctions illusory. New vs. Old During Japan s feudal era, the word bujutsu was more commonly used to describe martial practices than budō. Likewise, terms for specific martial arts such as jujutsu, kenjutsu, and iaijutsu were in use. During Japan's transition from a fuedal society to an industrial one, many schools of martial arts changed the suffix of the arts they were practicing from "jutsu" to "dō". Today, so-called "traditional" martial arts (from before the Meiji restoration ) are often referred to as koryū bujutsu (literally, "old-style martial art/science"), while more modern martial arts are called gendai budō (literally, "modern martial way"). Generally speaking, a school of martial arts chooses whatever term they feel most comfortable with. Inside this issue: Budo 1 Koryu 2 Gradings 2 Weapon training 2 Ju Jitsu Wales 2 Hanbo 3 Katana 3 Koshinage 4 Iaido 5 Seminar 6 Naginata 6 Special points of interest: Seminar 18th December Seminar Denmark in April 2012 Seminar in Germany in May. Seminar in Holland in June
Budo Society Musashi Koryū Gradings Weapon cases for the Jo are in back order. Hopefully I will have new ones this month. Koryū ( 古流 : こりゅう, Koryū? ) is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. This word literally translates as "old school" or "old tradition". Koryū is a general term for Japanese schools of martial arts that predate the Meiji restoration (the period from 1866 to 1869 which sparked major socio-political changes and led to the modernization of Japan). The systems of Japanese martial arts that postdate the Meiji Restoration are known as Gendai Budo. The most well known of these arts include Judo, Kendo, some schools of Iaido and Aikido. These newer systems are commonly valued as sports or arts for selfimprovement. The koryū systems of martial arts, however, are commonly far more revered as they are considered the teachings of the true Japanese martial arts, due to the fact that they were formed from Japan's feudal military culture. Recently Damian passed his grading for 5th Kyu in Ju Jitsu. Now training for the next grading. End of January/ beginning of February Ithere will be gradings again for Aikido and Ju Jitsu. On offer a pair of Tanjo for only 12.00 Ju Jitsu Wales Rob Blofield, who trained under Billy Doak, has joined Budo Society Musashi and will run Ju Jitsu classes as Budo Society Musashi. Kyu gradings will be done by Rob. Dan gradings will be till 2nd Dan will be done by Rob and me. All higher dan grades up to 6th Dan by me. Weapon training As I explained somewhere else in this newsletter, we will start with teaching some more weapons. In the coming period I want to focus on a couple of weapons. Those are the Tonfa, the Kama and of course the Bokken (and the Iaito, which is a Japanese training sword) and the Jo. I will bring in the Bo as well along the Jo. The plan is hold a club Championship around summer time to give students enough time to practice If you are interested, please let me know Page 2
Hanbo The hanbo is a quarterstaff used in martial arts. Traditionally, the hanbo was three shaku, or 90 cm long, exactly half the length of the rokushakubo. As with any weapon, bearers would often find one best suited to their build, opting often for one that comes up to about waist/hip height. Hanbojutsu, the method of using a hanbo, is a focus in several martial arts including the Kukishin Ryu koryu classical school of martial arts. Part of the importance in using this length is that it is approximately that of a walking cane. It should be noted that although techniques with a cane in this ryu-ha utilize pulling or hooking and possess one rounded end, that they invariably function the same as a hanbo in all other respects. The hanbo can be used as a means of striking, restraining or even throwing someone. It is useful to know because sticks are abundant and can be picked up if attacked. Masaaki Hatsumi says that one who wishes to be a swordsman should first master hanbo techniques, since it can be held and utilized in a similar fashion to a Japanese sword (but without the cutting edge). When utilized properly (parrying by deflecting the sword by striking the flat parts of the blade), it was more than capable of defeating a katana. The Hanbo and Tanjo are part of the syllabus. We will start using the Hanbo and Tanjo more often now on the Monday and Thursday Katana Katana ( 刀 ) is the word for "sword" in the Japanese language. It is also used specifically for a type of Japanese backsword or longsword ( 大刀 daitō) in use after the 1400s: a curved, single-edged sword traditionally used by the samurai. Pronounced [kahtah-nah] in the kun'yomi (Japanese reading) of the kanji 刀, the word has been adopted as a loan word by the English language; as Japanese does not have separate plural and singular forms, both "katanas" and "katana" are considered acceptable plural forms in English. The katana was typically paired with the wakizashi or shōtō, a similarly made but shorter sword, both worn by the members of the warrior class. It could also be worn with the tantō, an even smaller similarly shaped blade. The two weapons together were called the daishō, and represented the social power and personal honor of the samurai. The long blade was used for open combat, while the shorter blade was considered a side arm, more suited for stabbing, close quarters combat, and seppuku, a form of ritual suicide. The katana was primarily used for cutting, and intended for use with a twohanded grip. While the practical arts for using the sword for its original purpose are now obsolete, kenjutsu and iaijutsu have turned into modern martial arts. The art of drawing the katana and attacking one's enemies is iaidō. Authentic Japanese swords are fairly uncommon today, although genuine antiques can be acquired at significant expense. Modern katana and wakizashi are only made by the few licenced practitioners that still practice making these crafted weapons today, and even the "type 98 katanas" of World War II are rare. Page 3
Koshinage Koshinage (Hip Throw) is unique among Aikido techniques because it is mostly a matter of body placement. Nage's objective is to lead uke's balance across the hips, into a break fall. Instead of trying to find a particular grip, as in kotegaishi, a koshinage can be initiated from a variety of techniques, including sankyo and ikkyo. The Ikkyo Koshinage from Shomenuchi Uke strikes for nage's head. Nage enters into an Ikkyo Omote technique, directing uke's balance up and backwards. Nage controls uke's wrist and elbow. Instead of directing uke down into Ikkyo with a cut, nage extends uke's elbow up, and places his hips below uke's center of gravity. Now nage cuts, keeping control of uke's arm, forcing a break fall. One of the main difficulties in performing a koshinage is uke's fear. Unless uke is comfortable with break falls, chances are that a slowly executed koshinage will fail. Uke will tend to pull back, or collapse. The experience for nage will be like lifting dead weight. Ukes need to be comfortable with being thrown. They can practice keeping their body long, instead of folding themselves over nage's back. In practice, we frequently "load" uke up. Nage stops the technique with uke settled on the hips. This is good for training, because the pause clearly shows uke's placement on nage's back, and gives uke a chance to feel comfortable. When performing the technique, however, there is no pause for loading. properly executed koshinage is like uke tripping over a rock. It occurs suddenly, and very low. If nage lifts uke too high on the back, too much strength is involved, and there is a chance of nage straining his back. Bending the knees in koshinage is key. If nage's center is not lower than uke's the technique will not succeed. Another vital component is the extension of both nage and uke's arms. If nage's arms are collapsed, there will be a good deal of struggling. With good extension, the technique can be very fluid. Page 4
Iaido I ai dō ( 居合道 ), approximately "the art of mental presence and immediate reaction", is a Japanese martial art associated with smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard or saya, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard or saya. Modern day iaidō exponents typically use an iaito for practice. Beginners may use a iaito while the more advanced practicioner might use a shinken (sharpened sword). Hayashizaki Jinsuke (Minamoto no) Shigenobu is generally credited with establishing the influence and popularity of Iaidō, early in the sixteenth century. However, around a century before his birth, the dynamic art of iaijutsu had been developed by Iizasa Ienao, the founder of the Tensin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu. Iaidō should not be confused with kendo ( 剣道 ) or kenjutsu ( 剣術 ): Hayashizaki Jinsuke (Minamoto no) Shigenobu is generally credited with establishing the influence and popularity of Iaidō, early in the sixteenth century. However, around a century before his birth, the dynamic art of iaijutsu had been developed by Iizasa Ienao, the founder of the Tensin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu. Iaidō should not be confused with kendo ( 剣道 ) or kenjutsu ( 剣術 ): Kendo teaching does not include drawing and re-sheathing of a sword. The weapon used in kendo, a flexible bamboo shinai uses no scabbard. Kendo is practiced with a partner in full contact training or in kata practice. Kenjutsu is executed in the form of kata, but usually in pairs, and often does not include drawing or resheathing of the sword, Delineation from battōjutsu ( 抜刀術 ), literally "technique of drawing the sword" is more difficult: battōjutsu is the historical (ca. 15th century) term encompassing both the practice of drawing the sword and cutting (tameshigiri). The term iaijutsu ( 居合術 ) became prevalent later (ca. 17th century), and the current term iaidō is due to the general trend of the 1960s to replace -jutsu with -dō in Japanese martial arts in order to emphasize a mental or even spiritual component. In contemporary usage, battōjutsu focuses on the techniques of cutting, with individual practice kata that starts with the sword in the sheath. Iaidō forms, or kata, are performed individually against one or more imaginary opponents. Some traditional iaidō schools, however, include kata performed in pairs. Some styles and schools also do not practice tameshigiri, cutting techniques. The primary emphasis in Iaidō, is on the psychological state of being present ( 居 ). The secondary emphasis is on drawing the sword and responding to the sudden attack as quickly as possible ( 合 ). Starting positions can be from combative postures or from everyday sitting or standing positions. The ability to react quickly from different starting positions was considered essential for a samurai ( 侍 ). A very important part of iai, is nukitsuke or the life of iai. This is a very quick draw accomplished by drawing the sword out of the scabbard by( 鞘 saya), moving the saya back in saya biki. The blade may be brought out of the scabbard and used in a quick nukitsuke slashing motion. Page 5
Budo Society Musashi Naginata Office: 12 Lucas Lane Plympton Plymouth PL7 4EU Tel 01752 514948 Mob: 07742834366 E-mail: john@budomusashi.co.uk budomusashi@blueyonder.co.uk Web: www.budosocietymusashi.co.uk Train to Fight, Fight to win Seminars I seminar has been planned for 18th December at Laira United Church. Martial arts taught during this seminar are Aikido, Aiki Jujitsu, Ju Jitsu, Kyusho Jitsu and Kobudo. Times are from 12.00 till 16.00. Fee 15. Numbers must be at least 10 and have to be paid in advance. I had already positive reply from members. Next seminar 19th February Other planned seminars 11 th March, 22 nd April, 20 th May, 17 th June, 20 th July, 23 rd September, 28 th October, 25 th November Naginata ( なぎなた, 長刀 or 薙刀 ) is a pole weapon that was traditionally used in Japan by members of the samurai class. It has become associated with women, and in modern Japan, it is studied by women more than men. It consists of a wood shaft with a curved blade fashioned onto the end, and is similar to the European glaive. Usually, it also had a sword-like guard (tsuba) between the blade and shaft. The martial art of wielding the naginata is called naginata-jutsu. Most naginata practise today is in a modernised form, a gendai budo called Atarashii Naginata, in which competitions also are held. Naginata is also practised within the Bujinkan and in some koryu schools. Naginata practitioners may wear a modified form of the protective armour worn by kendo practitioners, known as bogu..the naginata, like many weapons, can be customized to fit the build of the We also have started putting a weapon syllabus together. This will run separate from the other syllabuses and gives people a chance to advance in Japanese weapons (Kobudo) without picking up another martial art. There will be Kyu grades as well as you can gain a black belt in Kobudo. Weapons in this syllabus will be Jo, Hanbo, Tonfa, Sai, Kama, Bo etc. People interested in picking up Kobudo can contact me for more details. bearer. Generally, the naginata shaft is the height of the bearer's body, with the blade mounted atop usually measuring two or three shaku (one shaku is equivalent to 11.93 inches, or 303 mm) long. Unlike most polearms the shaft is oval in cross section (to allow easy orientation of the blade), and ranges from 5 to 7 feet (1.5 to 2.1 m) long. The blade is usually curved, sometimes strongly, towards the tip. As with Japanese swords, naginata blades were forged blades, made with differing degrees of hardness on the spine and edge to retain a sharp edge but also be able to absorb the stress of impact. Some naginata blades may, in fact, have been recycled katana blades Note also at the opposite end of a Naginata, the ishizuki, (a metal endcap, often spiked, which functioned as a counterweight to the blade) was attached, rendering the naginata an effective weapon whichever end was put forward. Page 6