Japanton – Chronicles of Anton in Japan!

In our budo, there is more than just the physical aspect of technique.  I am going to spend a little time talking about the mental aspect of our techniques.

Budo is a very unique activity which I feel must be associated with a intellectual realization.  Like music, art or mathematics; you can have the same groundwork with different results.  Through an exploration you will come to a moment where something will make sense and the task will become so easy you will wonder how you were having trouble with it before.

Two budo-ka of equal physical ability will not necessarily be even in skill.  This becomes apparent when you are dealing with multiple opponents.

With multiple opponents, you can not become attached to the techniques and skills which you have learnt in the past.  Sometimes you need to abandon your techniques half way.  Sometimes you have to take the initiative.  When you are at a disadvantage is when your skills are really shown.  You must be an artist, creative with your tools.  You need to know what to put in and even more importantly what to leave out.

This is a bit of a scatter brained Hatsumi-esque post but if you want more information on what I am getting at ask me.

Your life is on the line, train well.

Before you get carried away and say Mr.P you have talked a lot about striking already, what more can there possibly be?  We must examine how our legs are used in the strikes.

Just a review the there timings are:

1. Step then strike (longest range)

2. Step and strike at the same time (mid range)

3. Strike then step (close range)

I mention these timings from the start of training.  When you are learning the techniques of 9th kyu you should already have this in mind.  It stops the ridiculous Bujinkan tendency to do lunge punches when you are so close a reverse punch will do.

Why do we learn the lunge punch then, the blog reader asked nonplussed by the dilemma?  Because covering the greatest distance and doing the first mentioned timing is the easiest way to generate the power.

You see when you step then punch you can treat the stepping leg as the power generator.  It pulls you forward, and twists your body.  Just add the sink to brace yourself and you have one powerful strike. The third timing is a bit more difficult, you are pulling forward with the lead leg.  Once again this twists your body and generates power. The second timing is the most difficult.  Power is generated using both legs.  There are two pulls involved with this punch, with the lead leg and the stepping leg after you break the centre point of the punch.

I have been saying recently that if you want to add power, move strongly with the legs and keep the upper body relaxed.  When you work with this concept (whether it be new, old or just a different method of articulation) keep this strong lower body relaxed upper body in mind.  It will help all aspects of your taijutsu.

Your life is on the line, train well.

Well I was going to post something on a new insight I found into the striking timings, but I am getting harrased about not posting.  So if you want a new post you will have to ask a question in the comment.  You know something that I have done or said in class about which you are unclear.  Anyhow I am done, those at class to day know who to thank for this.

Well I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the Peter King seminar hosted by the west end club.  The topic will be the Amatsu aspect of the art which has been pursued by Peter King.

There is more information on their website but you can ask me in class for details.  Please let me know if you are interested in going so that we can get some numbers and arrange payment.

We are very lucky to have continuous training of high calibre in Edmonton.  These opportunities can only continue with continued support.

Your life is on the line, train well.

It has been quite some time since I actively went over weapons so I am g0ing to give you an overview of what I will be doing.

The weapons that I will focus on are hanbo (3 ft staff) and tanto (knife).  The reason, because I feel like it and I think they are good weapons with which to start.  The hanbo is a weapons which can be used in may different ways and can be found in some variation very easily.  Though I said it’s 3 feet long, the techniques can be used without much need for adaptation over a great variety of staff lengths.  The tanto is a weapon which is very common, especially in Edmonton.

So what can you do to practice at home?  Do san shin with a hanbo and tanto.  With the tanto first in your rear hand then in your lead hand.  With the hanbo, trying to use as many methods of gripping the staff as possible.  We have trained a long time to get the mechanics of the movements correct, now it’s time to add some flow.  Don’t go fast to start but eliminate the breaks in your movements.  Your strikes should flow.  Don’t leave the strikes sitting out there afterwards either, treat your training as if you are facing an actual opponent whom you are trying to beat.

Sorry for the lack of posts, I am trying to get used to a new job and the resultant hours.  I will try to post more regularly once again.

Your life is on the line, train well.

How awesome was that seminar, ridiculous.

Well for a seminar review I don’t know how to do this.  The ukemi was challenging, the rope techniques frustrating and the sword techniques amazing.  Yes for taking so long to post about it I don’t know what to say besides I can’t wait for him to come back to Edmonton.

Shawn’s next trip seems like it will be in Winnipeg Manitoba and I will be renting a van to make the trip with anyone who wants to go.  Please everyone who was there leave your comments because I can’t begin to say enough good things about the seminar and the people whom were in attendance.

Thanks to everyone for your support, I look forward to more semianrs at your club or mine.

There is no class this Sunday cause everyone cool will be at Shawn Gray.  Bring Rope and Boken or Shinai, no hard weapons.  Be ready for some awesome training.

In short doing what I say, and not doing what you feel in too much.

Let me explain, I will teach you skills you need to train in class and I will teach you techniques which you are able to preform and receive with your skill level.  I will also give instructions on how “hard” to train.  When I say slow down, it’s probably best to slow down.

So if you hear my voice raised ever, you have probably been doing something very wrong for a long time.  If I tell you to stop, I would suggest highly that you do that.  I will not have injuries in my classes on account of carelessness.  Next person to step out of line during a class I will deal with you on the spot.  I will not produce a dangerous nobody.

You have been warned.  Your life is on the line, train well.

I feel that I should mention this, specifically for musha dori.

When you have musha dori (the lock) we often try to scoop up the opponents elbow.  To fight you they are using their muscles plus gravity.  If instead you drop your body while keeping your hands in place, you are using gravity against their muscles.  I hope you can understand without a visual.  I use musha dori because it’s easy to illustrate.  If you need a crude Anton Diagram I will give it to you.

If you can understand this method of movement you can use it in nearly all your techniques.  If you start to understand this the need for strength in your techniques will decrease significantly.  In fact I will argue that sometimes adding strength will be detrimental to your techniques.

Give it a try, you will be pleasantly surprised.  Your life is on the line, train well.

That’s what we are about in the Edmonton Bujinkan Crowd.  I will just make short mention of it because I am waiting for a first hand full detailed account.  That said one of the dojo’s members was nearly crushed by a falling pipe (industrial sized) but used ukemi (a dive roll specifically) to get to safety.

This is why ukemi is important, I am a firm beliver that if you learn it well it will help you more often than the combative techniques.  Don’t disregard ukemi.  Your life is on the line, train well.