Morning Coffee

Had morning coffee with Stu Gordon of High Desert Aikido downtown today.  Rick and I were near his dojo last night, 10 minutes before class ended, and decided to stop in.  I’m glad we did.  He introduced us to the class, and the students even invited us to join the circle to share news and talk a bit.  Great folks.  Some were planning on attending a Shihan Frank Doran seminar in Corvallis.  I’ve had to honor of training under Shihan Doran several times, as both of my Aikido instructors were under his chapter of the Aikikai.  Small world, this realm of martial arts.

I mentioned to Stu that I had an idea for a dojo, where it would be more than a dojo.  It would be a movement center, where the raised, matted area would be suitable for Judo, BJJ, Aikido, or Yoga.  Afternoon Karate for kids, nighttime Aikido and BJJ for adults.  Changing rooms, with showers.  And treatment rooms, suitable for acupunture, shiatsu, or massage.  Have the healers right there.  I think that’s an important element to introduce into the lifestyles of all budoka.  It’s been on my mind since asking KoKoDo Jujutsu founder Irie Yasuhiro this question:

EJJ: Can you talk about the link between Shiatsu and Jujutsu?

IY: OK.  My idea, my thinking.  Budo must have both ways.  The one, sapo, is [the] killing way.  Like jujutsu, or judo, or kendo or something.  And other way is kapo.  Kapo is how to cure.  Heal.  So if the budo has both ways, then I can say, that’s a budo.  Only for killing part, I don’t want to say that’s a budo. Budo must have 2 parts. That’s my opinion.

Sensei Gordon seemed open to the idea.  We’ll see what we can create in the future.

Recent Invitation

I just received an invitation to attend the Seibukan Jujutsu 2007 Gasshuku (Gosh shoo kew).  January 6th and 7th, the first day is training in both the morning and afternoon, followed by a demonstration by the Shihan of the system.  Sunday is light training in the morning, then another demonstration in the afternoon.  In the past it’s been topped off by going to the beach, joining hands, and running into the ocean together with your training partners.  Monterey, in January.  Takes your breath away.  Not my favorite part, but sometimes that’s the best part for you. 

In the past, Gasshuku’s I’ve attended have been fun and social.  Othertimes, they’ve been pilgrimages, looking for something to signify a transition in my life.  Sometimes I’ve met girls.  Or brothers from a different country.  Martial artists from different organizations drop in, since Kancho travels and makes new connections.  It’s a good time, this event and the Tai Kai, which is a similar and takes place in the summer. 

That’s one of the good things about Seibukan Jujutsu.  There are others, but those kinds of cultural/social events make it far more than just a system of fighting.  It truly is a martial art and way.  It’s a beautiful art.  Intricate.  Complex.  Rigid in its requirements yet allowing improvisation at the right times.  Some have called it sophisticated Aikido.  It really is a synthesis, and a pretty successful one at that, of two decendants of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu.  Aikido was founded by Daito Ryu student Morihei Ueshiba, and Hakko Ryu was founded by Ryuho Okuyama.  It applies classical aikijujutsu techniques in modern and dynamic scenarios.  It has a graduated training method that is incredible for a beginning student, who may be new to the concepts of getting off the line of attack, or basic angled strikes.  The ukemi exercises are second to none in getting students rolling right away.  It can be argued that ukemi is truly the most practical aspect of martial arts, so Seibukan receives high marks in this department.  Without good ukemi, this first match here would have gone very differently. 

But there’s no sparring in Seibukan.  No competition either.  Everyone can play this way, everyone can join, and grow, and implement the philosophy of Awareness, Assessment, and Action into their lives.  A certain level of coordination is necessary, but very few fighting attributes are required.  If you’re already a fighter, it’s the fast track to well rounded martial skills in a year.  If you’re not, there are very few consequences, and so some rise up the ranks that, while able to execute technical skills in a prearranged setting, would fare poorly in a more merciless situation. 

It depends on who you are and what you put into it.  The fighting technology is good.  Much of it is situational, and some of it is make believe, but after awhile it’s really more about movement and timing rather than techniques, anyway.  But stopping short of sparring and full aliveness training doesn’t insure the same level of skilled success that BJJ or Judo or Wrestling does.  Now a base in one of those former arts/sports with Seibukan techniques on top could be formidable.  But through a non-sparring art alone?  I am not convinced.

Instructional Modules

Uploaded two concise instructional modules to the videos page, one on escaping sidemount, the other on breaking posture into a submission.  The techniques are basic: they were requested by a long distance student who is just getting started on the journey. The DVD was designed so he could watch, then train.  I hope other students find it of interest as well, as this is key information for those interested in groundwork cross-training. 

On Seibukan Jujutsu

Seibukan Jujutsu was founded by Julio Toribio, shortly after leaving Hakko-Ryu Jujutsu.  As politics is no stranger to martial arts, Kancho Toribio was the first the leave the Hakko-Ryu system, and create his own path by forging Seibukan.  Others soon followed suit, forming Hakko Denshin Ryu and other separate political organizations.

If you haven’t read Kancho Toribio’s martial history, I encourage you to do so.  Very impressive.  When he founded Seibukan, he was a yondan (fourth degree black belt) in Aikikai Aikido under Shihan Frank Doran, and had received his Kaiden Shihan San Dai Kichu (seventh degree black belt) in Hakko-Ryu, the highest possible level.  At that time, he was the fourth American to complete Hakko-Ryu. 

Seibukan kata is based largely on the Hakko-Ryu kata.  Names have changed, but they’re almost identical.  He added movement and application exercises to get students more familiar with using those techniques outside of a kata context.  Tai sabaki teaches you to get off the line of attack from a variety of angled strikes.  Reversals, gun takeaways, jo takeaways, knife defenses, etc… these are all very useful in bridging the gap between kata and free form application.

In my opinion, Seibukan Jujutsu combines the fluidity of Aikido movement and flow with the technical base of Hakko-Ryu.  Plus, it has an element of spontaneity that encourages the student to be creative and make a solution if their first attempt fails.  “Keep going!” is one of Kancho’s favorite sayings.  And it works, imparting a courage to try that extends beyond the mat.

But like all martial systems, it has drawbacks and limitations. 

Seibukan Sandan

Just finished putting up a new video, one that betrays my classical roots.  Seibukan Jujutsu is a modern martial art and way founded by Julio Toribio, and it was an art I had to the opportunity to study in depth before moving to San Diego. 

This is my third degree blackbelt test, taken in 1999. The requirements were deep. I was a blue belt at the time under Claudio Franca, so you can see an early BJJ influence in my movements and choice of submissions.

I will be writing more on Seibukan Jujutsu this week. The strengths and weaknesses of that particular martial art bring up key questions that relate to training in general.  Another art, another microcosm to examine our lives.  As above, so below. 

Damien and Cicely

No, not new students.  But they came to my door and wanted me to become a student of their discipline.  Damien was a well dressed African American male, mid thirties, and Cicely was also similarly aged, but an attractive Caucasian brunette.  Well spoken, Damien shook my hand while Cicely stood and looked pretty.  As the latest Nine Inch Nails album wailed in the background, he wanted to be invited in, and elongated our conversation by asking “Well, who would you say is the greatest man in history?”

“I don’t know which spiritual figure I would choose” I said, while he opened a magazine with centerfold spread of paradise and biblical phophesies upheld.

“Wouldn’t you say it’s Jesus?” he cooed as he offered the magazine towards me.

“Well, certainly.  I even have Him over on the couch right now.  See? “ I motioned with my hand, and directed his eyes to my silent guest.

He smiled at the lighthearted representation and I wish them well on this sunny December day.  I asked to take some reading material.  Now I can curl up with a good Watchtower and learn to who the Antichrist is, and if it’s wrong to drink alcoholic beverages.  I like reading their viewpoint.  The more exposure you get, the more informed your pespective will be, martial or otherwise, as an educated, conscious being. 

We are very fortunate to live in a country where multiple religious systems and views are supported.  I may not want to train in all religions, but I will certainly have a better idea of why I’m choosing to invest in one system of thought with a little bit of research into the others.  I put a lot of time in investigating which martial arts system I wanted to train in; a conscious inspection of each systems method of explaining the totality of existence, and their roadmap of how to unify with the Unspeakable, Unknowable Beyond is worth spending a few moments on.  At least, that what I always say.

Every choice is carefully considered in the Warrior’s Way.  Especially systems of thought.

Two Japanese Terms

I’m not into formality for the sake of formality.  One standing bow at the beginning of class, another one at the end.  I say one Japanese term at the beginning, and one to close the class.  The first is onegaishimasu (oh-neh-guy-she-mah-sue).  I have seen it translated as “please be kind to me” or “please do this favor for me.” The meaning changes slightly depending on the situation, but the intent is the same, and it is used constantly in Japanese society.  Everytime you bow to your partner to begin a set of techniques in Aikido, onegaishimasu is said.  In some schools, it’s abbreviated down to hearty “Oss.”

Domo arigato gozaimashita (doh-moh are-E-gah-toh goh-zhai-E-mah-she-tah) is the second Japanese term used.  It means “thank you very much.” Domo is the equivalant of “thanks” and is less formal.  Domo arigato is “thank you”, so domo arigato gozaimashita a polite way of saying “thank you very much.” No Mr. Roboto follows in typical Japanese conversations.

Two terms, two bows.  Maybe Japanese equivalents in techniques (uchimata, kesagatame) will be mentioned in class, but no laundry list need be memorized.  Just enough formality to keep things civil and relaxed.  Too much etiquette can quash a bit of the warmth, a bit of the spontaneity found in many BJJ classes.  I have never, in any Aikido class, gotten up and circled around the instructor to get a better view of a detail in the technique while they were explaining.  It doesn’t work like that.  You sit in a formal line, on your knees or cross legged, and watch the instructor in the center, who may not even say a word. 

I like the closeness of BJJ; in the instruction, in the physicality of the art, and in the camaraderie with your training partners.  I’m using just enough etiquette to fit the circumstance and keep a positive and productive environment.  Not rules from on high to dictate our behaviors.  That’s what organized religion is for, and it’s tough to compete in that market.  Those guys are light years ahead of me. 

In the future, of course, my rules will shift.  As more people join, different organizational strategies must be employed.  It’s just adaptability.  And that need never changes. 

The Meaning of the Symbol

I was recently asked about what the symbol for the Academy represents.  I can’t say that it has any meaning, in and of itself.  Symbols only have the meanings we attach to them, and as this is an original design, what it represents is being formed and created as we speak.  It’s my aim for the symbol to become associated with crisp technique, sportsmanship, honor, and reserved martial prowess.

I modeled the symbol after traditional Japanese family crests, or kamon.  The Kashiwa and Katabame crests, found here, were inspirations, as well as the Tokugawa Aoi.  It needed to be modern, symmetrical, and timeless.

The three circles in the center of the symbol represent the trinity of our consciousness: body, mind, spirit.  The triangle is commonly used in Jiu-Jitsu, but I wanted the triangle implied with the eye, rather than an overt polygon.  The outer white ring represents the external applications and benefits of the arts, while the smaller ring is the inner realm.  The heavy use of circles represents the circularity of movement on the mat.  And balance between positive and negative space reminds the student to be open and let life live through them; after all, we’re all more space than solid.

I’m very pleased with the way the crest emerged.  Special thanks to Julie Wilde for the collaborative design. 

Strapping on the White Belt

Some have a difficult time strapping on the white belt, especially if they’ve worn it before.  Several individuals have come to me and joined or wanted to join the academy, each with a unique martial history.  And I have to treat each one on a case by case basis. 

In my time, I have strapped on the white belt for each new art I’ve learned.  It seemed obvious.  I never wore my black belt in Judo on the Aikido mat.  Ever.  Or in Seibukan Jujutsu.  Or in BJJ.  It would have presumptuous.  It would have signaled that too much of myself was wrapped around my waist.  That my cup was full. 

We had a nidan in Judo with 27 years experience drop by and watch a class the other night.  I hope he joins, he has a wealth of experience to share.  Of course, I’ll give him a white belt to begin the journey again.  Competent martial artists shouldn’t have a problem with this.  Regardless of what’s around your waist, you’re as good as you are, and experienced eyes judge by the quality of movement rather than color cues.

Nathan is my leader.  He’s a 2 time National Judo champion, and 8 time Oregon State champion.  He strapped on a white belt and is learning BJJ very rapidly.  If he, of all people, can wear a white belt, then no one else has room for argument.  Case closed.  But the one he wears is a little special.  It’s actually my first white belt, the one I was given in Japan, and wore in every art I’ve studied since.  Many hours on the mat have gone into it.  And it won’t be too long before he’s returning it back to me with a blue replacement. 

Creative Exercise

The interview on the Articles page is a very truncated version of what’s currently on display at Creative Exercise, a resource for self-improvement, founded by Robert Bentley.  One subsection of his site is for black belt interviews, to provide readers with two major benefits (as quoted from his site):

1) You see both how individual preferences shape the course of long term personal development, as well as principles which remain common (which suggests immediate applicability to your own life)

2) With enough examples from real life training, trials and tribulations you will also realise that these people start with the same “stuff” as you. They are human beings who have simply pursued a long term goal to completion and made mistakes along the way. This isn’t to downplay their achievement, only an acknowledgement that they did this with the same problems that everyone else has.

It’s a lengthy interview, but I really looked deep to give the most accurate answers I could.  There’s also a detailed description of my black belt test, the difference between blue and purple, how to deal with burnout, and much more.  If you’re a serious student of jiu-jitsu, I encourage you to click here.