K I H O N
Newsletter #4
March 2000
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An email newsletter focusing on Ninjutsu/Budo
Taijutsu training. Published by www.KIHON.com
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**** CONTENTS ****
SPECIAL FEATURE: A Message From Hatsumi Sensei, Part 2
told by Mark O'Brien
1. Taijutsu Tips: Tips to enhance your training.
2. Kata Ideas: Form variations worth trying.
3. Buki Training: thoughts on armed taijutsu.
4. Shidoshi Insights: Shidoshi Q&A or article.
5. Budo Quotes: Budo quote of the month.
6. Keiko Events: Upcoming training events.
7. Dojo Locations: Dojo locations and contact info.
8. Shoshin Comments: Endnote.
*** SPECIAL FEATURE *****
A Message From Hatsumi Sensei, Part II
By Mark O'Brien, shidoshi
Hatsumi Sensei mentioned that when he travels outside of
Japan for a Tai Kai or visit somewhere, he is very much
aware that the world is still a dangerous place. He knows
that people who live and stay in Japan do not see the
violence and unrest that exists in the rest of the world.
This is because Japan is basically a peaceful nation and
has an outwardly polite society. There is very little
disharmony, because that is just not the way things
are done.
However, around the world there is definitely an amount
of unrest. Even in places that seem stable on the outside,
there is always the potential for possible chaos and
instability. Sensei spoke about the fact that in our art,
awareness is a big part of what we do and what we are
trying to cultivate. This awareness lets you see beyond
the surface, so you are aware of the potential for
possible problems before they are visible.
This concept is called banpen fugyo (a simple
translation is "a thousand changes, no surprise").
Although the world is constantly changing around you,
you should have awareness to the point that nothing is
surprising; you are not surprised when something happens
to you. You have an awareness that lets you see things as
they develop, as a progression of where things are now,
to where they potentially could be.
The idea of potentiality is a big part of the "zero
feeling" concept that Sensei discusses. Zero is an area
of potential. When you are at that position [zero] you can
go to a lot of other places. Along with banpen fugyo, the
other applicable concept is fudoshin, the idea of the
immovable heart. The idea that even though things are
disruptive and chaotic around you, you always have a
steadfastness of purpose. Your heart is able to follow
through and accomplish your goals whatever they might be.
It is directness in your purpose, not being swayed by
what is going on around you. You may have to swerve a bit
to avoid things, but you are heading towards your goal
whatever that may be.
( Next month: Part 3 )
*** Taijutsu Tips *****
Home Is Where You Hang Your Heart
By Glenn Catania
Bujinkan New York Dojo
One of the most important lessons I have learned from this
martial art is to have respect for all that came before
you. This can mean many different things to different
people. This is how I was taught and absorbed it. We are
not a cult or a military organization. We are, however,
aware of where this art came from. It came from the
necessity to protect one's self and family, and the
right to live as a free human being. I try to remember
that every time I train.
When I'm on my way to a class, I think of two things I
really want to focus on that night. It might be relaxing
or breathing or whatever, but this gives me something
extra to focus on along with the techniques we are being
shown. This is not to say you should not think about
everything every time, but it puts more of an exclamation
point on it for me. When I'm walking from my car to the
class I reflect on my strengths and weaknesses. This helps
me plan what I need to do to improve both.
I have seen many people walk into a dojo and just bow. I
was always taught that this is where you take a moment to
think about the people who created this art and what they
had to go through for that wisdom. I imagine a battlefield
and all that I think goes with it. The aching, burning
muscles that are firing but want to rest. The striking and
kicking going on, the weapons flying. This may sound
dramatic, but that's war, and at one point that was the
reality faced by martial artists.
So I take a moment to salute these brave souls and remember
what I am here for, what I am trying to learn. This does
not mean we should all be very serious and dark-minded all
the time. On the contrary, I try to relax and enjoy myself
in training. But I also try never to forget where I am
and why I'm there.
When class is about to begin, I watch the ritual of my
friends stretching and practicing wrist locks and throws,
and I always feel a subtle anticipation of the excitement
to come. When my teacher comes into the room, I immediately
stop joking around or talking and direct all my attention
to what he is saying and doing. It is very important
to be a good listener. Even if you think you might have
heard something before or seen it a thousand times, you
haven't. Don't cheat yourself. It's always different and
you will always pick up something new if you listen
very closely.
Don't get me wrong, my teacher is not a god to me, but he
has much experience and knowledge that he wants to share
with me. You can bet I'm going to take in as much of it as
I can. Give your teacher all your respect and attention
so he can help you get where you want to be. I think the
actual training we do after each demonstration should be
the version of the technique the teacher showed, not what
you have always done. Do what he says to do, otherwise,
why be there? There is a reason he is changing the omote
gyaku. Don't question it. Instead, learn how it is
different and how this version of it is making your
opponent react.
I also want to say that there are many people who are
too preoccupied with rank. Sure it is easy to say when
you are a black belt, and I would be lying if I said I
never thought about shodan before I received it. But I
never let myself get too caught up in it. I was taught
from the beginning that rank is not what this is all
about. Train hard and you will become skilled and be
happy with your development. A martial art is a journey,
not a destination, so why give yourself an end goal? I
have never asked anyone their rank, and I don't care.
I have asked "how long have you been training?" and
I have a lot of respect (and envy) for that.
I am where I am because this is where I want to be,
and home is where you hang your heart.
*** Kata Ideas *****
Flow
By Don Houle
Bujinkan New York Dojo
I want to address a concept that is important to taijutsu
and that we hear a lot in the dojo - flow. What exactly
is this idea and how can we develop the ability to flow?
Flow, or "nagare" in Japanese, refers to a smooth, free
transition between movements. In taijutsu, this can best
be observed by watching one of the shihan (senior
instructors) when they demonstrate a kata or technique
that effortlessly turns into a variation due to an
unexpected movement by the uke. When the unexpected
occurs, instead of being caught off guard, the instructor
is able to respond appropriately to the change
without hesitation.
A non-training example might help. The next time you are
doing some physical activity that you are very familiar
with (unlocking your front door, getting into or out of
your car, dribbling a basketball), mentally step back
and "watch" your body as you move. You don't have to
stop and think before making each movement,
it just happens.
Now, how does one develop that ability? The simple answer
is practice. Daily repetition of familiar movements will
lead to the creation of an unconscious "muscle memory" of
that particular movement and will lead to confidence in
your ability to perform the movement.
When you are training on your own, a great way to work on
this is to perform a kata or some series of movements with
which you are very familiar. For example, practice moving
from kamae to kamae - hoko no kamae to doko, to jumonji,
to ichimonji to hicho, etc. In order to avoid any
hesitation, make sure that you decide what posture you
will assume before you finish each movement. Then, without
stopping in one kamae, begin your move to the next kamae.
(You could use the same progression over and over in the
beginning). Make your movements slow and precise
until you feel comfortable.
Now that you have practiced on your own, work on your flow
with a partner in the dojo. The next time your instructor
demonstrates a movement, work through it a few times as
you normally would. It takes some time to create that
muscle memory that I mentioned above. Now try it a few
times without stopping and thinking between each part
of the technique. Just let your body move in a relaxed
manner. Your mind should not be focusing on any one part
of the technique, and you should have a strong, confident
feeling as you perform the movement. Confidence is the
key! Remind yourself that you have done this movement
before and that it is not something new.
*** Buki Training *****
A Bokken Is A Real Sword
By Brian Tritico
Bujinkan Bellaire Dojo (Texas, USA)
How many times have you gone to a seminar and seen someone
holding a bokken by the blade, or resting their arm on the
handle while the point is sticking into the ground between
the toes of their tabi? Or how about putting both arms over
the bokken from behind to make a sort of arm/shoulder rest
thing? I see it all the time.
I don't think that anyone can truly learn to be effective
with a sword unless they treat their training weapon as a
real sword. Whenever you hold a bokken, you are holding a
sword. The fact that it is made of wood should make no
difference. You should always treat it as a live blade.
By training this way, you will learn things you would not
learn otherwise. Some people will say, "You are being too
critical," or "What does it matter? It's just a wooden
sword!" To this I say, "Hogwash!" If you picture your
training tools as the real thing in your mind every
time you pick them up, you will start to gain a new
understanding of what it is you are doing, and your
martial spirit will increase as well.
Some people will also say, "We see Hatsumi Sensei doing
just about anything he wants with his equipment. We
should be able to do the same." They seem to forget
that Sensei has been training for over 40 years and he
can do things that no one else can. He didn't get to
that stage of ability overnight. It took lots of
dedicated training and hard work. So the next time
you pick up a training weapon, try to visualize the
real thing and see what results you get.
*** Shidoshi Insights *****
Ukemi & Uke
By Joe Maurantonio, shidoshi
Bujinkan New York Dojo
Q: What is good ukemi, and how do you get it?
A: First of all you get good ukemi by practicing ukemi
as much as you can. Typically when we speak of ukemi
we're speaking of taihenjutsu, the ability to take
some sort of impact on the ground, whether it be a
roll, or when you're thrown to the ground and you have
to absorb the impact. But that is not the only ukemi
we study.
In the good ukemi of a beginner, we practice rolling
by extending ourselves towards the ground, and lowering
each body part. Moving through a roll as slow as we
possibly can, in such a manner that each body part
touches the ground does so unharmed.
Beyond the physical aspects of taking ukemi, there
is the mental ukemi that extends into the same
movement as when we talk about taihenjutsu directly.
That is you can't be afraid to do the roll, because
if you are, by the nature of the fear your body will
be tense. And by being tense when one takes the roll,
one finds that one feels all of the parts that strike
the ground. And typically when you feel those parts
there's some pain or damage that is experienced.
So I think that if one begins rolling being relaxed,
breathing in and out in a relaxed fashion, extending
oneself, not trying to rush through the roll, one
can take the roll, one can experience the roll fluidly
so as not to harm oneself. One of the reasons that we
study taihenjutsu is because in training we often throw
each other, and it's good to be able to take that throw
and dissipate it so that we don't hurt ourselves.
Q: How can I be good a uke?
A: We could spend hours on that topic. Briefly, I would
say the best qualities of an uke is being relaxed and
intent. Start by doing the attack properly, paying
attention to what your partner is doing, and not
anticipating any of the strikes that come. Instead,
letting the strikes and counters happen. Accept that
some of them will hurt a little. (They are going hurt
because that is the nature of martial arts training.)
And then you should continue by moving with whatever
technique is applied.
So, if someone punches you in the chest, you relax
and move with their motion, and then if they go to
throw you, you stay relax and let them throw you.
Don't try to resist in any fashion as that only ends
with someone getting hurt. Then do ukemi.
One of the second most important parts of being a good
uke is, having proper intention. If I stand across
from Fred, and have no intention at all (no intention
to hurt him), he can almost disregard my attack as
there is no real power or substance to it. He can stand
there, barely moving away from [the attack]. So you
have to start with that intention, and throw the punch
(or kick, etc). Yet, even though I have this intent to
throw an attack that can "harm" Fred, I also have the
control to make sure that should he NOT get out of the
way -- if his timing is off or he is distracted -- he
will not be truly harmed. Perhaps, he'll only get a mild
sting to remind him to move better next time.
So those are the two things that I stress for beginners:
being relaxed, but having intent. And then as you receive
the attack, do ukemi, you go with the flow of your
partner's motion.
*** Budo Quotes *****
Be a little overconfident and become a bit proud.
I think that's not too harmful. I think you should
always have a sensible amount of pride in yourself.
But I cannot stress enough that you should not become
a tengu [long-nosed goblin]. You must have enough
self-esteem to encourage yourself from within, but
you should not deal with others thinking you have
more ability than you actually have.
By Masaaki Hatsumi
Ninpo: Wisdom for Life
(more info at: http://kihon.com/ninpo/)
*** Keiko Events *****
* Samurai Sword Seminar
Bujinkan New York Dojo
Bronxville, New York
Joe Maurantonio, shidoshi
March 18, 2000 (6:00-9:00pm) $30
* Fundamentals of Correct Movement
Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu
Elmsford, New York
Bud Malmstrom, shidoshi
April 29 - 30, 2000
* Holland Millennium TaiKai 2000
Koto Ryu Koppojutsu, Teppan & Ninja-to
Hatsumi Masaaki, Soke
*** SOLD OUT - NO MORE ROOM ***
June 1, 2 & 3, 2000
* Tai Kai Atlanta 2000
Koto Ryu Koppojutsu, Teppan & Ninja-to
Hatsumi Masaaki, Soke
Atlanta, Georgia
August 18-21, 2000
*** Dojo Locations *****
Bujinden Hombu Dojo
Atago, Noda-shi
Chiba-ken, 278, Japan
Bujinkan New York Dojo
27 Milburn Street
Bronxville, NY 10708
Bujinkan Bellaire Dojo
Houston Gymnastics Academy
5756 So. Rice Blvd.
Houston, TX
Bujinkan Middlesex Shibu
300A Carlton Ave
Piscataway, NJ 08854
*** Shoshin Comments *****
Belt Maintenance
By Lauren Brandstein, editor
Once again, thank you to all of the contributors to this
issue, especially to Mark O'Brien for Hatsumi's message,
and to Joe Maurantonio and Fred Feddeck for working to
make it available. The last two installments will appear
in the next two issues of the Kihon Newsletter.
On a random side note: in a recent class, Joe brought
something to our attention which I would like to share
with everyone, particularly kyu like myself who might
not have heard this before. It is traditional not to
wash one's belt, so that the wear and dust of use alone
mark it. Also, most belts will not hold up well to the
rigors of machine cleaning, so please do not machine wash
or dry your belt.
Occasionally, circumstances might make it necessary
to wash your belt, such as dirt or smelly mud or whatnot.
I judged it necessary to wash my belt only once in my
three years of training in this art, and I don't know
now that I would make choice again. If this happens,
I urge you to hand wash it, forgoing any detergent if
possible, and hang dry. I was assured by Joe that I did
not put myself under any curse by washing the belt, but
it has not held a knot well since. Be very discriminating
in this matter, and of course, always treat all of your
training equipment with care and respect.
____________________ KIHON Newsletter __________________
** STATEMENT OF PURPOSE **
We at KIHON.com wish to provide a short newsletter
bringing you information about Bujinkan dojo and upcoming
training events, as well as some insights into training
that we hope will help to further your growth as a
martial artist.
** DISCLAIMER **
It is recommended that you seek out medical advice
before following any of the suggestions stated herein.
It is also suggested that you find a qualified instructor
to guide you in your martial arts training.
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KIHON Newsletter and all contents
Copyright (c) 2000 by Joe Maurantonio
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