KOKODO JUJUTSU
At Yosokan Dojo, KoKoDo Jujutsu (the art of yielding) is one of two traditional Japanese martial arts being taught. This is an art with tremendously deep roots in self-defense dating back to feudal Japan. By training in Jujutsu, one gains a practical understanding of the use of joint locks (jimi), arm bars (kansetsu), chokes (shimi) and strikes (atemi). Equally important, is learning to have little dependence on one’s strength. This awareness runs contrary to how we are conditioned in the outside world. There we are taught that the stronger we are the easier we can “get the job done.” What we are not taught is that by using our muscles to move our bones (structure) around to create leverage we can not only get the job done more effectively but we can save a great deal of energy as well. This is good jujutsu and this is part of the path of training at Yosokan Dojo.
Further, there is really only one major principle in KoKoDo Jujutsu: Kamae (posture). This would include the movement from one posture to the next which, when thought about, is still posture. It is Irie Soke’s single wish to pass this on to his students. By using movement from one good posture to the next and creating unbalance in your opponent (kyushin or kazushi), we discover the potential for both powerful and effective technique (waza).
The principle of kamae includes the need to gain an understanding of our own center point (a point just below the navel) or balance point, our centerline (the spine) and our foot/bone contact to earth. This all making up our physical “structure” (omote). Then, there is the “quiet stuff” (ura): our ki (life force), kokyu (breath timing) and metsuke (perceptive intent). With these things combined we can affect the very same in our opponent. Early training is focused largely on learning to use our structure to create technique having only a basic awareness of the possibilities of ki, kokyu and metsuke development. The understanding and use of our structure together with the development of ki, kokyu and metsuke awareness, make up complete KoKoDo Jujutsu training. See you on the Tatami (mat)!
“If you are training you are creating a more peaceful world because there is one less victim.”
MUSO SHINDEN FUDO IKKEN RYU, BATTOJUTSU
Certainly today no one is expected to get into a swordfight; however, it is important to note that the principles that go into a swordfight are vital in our everyday life. In Iaido/Battojutsu one learns to directly address what is needed, and to do so with the utmost precision and speed: the principle of cutting straight and cutting fast. In Iaido/Battojutsu training you learn how to get to directly to what it is you want to do and do it with the highest level of precision and speed. I believe this would be a welcomed principle in anyone’s life. The rest you will have to find on your own. Start training at Yosokan Dojo and begin a rich and powerful path of discovery in training with the Japanese Sword (Katana).
Muso Shinden Fudo Ikken Ryu, Battojutsu is a combat sword style of the elite samurai class. It consists of many spectacular and powerful kata (forms). Early training in Battojutsu (Iaido) includes gaining an understanding in areas similar to those in jujutsu, specifically, how to use your kamae, posture, to create the “perfect cut"- not unlike the popular Zen metaphor of the search for the perfect cherry blossom.
Enbukan training is not widely available outside Japan. There is a relatively small number of Enbukan Dojo in the USA and many of these Dojo are run by jikideshi (direct disciples) of Machida Kenshinsai, Soke. Unlike martial arts organizations which are made up of multiple ryuha (schools), many of these Enbukan Dojo do not teach every ryuha of the Enbukan. Students of the Enbukan are separately licensed to teach individual schools of the Enbukan.
In the USA, most of the Enbukan schools teach the kenjutsu sword schools of the Enbukan. These sword schools, characterized by an emphasis on the application of drawing (nukiuchi), cutting (giri), and returning the sword to its saya or sheath (noto), are called Battojutsu. Sword training in the Enbukan emphasizes application and correct understanding of the historical principles of the school, as well as the esoteric or spiritual elements that come with long-term training.
Some of the schools of Battojutsu which are taught in the Enbukan are:
• Enshin Itto Ryu
• Muso Shinden Fudo Ikken Ryu
• Jigen Ryu
• Mugai Ryu
Come and join us on the tatami!
“Breath is the glue in technique”