Nihonden Daitoryu Aiki Jujutsu andessence of Japanese Martial Arts
The basic theory of the Nihonden Daitoryu.
There are many peoplewho practice martial arts and rely mostly on strength and speed.
Those who utilize thetechniques to the maximum usually become the winner or come out on top.
That means, anindividual who is young, has a strong arm, a quicker speed, a large bodyperson, etc…becomes advantageous. It also means that a strong individual whopossesses these characteristics usually would prevail.
A person who does notpossess these qualities may win through sheer luck.
However, in the trueworld of martial arts, it is a fact that there are people who are said to bemasters even those who are physically small, or those who are old in age.
Unfortunately, theirskills which are acquired through decades of experiences, are considered to bea secret. Or, they have been lost, and mistranslated by an individual whomisunderstood the true theory of martial arts.
In many Asian martialarts schools, the classes are comprised of learning ‘kata’ (forms) and thenthese forms are used during sparring sessions. Perhaps, many do not understandthe meaning of ‘kata’, so they depend on their muscle power and speed.
Only few people graspthe importance and meaning of the traditional ‘kata’.
In Daitoryu, there isthe locking technique, the throwing technique, and the striking technique, sameas in other martial arts.
However, we shouldfirst practice and understand the basics before applying the appropriatetechniques and ‘kata’.
What are ourbasics? This means practicing body manipulation.
Once we understand bodymanipulation, we can attain a skill level which cannot be influenced by speed,power, or even having a larger muscle size.
Our basic ‘keiko’(lesson) begins with delicately using the following the parts of ourbody.
1.Tenouchi (aponeurosispalmaris/Dendons in a palm)
2.Outer layer musclegroup
3.Inner layer musclegroup
In addition, learningthe control of the centroid and axis of each part of our body and psychologicalapproach, enables the physical operation of our practice.
Details about above1.2.3.
1.Tenouchi (aponeurosispalmaris/Dendons in a palm)
Use Guinomi-no-te (Sakecup hand: details per the seminar day.) To keep the wrist and fingers as softof possible. At the same time we use the tendons in the palm to link with theopponent. Then we can attack or gain control without it being sensed by theopponent.
2.Outer layer musclegroup (trapezius muscle, rhomboideus m., pectoral m., serratus anterior m.,abdominal m., latissimus dorsi m.)
We mainly use these 6muscles to affect the opponent without arm power.
3.Inner layer musclegroup (So called Iliopsoas muscle group: Iliac muscle and psoas major muscle)
These are the muscleswe use for bowing. we use this force when we are about to bow or when we stopbowing. We allow this force to connect to those- one or more- of the outerlayer muscle group, then we link to the ‘Tenouchi’ to affect the opponent.
We then realize that weused zero arm power.
This means, inDaitoryu, we do not use any arm power.
If we use the power ofthe arms, elbows, or wrists, the resultant force of above 1.2.3. can be stoppedby the strength of another arm.
In a physicalconfrontation, we mainly use our own arm power to attack and defend.
Therefore, as long aswe use and rely on muscle strength, we can read and guess the opponent’smovement. Then, no matter if the individual has stronger power, faster speed,or a larger body, he/she will invariably be the winner.
However, the resultingforce of the muscle group above 1.2.3. is beyond strength.
The arm power, evenwith very strong muscles, has no way to match the resultant force of them.
Abandon the arm powerall together, and instead, use it as an antennae which transmits the force fromthe body, and keep the wrist soft and flexible, using the tendons in the palmto link with the opponent. Then, use the above resultant force 1.2.3.
Using this kind offorce without any arm power, may appear to the eye as the same movement. Whenan individual feels this abnormal force, he/she will not be able to understandits source, and the opponent’s whole body will stiffen due to their protectivereaction.
As a result, such aphenomenon will occur:
1. A part of theopponent’s body will latch to the person’s hand and his/her full body powerwill fall under the person’s control.
2. The opponent will bethrown back by one single finger .
3. The opponent willfeel the strange force from the hand deep inside his/her body and becomeimmobile.
When we use thesetechniques, we do not have the feeling of transferring power to theopponent. In Daitoryu, this is called Aiki-force and Jujitu-force.
We link energy with theopponent, and transfer our internal force to him/her. When doing so, weshould not grip strongly onto the opponent’s arm, or make a strong fist. In doing so, the internal force will be halted at the fist and the invisibleforce will not occur.
Once you have mastered the above body manipulation, it can be applied to any type of martial arts.
Movie of a seminar in San Francisco
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