Archive for category: Griffith Aikido News

Michael Williams Sensei, International Chief Instructor and Australian Chief Instructor, Aikido Yuishinkai Australia will be conducting a weekend seminar on 26th & 27th March, 2011.

This seminar is proudly hosted by Byron Bay Aikido Club and will be held at Goshinkan Dojo, 46 Melaleuca Drive, Byron Bay.

Saturday March 26th 10.00am – 4.30pm General classes

Sunday March 27th 10.00am – 12.30pm Special weapons class

Cost: Full seminar $55 / $45; 1 day: $40 / $35; Per session: $20 / $18

Beginners, intermediate and advanced students are welcome to attend this seminar.

Come meet and train with Michael Williams Sensei, the founder of Goshinkan Dojo.

Monday 14th March 2011

If you have any contribution for the Shukan News (story, photograph, video), please send it via email to gary@garyweigh.com

1. AGM at 8pm this Thursday evening 17th March

A final reminder that our AGM will be held at 8pm this coming Thursday evening 17th March, after an early finish to class. Remember that nominations for Management Committee positions close on Tuesday 15th March.

2. Safety Part 1 – safe practice during class

As our Aikido school maintains its popularity, we continue to make our members aware of the rigid safety policies of our dojo. We practice a potentially dangerous art which has inherent risks. For this reason, it is paramount that we all make practice as safe as possible.

Safety is one of the reasons for the strict discipline in every aikido dojo, including ours. Safety is the reason that you must follow Sensei’s instructions exactly and without question, and your actions should not deviate from those instructions.
Safety is one of the reasons that we practice cooperatively with each other and offer no resistance. Not only does it aid your learning, but as uke (the person receiving the technique), it is safer to go with the flow during a technique and roll out safely, than it is to resist.

Safety is not just the responsibility of the instructor in charge of the class. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Once you enter the dojo, you must be aware and stay aware of what is going on around you. You must also accept personal responsibility to play your part in safe practice.

Here is a list of things you are expected to do to ensure safe practice of Aikido in a safe environment:

• When laying out the mats, it is important that there is a safety buffer zone around the outside of the mats. This area should be clear of all obstacles. This distance should be a minimum of one (1) meter of clear space around the edge of the mats. Any obstacles that can’t be removed must be protected in some way (e.g. cushioned)

• Any systemic obstacles and dangers on or near the mats should be brought to the instructor’s attention

• We come into close contact with the mat surface on a regular basis so it is important that the mats are vacuumed at least weekly to maintain them in as clean a condition as possible

• Spectators should be well clear of the mat

• Weapons should not be stored near edge of mat

• Weapons should not be laid on the mats or on the floor between the mats as they represent a danger if stepped on or rolled on

• All techniques that result in throws and pins should be directed to the outside of the mat at all times. The aim is to avoid collision

• Throws, pins and ukemi (defensive falling) practice performed by different groups should always be performed in the same direction. Falling backwards or rolling forwards in a direction that is different to another group creates a high risk of collision

• When practicing in pairs, the person performing the technique (nage) is responsible for the safety of the person receiving the technique (uke). Before throwing uke, nage must ensure there is sufficient empty mat area for uke to land safely

• When practicing in threes, nage is still responsible for the safety of uke however, the 3rd person represents an extra layer of protection by being vigilant and acting as lookout and protector

• When practicing in teams, a senior is usually nominated as the person in charge of each team and oversees practice within that team. Nage is still responsible for the safety of uke. Other members of the team not practicing a technique or awaiting their turn should remain aware of activity around them. They should be ready and able to move rapidly; and should not impede the practice or place themselves in danger

• At times, the instructor will restrict groups to different mat zones either verbally or with markers. It is your responsibility to ensure that you and every member of your group stays within your designated zone

• If you see any obstacle that looks like danger or any behaviour on the mat that appears inappropriate or dangerous or is inconsistent with the instructor’s instructions please do something about it. Remove the obstacle or in the case of inappropriate, dangerous or inconsistent behaviour, tell the instructor

Practicing Aikido (or not) is always your choice. At any time, you may sit out of an activity. Whether you are injured, feel unwell, or assess that an activity is beyond your present capability, you always have the right to choose.

Remember that in learning Aikido you are also learning the traditions and etiquette of Aikido. We therefore ask that you do not refuse to participate in traditional and etiquette-related activities such as bowing, respecting the rank of those senior to you and folding the hakama of an instructor. If you do that as an intermediate or senior, you are setting a very poor example for those coming behind you.

3. A piece of history

Sliding door panels of the Kyoto Imperial Palace – a past exhibition at the Kyoto National Museum

The Kamo Festival, which has been held since the Heian period (794-1185), represents one of the oldest festivals in Kyoto. The festival was traditionally held in prayer for the abundant harvest of the five grains (rice, wheat, barley, millet, and beans). Although the festival was discontinued for about two hundred years after the Onin Rebellion (1467-1477), it was revived during the Edo period (1616-1867). Today, this event is known and cherished in Kyoto as the Aoi Matsuri (“Hollyhock Festival”).

This painting depicts the ceremonial procession from the Imperial Palace to the Lower and Upper Kamo Shrines. This traditional scene of the imperial ox cart, the envoy, and attendants conveys courtly culture of Kyoto. Komai Korei, the painter of this work, studied under Yoshimura Kokei (1769-1836), who was a pupil of Maruyama Okyo (1733-1795) and a painter of the Maruyama-Shijo school.
Courtesy of the Kyoto National Museum http://www.kyohaku.go.jp/eng/index.html

Aoi Mutsuri (Hollyhock Festival) in May 2010

4. Cheese and crackers for the soul

“The skillful traveler leaves no tracks; the skillful speaker makes no blunders; the skillful reckoner uses no tallies. He who knows how to shut uses no bolts–yet you cannot open. He who knows how to bind uses no cords–yet you cannot undo.” Lao Tzu

Just as we would seat an honoured guest at the head of the table in our house, we honour the heritage of Aikido and our lineage by creating a seat of honour inside our dojo. The Japanese word is Kamiza.

Its position inside the dojo reflects the notion that it is the highest or top seat in the house. It is located in the middle of our dojo, away from the door, away from extremes of weather; and in the Japanese feudal tradition removed from any likelihood of intrusion or attack.

A picture of the founder O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba is always displayed in the Kamiza of an Aikido dojo. In our dojo, as in every other Aikido dojo that follows the Yuishinkai style, of Master Koretoshi Maruyama, we also display the shin calligraphy. This original calligraphy was presented personally by Maruyama Sensei when our dojo first opened.

So what does this calligraphy represent? The characters for Yui-shin show that the Mind is at the core of existence. This way of thinking forms the heart of Eastern philosophy. Yuishin originates from the concept that, “All beings and phenomena are a transformation of the mind; there is no existence other than Mind itself.” (p.6 Aikido Yuishinkai Student handbook by Michael Williams Sensei, World Chief Instructor, Aikido Yuishinkai International)

Our Kamiza also includes the weapons of Aikido – the bokken, the Jo and the Tanto. These weapons have considerable historical significance and are intrinsic to the teaching of the art of Aikido.

So when we bow to Kamiza, we are paying our respects to our guests in the seat of honour!

Photograph courtesy of Spiral Photography http://www.spiralphotography.com.au

Check out Michael Williams Sensei upcoming seminar and the date of our next Beginner’s Course at the Announcements board of http://www.griffithaikido.com

Comparing martial arts in Brisbane? Every now and again I read yet another article about martial art comparisons and which martial art is the most effective. Of particular irritation is the assertion that the non-confrontational arts like aikido are useless in a cage or on the street.

I have two points to make here. Firstly, cage fighting is a purely voluntary pursuit by professionals trying to make a living. It is irrelevant in real life. Secondly, as devastating as a street attack is, only a very small proportion of the Australian population will find themselves the victim of an unprovoked attack on the street.

After some years of Aikido training I have learned enough to know that as soon as there are more than two people attacking at once, there is no time to do anything other than dodge, blend, avoid and if possible – run! If weapons are involved then ‘not being there’ is by far the best, and possibly the only self defence option. Anything else is ego talk!

So where do most of the real life attacks come from?

There is a much greater likelihood of being in conflict with someone you know. For example, an argument with your partner, a confrontation with an ex-partner, a dispute with a family member, a falling out with a friend, conflict at work or harassment at school.

Every day as we go about our business, there is a reasonable chance of encountering an angry driver, a rude shop assistant or dissatisfied customer. Simply going out to a local restaurant for a meal could mean accidentally bumping someone, spilling a drink, or becoming the object of an intoxicated person’s misguided affection and goodwill.

The everyday difficult situation could occur anywhere – at work, at home, at school, on the roads, walking down the street, in a shopping centre, in a car park, or on a bike path.

Attacks don’t always come in the form of punches and kicks. A confronting situation could manifest itself as a difference of opinion, an argument, rudeness, shouting, abuse, derision, staring, silence, intimidation, verbal harassment or cyber bullying.

There may never be a push or a punch and still it can be a very scary experience. There may be no physical contact at all, but still you must be able to defend yourself.

Besides, if there has been no physical contact then you have no right to use physical or martial responses. So what do you do?

This is where people with a fighting mind and no self control run out of options!

Self defence is a lot more than just learning to fight or being able to fend off a random attack. It is about pushing ego aside and learning to cope assertively and peacefully with the other 99% of difficult situations that make up real life.

It is no accident that Aikido is known around the world as the ‘art of peace’. If you are looking at martial arts in Brisbane, Aikido is not only great self defence, it will also equip you for the challenges of real life.

Monday 28th February 2011

If you have any contribution for the Shukan News (story, photograph, video), please send it via email to gary@garyweigh.com

1. Notice of Annual General Meeting

The annual general Meeting (AGM) of Griffith Aikido Institute Inc. will be held on Thursday evening 17th March 2011. As is our custom, the class on that evening will finish at 8pm and the meeting will be held immediately after.

The main business to be conducted at the AGM will be:

General business
Presentation of 2010 audited financial statements
Appointment of Auditor for 2011
Election of committee members for 2011
If you wish to nominate for the committee, please see Jutta for a nomination form. To be eligible for nomination, you must be a paid up voting member of the club and you must have been so for at least the last 12 months. You can nominate for President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, or for one of the general committee positions. Voting for these positions will be by current paid up members only.

2. Grading next Saturday (5th March)

Our quarterly grading will be held at Nathan dojo this coming Saturday 5th March. Even if you are not grading, please come along to support your fellow students. As usual, there will some morning tea and socialising afterwards.

Ahead of our main grading, two of our Nathan students were graded last Thursday evening in class.

Rodney completed the February beginner’s course and graded to 7th kyu. He did a great job in demonstrating his techniques. It is never easy doing a first grading alone on the main mat in front of the whole class. Well done Rodney, you are on your way!

Andrew was graded to 4th kyu as well because he left for Port Hedland WA yesterday to live and work for a few months, and won’t be here for our regular grading next weekend. Andrew has put in an enormous amount of practice over the past few months and it showed in his grading. He performed all of his techniques very smoothly and with great confidence and control. Congratulations Andrew! We look forward to seeing you when you return.

3. Michael Williams Sensei weekend seminar 26 & 27 March

Michael Williams Sensei, International Chief Instructor and Australian Chief Instructor, Aikido Yuishinkai Australia will be conducting a weekend seminar on 26th & 27th March, 2011. This seminar is proudly hosted by Byron Bay Aikido Club and will be held at Goshinkan Dojo, 46 Melaleuca Drive, Byron Bay.

Saturday March 26th 10.00am – 4.30pm General classes

Sunday March 27th 10.00am – 12.30pm Special weapons class

Cost: Full seminar $55 / $45; 1 day: $40 / $35; Per session: $20 / $18

Beginners, intermediate and advanced students are welcome to attend this seminar. Come meet and train with Michael Williams Sensei, the founder of Goshinkan Dojo.

4. Congratulations Eri & Michael

Congratulations to Eri & Michael who were married on Saturday morning. They exchanged vows in a lawn ceremony at Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens.

It was a perfect day and the ceremony took place on a private lawn area tucked away in a beautiful shady spot opposite the Japanese gardens.

The ceremony was followed by high tea in the gardens restaurant. Actually it was an ‘endless’ high tea. Eri’s Mum and Dad traveled from Tokyo to attend the wedding. We wish Eri and Michael a long and happy life together!

5. A piece of history

This is an excerpt from a Special Feature Exhibition held at Kyoto National Museum in 2008

“The Swords and Armor of Atsu Hime’s Contemporaries”

Background

Born to a branch family of the Shimazu clan in Kagoshima and adopted as the daughter of the feudal lord Shimazu Nariakira, Atsu Hime (“Princess Atsu,” 1836-1883) became the wife of the thirteenth Tokugawa shogun Iesada (1824-1858). After her husband’s death, she supported Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu (1837-1913) and saw the surrender of Edo Castle from within the inner ladies chambers (J., Ooku). In life, Atsu Hime lived through the political upheavals at the end of the Tokugawa (Edo) period.

The NHK year-long historical drama series Atsu Hime was very popular in Japan. In this televised series, the character Atsu Hime has captured the hearts of her viewers. In conjunction to the Atsu Hime series, this special feature presents five renowned swords and armors housed at the Kyoto National Museum that originally belonged to historic figures who played important roles in Atsu Hime’s life.

Armor with Purple Lacing (Kyoto National Museum)

This large armor belonged to Atsu Hime’s adopted father Shimazu Nariakira. It is well preserved due to its ceremonial use.The vivid color of its lacing is impressive.The Shimizu family crest, a cross in a roundel, which decorates this armor in several places, appears golden and incandescent reputedly because Nariakira ordered a vassal to test electroplating on it.

Tachi (Slung Sword), inscribed Yoshiie (Kyoto National Museum)

(Important Cultural Property)

This sword belonged to the 25th head of the Shimazu clan, Shigehide. It was presented to the adopted daughter of Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune, Princess Take (later Jogan-in), on the occasion of her marriage to Shimazu Tsugutoyo. She later gave it to her grandson Shigehide. This exemplary sword is a masterpiece from the Kamakura period (1185-1333) by the sword smith of the Kyoto Sanj? school, Yoshiie.

To see other past exhibitions at Kyoto National Museum visit:

http://www.kyohaku.go.jp/eng/tenji/koremade/index.html

6. Cheese and crackers for the soul

“Failure is the foundation of success, and the means by which it is achieved. Success is the lurking-place of failure; but who can tell when the turning-point will come?” Lao Tzu