The Japanese Tea ceremony

The Japanese tea ceremony had its origins 700 years ago when Zen Buddhist monks began drinking tea from a single bronze bowl in front of a statue of their founder, Budhidharma, during worship.

However, it was about 500 years ago that founder Sen No Rikkyu began to develop the simple tea ceremony, as practiced by the monks. He transformed the ceremony to a ritual of humility, simplicity and self-cultivation.

The Japanese Tea Ceremony now captures all the elements of Japanese philosophy and artistic beauty, and interweaves four principles – harmony (with people and nature), respect (for others), purity (of heart and mind), and tranquility.

The ceremony may be performed in a specially designed room in a private house, in a tea house within a private garden, in a designated complex of rooms in the workplace, or in a public tea house.

Each occasion is different and aesthetics plays an important role. Flower arrangement, calligraphy, wall hangings, and tea wares are carefully chosen to create the desired atmosphere depending on the guests, event and the time of year.

Becoming a true Tea Master is a lifetime’s work because the Tea Ceremony involves a deep understanding and appreciation of a complex combination of sensual and spiritual elements. However, a student can learn enough of the basic movements and rituals to create a tea after three years or so of dedicated study.

Shukan News 20th June

Monday 20th June 2011

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

1. Aikido and Knees

knee-jointThe following is an article by Bartłomiej Gajowiec and has been reproduced from Aikido Journal Online.

Knee joints are the biggest joints of the human body. With several axes of mechanical load meeting, there they are one of the most mechanically complicated complexes of the body. Every day they bear tons of load, making thousands of movements that are not just flexing and extending.

Knees are strictly “ligamentous” joints. That means that their stability and basic functions are governed by ligaments and ligaments only. Muscles are only for precise and fluent joint play. Healthy muscles only – to our surprise – decelerate those joints, but also influence their range of movement if they are not elastic enough to let them work in their natural range of movements.

Read the entire article Aikido and Knees.

2. State of mind in martial arts

The-book-of-five-ringsAn extract from “The Water Scroll”, The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi. This book is available in our library.

“In the science of martial arts, the state of mind should remain the same as normal. In ordinary circumstances as well as when practicing martial arts, let there be no change at all – with the mind open and direct, neither tense nor lax, centering the mind so that there is no imbalance, calmly relax your mind, and savour this moment of ease thoroughly so that the relaxation does not stop its relaxation for even an instant.

Even when still, your mind is not still; even when hurried, your mind is not hurried. The mind is not dragged by the body, the body is not dragged by the mind. Pay attention to the mind, not the body. Let there be neither insufficiency nor excess in your mind. Even if superficially weakhearted be inwardly stronghearted, and do not let others see into your mind. It is essential for those who are physically small to know what it is like to be large, and for those who are physically large to know what it is like to be small; whether you are physically large or small, it is essential to keep your mind free from subjective biases.

Let your inner mind be unclouded and open, placing your intellect on a broad plane. It is essential to polish the intellect and mind diligently. Once you have sharpened your intellect to the point where you can see whatever in the world is true or not, where you can tell whatever is good or bad, and when you are experienced in various fields and are incapable of being fooled at all by people of the world, then your mind will become imbued with the knowledge and wisdom of the art of war.

There is something special about knowledge of the art of war. It is imperative to master the principles of the art of war and learn to be unmoved in mind even in the heat of battle.”

3. Aikido is more than technique

Technique is for the dojo. Aikido is for life!

Whilst technique is important, there is so much more to Aikido than being able to throw or immobilize. For example, Jim Nicholls Sensei from Byron Bay Aikido club gives a wonderful lesson in verbal Aikido. There is no physical contact involved. The only obvious links between defender and aggressor are voice and body language. It is a subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) combination of tone, volume, expression and posture.

Of course, voice and body language are merely the outer forms. The inner form is the spirit. In other words, what is really driving the voice and the body’s posture as a self defense mechanism is a positive mind, self confidence and a strong extension of internal energy. Although invisible, there is a real connection made at this level.

As O Sensei said, “Your spirit is the true shield.”

Verbal Aikido employs all the same principles of Aikido but without the physical contact. This is very relevant to everyday life because not every action in this world requires a martial response. In fact very little does. Outside the dojo, we always have a choice of how we respond to people. For example, using Aikido terminology, we can choose:
Irimi or tenkan – enter or turn? Atemi or taijin – strike or retreat?

The threats we deal with on a daily basis are statistically unlikely to come in the form of an armed attack or random violence. They are most likely to come in the form of frustration and anger arising from skirmishes at home, at work, out shopping, and while driving.

So while it is technique that is learnt inside the dojo, it is the underlying principles that are applied outside. Most of the time, these must be applied without any physical contact whatsoever.

4. Thought for the week

morihei-ueshiba1“A good stance and posture reflect a proper state of mind.” Morihei Ueshiba

The Koto

The koto is a unique Japanese musical instrument with an unforgettable sound that is instantly associated with traditional Japanese art and culture. It has a history in Japan of over 1200 years and is iconic in representing the nation’s traditional past.

It is no surprise that the Koto is Japan’s national musical instrument.

The instrument is made from kiri wood (Paulownia tomentosa). It has 13 strings that are stretched over 13 movable bridges along the width of the instrument. Players use three finger picks to pluck the strings can adjust the string pitches by moving these bridges.

The instrument originated from the Chinese Guzheng but developed its own tradition in Japan since the 8th century. It was traditionally played as a form of entertainment in the imperial courts.

In the 16th century, Kenjun, a Buddhist priest from Northern Kyushu, began to compose for the instrument, calling the original style “Tsukushi” after the region where he lived.

Yatsuhashi Kengyo (1614-1685), a gifted blind musician from Kyoto, learned from Kenjun and transformed the limited repertoire by adding new techniques, making new tunings, and writing new compositions.

His most well-known composition, “Rokudan no Shirabe” (Study in Six Steps) remains as an often played classical koto piece even today. This piece is viewed by koto players as containing all of the basic techniques needed for koto playing.

Shukan News 13th June

Monday 13th June 2011

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

700_386621. What’s news?

  • A huge ‘thank you’ to Lenore, Neil and Lachlan for hosting our committee meeting on Saturday afternoon. It made a wonderful change from the spartan conditions in the dojo and it was so lovely to be spoilt for 3 hours. Your hospitality was very much appreciated.
  • In response to feedback at our recent planning meeting, Howard Petersen Sensei was our guest instructor on Saturday morning. Howard is a very experienced Aikido practitioner. He is a former member and instructor with Griffith Aikido who now lives at
  • Mt. Tamborine. We extend our warmest thanks to Sensei.
  • We have invited Murray Loader Sensei to hold a weekend seminar at our dojo around the end of July. He is a very experienced practitioner and teacher; and Head Dojo Instructor at Aikido Yuishinkai Canberra. The exact date has yet to be confirmed but we hope to release full details in a week or two.
  • It was also great to welcome Bruce Tranter back into our dojo over the past week or so. Another former member, Bruce now lives in Tasmania. He is training with us while he is in Brisbane on sabbatical leave for a few months.

2. For the sake of a few coins at Narita

There was a great story in the Travel Section of The Australian on the weekend before last, about a traveller’s experience at a duty free shop at Japan’s Narita airport.

It is one of many wonderful human experiences that often go hand in hand with travel in Japan.

Read the full story For the sake of a few coins at Narita

3. Pairing up in class

700_3923There is no doubt that one of the best ways to learn is to pair up with someone at a higher level. So it should stand to reason that the last people to pair up would be the most junior ranked students in the dojo. Not always!

Sometimes it is one of the most senior ranked students who is standing alone; one who is most able and willing to pass on their knowledge.

People pair up with each other for practice for a variety of reasons. It is fun to practice with friends; some students like to practice with those around their own level; and some boys like to have boy’s fun and often ignore the girls. In addition to that, students who don’t take ukemi well can be overlooked, as are those who can be are a little too rough in practice.

It is common that some higher ranked students consider their own training to be on hold if they have to pair up with a junior. Nothing could be further from the truth.

First, you still get to practice the technique even though you will have to adjust a little for the experience of your partner; and there are always things to work on.

Second, you can help your junior partner learn the technique; and this is not always done with words. More often it is by demonstration and feeling. Demonstrating and explaining is harder than it looks and often requires senior students to undo some bad habits of their own and to relearn the technique.

IMG_4103-1Many students hate being the centre of attention. Their dread is apparent the first time they are asked to do the warm ups or teach under the supervision of a higher ranked student. It is a tough gig. Usually the student involved is happy to see the end of it and return to the anonymity of the class group.

Regardless of whether you are in a formal teaching position or not, watching and helping others is a great way to learn what to do and what not to do. Sometimes you can recognize your past mistakes in others. Sometimes it is like holding up the mirror to the present.

Give it a go! Next time you are sick or injured come to the dojo and watch from the side. You will gain a new perspective on Aikido and your interpretation of it.

Teaching is a continuation of learning and learning never stops. You don’t have to be a regular class instructor to teach, and you don’t always have to be on the mat to learn. However, being selfless and helping others in any capacity will develop your own deeper understanding of Aikido.

4. Thought for the week

Osensei“If your opponent strikes with fire, counter with water, becoming completely fluid and free-flowing. Water, by its nature, never collides with or breaks against anything. On the contrary, it swallows up any attack harmlessly.” O Sensei Morehei Ueshiba

The Jo

brisbane-aikido-jo2According to history or legend, Muso Gonnosuki was reputed to be the inventor of the Jo – a wooden staff 4 feet in length.

Muso was a samurai of the early late 16th – early 17th century and the traditional founder of the Koryu school of Jojutsu known as Shinto Muso-ryu. His favorite weapon was the Bo – a six foot staff.

Muso’s fighting skills with the Bo were well known as he defeated foe after foe. Then one day he met and challenged Miyamoto Musashi, one of Japan’s greatest swordsman. The ensuing battle was long and hard but it was Muso who was defeated.

Miyamoto spared Muso’s life, who subsequently retired to the mountains to contemplate. It was during this period of meditation that Muso developed the shorter staff and adapted his fighting techniques to suit his new weapon, the Jo.

He had designed a staff that was shorter and thinner than any being used at the time. The Jo was designed to be much faster and would allow Gonnosuke to get a lot closer to his opponent.

When Muso felt ready, he left his mountain retreat and once again confronted Miyamoto, challenging him to a duel. This time it was Muso who was the victor and he too spared Miyamoto’s life, becoming the only man ever to best the master swordsman. Ever since then, the Jo as we know it has been credited to Muso Gonnosuki.

The Jo proved to be a recognised weapon in its own right because it is effective against the sword. What makes the Jo so effective is that it is shorter than the Bo yet longer than a Katana. Both ends of the Jo can be used and interchanged freely.

It can be used like a sword to strike or a spear to jab. It can also be used to block and trap an opponent’s weapon. These and other fighting techniques have been retained in the arts of Jo-jitsu and Jodo.

brisbane-aikido-jo-13Master Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido, discovered the Jo to be the ideal weapon to use with his Aikido. He incorporated the Jo as an extension of Aikido principles which gives it more freedom of movement. This unique method of using the Jo became known as Aiki-Jo.

In Aikido, the Jo is used as a supplement to training and a way of demonstrating Aikido principles and enhancing technique. It is used to develop leading skills as the only way to use a Jo effectively in Jo-nage or Jo-tori is to lead through its tip. It is also great for learning extension skills, centered movement and judging ma-ai interval.

Basic Jo strikes are contained within several Kata which in our style is performed in a grading at 2nd Kyu level. However, Jo kata is more than scripted movement. It is also about the spirit in which it is used.

Shukan News 6th June

Monday 6th June 2011

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

1. Beginners – don’t miss out!

Your last chance this month to learn the subtle art of Aikido with Griffith Aikido Institute begins 6.30 pm on Thursday evening (9th) at Nathan Dojo.

Join the June 2011 Beginner’s Course. To book your place, go to our payments page page and pay by Paypal

  • $70 adult; or
  • $50 student / concession

2. An Interview with Maruyama Sensei

Maruyama Sensei

Maruyama Sensei

One of the Shukan News research team found this interesting interview with Maruyama Sensei on the Aikido Yuishinkai Canberra website. The interview was conducted by the Chief Instructor of Aikido Yuishinkai Singapore.

Maruyama Sensei provides some fascinating insight into his time with O Sensei and his development of Aikido Yuishinkai. Sensei also shares his thoughts on weapons, the importance of the centerline and the healing aspects of our art.

To the question, “What do you think is the most valuable gift that a teacher can give to a student?” Sensei replies “Don’t fight. Use Ki. Don’t resist. Take ukemi.”

Read the full Interview with Maruyama Sensei. (Scroll down past the Aikido Yuishikai Motto)

 

3. A Sunday karate grading in Ipswich

P60405262On Sunday I was a spectator and a proud Dad as my son Greg graded to Shodan-ho in Anderson Bushi Kai karate. It is fascinating to watch other arts and I am pleased to be able to look past the kicking and punching to see the underlying principles that drive every martial art.

I was particularly interested in the Buki breathing of their Sanchin kata. They stand tall, always emphasising a straight centreline. During a long inhale, all the chakras are aligned as Ki energy is drawn from the universe. At the same time, the feet make very solid ‘white toes’ contact with the earth, also drawing up energy.

All the energy drawn into the body during inhalation is then pushed down and exhaled hard as it is directed through the arm into the hand, focused into the two striking knuckles and propelled explosively through the target. That was the yang! Their yin was the Tensho kata which followed; all soft and flowing forms with just a little yang as the palms pushed outwards. Great to watch!

In the self defence section, the defences to grabs were very reminiscent of our Aikido techniques. The difference was mainly the inclusion of explosive strikes with hands, feet, knees and elbows which we tend to downplay.

The grading concluded with 10 x 2-3 minute rounds of sparring. Although quite physical, it was obviously a source of great enjoyment for participants and spectators alike. As much as technique was important, this was all about focus, self control, endurance and good old fashioned heart! The instructors mingled between four pairs of combatants urging them on; through the tiredness; through the pain; through the injuries; and most of all urging them to never, ever give up!

All were exhausted as they knelt to receive and put on their hard earned black belts. All were elated as they received recognition and congratulations from their instructors. I love martial arts. In addition to their obvious self defence benefits, the underlying principles are wonderful metaphors for life.

4. Thought of the week

O Sensei
“Always keep your mind as bright and clear as the vast sky, the great ocean, and the highest peak, empty of all thoughts. Always keep your body filled with light and heat. Fill yourself with the power of wisdom and enlightenment.” O Sensei Morehei Ueshiba

The Bokken

700_5909The Bokken is a Japanese wooden sword used for training. It is about the size and shape of a Japanese katana but it is far cheaper and a lot safer than a live blade in sword related arts such as kendo, aikido and kenjutsu.

Heavier bokken are designed to develop strength and technique, often used in suburi (solo cutting exercises). However, the heavier weight of the suburi bokken makes it less suitable for paired practice or kata.

Historically, the bokken can be traced back as far as the Japanese sword. It was used for the training of battlefield warriors. It was also the wooden training tool for those martial artists interested in learning the art of the sword.

It was during the Muromachi Period 1336-1600 A.D. that the use of the bokken became popular. This was when the warriors began dueling against a single opponent instead of fighting in a battlefield situation.

Miyamoto Musashi, a kenjutsu master, was well known for fighting fully armed opponents with only one or two bokken. It is legend that he defeated Sasaki Kojiro with a bokken that he had carved from an oar while travelling on a boat to the arranged island for the duel.

The Aikido Bokken of today hasn’t changed much from that used centuries ago in feudal Japan. Although they are made in various parts of the world, the most popular ones still come from Japan and are made of Japanese red oak or white oak. White oak bokken are a little stronger, so are less likely to be damaged in contact training.

The parts of the Aikido bokken are the same as the katana:

  • Tsuka – the handle
  • Ha – the edge
  • Kissaki – the tip
  • Monouchi – the cutting portion of the edge, the 1/3 closest to the kissaki
  • Mune – the back of the blade
  • Chu-o – the middle third of the blade
  • Tsuba moto – the third of the blade closest the handle
  • Tsuba – the guard, not present on most Aikido bokuto
  • Shinogi – the ridge between the mune and the edge
  • Shinogi-ji – the flat plane between the mune and the shinogi
  • Jigane – the flat plane between the shinogi and the temper line (edge)
  • Tsuka gashira – strictly the pommel fitting, butt end of the bokuto

Shukan News 30th May

Monday 30th May 2011

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

1. Next BEGINNERS COURSE starts on Tuesday 7th June

Learn Aikido, the mysterious Japanese martial art, where size and physical strength mean nothing. For more information check out this site and email Ben at aikidogriffith@gmail.com. Don’t worry that you have no previous experience or you are not fit enough. This is the martial art where you can be you! When you start our Beginners Course, you will have your own experienced instructor on your own mat. Come give Aikido a try and combine effective self defence with a great night out!

2. Adult grading report

Excitement filled the air as our Nathan dojo held its quarterly grading last Saturday. Once again it was gratifying to see so many people meeting the challenge and progressing.

6th kyu
Danwin and Anthony were first onto the mat. Anthony trains with the adults on Saturday mornings and was making the transition from the striped orange belt of the teens / aikikids grading system to the adult grades. He did a good job in his first adult grading, showing a good basic understanding however, Anthony would benefit enormously from training twice a week.

Danwin performed a very good 6th kyu grading and looked like he was thoroughly enjoying it. He was calm and very smooth in his technique; his regular practice shining through. He moved well and blended well and has certainly raised our expectations for his yellow belt grading.

5th kyu
IMG_4103-1Daniel had the mat to himself for his yellow belt demonstration. A solo performance can be a daunting task but he handled it all very calmly and for the most part very confidently. Like Danwin, Daniel has trained the house down since joining us early this year and is eager to learn. Keep up the great work Daniel!

4th kyu
Brenden and Jerimy both performed very well in their orange belt demonstration. Both did a great job showing a very good understanding of the techniques. Both were relaxed and showed good close control.

3rd kyu
IMG_4115-13There was a lot to like about Phillipa’s green belt grading. Some nerves crept in at the start but she showed great calmness and a lot of control. Her tanizugake was terrific with really good movement from her centre. I’m glad I wasn’t on the receiving end of some of her throws.

IMG_4121-12nd kyu
Krishna and Matthew were awesome! As they worked side by side, it was hard to take our eyes off them. I saw a side of Krishna I have never seen before. He was calm, very confident and in control with some very smooth technique. What can I say … it was a terrific grading demonstration!

Matt just amazed us! He has some heavy duty eyesight challenges but his other senses are doing the job just fine. He has found new ways to detect Uke’s movements and his sensory perception is better than most people with 20:20 vision. His was also a terrific performance where he showed all of the the softness and smooth control expected in a brown belt grading. Great work guys!

IMG_4150-11st kyu (brown belt + hakama)
I knew we were in for a treat with these guys and girls because all of them are dedicated students who train 3 times a week most of the time. We knew they would come well prepared and they didn’t disappoint. They brought their A-game.

Lachlan’s grading was first class! He used the mat very well during his taninzugake to lengthen and shorten the attacks. At one stage we thought we might have to call an ambulance for poor David as Lachlan repeatedly threw him in zenpo from one end of the mat to the other. His weapons kata were very impressive; performed with great maturity and very strong Ki. The only word we could find to describe it at the time was ‘WOW’! This makes Lachlan the youngest 1st kyu in our club’s history.

IMG_4182-11Mike did a great job! He is rapidly finding his centre. For the past three years or so, he has persistently chipped away at softening his technique and using his hips. The fact that relaxation drove much of his taninzugake made his grading very pleasing to watch. The highlight for me was his weapons. His strong Ki extension boomed inside the dojo and almost rattled the squash court windows. Well done Mike!

Janet was very impressive. She was a picture of composure and control. She didn’t raise a sweat or quicken her breathing from start to finish, even through her very competent weapons kata. Janet was very calm and relaxed as she demonstrated a wide range of techniques, and I now see a new confidence emerging in everything she does on the mat.

IMG_4326-1Narelle was wonderful! She lives and breathes Aikido so it was just another day at the office as she went calmly about her work, under the watchful eye of her mascot Aikido-bear. (That was the one with the ringside seat snoozing beside Kamiza). Her taninzugake was trademark soft and smooth as she scorched through her repertoire. On the weapons mat she was calm and focused with great extension through the Bokken and Jo. We could even hear the woosh of her Bokken as it whistled through the kata. Great job Narelle!

Emile was very relaxed and smiled all the way through his taninzugake but we had to deduct big points for threatening to throw Kylie into the Senseis. And remind me not to stand in front of him when he is holding a bokken or a Jo, so strong was his Ki with weapons. Emile was very impressive and we are so happy that he is staying long enough to do his Shodan grading before returning home to New Caledonia.

As you can appreciate, everyone’s journey is different. Everyone has their own challenges and no two people are the same. Advancing to the higher ranks simply means that there are new challenges to face, but the journey goes on. The way forward is only ever found in regular practice.

Many thanks to our dear friends from Everton Hills dojo who came over to support us. Your Ukemi services were very much appreciated. Thank you to Bartek and Kylie for the photos. There will be many more photos posted soon from Sandy and Dean who were both busy snapping away on Saturday. Check out our Facebook page!

Thank you to Narelle, Jutta, Lenore and everyone else who helped out with organizing food. A big thanks also to everyone who brought a plate along to the afternoon tea. This includes Ben who brought along an empty plate, being the remnants of what was a full plate that he cleaned up after the last grading. Things obviously work differently in Malaysia.

Until the next grading … Sayonara!

3. Our Facebook page has come to life

As many of you have noticed, our new Facebook page has suddenly sprung into life. When we had our new website built late last year, the site builder set up a Facebook account and connected it to our website, and then we proceeded to overlook it for a few months. Ah well! Better late than never!

Since an observant member pointed out this oversight at our recent planning meeting, we are off and running with it. So please feel free to get connected (above), send us a friend request and join Griffith Aikidoclub on Facebook. Please take care with your comments though. We are a family club and this is a family site. We are encouraging Aikikids members to join as well as adults.

4. Thought of the week

“To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without inflicting injury in the Art of Peace.” O Sensei Morehei Ueshiba

The 5-step personal protection system

self-defence-personal-protection-1The goal of Personal Protection is your own safety. That is, to stay safe or to regain a position of safety. It is not about hanging tough, engaging, fighting or payback.

With the assistance of Catherine Schnell, a Melbourne based Aikido instructor who runs a very popular Personal Safety Concepts program at her Aiki Centre, and Mike Allen, a Sydney based Target Focused Training (TFT) Instructor, Griffith Aikido has developed its own 5-Step Personal Protection system.

It consists of a series of escalated responses (below), which means you begin at preparation and move through as many of the remaining four steps below, in order, as the situation requires.

  1. Preparation
  2. Awareness
  3. Avoidance
  4. Assertiveness
  5. Escape

You stop when you are either in control of the situation or have managed to escape. Escape is the goal at any stage of the process, so whenever there is an opportunity to escape – take it!

1. Preparation

Have a safety plan! Develop a few simple strategies to increase your personal protection. For example, increase your own safety skills (self defence), learn to assess risk, increase your other safety resources (e.g. mobile phone, friends, family); take a friend with you, organise a lift home; use a friend and a rehearsed ruse to escape a difficult date.

2. Awareness

Awareness is your early warning defence. It takes away the element of surprise so make sure your radar is on. To increase your sense of awareness it is important to reduce distractions (e.g. headphones, mobile phones).

It is also important to monitor your environment and to increase vigilance in high risk areas. Look around you, keep your wits about you and always trust your intuition. Be wary of approaching strangers. Learn to recognise early warning signs and be attuned for the unusual. The aim is to make your self a very hard target.

3. Avoidance

aikido-brisbane-5Not being where trouble resides is always the best defense. Whilst it is your right to walk in any public space at any time, there are some simple things you can do to keep yourself safe.

Walk away from a dispute. If there’s an opportunity to escape – take it. If you see or sense trouble walk away; if you have a bad intuitive feeling – leave; if in doubt cross the street.

Take a wide path around a blind corner, move away from bushes and avoid short cuts through lonely areas. Try to stay where other people are; don’t allow yourself to become isolated. Walk on the outside of the footpath away from darkened doorways.

4. Assertiveness

To be assertive means being confident and direct in expressing your intention. However it stops short of aggressive behaviour. Even where the situation calls for an escalated response, it should still be delivered in a calm and measured way.

The elements of assertiveness are eye contact, voice, expression and other body language. All should be neutral. Staring down, adopting a fighting stance, scowling or shouting abuse only serve to escalate the situation. However, once confronted, never take your eyes off your opponent.

It is important that you maintain an attitude of non-engagement. Therefore it is critical that you maintain distance between you and the aggressor (more than two arm lengths away) and you may have to move constantly to maintain it. While you are keeping distance an assailant will be trying to close it. Don’t allow your ego to take over your mind. Assertive non-engagement is a very powerful weapon if played out calmly.

5. Escape

In a threatening situation, stay calm and keep moving. The direction of movement is not important, provided that it is always towards safety. To escape you may have to break free of a grab or you may have to strike to distract. Pain is the distraction and punching is not the best way to strike unless you are trained. The goal is always to escape, not to fight. So don’t be too proud to turn and run. Staying safe is the goal, not looking cool.

Shukan News 23rd May

1. Koichi Tohei Sensei (1920-2011)

Koichi Tohei Sensei

Koichi Tohei Sensei

The Aikido world suffered a great loss last week with the passing of Koichi Tohei Sensei. Tohei Sensei was the founder of Shinshin Toitsu Aikido (Ki-Aikido). He passed away peacefully at 9:14 last Thursday 19th May 2011. He was 91 years old. His funeral will be held within his family members soon and a farewell reception for the general public will be held in Tokyo, Japan at a later date.

To read the Aikido Journal official online blog go to:

http://blog.aikidojournal.com/blog/2011/05/19/koichi-tohei-sensei-passes-at-age-91/

Koichi Tohei (藤平光一, Tōhei Kōichi) was born on 20 January 1920. He was a 10th Dan Aikidoka and founder of the Ki Society and its style of aikido, officially Shinshin Toitsu Aikido (literally ‘aikido with mind and body unified’), but commonly known as Ki-Aikido.

Tohei Sensei wrote many books on Aikido and the importance of Ki. The list below is a small sample, which we have in our library:

  • Ki in Daily Life – 4889960716 Oxford University Press, USA
  • The Book of Ki – 0870403796 Japan Publications, Japan
  • Aikido in Daily Life – 0870402218 Japan Publications, Japan
  • Kiatsu – 0870405365 Japan Publications, Japan

There is so much that can be said about the life and teachings of Tohei Sensei; an original student of O Sensei, a soldier and teacher. He was one of the true Masters of Aikido and has had an immense influence on the art. He will be sorely missed.

The video below is one of many available to view on You Tube. This is a small demonstration of his application of Ki to the art of Aikido.

2. Grading next Saturday

700_3887Our May quarterly grading will be held next Saturday (28th) at 10.30 am. It is an important event for those grading, but it is equally important for those of you not grading to come along and support your friends and colleagues. A grading is also the only real opportunity you have to see the grading demonstrations that you will be required to perform in the future.

We always need Ukes at a grading. At Griffith Aikido, we always have many demonstrations on grading day, which requires many Ukes. There is nothing quite the same as taking Ukemi at a grading. It is a great way to improve your rolling skills and your fitness.

You will be able to replenish your energy afterwards with complementary food and drink. Quite a few people have offered to bring a plate, which means a lot of really delicious treats.

For those grading on Saturday, remember to breathe and stay relaxed. Technical proficiency is important but relaxation makes everything go more smoothly and you will conserve energy.

3. Fushimi Inari Taisha

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Fushimi Inari Taisha

Located about 2km southeast of Kyoto station, Fushimi Inari Taisha is without doubt the largest and most impressive Inari shrine in Japan. It is a shinto jinja (shrine) dedicated to the spirit Inari, located in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. Fushimi Inari Taisha is also famous for appearing in the film Memoirs of a Geisha.

It is especially well known for the thousands of vermilion torii lining the paths on the hill on which the shrine is located. The torii gates are all donations from individuals, families or companies. The Inari spirit is considered to be the protector of grains, especially rice, and has thus historically been associated with wealth. Companies often make offerings to Inari shrines in the form of barrels of rice wine (sake) or torii gates.

Fushimi Inari Taisha, like most other Inari shrines, has an open view of the main idol object (a mirror). Fushimi Inari Taisha was founded in the 8th century by the Hata family and is the head shrine of no less than 30,000 Inari Shrines nationwide.

The sanctuary is composed of several buildings, including the Sakura-mon Gate (桜門) and Go-Honden Shrine (御本殿), followed by a 4km tunnel made of thousands of red torii gates making their way through the woods.

Fushimi-Inari-TaishaThe 4km walk through the torii tunnel to the top of the Inari-san hill can be a strenuous one, especially in the heat of summer. That does not discourage some joggers using it as a training ground, to the astonishment of tourists. Two large ponds and several small waterfalls can be found in the maze of torii, depending on which path you decide to follow.

Statues of menacing kitsune (foxes), said to have the magic power to take possession of human spirits, alternate with torii gates. The fox is however reverred to as the god of harvest (rice and cereals), and is often seen carrying a key in his mouth, which is for the rice granary. Foxes are said to love rice balls rolled in fried tofu, which for that reason are called “o-inari-san”. They can be purchased in just about any sushi shop.

Visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha in the late afternoon as the sun slowly sets can be a thrilling experience and is definitely recommended for those who believe in the “spirits of the forest”.

4. Thought of the week

“There is no form and no style in Aikido. The movement of Aikido is the movement of Nature, whose secret is profound and infinite. So it is essentially different from some of the other Budo which cling only to forms. When we use the word “form” we mean that the techniques of Aikido are a series of endless spiritual forms. They are unified so closely with each other that they cannot be divided. This is beyond the concept of “form” in the conventional sense. The techniques of Aikido, as we can therefore see, are different from those of Judo, kendo or Karate, but its spirit is in accord with the secrets of these other arts.” O Sensei Morehei Ueshiba