This (1/25/25) was the first class after the end of Kangeiko and after Okamoto sensei’s visit to Portland Aikikai. It was *scolding-look* a lightly attended class. Favorably, lower attendance provides a forum to explain the principle of the axis of an encounter using a weapon. The first explication: shomen-uchi from the draw to irimi-nage. BothContinue reading “AIKIKEN AND THE AXIS”
Category Archives: Class Notes
OKAMOTO SHIHAN SEMINAR 2025
Okamoto sensei was in San Francisco for the January seminar which, historically, was the time Yamada sensei made his annual visit. It was a well-attended seminar with instructors from Mexico City and Montreal in attendance. Mike Napoli, Russ Gorman, Oscar Johnson and I represented Portland Aikikai. Okamoto sensei focused on connection and presented very fewContinue reading “OKAMOTO SHIHAN SEMINAR 2025”
TACHI DORI (Forms 1 and 2)
I have been presenting sword-takes away from the paired sword form san-no-tachi. The reason to show the disarms from a paired sword exercise is to train the visual system to recognize how the moment in time looks and to teach sensitivity in weapon engagements. Form 1 is done on after the first kirikaeshi. Shidachi executesContinue reading “TACHI DORI (Forms 1 and 2)”
Protective Arts 