JO v BOKKEN

Cautionary Reminder This is aiki-weapons theory. It is designed to teach harmonious action, ki-musubi, not the full spectrum of combat efficacity. The emphasis on sequential action and clean initiative exchange presumes an encounter between near-equals, where both partners participate in the developmental logic of the drill. Actual combat is rarely so orderly. Real engagements fractureContinue reading “JO v BOKKEN”

IRIMI NAGE

In the last several classes I have focused on irimi-nage starting from ai-hanmi katate-dori. To develop precision and accuracy, I’ve emphasized how nage’s hand position determines the flow of movement. More importantly, the moment of contact defines the fixed point around which all subsequent action resolves. What do I mean? Much like tai no henko,Continue reading “IRIMI NAGE”

AIKIKEN AND THE AXIS

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”