Member Resources for students of Aikido Multnomah Aikikai in Portland Oregon.
Dojo News blog articles now hosted on http://www.multnomahaikikai.com/dojo-news
Here George Lyons sensei demonstrates katadori ikkyo from suwari waza. Note that his initial movement is out to the side (not backward). First he extends uke, challenging balance, then he places weight on uke's elbow to upset balance. This applies to standing technique as well.
link to view on youtube: https://youtu.be/7tfW2XiGoFc
Week 2 of our Winter Intensive focuses on iriminage and kotegaeshi; jodan, chudan and gedan variations from katatedori gyaku hanmi and ai hanmi. Here are a few helpful videos for your study.
In this video Didier Boyet Sensei demonstrates katatedori gyaku hanmi iriminage jodan
If you have trouble viewing the embedded video you can view it on youTube via this link:
https://youtu.be/JLx1GV4rGiY
Here, Patti Lyons sensei demonstrates katatedori ai hanmi kotegaeshi chudan:
Link to view the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4lcO0JMV0BY
In this video Boyet sensei clearly shows the chudan opening motion. The attack is ryotedori however it applies just as well to katatedori gyaku hanmi.
Link to view on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5ygTcp6hy3o
Kate Savoca demonstrates katatedori gyaku hanmi kotegaeshi gedan. Note her opening motion. For testing at our dojo I'd like to see you do a tenkan as you apply the kotegaeshi.
Link to view on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BlAIS_tBu98
In this video from 1988 Chiba sensei offers instruction on suwari waza shomenuchi ikkyo.
Here is Chiba Sensei again in 2011 demonstrating suwari waza shomenuchi ikkyo. As he slows down to show the initial contact, note that both hands make contact together at uke's elbow:
link to view on Youtube:: https://youtu.be/tgOYPIPOn30
Phillip Vargas Sensei demonstrates suwari waza shomenuchi ikkyo and clearly shows the placement of hands together at uke's elbow. Note how his entrance is compact, elbows down and close to his body. Which knee moves in as he performs the cut down?
link to view on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YazjeLAOKgw
Why we do the opening footwork the way we do for shihonage omote (from katatedori gyaku hanmi).
Note Chiba Sensei is attentive to where he steps relative to uke's foot. Note his use of the shikaku angle in taking uke's balance.
In this video Chiba Sensei relays a story about how the Shihonage technique of O'Sensei evolved after an encounter with a Judoka at a seminar. Video shared by aikipath on YouTube.
Recorded 2008. Uke in this video is Robert Savoca Sensei.
If you have trouble seeing the embedded video you can watch it on YouTube via this link: https://youtu.be/eC_Uctj1CyE
In this video Lorranie DiAnne Sensei demonstrates ryotedori tenshinage, also known as "heaven and earth throw." Note how her initial motion effectively takes uke's balance. As she takes the final step in, she comments "come in low!" She makes the point that many people step in without sufficiently lowering their center and their attempt to throw is ineffective.
Happy New Year! Kagami Biraki is a traditional Japanese New Year celebration. It literally translates to "Opening the Mirror" (from an abstinence) or, also, "Breaking of the Mochi. In martial arts dojos a special Kagami Biraki practice marks the beginning of the year. It is both a celebration and a time to reflect. Multnomah Aikikai celebrates Kagami Biraki on Tue January 10, 2017. Join us for class at 6:15pm.
excerpt from Aikido Today Article*:
The symbolism of the mirror, which is central to Kagami Biraki, dates back to the original trilogy myth (along with the sword and the jewel) of the creation of Japan. By the 15th century Shinto had interpreted the mirror and sword to be important symbols of the virtues that the nation should venerate. They also symbolized creation, legitimacy and authority of the Emperor and by extension the Samurai class itself as part of the feudal system.
Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, emerging from the cave**
The mirror enabled people to see things as they are (good or bad) and thus represented fairness or justice. The mirror was also a symbol of the Sun Goddess — a fierce spirit (the light face of god).
Swords had long been given spiritual qualities among the Samurai. And their possession contributed to a sense of purpose and destiny inherent within the Samurai culture. So legendary were some swords that they were thought to posses their own spirit (kami).
Considered as one of the Samurai’s most important possessions, the sword (and other weapons) symbolized their status and position. Firm, sharp and decisive, the sword was seen as a source of wisdom and venerated for its power and lightning-like swiftness, but it was also seen as a mild spirit (the dark face of god).
Taken together, the mirror and sword represent the Japanese In and Yo, or two forms of energy permeating everything — the primeval forces of the universe from which everything springs — the source of spirit empowering the Emperor by extension Samuraiclass who was in his service.
It was from this time (15th century), it is said, that the tradition of Kagami Biraki began. It developed as a folk Shinto observation with a particular class (Samurai) bent.
