Updated 14th November 2008
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Duncan Stewart Seminar 2007
Residing in Japan, Shihan Duncan Stewart visits Bujinkan Hiryu Dojo for the first time. A fresh new approach to Taijutsu, filled with useful training tips and on the spot insights to the current theme and training in Japan. Duncan shared valuable lessons from his personal training with Soke and the Japanese Shihan and left us all with a clear message of how we should be practicing Budo.
Over two exciting days techniques from Kukishin Ryu- an Armoured Fighting School were explored. Duncan gave his unique perspective on the school adding his own experiences to flavour the training.: If you want to see some of what you missed you can buy the DVD set. See our new "Store" page for details. __________________________________________________________
Japan and UK - March 2008
Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu – Hidden Door School
This article was based on a conversation between local students and Simon Gaunt.
"Moving into a space where your oppenent cannot see you or react was something that was apparent here" "Timing plays a big part in this" "There was a light and gentle feeling but with direct action"
"When faced with multiple attackers, we need to experiment by drawing them into your space where you can attack" The use of Metsubushi across the whole area of attackers making the judgement of such an attack difficult while you escape or choose to deploy other tactics."
"Changing your sword grip within the timing of the movement to leave your opponent in a position of weakness" Soke also explained about positioning your sword to create Juji (A Crossing of swords using the blade edge) to have advantage over your attacker"
"Photographers snapped away trying to capture Sokes very motions with great difficulty for a new book titled `The Way of the Warrior` By DK Productions" Thousands of shots trying to capture the very layers of the training" "Students were asked to demonstrate their interpretations showing uniqueness of movement and naturalness" explained Simon
UK – Doncaster
Travelling to my hometown of which I had left some 17 years ago made for a special gathering of friends /buyu old and new. The event was hosted by my good friend Andrew Whalley and brought together myself and Brian Duckers Shihan for training over Easter Weekend.
Students had travelled far and wide including that of an old Student Barry of which was part of my classes from my Isle of Man days. It was great to see people had made a commitment which set the mood for the training ahead.
I started the first part of the training and covered ideas taken from my recent Japan trips. I felt it was important to share the feeling of the Bujinkan through the various training concepts but also leave them with things that they required within their own training. I believe that too much flow is just as bad a too much form.
Brian worked with the ideas for the afternoon session and it all worked very well. He added his own experience with training tips and explanations etc. Sword work was introduced and the bringing alive of hidden weapons.
The last session Brian and I worked together changing very quickly through henka adding another dimension to each other’s techniques and concepts. Everyone worked very hard and students would have left with new training ideas back in their own Dojo
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Japan trip October 2007
By Simon Gaunt
Japan was increasingly getting colder, but the training as always was hot! Jo –Anne and I arrived in Kashiwa, we checked into our Hotel before heading off to Soke`s class that evening. The ambience in the dojo was light and friendly, and there seemed only a few foreigners in town. This was the start of some excellent training ahead.
Soke
Always interesting things to show, not just his budo but facial expressions and body language that translated each movement into it appropriate form, allowing each practioner from every country to grasp the concepts and training tips. I found the Kuden (Oral Transmission) he shared invaluable to the progress and development of each layer of training. Everyone would have left class that evening trying to digest the deeper meanings our of art. Soke talked about `I To` Translated as Intent or Goal and Shinnen Jutsu Controlling your opponents mind.
Each of the various Japanese Shihan classes were a translation of Sokes class, breaking down the various aspects of the waza and adding their own flavour to bring the techniques alive. Each Shihan giving a new and fresh approach to Henka.
Nagato Shihan
Fluid Ashisabaki (Footwork) clearly safe in every move. A powerful individual but with extreme gentleness. You always detect a feeling of being eliminated in one or two steps. These classes are always straight to the point but with swift and subtle changes which are disguised with the movement.
Senou Shihan
This class was very technical, almost perfectly correct at every moment. Lots of spine work and balance breaking seemed to be the idea here. Techniques flowed with intricate add ons to complete or change a movement.
Oguri Shihan
The pushing and pulling of opposite joints to create a lock to the spine and small movements giving big advantages to putting your opponent in a place where it was difficult to counter.
Noguchi Shihan
A high energy class, starting with a basic technique, exploding and exploring into a hundred ideas including use of every body part, change of rhythm and timing and making life extremely difficult for the uke.
New Zealand saw the birth of two new Godans and the Bujinkan is growing strong in this country. Nine students travelled with me this year, including my daughter aged one. The knowledge shared and gained can only be a solid platform for individuals to grow. We will be once again back in Noda for Spring and more tasty budo.
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