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Teaching can be a way to train oneself. Teaching is learning and studying. Sokaku Sensei taught mainly former members of the samurai caste, those working as police, military officers, and judges. He visited only such people for his own training and there surely were occasions when he found himself in life or death circumstances…. I believe that if his technique was fake or ineffective, he would have been considered useless because police departments could easily exchange such information.
May
07
Video: “If Sokaku Takeda’s technique were fake or ineffective, he would have been considered useless!”
May
07
Video: “Sokaku Takeda should not be omitted from the history of Aikido!”
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In the Meiji period, Sokaku Takeda Sensei perfected Daito-ryu by combining the school of the Takeda family with the tradition of the Aizu clan. Thus, Sokaku Takeda Sensei is the father of modern Daito-ryu and should not be omitted from the history of the art…
May
07
Video: Spectacular Daito-ryu Aiki Budo Demonstration with Katsuyuki Kondo (1995)
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This video contains highlights from a spectacular sogo budo event centered on Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu. In addition to numerous Daito-ryu masters, experts demonstrate aikido, Tenjin Shinyo-ryu jujutsu, and various kobudo schools. The finale features an outstanding demonstration by Katsuyuki Kondo Sensei, Menkyo Kaiden…
May
07
Morihei and Sokaku: “Vague financial dealings helped doom their relationship”
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I suspect that at the root of the problems between the two were Sokaku’s demanding personality, Ueshiba’s independent attitude and spiritual orientation, and the vague financial arrangements with regard to Morihei’s obligations as a certified instructor of Daito-ryu. The page of the Daito-ryu eimeiroku dated September 15, 1922 in which Ueshiba is awarded his kyoju dairi certification clearly states the he was obligated to pay a three yen registration fee to Sokaku for each student enrolling in his dojo…
May
07
Popular! Video: Shoji Nishio Superlative Weapons demonstration in Russia!
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This is a demonstration performed by Shoji Nishio, 8th dan, in Kiev in 1999. Nishio Sensei shows a variety of empty-handed techniques illustrating their application through the demonstration of paired ken and jo kata. Shoji Nishio Sensei was one of aikido’s most innovative teachers incorporating elements from his extensive experience in judo, karate, iaido, and jojutsu in his martial-oriented interpretation of aikido…
May
06
Morihei’s Kyoju Dairi: “How O-Sensei got his Daito-ryu Teaching Certification”
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Two years later in April, Sokaku Takeda appeared in Ayabe with his wife, a daughter, and his 6-year old son, Tokimune, the present Daito-ryu headmaster. The question of whether Takeda invited himself or was asked by Ueshiba to come to Ayabe seems at the moment to be unresolvable, and the official versions from Daito-ryu and aikido sources differ considerably. What is known is that Takeda remained for five months, teaching members of the Ueshiba Juku dojo, and that at the end of this period Ueshiba was awarded the kyoju dairi certificate which conferred upon him official status as an instructor of Daito-ryu…
May
06
Morihei Ueshiba and Sokaku Takeda: “Figuring out the convoluted relationship between these two Masters”
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In modern psychological terms the association between Morihei Ueshiba and Sokaku Takeda might be characterized as a “love-hate” relationship. It is difficult to pin down historical facts as there are almost no surviving witnesses to many of these events. Even today emotionally charged explanations, which largely contradict each other, are offered by Takeda’s and Ueshiba’s successors. It is clear that Ueshiba had deep respect for Takeda’s technical ability and that the latter regarded the founder of aikido as one of his most promising students…
May
06
Video: “Morihei Ueshiba and Sokaku Takeda” by Stanley Pranin
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Let me begin by stating categorically that the major technical influence on the development of aikido is Daito-ryu jujutsu. This art, which is said to be the continuation of a martial tradition of the Aizu Clan dating back several hundred years, was propagated in many areas of Japan during the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa periods by the famous martial artist, Sokaku Takeda. Known equally for his martial prowess and severity of character, Takeda had used his skills in life-and-death encounters on more than one occasion.
May
06
Free download: Morihiro Saito Inspirational Poster
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This photo was shot by Aikido Journal Editor Stanley Pranin in 2000 at the last USA seminar taught by Morihiro Saito Sensei in northern California. Saito Sensei was 72 years of age at that time, and was conducting a weapons class outdoors on the lawn and was kind enough to pose for this beautiful photo…
May
06
“The love-hate relationship between Morihei Ueshiba and Sokaku Takeda”
Click here to watch videoLet me begin by stating categorically that the major technical influence on the development of aikido is Daito-ryu jujutsu. This art, which is said to be the continuation of a martial tradition of the Aizu Clan dating back several hundred years, was propagated in many areas of Japan during the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa periods by the famous martial artist, Sokaku Takeda. Known equally for his martial prowess and severity of character, Takeda had used his skills in life-and-death encounters on more than one occasion…
May
06
Morihiro Saito, 9th dan: “Atemi to the face while executing kotegaeshi”
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This manual by Morihiro Saito, 9th dan, covers in exhaustive detail 76 techniques from the following series of basics: shihonage, kotegaeshi, and iriminage. The contents of this book provide an excellent resource for instructors wishing to devise expert lesson plans to aid in their teaching. Volume 2 is presented in bilingual format (Japanese-English) and provides clear, step-by-step explanations of each technique featuring over 700 illustrations…
May
06
Popular! Video: The Way of the Warrior : Katori Shinto Ryu with Risuke Otake
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“The Way of the Warrior” was a documentary shot by the BBC which aired in the 80s. The last part of the series was called: “The Samurai Way.” It was never to be released on DVD and has become rare collectors footage for martial artists all over the world. A young(er) Risuke Otake explains and demonstrates the finer techniques and philosophies of Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu. An must-see documentary for everyone who is interested in the way of the samurai…
