Takemusu Aikido Society

Today in the Balbriggan dojo we welcomed a guest from Australia, a former uchideshi of Nemoto sensei, Trevor Jones. Today we focused on the iriminage techniques and at the end of practice, Trevor also taught us a few techniques.    Tai-Jutsu: Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Kosadori Iriminage Katatedori Iriminage Jodan Katatedori Iriminage Gedan Shomen Uchi Iriminage Ryotedori Tenchinage Trevor's teaching: Shomen Uchi Kokyunage (similar to the entrance to kaitenage with irimiage-like finishing) Shomen Uchi Kaitenage Soto Zagi Kokyuho Bukiwaza: Ken no Kamae Shiboru Undo Tanren-Shiboru Picture taken 29 September 2018 in Tsukuba Shurenkai. Trevor is second from the right in the front row (with a logo on the chest) #aikido #aikidobalbriggan #aikidofingal #aikidodublin #aikidoireland #iwamaaikido #aikidoaikikai #nagewaza

Finally with the fresh results of the PCR test in my pocket I headed to Iwama. For years I dreamed of becoming an uchideshi, but I could not do it because of my work. Now, my dream has come true, and I am in Iwama passing through the familiar railway station, bust of O-Sensei on the station square and "O-Sensei's street" with low pillars along the street showing O-Sensei's pictures. Iwama train station O-Sensei's bust at Iwama station When I reached the Aiki-Jinja and dojo, I understood that being the first uchideshi after two years of covid restrictions would not be an easy task. It was always the uchideshi's responsibility to keep the dojo and jinja clean. Without people constantly living in the dojo, cleaning was performed only by volunteers from the neighbourhood. As a result, the place I got used to seeing shiny and spotless had a little wild look, which meant I would have a good deal of work. Aiki-Jinja View from the dojo Dojo Shortly after my arrival In...

Today we could not access our regular place in Ringsend Community Centre as the key was locked in the office. So we practised in another room without mats. Such practice helps to better understand safe ukemi and forges the spirit of the practitioners. The old dojo of Aikido Founder in Iwama had no mats, so we could feel the old-fashioned practice on our bodies today. No one complained, even the beginner who came to practise with us today. The ceiling in the substitution room was too low, so we were limited to tai-jutsu (empty-handed) techniques: Hanmi: Migi Hanmi Hidari Hanmi Tai Sabaki: Irimi Tenkan Irimi-Tenkan Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Tai no Henko (Irimi variation) Katatedori Kokyuho Kosadori Ikkyo Omote Kosadori Kotegaeshi Katatedori Kotegaeshi Zagi Kokyuho

Today I participated in the ceremony of unveiling of the monument in the memory of Morihiro Saito shihan. It was held in the family dojo of his son Hitohira. Unfortunately, without the city officials and Aikikai representatives attending, this event looked very local, and I strongly felt that was wrong. The legacy of O-Sensei and Morihiro Saito sensei has no boundaries and belongs to the world despite all political contradictions. Construction of Saito sensei's monument could be a great point to heal the old wounds and start the dialogue between two great teachers, but I am afraid without speaking to each other, it may become a cause of conflict escalation. Nevertheless, I am proud to be among those who helped make truth the idea of commemorating Saito sensei in stone.

Construction of the Morihiro Saito Shihan memorial is completed in Iwama, Japan. Takemusu Aikido Fingal, being one of the donators, was officially invited to attend the unveiling ceremony of the monument to honour the memory of Morihiro Saito Shihan. The ceremony will be held at Iwama Shinshin Aikishurekai Tanrenkan dojo and will be transmitted worldwide via Zoom.

Last week training was canceled due to heavy rain. We began to learn aiki-jo from August. Techniques covered: Aiki-jo suburi Tsuki no bu Chok uzuki Kaeshizuki Ushirozuki Tsuki gedan gaeshi Tsuki jodan gaeshi Uchi no bu Shomen uchikomi Renzoku uchikomi Menuchi gedan gaeshi Menuchi ushirozuki Gyaku yokomen ushirozuki Katate no bu Katate gedan gaeshi Katate toma uchi Hachi no ji gaeshi Hasso no bu Hasso gaeshi uchi Hasso gaeshi tsuki Hasso gaeshi ushirozuki Hasso gaeshi ushiro uchi Hasso gaeshi ushiro barai Nagare no bu Hidari nagare gaeshi uchi Migi nagare gaeshi tsuki

Suburi are the basic movements included in all Aiki-ken techniques. It is essential to master suburi before learning any advanced Aiki-ken form. It is essential to do these exercises daily to feel your sword on the level of the muscle memory: Your weapon must become an extension of your hands. It is crucial to follow one important rule: Each suburi must be done with full commitments. Ten swings performed with full power and concentration will be more beneficial than hundred times performed loosely. Suburi practice improves your hips stability and as a result, improves the level of your Aikido in general.

Last week we had to cancel our class because of the heavy rain. This week weather was nice, and we had amazing training. Techniques covered: Suburi 1-7 Migi Awase Hidari Awase Go no Awase Shichi-no-Awase Kumitachi 1 Kumitachi 2 Kumitachi 3 A few last minutes were devoted to the explanation of 20 jo suburi.

Today we were four. One person came immediately after getting COVID vaccination. I really respect this decision, but health must be the first priority, so that person left earlier.  We covered techniques as follows: Suburi (basic sword movements): Suburi 1 Suburi 2 Suburi 3 Zengogiri (suburi 1) Suburi 4 Suburi 5 Suburi 6 Suburi 7 Shihogiri (Suburi 1) Awase (basic movements in pairs): Migi Awase Hidari Awase Go-no-Awase Shichi-no-Awase Suburi 1

Today we practiced again. This time we were 5. Unfortunately rain did not allow us to finish practice again... Techniques covered Ken-no-suburi (basic sword movements) and their relation to taijutsu (empty-handed techniques): Suburi 1 Suburi 2 Suburi 3 Suburi 4 Suburi 5 Suburi 6 Suburi 7 Migi-Awase  Go-no-Awase (step-by-step)

 It seems like today is a birthday of Low Tide Aikido Club. We were only two, but it worked well. Techniques covered: Ken-no-suburi (basic sword movements): Suburi 1 Suburi 2 Suburi 3 Suburi 4 Suburi 5 Zengogiri (Suburi 1) Suburi 6 Suburi 7 Shihogiri (Suburi 1, 6, and 7) Happogiri (Suburi 1, 6, and 7) Migi Awase Hidari Awase Go-no-Awase Shichi-no-Awase  Ki-Musubi-no-Tachi Kumutachi 1

Yesterday we had our first Aikido training in Dublin city (Maintaining all COVID precautions).  Techniques covered: Ken-no-suburi (basic sword movements): Suburi 1 Suburi 2 Suburi 3 Suburi 4 Suburi 5 Zengogiri (Suburi 1) Suburi 6 Suburi 7 Shihogiri (Suburi 1, 6, and 7) Happogiri (Suburi 1, 6, and 7) Migi Awase Hidari Awase Go-no-Awase Shichi-no-Awase  Ki-Musubi-no-Tachi