Takemusu Aikido Society

The Takemusu Aikido Seminar we organised last weekend was a great success. People from all parts of Ireland, France, and UK came to see Ulf Evenas shihan, a student of Morihiro Saito sensei. Ulf sensei had a brilliant, very didactic approach to this seminar. He tried to explain the essence of Takemusu Aikido to non-Iwama practitioners. He explained the connections between ken and tai-jutsu, demonstrated the principles of jo, and disclosed how rigid kihon practice can be transformed into fluid ki-no-nagare forms. People from various Aikido styles tried to do their best to understand and accept Ulf sensei's teachings. It wasn't easy, but they enjoyed the seminar after all.

Today we continued to learn basic Aikido techniques: Tai Sabaki: Migi Hanmi (right-sided stance) Hidari Hanmi (left-sided stance) Irimi Tenkan Irimi-Tenkan Ikkyo-Undo Zengo Ikkyo-Undo Shiho Ukemi (break falls): Mae Ukemi (forward) Ushiro Ukemi (backwards) Tai Jutsu: Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Katatedori Ikkyo Omote Katatedori Ikkyo Ura Katatedori Nikkyo Omote Katatedori Nikkyo Ura Zagi Kokyuho

A short video highlighting how to tie an Aikido belt.

 Today we had very intensive training with F.  Techniques covered: Taijutsu Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuhou Suwari Katatedori Nikyo Ushiro Katatedori Ikkyo Omote Ushiro Katatedori Sankyo Ura Ushiro Katadori Ikkyo Omote Ushiro Katadedori Kotegaeshi 1 Ushiro Katatedori Kotegaeshi 2 Ushiro Katadori Kotegaeshi 1 Ushiro Katadori Kotegaeshi 2 Sodeguchidori Kokyunage 1 Sodeguchidori Kokyunage 2 Zagi Kokyuho Bukiwaza 31 no kata 31 no awase: 1-3 4-6 1-6

We had the very first training at the new venue. A small boxing gym in Ringsend & Irishtown Community Centre will be our home in Dublin city centre. Finally, we can practice with weapons on a regular basis. Techniques covered: Taijutsu Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Tai no Henko Irimi variation Katatedori Kokyuho Katatedori Ikkyo Omote & Ura Katatedore Kotegaeshi Shomen Uchi Iriminage Tsuki Kotegaeshi Zagi Kokyuho Bukiwaza Ken no Suburi 1 - 7 Migi Awase Hidari Awase

 Today we were three again and had a bit of fun doing some unusual techniques: Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Morotedori Kokyuho Ki no Nagare Katatedori  Kokyunage (Shiho-Iriminage-like variation) Katatedori Iriminage (upper release) Katatedori Kokyuho (irimi entrance) Katatedori Kokyuho (uraken variation) Yokomen Uchi Iriminage (irimi entrance) Yokomen Uchi Iriminage (inside entrance) Yokomen Uchi Iriminage (inside entrance continuous inside flow) Yokomen Uchi Shihonage Omote Yokomen Uchi Kotegaeshi (irimi entrance) Zagi Kokyuho Zagi Kohyuho (push from top - kokyunage) After the training we had a year-end barbecue party.

Today we welcomed a newcomer. Hopefully, he enjoyed the practice and will come back next week.  The techniques covered: Tai sabaki: Irimi Tenkan Irimi-Tenkan Tai no henko Tai no henko ki no nagare Morotedori Kokyunage Ushiro ukemi, basics Kosadori Ikkyo Omote Kosadori Kotegaeshi Zagi Kokyuhou

 Techniques covered: Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Morotedori Nikkyo Youkomen Uchi Kokyunage Yokomen Uchi Yonkyo Omote & Ura Yokomen Uchi Gokyo (tankendori) Zagi Kokyuho

 We covered the techniques as follows: Tai no Henko Morotedori Kokyuho Morotedori Ikkyo Omote & Ura Katatedori Kotegaeshi 1 (reverse kotegaeshi grip) Katatedori Kotegaeshi 2 (release from up) Katatedori Kotegaeshi 3 (release from down) Katatedori Kaitennage Uchi Zagi Kokyuho

Video highlights from the last training.

We continued to study aiki-jo. Techniques covered: Kumijo 1 Kumijo 2 Kumijo 3 Kumijo 4 Kumijo 5

 The techniques covered: Tai-jutsu Tai-no-henko Tai-no-henko ki-no-nagare Morotedori kokyuho Katatedori kotegaeshi (up & down release)  Katatedori shihonage (omote & ura)  Shomen uchi ikkyo (omote & ura)  Shomen uchi nikyo (omote & ura)  Bukiwaza Kumijo 1

Takemusu Aikido Fingal announces the opening of the Balbriggan branch dojo on Sunday the 19th of September at 13:15. New members are welcomed regardless of their age, sex or experience. We offer traditional training methods, efficient techniques, and regular weapon training. Website: www.aiki.ie Location:  51 Hampton St, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin, K32 KR65 We thank Beyond Jiu-Jitsu Academy for the provided space.

It was a great day. We tried to do a few empty-handed techniques first time since the beginning of the pandemic. We also continued to study aiki-jo. The techniques covered: Tai-jutsu Tai-no-henko Tai-no-henko ki-no-nagare Morotedori kokyuho Bukiwaza Aiki-jo suburi Tsuki no bu Chokuzuki 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 13 no jo kata 13 no jo awase Movements 1 - 3 Movements 4 - 6

 We continued to study jo on the beautiful beach in Balbriggan. The techniques covered: Aiki-jo suburi Tsuki no bu Chokuzuki 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 13 no jo kata 13 no jo awase Movements 1 - 3 Movements 4 - 6 Movements 1 - 6

Today we continued to study the basics of aiki-jo. Techniques covered:  Aiki-jo suburi Tsuki no bu Chokuzuki 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 6 no jo kata 6 no jo awase 13 no jo kata

It was great weather and intensive practice. Techniques covered:  Aiki-ken: Aiki ken Suburi Suburi 1 Suburi 2 Suburi 3 Suburi 4 Suburi 5 Suburi 6 Suburi 7 Zengogiri Shihogiri Suburi 1 Suburi 6 Suburi 7 Happogiri Suburi 1 Suburi 6 Suburi 7 Shikodachi  Aiki-jo:  Aiki-jo suburi Tsuki no bu Chokuzuki 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 20 jo suburi (from the mirrored stance) 6 jo kata 6 movements 5 movements 4 movements 13 jo kata 31 jo kata

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. Two persons have never touched a wooden sword before. So we did very basic exercises today.  Techniques covered: Ken-no-kamae (basic stance) Ashi o fumikae  Suburi: Suburi 1 Suburi 2 Suburi 3 Suburi 4 Suburi 5 Suburi 6 Suburi 7 Zengogiri: Suburi 1 Suburi 6 Suburi 7 Shihogiri: Suburi 1 Tai sabaki (basic movements): Irimi Tenkan Irimi-Tenkan (kaiten)