Takemusu Aikido Society

 Techniques covered: Bukiwaza: Jo suburi: tsuki no bu 13 jo kata 31 jo Kata Taijutsu Tai no henko Tai no henko ki no nagare Morotedori kokyunage Kosadori Ikkyo Omote Zagi Kokyuho

Techniques covered: Suburi: Ken suburi 1 Ken Suburi 2 Ken Suburi 2 Kumitachi 1 Kumitachi 2

Techniques covered: Tai no henko Tai no henko ki no nagare Morotedori kokyunage Suwari waza. Shomen uchi ikkyo omote Shomen uchi ikyo omote Yokomen uchi ikkyo omote Yokomen uchi shihonage Shomen uchi iriminage Zagi kokyuho

 We returned to Aiki-ken in October. The techniques covered: Suburi 1 Suburi 2 Suburi 3 Suburi 4 Suburi 5 Migi Awase Hidari Awase Go-no-Awase Shichi-no-Awase

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

Today we welcomed a newcomer. Hopefully, he enjoyed the practice and will come back next week.  The techniques covered: Hanmi (basic stance): hidari hanmi (left-side stance) migi hanmi (right-side stance) ashi o fumikae (change from left to right and back). Tai sabaki: Irimi Tenkan Irimi-Tenkan Tai no henko Tai no henko ki no nagare Morotedori Kokyunage Ushiro ukemi, basics Kosadori Ikkyo Omote Kosadori Ikkyo Ura Zagi Kokyuhou

We continued to study aiki jo. With all black belts attending, we practised five kumijo forms. Techniques covered: Kumijo 1 Kumijo 2 Kumijo 3 Kumijo 4 Kumijo 5

Yesterday we had the very first practice in Balbriggan dojo. It appeared that the ceiling was too low for the weapon practice, so we were limited to tai-jutsu.  Techniques covered: Tai-no-henko Tai-no-henko ki-no-nagare Morotedori kokyunage Katatedori kotegaeshi (up and down release) Shomen uchi ikkyo omote Shomen uchi ikkyo ura Katatedori iriminage (gedan, chudan, jodan) Katatedori koshinage Ryotedori tenchinage Zagi kokyho Suwari ryoerijime kokyunage

 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.

 The techniques covered: Tai-jutsu Tai-no-henko Tai-no-henko ki-no-nagare Morotedori kokyuho Katatedori kotegaeshi (up and down release) Katatedori iriminage Katatedori shihonage Bukiwaza Kumijo 1 Kumijo 2 Kumijo 3 Kumijo 4 Kumijo 5

We continue our outdoor sessions in Ringsnd park. The techniques covered: Tai-jutsu Tai-no-henko Tai-no-henko ki-no-nagare Morotedori kokyuho Katatedori ikkyo Bukiwaza 13 no jo kata 13 no jo awase Movements 1 - 13 Jo Awase (8 movements) 31 no jo kata

Despite the bad forecasts weather was amazing. We practised on the Balbriggan beach. The techniques covered: Tai-jutsu Tai-no-henko Tai-no-henko ki-no-nagare Morotedori kokyuho Morotedori ikkyo Katatedori ikkyo Bukiwaza 13 no jo kata 13 no jo awase Movements 1 - 3 Movements 4 - 6 Movements 1 - 6 Movements 7 - 9 Movements 10 - 13 Movements 1 - 13

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 aiki-jo. 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 7 - 9 Movements 10 - 13

 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

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.

 Today we continued to learn the basics of aiki-jo. Techniques covered:  Aiki-jo suburi Tsuki no bu Chokuzuki Kaeshizuki Ushirozuki Tsuki gedan gaeshi Tsuki jodan gaeshi Tsukino bu - mirrored 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 Zengozuki - back and forth thrusts Shihozuki - thrusts to four directions 6 no jo kata 6 no jo awase

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

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)