We went to Komaki in Aichi prefecture yesterday for the 7th annual meeting. It was a rainy day, but that kept the heat down. The session ran for two and a half hours, but flew by quite quickly.
Isoyama sensei taught a long series of wazas starting from ushiro-dori. These are some of my favorites. They involve running behind the opponent and grabbing their wrists and/or the backs of their necks. We use their momentum to bring them down.
Sensei went through a wide range of techniques: ikkyo-gokkyo, kotogaeshi, iriminage and shihonage. What confused me was that with some wazas we would turn into our partner's body, but others we would turn away. Once I sorted that out, the techniques went much more smoothly.
It is always a lot of fun practicing with such a variety of people. We don't know each other, don't know the other's levels. Fun, but it can also be a bit scary if you encounter aikidoka who want to be tough guys or don't have much control over their own bodies.
Oh yeah, funny story. While I was doing uke for somebody, the sensei was watching from behind me. I was prone, but my body was not completely flush with the mat. The sensei walks up behind me and stomped on my butt to force me down. I was startled to say the least. I looked up and he gave me some advice then smiled and stepped on me again.
After practice, the sensei came over and sat next to me and started asking me questions about my life in Japan, aikido, etc. Really nice, funny man.
Following that, we all went out to a restaurant for a banquet feast. My Aussie friend and I started mingling with the college kids from Chubu University. They were a lot of fun; we swapped stories about school and our aikido experiences. Another sensei whose name completely escapes me gave me a pin with the kanji for "aiki" printed on it. It is from the Aikikai in Tokyo. I was surprised and honored. Feel a bit rude as I can't remember where he is from. I'll check on that later.
And then we hopped on a bus, took a couple of trains and we all went home. And that was that.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Sunday, June 17, 2007
June 16th, 2007-Rocks in the Way
Tried on my new dogi last night. Still a bit baggy, need to wash it more.
Last night we did a whole series of techniques based on aihanmi as a starting point. We practiced ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo and iriminage as I recall. With each waza, the sensei showed us two or three variations. This allows us to respond to different situations such as a very strong opponent or having our leading hand pushed down. Instead of pushing our "hand sword" (手刀）up against a strong force, it is much easier and more effective to step behind or away from the opponent. This causes them to lose their superior position and then we can gain control.
Writing now, this concepts seems so obvious. But in the dojo, and all aspects of my life, I waste so much time and energy banging my head on a rock. Walking around a boulder in my path would be far easier for me. The rock doesn't care.
Last night we did a whole series of techniques based on aihanmi as a starting point. We practiced ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo and iriminage as I recall. With each waza, the sensei showed us two or three variations. This allows us to respond to different situations such as a very strong opponent or having our leading hand pushed down. Instead of pushing our "hand sword" (手刀）up against a strong force, it is much easier and more effective to step behind or away from the opponent. This causes them to lose their superior position and then we can gain control.
Writing now, this concepts seems so obvious. But in the dojo, and all aspects of my life, I waste so much time and energy banging my head on a rock. Walking around a boulder in my path would be far easier for me. The rock doesn't care.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
March 26&27, 2007-Tokyo!
Sorry folks, bit late. Yeah, we went to Tokyo to participate in the Enbukkai at the Nihon Budokan. That was a great weekend. All that practice paid off. Everyone did great.
We waited for almost three hours to perform aikido for two minutes. My partner and I marched out, bowed to each other then did 15 wazas in 90 seconds. Bowed again and marched away.
I did a quick series of shihonage, kotogaeshi, sumiotoshi and a few others. Finished off with nikkyo. I thinked I goofed on the first waza but my very kind partner covered for me and did a great tobiukemi.
Saturday night, we went to our usual place in Shinjuku and ate some fantastic Chinese food.
Sunday morning we went to the Hombu Dojo and partciapted in two back-to-back sessions. There were so many people, it was a bit difficult to do anything very well. Everyone was constantly banging heads. Still, I like the surprise factor in practicing with strangers. Don't know their rank, their ability. Its a good test of my own ability to react to the unknown.
That wraps up another Enbukkai. Can't wait for next year. I'm still dreaming of that Chinese food.
We waited for almost three hours to perform aikido for two minutes. My partner and I marched out, bowed to each other then did 15 wazas in 90 seconds. Bowed again and marched away.
I did a quick series of shihonage, kotogaeshi, sumiotoshi and a few others. Finished off with nikkyo. I thinked I goofed on the first waza but my very kind partner covered for me and did a great tobiukemi.
Saturday night, we went to our usual place in Shinjuku and ate some fantastic Chinese food.
Sunday morning we went to the Hombu Dojo and partciapted in two back-to-back sessions. There were so many people, it was a bit difficult to do anything very well. Everyone was constantly banging heads. Still, I like the surprise factor in practicing with strangers. Don't know their rank, their ability. Its a good test of my own ability to react to the unknown.
That wraps up another Enbukkai. Can't wait for next year. I'm still dreaming of that Chinese food.
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