What is Aiki Jutsu?
In traditional Japanese society, the
samurai - the warrior class - needed unarmed combat skills
for occasions when they were available to use a weapon. This
could range from a battlefield situation where a sword was
broken to a heated argument where deadly force would be inappropriate.
- Ai - harmonious
- Ki - spirit
- Jutsu - techniques
Commonly, unarmed Japanese combat techniques
were referred to as Ju Jutsu - 'ju' meaning flexible or pliable.
In this case, 'flexible' refers to the mental approach rather
than the physical. Modern Judo is directly descended from
jujitsu, while Aikido is descended from Aiki Jutsu. Dentokan
Aiki Jutsu is derived from Daito Ryu Aiki Jutsu, which was
the style taught to the Japanese Imperial family in medieval
Japan.
The modern art of Aikido was also developed
from Daito Ryu Aiki Jutsu in the 1930s and is now practised
worldwide.
In the UK, Aiki Jutsu is affiliated
to the British Aikido Board (the national Governing Body for
all Aikido styles) via the Aikido Research Federation. All
our instructors hold BAB Coach qualifications.
Techniques
- Escapes
- Locking & twisting joints
- Throws & projections
- Strikes
-
Constrictions
Some of the above techniques are potentially
dangerous. Accordingly, Dentokan Aiki Jutsu is a non-competitive
art, where control and consideration for your partner are
the forfeit of our practice.
Principles
- Posture
- Distance
- Timing
- Movement
- Weight
Muscular strength takes second place
in aiki jutsu. Avoiding and/or absorbing your opponent's energy
is the aim, moving in harmony with the amount of force he
or she is using. While strikes (punches and kicks) may be
used, these are intended as distractions to confuse your opponent,
aiding the use of a throw, lock or simply 'getting out of
the way'.
Dento-Shoshiu-Ryu Iai-Jutsu
Iai Jutsu is the art of 'drawing the
sword' smoothly and quickly, in response to an attack. Practice
is done through kata (and imaginary opponents) using blunt-edged
swords - iaito. The techniques of Dento Shoshin Ryu are derived
from Toyama Ryu - developed in the 1880s from classical schools
of Iaijutsu, to create a very practical style that could be
taught to the newly formed Western-style Japanese army. Live
blade practise does not take place in our classes.
If you would like to know more about
the Felixstowe Aiki Jutsu club, please
click here to view the Nakama Dojo Demonstration Video.
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