Well I'm on 2 weeks holiday - to spend time with the kids. I've been getting up early and practising jo in the park.
I started training in aikijo in 1990 under my instructor, but it has evolved a bit, influenced by some of the tenshin shoden katori shinto ryu that my instructor started in 1996 and also my Chen-Pan Ling internal and shaolin arts.
While I like the austerity of katori shinto ryu, I much prefer the flow of aikijo. What I've tried to do is take the 2 person fighting concepts from katori shinto ryu and apply them to aikijo. For this purpose I've spent the last 10 or so years working on 2 person drills that gradually introduce newer and more advanced concepts - a bit like building blocks.
I decided to record some of the basic drills for my students and I have I included these in my Youtube posting blitz. Take a look at the first ones:
The first 5 suburi based on thrusts (zuki)
These are 2 kumijo - combat drills that correspond with and accompany the first 5 suburi. The drills can be practised solo or with a partner (your partner does the same sequence but starts half way through):
Thanks for posting Dan, some good stuff. In our Aikido class we have our 21 count form that we sometimes do in tandem; either jo versus jo, or jo versus bokken. I like the fluidity and blending of techniques in the Aikijo movements. Its a great training aid unto itself.
Thanks mate.
I agree that the fluidity and blending of aikijo is great training. It's my favourite weapon by far and training with the jo is one of the things I enjoy most about martial arts.
You mention a 21 count form. I'd love to see it.
We do sanjuichi (the 31 count kata) and juroku (a 16 count kata).
In respect of the latter, I note that elsewhere it is called a 13 count form. Most people seem unaware that it is capable of being used as a 2 person form (where your opponent starts at move number 9 in a 16 count breakdown). In fact, it is one of the most elegant, effective and meticulously planned 2 person forms I have ever seen. It is quite a work of genius.
Various people have tried to create an "omote" to the 13/16 count form, but this is completely unnecessary and misses the point. One group have actually tried to use it as a "circular" 2 person form, but one side still has to modify the form... Again - unnecessary and misconceived.
I'm going to do a blog entry on the 13/16 count form sometime soon. I can't imagine how the relevant knowledge has been lost (or how it hasn't been rediscovered, given how obvious it is that the form "defends against itself").
Our 16 count version is pretty much exactly what others have on the web as their 13 count version, with one small (fairly trivial variation) that I have introduced out of personal preference and that does not affect the "2 person" aspect or the flow etc. (I step back in the penultimate move rather than to the side - adopting a sanjuichi variation that also fits with my internal arts training).
Thanks for posting Dan, some good stuff. In our Aikido class we have our 21 count form that we sometimes do in tandem; either jo versus jo, or jo versus bokken. I like the fluidity and blending of techniques in the Aikijo movements. Its a great training aid unto itself.
