Article 7: Shiho Nage - What does it teach us?

The more I read about Aikido, the more I realise that Ikkajo and Shiho Nage appear to be core to our technical and spiritual development.  So having already discussed Ikkajo, albeit briefly, I want to spend sometime looking at Shiho Nage, as a technique and learning tool.

I want to start with looking at Iaido, and one thing that strikes me more than anything is the realism in the form.  One particular element demonstrated amazingly well by Ishido Sensei in the clip below is that once the technique has started you must not stop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3vgvjYQdUI (Ishido Sensei)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGSNtW0nnUY (Takeno Sensei demontrating the link between the ken and Shiho Nage)

Shiho Nage is to Aikido what Mae (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDfcu9BP5fI) is to Iaido.  When we perform Shiho Nage we should be mindful that we should not stop the technique. Although studying the technique is important, perhaps we should appreciate that the lesson is that, the power development should be smooth and gradual, we should, just like in Mae, avoid jerky and unnecessary movements and that the final cut should be certain, definite and above all relaxed.

In specific relation to the Aikido, we can see how Shumatsu Dosa (both Ichi and Ni), is Shiho Nage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bIeBfm8Z40

What I think is important, and the relationship we can see between Shiho Nage and Mae, is that the cut or throw is not executed with the arms, but with the movement forward of the hips.  Another interesting exercise to try is to perform Shiho Nage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAbuib2xO_c), apart from the final throwing movement.  The reason for this is if you do it in an unbroken fashion (but still precise manner and certainly not rushed) then Uke will  begin to fall without the throw.  This will only happen if the movement is unbroken, the Seme (feeling) for the technique seems to carry Uke.  This idea is highly transferable to Iaido, because if you stop the form then you tekki (invisible training partner/or real evil Samurai) will then have the opportunity to cut you down.

Shiho Nage, appears in many different forms in the Koryu Suhada (kimono) and Yawara (Armour) Jujutsu.  This would indicate its power as a combative technique throughout Japanese history. The final element that we should make sure that we practice is the shoulder control, although Shiho Nage can be hard on the elbow and shoulder the target for the throw is the head and spine.  The throw is highly destructive and as a result we need to find a way to practice is hard and intense but without hospitalising our Uke. Mustard Sensei and Saunders Sensei both emphasised the shoulder and body control, this was done with two strong entry steps and when turning taking the hand in a big arc over your head and not interfering with the power created.  Kamae allows Shite to control Uke just before the final application of power, Uke should be able to test from this bent back position and not be able to overpower Shite.

 

To summarise:

1. Unbroken movement
2. Focus on shoulder control
3. Strong movements forward with the hips

Article 6: Putting on my dogi....

I've been lazy posting recently, the general grind of work has worn me down a little and the motivation to write has been waning.  So the obvious course of action was to go on FaceBook and ask folks what to write about.

Thambu Sensei replied with motivation, he sent me an article of his own that he wrote and I will do my up most to be a frank and honest as he was in his.

Why do I train?  It certainly isn't the easy option, I could just go home and watch the TV or even maybe go to the gym, for a run, or perhaps play squash.  Anyone who trains and has a partner will realise the pressures it can put on relationships, not only the weekends away training, but the weekly evenings and mornings where you are not at home.  We owe it to them to train hard, and make that 'lost' time something worth while.

It would certainly be easier to stop and take up a more main stream and less demanding 'hobby' (I do hate it when people call it that).

I don't think I ever really started Aikido because I was fearful in my daily life of muggings and physical assault.  That being said, I do believe that Aikido should be effective and demanding.  Interestingly enough, I do wonder what some of the external perceptions of Aikido are of those that do not practice.  I'm sure that fitness and general body conditioning in Aikido dojo are not as good as those in other Budo like Judo for example.  Perhaps because of the lack of a competitive element (except Tomiki Ryu) means we get lazy and allow ourselves to focus to much on technique and finer points but forgetting that conditioning (the right conditioning) is essential for the combat effectiveness of our Budo.  We know that our fitness is not likely to be challenged in the same way that it is in Judo Randori, and as we feel that are not going to be 'exposed' as weak, therefore we do nothing about it.  That being said,  the Budo of the Bushi (Samurai), is what we have inherited, and are we (am I) doing it justice every time we (I) step on the mat.

I can be honest and say that my fitness is terrible and it is something that I want to sort out, I do not want to make excuses for my art.  Although it should not matter what others think, I have to be honest with myself and I know that fitness and conditioning for Aikido does in fact matter.  It matters a lot.  However, I feel that I am parting slightly with the original purpose, why do I train.

Aikido, for me, is a drug.  I largely believe it has no ill side effects, other than I need to 'take it' more.  If I do not take it, then I get frustrated (like I am today, having been snowed out of the dojo yesterday).  I will at times put training above other important events.  I remember being told once "We should train to live, not live to train", a great axiom and one that I should remind myself of my often.

I really like something that Thambu Sensei says in his article, which is that he believes he is a custodian of his Aikido.  That he does not own it, and that he has a duty to pass it on.  Although I would never presume to draw any parallels between myself and an amazing Aikidoka like Thambu Sensei, I do believe I have a duty to do right by the art to which I have fused myself.  I love that fact that Aikido is Japanese, that in some twisty and windy way it is related to the Samurai, and I see nothing wrong in loving that romantic dream as long as you know it's a dream.  Aikido is repetitive, frustrating and hard... it requires a change in body and mind and it plays in my head all the time.  Subtle shifts in body movement, imperceptible to the unaware is the difference between the regular and the dedicated.  Having for the last 3 years been studying Iaido and Jodo, I have discovered a further and exciting link between Aikido and the past, and that my body allows me to access a past way of life.  I really love that.

I love the way Aikido makes me feel, when I am thrown and get thrown.  I love the magic and annoyance of being thrown well, and I mean really well, by the best in the world and wanting... no thirsting for the knowledge and ablility to do that.  How do they do that??  I enjoy the moment when a technique clicks... even if it is just for a moment and the flash of understanding and the next layer of the technique that is revelled.

Finally, I love the friends I have made.  An interesting bond with people that, when you knock the hell out of each other and you BOTH leave the dojo stronger for it.  You push each other (or we should) to the very edge of safety and sanity, testing the form to it's most and being satisfied that you are at least on the path, although not very far along it.

Aikido at times means too much to me, and others not enough. I simply could not be without it.

Article 5: Seme and Zanshin

Andy Watson, an Iaidoka, Jodoka and original inspiration for writing this blog wrote a fantastic article based on an interview with Ogura Sensei which you can read below:

http://iaidojodotraining.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-12-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=1

With this in mind, I wanted to reflect on the use of these mental elements in taijutsu kata (unarmed combative forms).

I was first introduced to the ideas of seme and zanshin when I started Iaido and Jodo.  I think the level of concentration and focus required in weapons based systems, is instantly apparent.  You might argue that a mistake with a bokken, jo, iaito or even a shinken is far less desirable than a slightly awkward fall.  However, the feeling of seme and zanshin are as important in taijutsu as they are in weapons work, but sadly the concentration on it is far less.

I was lucky enough to be teaching again on Monday night, and as usual I get very excited about what I can do with our class.  We started with looking at Hiyaku Ukemi:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxpymTgcvSM

I want to spend sometime in a separate blog looking at each ukemi type, but other than the technical elements of falling the focus was on uke getting up and re-engaging with shite as quickly as possible.  I've used this clip before (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVbd4x4EdUg), but we can clearly appreciate the 'battle connection' between the two practitioners.  We owe it to ourselves to aspire to the combative heritage that all Japanese Budo share.

Mustard Sensei often says that he practices Aikido like a 'Koryu' or old martial system, when we watch Mustard Sensei throw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QHG0Esuntk), we can see the connection between him and his uke.  The question is how to do we establish this:

1. Create the right atmosphere of discipline and concentration in the dojo
2. Uke behaves in a way that applies mental and physical pressure on shite
3. Uke shouldn't act and put on an 'angry' face, but should really feel that if they see a gap in shite that they would rip into him.  Uke and Shite should be able to train so close to insanity, that the technique is really tested, but as the end of the session both Aikidoka leave the dojo stronger.

The way that I see it is that Seme is the combative intent during the movement and Zanshin is the awareness at the end.  Once the throw has been completed, shite should not just walk away casually tidying their keikogi, but apply this psychological pressure to uke, slowing them down perhaps...... the force....perhaps.....