Sensei’s Blog

Why is it that the sword schools of Japan are still with us? ========= 武道学研究35-(3):9-20,2003〈 原著〉新当流における刀剣観について: 『兵法自観照』を中心に酒 井利信 Concepts of the Sword in Shintou Sect Doctrine Toshinobu SAKAI Abstract This study attempts to clarify the concepts of the sword in Shintou Sect doctrine by examining the book, named "Heiho jikansho" written by Mr. Sekihei Otsuki. … Continue reading Still here? – July 3, 2015, Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan

The body’s muscles are as strong as steel, yet flexible in this condition. The feeling is cat-like. The best example of this is seen in Kururunfa (久留頓破) when dropping into Koshi Dachi (腰立ち) and then immediately spring up into Zenkutsu Dachi (前屈立ち). Development of fast springy movement is necessary to develop strong suri ashi and … Continue reading Chiru no Chan Chan – チルノチャンチャン – Fast “springy” movement. – from Yondan essay – Mike Chinadi

Whenever a senior class is announced there is a flurry of requests from those below the cutoff criteria to be allowed to attend. It doesn't matter whether that cutoff is rank, "dojo leader" or whatever, the rest of the folks want to know what's going on. I suppose it's human nature, we're curious monkeys. What … Continue reading Can I attend the Senior Class please? – July 1, 2015, Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan

Reading through the research literature, it always depresses me a little bit when I read an article "On Kata" or some sort and as I begin I realize the author is going to tell me that "Martial arts are taught in set-piece physical actions called kata." Oh, thanks. The acquisition of a specialized vocabulary (in … Continue reading Vocabulary is not Knowledge – June 29, 2015, Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan

In Hogan, Muchimi literally refers to sticky rice that can be pounded into a sticky paste. It is dense and heavy. When touched it sticks to you, and when you pull away it sticks to you. In Goju Ryu karate, Muchimi refers to the heavy sticky movements used for blocking (e.g. Hiki Uke 引き受け pulling … Continue reading Muchimi – ムチミ- Heavy Sticky – From Yondan Essay – Mike Chinadi

脇を絞める   Waki o shimeru     Minimizing space between the body and the arm. important principle in Okinawa Goju Ryu

This video was taken during a SAGA National Gasshuku conducted by Higaonna Morio Sensei in South Africa, 1998. During the Gasshuku, Higaonna Sensei and Bakkies Laubscher Sensei gave some impromptu demonstrations to promote Goju Ryu amongst the students and members of the public.

The Rokkishu Futari-geiko practice is presented here primarily for those Koryu Uchinadi and Goju students who attended my Cesena-based seminar.

Let's move back toward kenjutsu once again from iai. What was the relationship between these two? ================= Relation Between Iai and Kenjutsu on the Traditional Books Research Journal of Budo Vol. 19 (1986-1987) No. 1 p. 10-16 Tetsuya WADA Kagawa Medical School The practical characteristics of Iai and Kenjutsu are quite distinct when they are … Continue reading Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu – June 23, 2015, Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan

Does my study of academic papers truly help with my understanding of budo or should I simply get out to practice more often? Being an academic, spending most of my working life in a University setting, I'm not likely to say that research is useless. Having written 20 plus books on the subject I'm also … Continue reading Riai and Research – June 21, 2015, Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan