Sensei’s Blog

Uchidachi is in charge of the timing and distance in a kata right? That's the rule, so uchidachi doesn't need to pay attention to shidachi's timing. Well, no. A rule is a tricky thing, it doesn't mean you can walk onto the tip of a sword just because you're supposed to be leading a kata. … Continue reading Learning the rules Kim Taylor Aug 5, 2016 – Re-posted 5 Aug 2023

We spoke again last evening about the levels of practice in kata. I haven't got a good handle on these since I don't practice or teach them systematically, the levels I mean. We get to them when we get to them. Without too much preparation, here is what I've got so far. 1. The Dance … Continue reading Levels of practice Kim Taylor Aug 2, 2017 Re-posted 2 Aug 2023

If the ultimate goal of training is to develop an immovable mind, a mind that will come up with techniques at need and not get caught on what the other guy is trying to do or what you are trying to do, why do the old schools have kata? I love teaching aikido because I … Continue reading What’s with the Kata? Kim Taylor Aug 1, 2015 – Re-posted 1 August 2023

Some thoughts inspired by "Limits of understanding in the study of lost martial arts" by Eric Burkart, Acta Periodica Duellatorum, Hema studies at the International Medieval Congress, Leeds July 2016. https://www.degruyter.com/.../apd-2016.../apd-2016-0008.xml There is a basic difference between the Western and Eastern arts when we turn to the written records. While some Japanese manuals exist, they … Continue reading Read all about it Kim Taylor July 28, 2017 Re-posted 30 Jul 2023

Just a reminder that Sei Do Kai is doing a full day of koryu Jodo on zoom today. Kim Taylor and Pam Morgan In general, this is the schedule: 10am-12pm, 1:30pm-4:30pm Feel free to join for any part. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89672442519?pwd=L1dFSTFQTUsweTdUbEduTGFOcFdDdz09

For our final kick at the can on this article, I would like to pick up on something that Burkart says in his conclusion, that he noticed the anonymous codex Nurnberg, Germanisches Nationalmuseum, ms. 3227a (I love the great titles these western manuals have) finished rather abruptly, after an extensive series of notes to start … Continue reading Note this Kim Taylor July 29, 2017 Re-posted 29 Jul 2023