DISCIPLINES
TAKEDA-RYU NAKAMURA HA - 武 田 流 中 村 派
THE ART OF THE SAMURAI
AIKIDO - 合 気 道
IAIDO - 居 合 道
JODO - 杖 道
JUKEMPO - 柔 拳 法
KENDO - 剣 道
AIKIDO 合 気 道
AIKIDO is the art of gathering and combining forces. Formerly the ART of AIKI ("AIKI NO JUTSU") was the spiritual and strategic fighting system of the Samurai. When the Samurai laid down their weapons in the late 1800’s many traditional schools began to emphasise the ‘DO’ philosophy, that of creating a better person through the techniques of the warrior. Techniques were modified slightly to make them more appropriate to times of peace, but old battlefield techniques (KORYU-WAZA) have been retained and are taught to senior instructors. A very high level of control is required to defend against sticks, knifes and swords. A master is able to defend himself by using throwing and locking techniques to gain full control of the opponent.
AIKIDO is carried out strictly according to the traditional methods including KATA (formal exercise), RANDORI (free exercise) and SHIAI (contest). It requires a great deal of discipline, concentration and stamina from the pupil.
IAIDO 居 合 道
Face moments of danger with a quiet and alert mind.
The sword fighting techniques are characterised by drawing the sword and cutting at lightning speed and a superior strategy.
IAIDO is a part of Takeda-ryu Nakamura Ha swordsmanship. In the old days it was called "BATTOJUTSU" ("Art of drawing a sword"), later "IAIJUTSU" and today "IAIDO". Quick drawing of the sword and precise cutting are taught here. One of the exercises, the competition "BATTO SHIAI", is in today’s BUDO a very special and spectacular feature of Takeda-ryu Nakamura Ha. In that special exercise the opponents are facing each other at a larger distance, so their blades do not have contact. Referees are deciding whose cut was faster and more precise. So it is just a few steps distance which in competition decides over victory or defeat by points, like once it did decide over life and death.
Short KATA, both kneeling and standing, as well as KORYU-WAZA are taught to senior instructors.
In Takeda-ryu Nakamura Ha the exercises in cutting with a real sword are called BATTO GIRI. Straw mats, rolled up and then soaked in water to give them consistence similar to a human neck, arm or leg are cut. The experience of real cutting is of vital importance.
JODO 杖 道
The art of Takeda-ryu Nakamura Ha stick fighting is quite unique, combining the strategies and techniques of unarmed self-defence with those of armed combat. The stick always proves a versatile and extremely effective weapon full of surprises for one’s opponent, whether in a rapid exchange of blows in stick fighting or in tricky situations of self-defence.
The use of the stick as a weapon is very old. Weapons of the SAMURAI like YARI (spear), NAGINATA (halberd) and also the KATANA (sword) are based on this discipline. JODO as taught in SOBUDO, is very manifold and efficient. Locks, restraining techniques, throws are included and also stick fighting itself (where thrusts, blocks and strikes are employed). The use of a FUKURO-JO (bamboo stick) avoids injuries during SHIAI (contests).
SHUGI-JUTSU is an art that uses short sticks; it is a part of JODO. Farmers used the techniques, when they had to fight against thieves and bandits. They picked up any stick available and defended themselves.
JUKEMPO 柔 拳 法
Its origin is in the close combat of the Samurai when they were on horseback. At closer distance they used spears, but spears only could be used once. As they approached yet closer, swords were used until they were so badly damaged that they had to fight with bare hands. It is important to note that some Samurai were gentlemen and if one lost his sword, his opponent would also give up his and fight on an equal basis.
JUKEMPO has now developed to a point, as in KARATE, competitions are held. In SHIAI (contests), strikes can also be followed by throws.
Flexibility, speed and supreme body control are the characteristics of this breathtaking martial art, which dispenses with the use of weapons, but is nevertheless not unarmed: the use of arms and legs as exceptionally effective weapons in self-defence.
KENDO 剣 道
Kendo competitions act as learning aid to gain experience in dangerous situations. Competitions take place with the so-called "Fukuro Shinai", a bamboo stick covered in textile. There is no protection gear (bogu), as we know in sports kendo these days. Thus the players are forced to greater alertness not to reveal their weaknesses.
On the battlefield it took only 3 to 4 contacts between two swords, as the blades were broken or deformed thereafter.
Following the old tradition of practice, Takeda-ryu Nakamura Ha kendo is also referred to as Sobukendo since it involves different forms of combat that go far beyond those of the modern kendo sport as locks and throws are also employed in the fighting.