Shima Dojo 01/15/2008

Joel had attended the Andrew Young seminar at the Tanuki Dojo last weekend and because of this was asked to share the experience with everyone Tuesday. I found that many of the points made were part of basic taijutsu.

He started with the first two kata from the Santou Tonkou no Kata. Points common with the two kata had to do with the kamae and the footwork. For the kamae, the front hand is kept low and in line with the front leg and the rear hand is held up by the side of your head. The footwork did not include yoko aruki but simply bringing your feet together.

For Migi Kata Ude Tonsou Gata he pointed out controlling the uke via his elbow. By pointing the elbow in the direction behind the uke his balance is affected and it opens the body for the kick. The kick should be done by tracing the inside of the uke's thigh from the knee to the target. This principle of tracing body parts to certain targets is basic striking.

For Hidari Kata Ude Tonsou Gata he pointed out again controlling the uke with subtle movements of the arms. For this one extend your fingers to push against the uke's forearm as you touch the uke's shoulder and roll his balance back. This will expose the body. Strike with the knee as you raise your captured arm up above the uke and bring the uke's shoulder down, similiar to o-gyaku. From here use the arm to off balance the uke completely. The principle of maintaining a single line, which is seen in ichimonji no kamae, appeared here as well. The kamae was not ichimonji, instead more like shizen, but similar in the way the body is lined up to the uke.

I don't think anything else we did was a particular kata but just different types of tehodoki. Each had two ukes holding each forearm on either side of you.

1. Your arms are held by the body. Bend your knees, dropping the body weight and raising the arms at the same time. Your hands should have started with the palms facing back and ended with the palms facing each other. From the crouched position do zenpo ukemi. Zenpo kaiten after that. Pretty basic taijutsu.
   


2. Your arms are crossed. From here you rotated towards whichever side the top arm was on. Be sure to affect each uke's balance with your movement and use good kamae.
   


3. Your arms are held by the body. Shift all the way to one side "smothering" one of the uke's. Affect the balance and strike as necessary.
   

I think that was. Good stuff.

がんばってください！