Combat Arts - stuff that really works - Aikijujutsu

Aikijujutsu is a Japanese feudal era art that involves complete set of martial skills - unarmed combat (joint locks, throws, nerve center attacks), knife, chain, staff, sword, iron fan, etc.
Often family arts, refined over centuries of combat, various aikijujutsu systems were very sophisticated in their understanding of the weaknesses of human body and mind - and brutally effective in exploiting those weaknesses.

Don Angier received the title of Soke of Yanagi-ryu from his teacher - Kenji Yoshida, son of Kotaro Yoshida.
Below is a link to an article he wrote a few years ago: My Career in Yanagi-ryu Aiki Jiu Jitsu by Don Angier

These days, he concentrates on teaching students at his dojo (school), but occasionally, he teaches an open seminar. If you ever have an opportunity to attend one - do not hesitate - whatever martial art you practice (including any of the modern military arts) - training with Don will not only be a blast, but will also improve your skill and understanding of your own art.

Samurai martial arts tend to be much more complete and sophisticated, compared to modern day military training. For a Samurai, the sword was his primary weapon, but he was equally well versed in the use of a short sword, knife, chain, staff, and empty handed combat. As a matter of fact, the movement
of the art was the same - the only differences were dictated by the implemnet used (a sword has a longer range than a knife - hence there will be some variation of the technique). A samurai who lost his sword in a battle was at a disadvantage, to be sure, but he had a whole arsenal of other weapons and skills to get him through the day.

This is in contrast to modern military, where most soldiers are useless on the battlefield once they lose their primary weapon - the rifle.
Even though United States armed forces have recently introduced improved hand-to-hand combat training, it is clearly not integrated with pistol shooting, knife fighting or rifle skills - all are treated as separate arts, and quality of movement differs.

This differences probably stems from both cultural differences and changes in battle doctrine.
Samurai were a hereditary caste - they trained from childhood in the family arts - thus had the time and skilled teachers to attain mastery of complex, sophisticated arts. Moreover, each family had a vested interest in training their sons to the best of their ability - since the continuation of family was at stake.

Today's soldiers sign up for a limited number of years, or worse, are drafted. Military organizations have limited resources and interest in training them to the same level of combat skill as the Samurai. In addition, modern tactics stress the use of artillery, air power and armored assults to weaken, and preferably destroy the enemy, even before infantry soldiers get to the battle line.
Hence, individual fighting skills are less important than, for example, the ability to use radio to call in an air strike.

Aikido traces its roots to Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu.
Aikido founder, Morihei Ueshiba, was introduced to Takeda Sokaku by Yoshida Kotaro (see Yangi-ryu above). Having studied Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu, Ueshiba went on to develop Aikido. Yet, anybody who has seen the movies of Morihei Ueshiba can see Daito-ryu in his movements.

If you would like to experience the art first hand, for Yanagi ryu seminars, you can contact
Bugei Trading Company

For more info on Daito ryu and for training opportunities, check out the web sites of various schools - all of them will have lists of affiliated schools outside of Japan as well:

Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Roppokai - Seigo Okamoto's organization

Hakuho-ryu - Shogen Okabayashi's organization

Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu - Katsuyuki Kondo's organization

Takumakai - Takuma Hisa's organization

Daitokai - Shigemitsu Kato's organization

Daibukan - Kenkichi Ohgami's organization

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