A.Techniques
When Hisa Takuma was given Menkyokaiden from
Takeda Sokaku, densho ( the list of
traditional techniques ) was as follows:
- Shoden 118 kajo ura-omote
Aikinojutsu 53 kajo ura-omote
Hidenoogi 36 kajo ura-omote
Daito-ryu Aiki Nito-ryu Hiden
Goshinyonote 84 kajo jo-chu-ge
Kaishakusoudennokoto 477
Kaidennokoto 88 kajo
 However,
Takeda Tokimune stated that these technique
sets were dated when Takeda Sokaku was given
them. When Takeda Sokaku taught to Hisa at
Asahi Newspaper, these techniques were
things that Sokaku modified, to a higher
lever than densho. So when Hisa taught to
his students too, he wasn't teaching densho.
There are a total of 2,884 techniques in
Daito-ryu including sitting, standing,
sitting versus standing, techniques to
counter attacks from behind, throwing,
pinning, and disarming techniques. There are
aiki throwing techniques that rely on the
mind and on timing, techniques based on the
laws of motion, as well as those based on
the meridian anatomy of the human body.
There are also reverse joint-locking
techniques, techniques that use applied
pressure to joints, as well as techniques
that attack the vital points of the human
body.
The movements of Daito-ryu are based on
the movements of Kenjutsu. As the first step
you must learn 118 techniques. This is
called Shoden. And as beginners, you must
learn the first 30 techniques of the Shoden.
This set is called Ikkajo( the first group).
The next 30 techniques are called Nikajo
(the second group). The next 30 techniques
are called Sankajo( the third group). The
next 15 techniques are called Yonkajo (the
fourth group ) . The other techniques are
called Gokajo, Taninzudori, and Emonodori.
Most Daito-ryu associations use Shoden as
the basic techniques. The foundation of
Shoden is jujutsu techniques. It is very
useful to know the basic movements of
Daito-ryu. Now Takumakai also use Shoden as
a basic techniques. However, only Takumakai
has Soden. These are the techniques which
Hisa Takuma was taught from Takeda Sokaku
and preserved as Soden Waza.
The foundation of Soden is aiki
techniques. The more you practice both the
Shoden and Soden, the more you will
understand how different the two sets are.
As you progress more in your studies, you
will focus more and more on Soden
techniques. In addition to these two sets,
there are many uncategorized techniques
without names.
B.Jujutsu and Aiki
The difference between
Daito-ryu and other jujutsu is the
addition of Aiki. It is very difficult to
explain Aiki. Aiki is the secret which is
present in all of these techniques. The
principles of jujutsu and aiki are based on
sword techniques (Kenjutsu), and are
reflected in the physical movements and the
mental outlook of Daito-ryu.
Jujutsu is the techniques which were made
up of the rational physical movements. Aiki
is the techniques which were made up of the
movements of the mind and breathing. For
example, we can learn jujutsu techniques
partly just by watching and being shown.
However, we can't learn aiki techniques at
all by watching and being shown. When you
practice aiki techniques, you should grab
your teacher's hand and be thrown many
times. At that time you must feel the
teacher's aiki techniques.
When we learn aiki, it is necessary for
us to switch our common sense and our the
way of thinking in daily life. In practice,
at first we must learn jujutsu techniques,
and later, one step at a time, we learn the
jujutsu techniques with aiki. At the same
time we learn aiki techniques ( aiki age,
aiki nage, etc )from beginners.
There is an old Japanese proverb :
Sajo-no-rokaku. This refers to building a
house on sand. You can't build a building on
sand. If you build it, it will not stand. In
everything it is necessary to first build a
strong foundation.
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