Plans for 2009
Happy Holidays!
The dojo wishes you and your family the very best for this holiday season. We hope you have a safe and relaxing time with those you care about. During the next little while, most classes will be suspended while we take a little break ourselves. There will be no class on December 23rd, 27th, or the 30th. There will be one Monday evening Classical Jujutsu class on December 28th. Classes will resume as normal on Sunday, January 3rd in 2010.
Field Trip- Workshop on World War II Combatives: Monday, November 30
We're planning a "field trip" next week (Monday, November 30th, from 6PM - 9PM) from the Jinenkan Ottawa Dojo to Rockland for a workshop by World War II-era Combatives authority Cris Anderson.
This is a free workshop in an interesting subject I've done a fair amount of reading on.
This is the third such workshop we've been invited to attend. According to the response I received from the organizer, Jeremy McCann,
Cris Anderson would have you bring a mouth guard, and groin protection.
Pants with no snaps, buttons or zipper, please.
T-shirt or sweat shirt is fine.
Mr. Anderson will insist that everyone sign his waiver of liability.
If you have practice knives, you might want to throw those in the gym bag just in case.
Bring your water bottle.
Bluewater Martial Arts Academy is located at 1587 Laurier in Rockland.
Take the 417 to the 174 split.
Take the 174 to Orleans.
Continue straight when the highway becomes the 17.
Turn right on Edwards St in Rockland.
Go to the end.
Turn left on Laurier.
We are a block and half up and on the right.
Plenty of parking at the Caisse Populaire.
This workshop will mean, of course, that there is no Classical Jujutsu class on Monday night.
If you are interested in joining us, please contact me no later than Monday, November 30th. We will need to organize rides for everyone, which also means pick-up and drop-off points. We should depart for Rockland no later than 6PM. If you can provide a car, please contact me and I'll organize the details. Note the equipment above: let me know by Monday if you cannot obtain it, and I'll make sure you're paired with a partner who will take that into account.
New beginnings: Kukishin Ryu Kenjutsu (sword technique) and Koto Ryu Koppojutsu (classical jujutsu)
Starting this autumn, our focus will be on Koto Ryu Koppojutsu on Mondays and Kukishin Ryu Kenjutsu on Wednesdays. Kukishin Ryu Kenjutsu will formally start on Wednesday, November 4th. This is an excellent time to join in, if you are interested in starting to study Classical Japanese Martial Arts.
Koto Ryu is a powerful style of "hard" jujutsu, which focuses on linear movements and powerful attacks. It is fairly simple to grasp -without being "easy", though. It is often called "bone-breaking art", though perhaps is better described as a method of knowing how the opponent's skeleton can be manipulated and locked out. Kukishin Ryu Kenjutsu is a strong and aggressive style of sword style; it's roots are on the battlefield, meaning it must function with its wielder either in or out of armor. While this style contains subtlety, the focus is on straight-forward and overwhelming attacks and counters. This school of sword technique is also known by the names "Kushin Ryu Bikenjutsu" (secret sword technique) and "Kukishinden Biken no Ho" (Kukishin Ryu's teachings of the secret sword method). All of these names suggest the great significance attached to the sword. Taken together, Koto Ryu and Kukishin Ryu Kenjutsu can be a powerful blend of unarmed and armed classical Samurai combatives, are an excellent starting point in martial arts.
Universal Short Impact Weapons workshop: Wednesday, February 4th
This upcoming Wednesday, we are offering a workshop open to the public. On Wednesday, February 4th, we will be offering a two hour lesson in the principles behind Universal Short Impact Weapons: implements between 12 and 28 inches which deliver blunt force impacts. There are a variety of both traditional and modern short impact weapons: jutte, sai, ASP baton, kali stick, etc. Regardless of their cultural origin, they will share certain characteristics that can be explored, and which have universal applications.
Because this workshop is open to the public, we will begin with a short talk about the use of force. We will discuss your legal responsibilities regarding this category of weapons.
I got thinking about this because one of my students brought in a pair of "tonfa" he had received as a present. You probably have seen the tonfa, even if you don't know the name: it is a short baton with an offset side grip. We are used to seeing them both as a type of modern police baton, as well as a weapon of traditional Okinawan martial arts (though this humble wooden weapon is actually entwined with many Asian cultures). I'd been asked if it was part of our traditional arsenal, and if I could demonstrate it. I've never been formally trained in this weapon: nevertheless, by extrapolating my knowledge of Jutte-jutsu (the technique of a traditional Japanese forked baton) I was able to demonstrate credible applications of the weapon. Having given this more thought, I want to demonstrate more clearly and thoughtfully how to bridge the gap between our traditional martial arts and the modern Canadian environment.
If you are not currently a member of the dojo, this workshop is free and open to you. You will need loose-fitting clothes suitable for athletic activities, including indoor-only shoes. Please arrive at the Heron Road Community Centre by 7:20PM, so that you can review and sign a waiver. Please do not bring any real or training weapons: all equipment will be provided.
Finally, this workshop is for information purposes only. We do not endorse or counsel the public to carry weapons of any sort. If you are interested in traditional martial arts or their modern applicability, we hope you find this seminar to your liking.
If you would like more information about the workshop, please contact the Jinenkan Ottawa Dojo.
Martial Arts Demonstration at Canadian Tulip Festival
We have already been invited to return the Canadian Tulip Festival in May to provide a demonstration. We are honored to be asked back, and are making plans for what to demonstrate. More details will be posted as they become available.
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