Plans for 2010
Labour Day: changing back to regular schedule
We hope you have had a good summer. Following the Labuor Day holiday, we are shifting to our regular schedule. The last summer class will be Bojutsu, outside in Orlando Park this Sunday, September 5th. There will be no class on Monday, September 6th. Starting on Wednesday, September 8th, weekday classes will be from 7:30-9:30PM, and Sunday Bojutsu classes will be from 12:30PM-2:30PM, in the Heron Room. If you are uncertain about the schedule, please contact us.
Hanbojutsu starts on June 6th!
Sunday classes in Bojutsu will soon see a new addition. We will be adding Hanbojutsu, the "technique of the half-staff/stick", to complement our regular trainng. The Hanbo, also called the San-Jyaku-Bo can be translated as "half-staff" or "three-foot staff", respectively. Traditionally this art was derived for situations in which a longer wooden pole or weapon was cut down by a sword; to a modern sensibility, any cane or walking stick-length pole could also be used to execute these techniques. The Hanbo complements the longer Rokushaku Bo; it emphasizes reaction and entering in close.
For regular students, no additional equipment is necessary; if you are interested in joining us for this topic, please contact us for details.
For a more in-depth look at this martial art, please read our Primer on Hanbojutsu.
Report on the Tulip Festival Demonstration
On May 24th, we performed at the 2010 Canadian Tulip Festival, thanks to an invitation from the Ottawa Japanese Comunity Association. Victoria Day Monday was unusually hot and humid for this time of year in Ottawa; it was a lot like being back in Japan.
In the past, the Victoria Day weekend is often cold and rainy; this time, the main stage, which is matte black and draped in black cloth, was like an oven by the time we began in mid-afternoon. Nevertheless, we had practiced carefully, and were ready to demonstrate the classical martial arts of feudal Japan.
We started with Classical Jujutsu; I took the lead in applying locks and throws to my partner. He and I had put a lot of practice into working out how to make the movements big enough to be seen at a distance. I honestly wasn't able to take the time to observe the audience, but judging from what I could hear of their reaction, I think it was well-received.
But my students had responded enthusiastically to the idea of the demonstration, and had trained hard to be part of it. Two of them are musicians; they naturally like being on stage! So, I took the role of the receiving partner and wielded the sword against them in displays of Kodachi, Bojutsu, Juttejutsu, and Kenjutsu. My students, both experienced and more junior members, really took to their choices of short and long weapons: the training they did with the short sword, long staff, truncheon and sword (respectively) really showed. As they swept or cut a leg, or performed a throw, I would take the fall, and was grateful that we've put in additional ukemi practice recently; for those segments we weren't using mats. I've very appreciative of my students and the hard work and enthusiasm they've shown.
Our last segment was Muto Dori - "catching the opponent's sword while unarmed". By the time the last segment came around, the heat had taken a toll, and I was blinking through heavy sweat. Catching the correct timing to enter was a bit tricky, while still trying to apply proper staging so the audience could understand what we were doing. I demonstrated disarms, locks and throws against a opponent with a sword alternately scabbarded and drawn. I've wanted to include Muto Dori in a demonstration for a long time; I only hope it was as exciting and interesting for the audience as it was to do.
We've been fortunate to work with the Japanese Pavilion at the Festival in the past, and are appreciative of the chance to do so again.
Tantojutsu begins March 31st!
Beginning March 31st, we are going to be departing from our staple training in Kenjutsu to explore new waters: in keeping with the theme of blade training, we will begin studying Tantojutsu, the art of the dagger or knife. Jinen Ryu Tantojutsu is Manaka Sensei's approach to what is often a misunderstood component of martial arts; with it, he has formalized years of experience into a comprehensive training regimen. My students and I are very excited to be practicing this material, as it is rare in the world of Japanese martial arts. This is a direct progression of our studies in Kenjutsu; the focus is defending yourself when your opponent has a sword, and you are therefore at a disadvantage. Jinen Ryu Tantojutsu is based on the movements of the unarmed combat schools of Gyokko Ryu and Koto Ryu: it builds on unarmed technique, and gives students a whole new perspective on timing, distance, and use of the whole body in action.
Field Trip- Workshop on World War II Combatives: Monday, March 29th
We're planning a "field trip" next week (Monday, March 29th, from 7PM - 9:30PM) 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 fourth 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.
New beginnings for the New Year: Sunday staff technique (Bojutsu) kicks off with the Sabaki-Gata!
Are you thinking of doing something different for the New Year... perhaps related to a certain resolution? But do you want to try something different, which pairs a solid, yet progressive, physical workout with doing something different every class? Why not try Bojutsu, the Japanese art of the Staff? With the New Year upon us, we're making a fresh start by studying the Sabaki-Gata; literally, the "Forms for Using Skillfully". The Sabaki-Gata are a progressive set of kata, practiced both solo and with a partner simulating a sword-wielding opponent, which contain all of the movements for the Bo. Within the Sabaki are techniques of striking, thrusting blocking and receiving, spinning the Bo with one or both hands, jumping- when done first solo, then with a partner, these make a dynamic, ever-changing workout!
To begin, all you will need is a six-foot staff (Rokushaku-Bo), comfortable training clothes, and indoor-only running shoes. More equipment can be obtained later.
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