mawashi uchi

Hitotsu no tachi – Aikido Yuishinkai

In the below video Master Koretoshi Maruyama, Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, provides instruction for the partnered bokken kata – Hitotsu no tachi as practiced in Aikido Yuishinkai.

Hitotsu no tachi (like all partnered bokken practice in our school) is choreographed with both participants having predetermined movements and roles.

Skills developed through 2 person bokken kata directly transferable to unarmed training include those related to:

blending and parrying;
timing;
using small body movements to generate power and move off-line (this is achieved through correct use of the hips and moving the body as a single entity);
Entering and related footwork; and
Stillness of mind.

The video was recorded in 2012 in Rotterdam as part of an Aikido Yuishinkai International Seminar. It was made available courtesy of Aikido Yuishinkai International Instructor, Martijn van Hemmen Sensei.

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

“Four Gods” Bokken Kata – Aikido Yuishinkai

In the below video Master Koretoshi Maruyama, Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, provides instruction on one of the three major bokken katas practised in Aikido Yuishinkai – “The Four Gods” kata (Shishin no ken).

The video was recorded in 2012 in Rotterdam. In addition to instruction by Maruyama Sensei, it includes a demonstration of the kata by Aikido Yuishinkai International Instructor, Martijn van Hemmen Sensei.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Martjin Sensei for both making available and giving me permission to publish his video recordings of the 2012 International Aikido Yuishinkai Seminar.

Have a great long weekend.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Bokken exercise – Mawashi uchi

The practice of bokken (wooden sword) arts is an integral part of Aikido training in Aikido Yuishinkai. Amongst other things, solo and paired bokken practice plays an important role in helping develop key skills for unarmed arts. These skills include foot work, distance, timing, centred movement, correct posture and striking.

At our dojo we take an integrated approach to the role of the bokken in our studies. For example, when we practice unarmed arts we look at the inherent bokken movements contained within the particular technique. Conversely, when practising with the bokken, this is always done with a focus on the skill groups we are trying to develop to aid our unarmed practice. The benefit of taking this approach is that it continually gives our training context.

In the below video Master Koretoshi Maruyama, Founder, Aikido Yuishinkai provides instruction on the fundamental foot work and cutting movements for the bokken exercise mawashi uchi. Also included in the video is a demonstration by Peter Kelly Sensei (Chief Instructor Australia) and Alistair Williams Sensei of the paired practice application of the exercise.

Have a great weekend

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo