Understanding Nishio's Half-Step Can Lead The Way

Practicing Japanese Martial Arts in Japan for the last two years has allowed me to learn more about Judo, Kendo, and Aikido.  Within Aikido, I was first attracted to comprehend the Aikikai style as there are today many different variations of Aikido.  The founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, had many live-in students over the years, and one was Yasuo Kobayashi Sensei, who is today an 8th dan in Aikido.  I could write several articles about Kobayashi Sensei because of my unique experiences in this dojo learning the Aikikai style, much about taiho jutsu, the jo staff (aikijo), the bokken (aikiken), and among other disciplines like Japanese calligraphy after classes on Saturdays.  During the era of Covid-19, I was not able to travel a lot east into central Tokyo, where Ichiro Shishiya Sensei was teaching; however, this would change in 2022.  So for 2021, it was a deep dive into the Aikikai approach to Aikido with Kobayashi Sensei.


(Shoji Nishio practicing Judo in...

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Prof. Kenji Tomiki and His Striking Approach To Kuzushi

Having recently returned from Osaka, Japan, I was able to research Prof. Kenji Tomiki's work in Judo, Aikido and the development of Competitive Aikido called often: Tomiki Aikido, Competition Aikido or Shodokan Aikido. Osaka today is home to the headquarters of the Shodokan Aikido Federation. This is the main dojo that Prof. Tomiki started before his death in 1979. Firstly, it must be pointed out that Tomiki was a unique practitioner of Budo as he was deeply knowledgeable in both Judo and Aikido. Prof Tomiki was a University teacher and Judo coach in Tokyo. Let me present his ranks in Martial Arts.


 Prof. Kenji Tomiki, 8th dan in Judo under founder Dr. Jigoro Kano and 8th dan in Aikido under founder O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. 


In addition, while working at Waseda University,  Tomiki was able to organize Aikido as a recognized club.  He was the first person to do this in Japan by developing a competitive form of Aikido that Waseda University wanted to see to be...

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Iaido Is A Path Towards Taking Initiative

In the last Gunji University blog, I wrote about the understanding of the zero-concept relating to Judo grip fighting and also the Japanese Martial Arts ideas of when to attack: Go No Sen (After the attack); Sen No Sen (Attack the attack); and Sen Sen No Sen (Taking initiative).  Having lived in Tokyo for more than 9 months I am only starting to understand Budo.  This study for me has always been picked up and down to know more about Bushido culture while training in Martial Art all these years; however, today I see many issues relating to Bushido origins and its historical context during Japan's modernization Meiji period.  I have concerns with people today throwing words like Budo and Bushido around in the United States when they have such a focus on Sport and Mixed Martial Arts culture.  As I study, I am only beginning to understand Budo here in Japan, and in a positive way I have been enjoying training in Judo, Karatedo, Aikido and now Jodo...

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