Kaze Arashi Ryu Aiki Ju Jutsu
What is Aiki Ju Jutsu
Kaze Arashi Ryu Aiki Ju Jutsu
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Aiki Ju Jutsu is a centuries old unarmed combat system developed by the Japanese Samurai. Its main principal is harmonising with the energy of the attacker and using the principle of Aiki In Yo Ho (yin yang). This enabled the samurai to fight with the minimum of energy and he could therefore fight for long periods without becoming exhausted.
Aiki Ju Jutsu is not Aikido with some strikes and locks added, nor is it a combination of Aikido and Jujutsu, it is a unique art (although there are some modern arts that use the name Aiki Ju Jutsu or Aikijutsu which are Aikido with strikes and locks added or are a combination of Aikido and JuJutsu). In fact Aikido is a relatively modern form of martial art conceived by Ueshiba Morihei, and is primarily derived from the techniques of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu.
| Aiki Ju Jutsu is one of Japan's most traditional and classical arts, finding its roots in the feudal era. Aiki Ju Jutsu stresses maximum combat or defence ability. It is said that Aiki Ju Jutsu was derived from empty handed sword strokes and battlefield techniques. Aiki Ju Jutsu was known as Oshikiuchi until the nineteenth century. This art was the unarmed form of combat of the Aizu han warriors. |  |
An Aiki Ju Jutsu practitioner co-ordinates himself with attacks. The core principle is Taisabaki, or body positioning. If an attack comes the practitioner steps either to neutralise or parry. Opponents can be controlled by locks, chokes, strikes or throws. Aiki Ju Jutsu is not meant to be gentle on the attacker, only on the defender. The Tora No Maki, or teaching scrolls of the Kaze Arashi Ryu refer to "Ki" as the ability to crush or overpower the spirit of an opponent. That, they claim, is true victory even though a confrontation may not have occurred.
Aiki Ju Jutsu is one of the least known and most misunderstood martial arts in the world.
Aiki Ju Jutsu is a throwing, locking, striking, and controlling art that emphasises concentration and decisive, precise movements. Its theory is based upon the idea of Aiki in Yo-Ho (Ying Yang) and this can be seen in the bi-directional application of the techniques (this is more obvious to the observer in some techniques than others). Kaze Arashi Ryu Aiki Ju Jutsu also adds a spiralling action to many techniques, inspired by the tornado after which the system is named.
Aiki Ju Jutsu movements are notably smooth, fluid, and usually circular. The accomplished practitioner is outstandingly well balanced and stable while remaining nimble. Aiki Ju Jutsu techniques convert momentum efficiently so that the practitioner can appear to hurl opponents through the air with almost no movement.
Aiki Ju Jutsu depends upon the development of a solid foundation in the basic principles. Much early practice is concerned with learning the basic movements (Taisabaki) and developing balance and flexibility. Because so many of the applications are throws a great deal of time is spent on development of proper falling and rolling techniques. Similarly, because many Aiki Ju Jutsu techniques involve controlling balance through the manipulation of the joints, students are guided through joint flexibility exercises designed to strengthen and stretch the affected joints.
Aiki Ju Jutsu training places little emphasis on free fighting practice in the early stages, relying instead upon numerous two-person drills in applying the techniques. Typical classes begin with a warm up and flexibility exercises, followed by drilled basic kata that teach correct movement and posture, and falling and rolling practice. Students will usually then be shown specific techniques that they will practise with a partner.
Students learn the basic striking methods first, as knowledge of these is required for practice of the two person drills. Aiki Ju Jutsu does not place the same emphasis on powerful striking as do most other arts (due to a Samurai's tendency to wear armour to a battle), but students learn the theory of atemi, methods of striking to the opponent's weak points to upset balance and posture.
Aiki Ju Jutsu is a fighting art. It is distinguished by the decisive movements it teaches and the efficient use of position and angle. Properly executed, Aiki Ju Jutsu techniques are swift, efficient, and powerful, while exhibiting grace and beauty. The practitioner can be seen to enter towards the opponent almost as if waltzing, and execute projections, interceptions, and redirections that yank the opponent off his feet and into the air.
| The Aiki Ju Jutsu of Kaze Arashi Ryu is not a purely unarmed fighting system, nor can it be completely separated from the other arts of Kaze Arashi Ryu. Our Aiki Ju Jutsu is intended for use against armed and unarmed opponents, by armed or unarmed practitioners. |  |
All Text and Pictures (c) Kaze Arashi Ryu
