Daito-ryu Aiki-Jujutsu is an old Jujutsu style presumably founded my Minamoto,
Yoshimitsu in the eleventh century. Originally, it was only practised by the highest
ranking Samurais in the Takeda family in the Kai fiefdom in northern Japan.
Feudal overlord Takeda, Shingen died in 1573, and his kinsman Takeda, Kunitsugu
moved to the Aizu fiefdom, where he became Jito - overseer of the fief. Kunitsugu
introduced Daitoryu Aikijujutsu at the Aizu fiefdom, where the secret fighting
art only was taught to the feudal lords and the highest ranking samurais and ladies
in waiting.
The feudal system was broken down after 1868 when the Meiji restoration begun.
Saigo, Tanomo (1829-1905), the heir to Daito-ryu gave the system to Takeda, Sogaku
(1859-1943) and instructed him to pass it on to future generations. Takeda, Sogaku
first used the term "Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu" in the beginning of the twentieth
century and taught the art of it to many students.
Takeda, Sogaku taught Daito-ryu from the beginning of the twentieth century
until his death in 1943 two of his best known students were Ueshiba, Morihei,
founder of Aikido and Choi, Yong Sul, founder of Hapkido.
Other prominent 20th century Daito-ryu masters include Horikawa, Kodo (1894-1980);
Takuma, Hisa (1895-1979); Hakaru, Mori (1931-), the current director of the Daitoryu
Aikijujutsu Takumakai; Sagawa, Yukiyoshi (1902-); Takeda, Tokimune (1916-1993),
son of Takeda, Sogaku; Katsuyuki, Kondo (1945-); and Okamoto, Seigo (1925-), who
is often considered the most progressive teacher of Daitoryu Aikijujutsu.
Description and Training:
The way of teaching Daitoryu comes from Takeda, Sogaku's students in the same
manner as the understanding, feeling and character of the techniques. Daito-ryu
Aikijujutsu has four levels of techniques:
- Shoden (lowest)
- Chuden (advanced)
- Okuden (highest)
- Hiden (secret techniques).
Shoden
The training in Daito-ryu starts with Shoden, where the student learns ukemi (falling
and rolling), taisabaki (moving the body), tesabaki and ashisabaki (movements
of the hands and feet and legs), defense against grappling, and continues with
defense against punches, kicks and weapons, as for instance short and long staffs
(tanbo, jo and chobo) and knives and swords (tanto and katana).
There are techniques that can be done from standing, sitting or lying positions.
The first transmission scroll Hiden Mokuroku describes the first 118 jujutsu techniques
from the Shoden level.
Chuden
These are advanced jujutsu techniques with large soft movements as known from
Aikido. The actual aiki training consists of a combination of these techniques
and those from Shoden. At this level of training it is allowed to use some amount
of force, several steps and large movements.
Okuden
When doing Okuden all movements should be as small as possible. Breathing, reflexes,
circles and timing are used instead of muscles; the techniques are small and fast,
and it is not necessary to hold an attacker in order to throw him. The reflexes
of the attacker are used against him. He gets a soft shock, similar to an electric
shock activating his reflexes, and it becomes easy to manipulate the body of the
attacker so it is felt as an extension of one's own.
Hiden
These are the secret techniques. The real aiki consists always of soft techniques
that only work properly when the whole body and proper breathing is used. The
attacker is touched easily, you are as glued to him, and the techniques are so
small that even experienced budokas cannot see what is happening. However, the
most fascinating part of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu is that it is unnecessary to use
physical power for incapacitating the attacker his own force is turned against
him.
A - C