Nakayama KoAikido Kai
Introduction
The dojos of the Nakayamakai exist to pass on the tradition of Nakayamakai KoAikido [’†ŽR‰ï?N?‡Ÿ†“¹] (also know as Nakayamakai Kokyuho Aikido [’†ŽR‰ïŒÄ‹z–@?‡Ÿ†“¹]). KoAikido means "The Healthful or Peaceful or 'Shalom' Way of Spiritual Harmony", while Kokyuho refers to the spiritual respiration which is at the root of all techniques and is reputed to aid in maintaining youth and vigour. This is a tradition of bugei [•?Œ|, "martial Art", for lack of a more complete translation], a non-competative, non- combative, martial Way [•?“¹, Budo] approached in a classical manner. It may be thought of as a semi-classical Budo [”¼ŒÃ•?“¹ hankobudo] continuation of the work of Ueshiba Morihei [?AŽÅ?·•½] 14 Dec 1883 - 26 Apr 1969AD, also know as ‘å?æ?¶, O-Sensei. O-Sensei founded Aikido in c1942 but was a confluence of many streams of older Japanese martial Ways and arts.
History
Some say one stream may be traced to Prince Sadazumi Teijun, son of the Emperor Seiwa (850-880 AD) who passed his teachings on through the Minamoto family. Yoshimitsu Shinra Saburo is said to have enriched the methods and trans- mitted them to the Takeda clan of Aizu. Takeda Sokaku [•?“c‘yŠp] of Daito-ryu [‘å“Œ—¬?‡Ÿ†?_?p] was the major teacher of O-Sensei. Another important stream is that of the Koryu [ŒÃ—¬], classical warrior schools centred on the sword [“?, katana], which have been so central to Japanese culture and history: Muso, Itto, Nen, Kage and Shinkage (especially Yagyu), Kashima, Katori, etc. A third tributary is the spearwork [‘„?p]of the Hozoin monks. A fourth, the jujutsu of the Kito ryu, Tenjin Shin'yo ryu and Goto-ha Yagyu Shingan ryu. A fifth current is Kodokan Judo ; a sixth, the teachings of the yamabushi [ŽR•?Žm] mystics. Further suggested fonts include his swordsman friends Nakayama Hakudo [’†ŽR”Ž“¹] and Sugino Yoshio [?™–ì‰Ã’j], a possible family tradition of Budo (Aioi ryu?), and what Ueshiba called "Tenshin" [“V?S], Divine inspiration, perhaps the strongest influence of all. O-Sensei claimed that his Aikido was very ancient and brand new.
During his lifetime O-Sensei moved constantly towards more and more gentleness, harmony, and spiritual and technical power. One of O-Sensei's greatest students was Shioda Gozo [‰–“c?„ŽO], also called ŠÙ’·?æ?¶, Kancho-sensei, founder of Yoshinkan Aikido [—{?_ŠÙ?‡‹C“¹] and of the world-wide Yoshinkai [—{?_‰ï]. Kancho-sensei was a major teacher of Kimeda Takeshi shihan [–Ø–Ú“c•?ŽsŽt”Í], the first person to teach Aikido in Canada. Douglas Skoyles, after years in other martial arts and Ways, was privileged to study under Kimeda sensei beginning in 1966. The Four Points of Tohei Koichi [“¡•½‹?ˆê], founder of Shinshin Toitsu Aikido [?S?g“?ˆê?‡‹C“¹] and of the Ki no Kenkyukai [‹C‚ÌŒ¤‹†‰ï] are fundamental to the Nakayamakai. The teaching methods of Mochizuki Minoru [–]ŒŽ–«?æ?¶] founder of Yoseikan Budo [•?“¹—{?³ŠÙ] have also been a part of our formation. The example, support and teaching about Ki and healing of the late Nakayama Goichi Okina [’†ŽRŒÜˆê‰¥] richly nourishes our methods. It is after Nakayama sensei that we are named. He adopted Father Skoyles into the Nakayama clan in 1988 with the name ’†ŽR?•?ì, and as ?u’†ŽR‚Ì‘§Žq?A’†ŽR‚Ì Ž˜?v "son and servant" of the family.
Many arts, Ways, and associations have grown from O-Sensei's work including the Aikikai (by far the largest organization), Keijutsukai, Ki no Kenkyu Kai (Shinshin Toitsu Aikido), Korinkai, Manseikan, Nihon Aikido Kyokai (Shodokan, Tomiki Aikido), Nihon Goshin Aikido, Otsuki ryu, Seidokan, Shindo Iten ryu, Shin'ei Taido, Shin Riaku Heiho, Tendokai, Yoseikan, Yoshinkai and many independant associations such as that of the estimable David Lynch of New Zealand, our own fellowship, and others.
The Principles
The Nakayamakai is distinguished by the following Ten Principles:
1. The root of all Aikido is swordwork [?uŒ•‚¶‚á ‚È‚¢?G?‡[Ÿ†‚¶‚á ‚È‚¢?v, "Ken ja nai, Aiki ja nai"]
2. The Four Points: extend Ki; weight underside; keep One Point; relax dynamically
3. The priority of Ki [Ÿ†] over muscle [‘Ì—Í], of kokyu ryoku [ŒÄ‹z—Í], and "no more than four ounces" (a symbolic number) of force may be used
4. No fees may be charged, though contributions to defray expenses such as rent may be suggested; instructors may never under any circumstances make their living from teaching this Way (We have no professional instructors)
5. No signs of rank may be employed (Our only recognition or promotion is by a series of licences [–Æ‹–, menkyo])
6. No permanent damage may be done although momentary pain may occur; since shite[ˆ×Žè] is responsible for for uke's[Žó‚¯] well being, no uncontrolled projections are permitted
7. Fighting inside or outside the dojo is strictly forbidden
8. We do not criticize other traditions
9. Anger has no place at all in our life ("The angry swordsman is the dead swordsman"?u“{‚Á‚½Œ•Žm‚ÍŽ€‚ñ‚Å‚¢‚錕Žm‚¾?v"Okotta kenshi wa shindeiru kenshi da." )
10 The goal is Aikisho [?‡‹C ?Ÿ] ("Aiki victory") which is Masakatsu Agatsu [?³?ŸŒá?Ÿ] ("the right victory is victory over oneself"). This may also be thought of as ?C‰ü, shukai, "personal reformation". The method is kirihaku [?Øé®], "pruning one's own soul" by the austere discipline [?C?s, shugyo] of practice.
The following technical points distinguish dojos of the Nakayamakai: 1) the short form of the iai kata as transmitted; 2) the nine movement jo kata; 3) the five awase (kumitachi); 4) 7/8 of a circle as happo fifth movement; 5) iai goshi as the official ending of each iai waza; 6) the avoidance of modern chiburi, sword angles, grips and footwork; 7) the kihon dosa practiced through as kata, the second tai no henko involving a 180 degree turn.
The Arts
Nakayamakai KoAikido consists of three major arts: kenho [Œ•–@] (also called kenjutsu [Œ•?p]), the use of the Japanese sword; joho [?ñ–@ ] (jojutsu [?ñ?p]), the four foot stick; and taiho[‘Ì–@] (taijutsu [‘Ì?p]), empty hand work. The use of other weapons (’·“?naginata, ‘„yari, ?¬“?shoto, ’Z“?tanto, ˜ZŽÙ–_rokushakubo, ”¼–_hanbo,?_?ñ yawarajo etc.) is subsumed under each of these categories. The primary modes of learning are 1) kata [Œ^], the pre-arranged forms, and 2) interactive practice of techniques with a partner [‘o‘Ì—û?K, sotai renshu].
Our kenho consists of suburi [‘f?U‚è] (practice cuts), kumitachi [‘g‘¾“?] (paired forms), iai [‹??‡] (sword drawing, cutting, and return, never referred to in our tradition as iaido), and practice against armed and unarmed partners. Our joho includes five kata, kumijo[ ‘g?ñ], and paired practice as above. Our taiho comprises nage-waza [“Š‹Z] (projections); oase-waza [‰Ÿ‹Z] (immobilizations); taoshi-waza [“|‚µ‹Z]( body dropping techniques); kansetsu-waza [ŠÖ?ß‹Z] (joint locking techniques); and shinkei chusu kogeki [?_Œo’†?•?UŒ‚] (stimulation of nerve centres).
The Kata
The following seiteigata [?§’èŒ^] (established forms) both major and minor, are to be learned and mastered by a lifetime of practice.
1. Iai kata [‹??‡Œ^]
2. 5 kumitachi [‘g‘¾“?] (awase [?‡‚킹])
3. 5 kumitachi (awase) kara iai renshu [‘g‘¾“?‚©‚ç‹??‡—û?K]
4. Ki musubi no tachi [Ÿ†Œ‹‚Ñ‚Ì‘¾“?]
5. Happo giri [”ª–@?Ø‚è]
6. 31 no jo [ŽO?\ˆê‚Ì?ñ]
7. 9 no jo [‹ã‚Ì?ñ]
8. 22 no jo Koho [“ñ?\“ñ‚Ì?ñŒÃ –@]
9. 13 no jo [?\ŽO‚Ì?ñ]
10. 22 no jo Shinpo [“ñ?\“ñ‚Ì?ñ?V –@] (optional)
11. 5 kumijo [‘g?ñ]
12. 5 kumijo kara tandoku renshu [‘g?ñ‚©‚ç’P“Æ—û?K]
13. Dojo misogi [“¹?êâS]
14. Kihon dosa tandoku renshu [Šî–{“®?ì’P“Æ—û?K]
15. 3 Kokyuho undo: Ten, Tenchi, Chi [ “V(“V’n)(’n)ŒÄ‹z–@‰^“®]
The Purpose
Our aim is to eliminate the flaws in one's own character by rigorous practice of the arts of the Way. Our goal is ?‡Ÿ†?Ÿ described by O-Sensei as ?³?ŸŒá?Ÿ, that is ?C‰ü . Our goal is certainly not "self-defence", though it is a by-product of practice. The method is kirhaku [?Øé®], pruning one's own soul. We aim to become the kind of people to whom and in whose vicinity violence never happens. O-Sensei believed Aiki could contribute to the creation of a peaceful society and world.
Our injury rate is very low compared to other martial disciplines, because of our concern for the welfare of all, but mistakes can cause damage. Each member works to his or her own level, unconcerned with the opinions, progress or accomplishments (or lack thereof) of others. There are no barriers of age, sex, religion, politics, wealth, or even physical health. All who wish to practice with us are welcome after signing a legal release form. After a time the student may sign a seigan [?¿Šè, petition] in place of the keppan [ŒŒ”», blood oath] of of the koryu, subscribing to the Principles and thus become a member of the Nakayamakai.
Ueshiba's Way [?AŽÅ‚Ì“¹] led him from the Omoto-kyo Shinto [‘å–{‹³?_“¹] sect which had formed much of his life towards the fulness of the Christian Faith and the true love of God for all his creatures found in Jesus Christ, driven by his radical committment to ethical living. Near the end of his life, O-Sensei wished to change the name of Aikido from ?‡Ÿ†“¹ to ˆ¤Ÿ†“¹, "The Way of Spiritual Love". He believed that "The heart of Budo is the love of the Creator God for all His creation."
It is often difficult for North Americans to understand that a classical or semi-classical Budo is not just another "martial art" but is rather a non-combative, non-competitive Way, in our case based in swordwork. Few who begin this Way will persist; it is too challenging, demanding, sometimes tedious, and different from the values of Western or contemporary Eastern culture. There are no immediate rewards, no ten easy steps to anything, no contests to win, no examinations to pass, no trophies, no ranks, nothing to pander to the ego. We do what we do because it has been given to us to do. We offer only hard work, a bit of pain, the need to memorize complex movements, and a time tested method of seeking to overcome oneself.
As we say at the end of practice:
"Whom do I seek to overcome?"
"Myself!"
‰ï
Dojo Location: St Mark's Church, 1802-33 Ave SW, Calgary
Saturday 01:30pm Mon 2pm
Fr Douglas Skoyles SSC (403) 265-5466 skoyles@telus.net
Mr James Turner ?æ”y?A‹³Žt (403) 637-2525 Cremona, AB
Mr Dale Rossetti ‹³Žt (403) 948-5718; cell 819-2105 Airdrie AB
Mrs Stephanie Skoyles-Jarkins, PhD ‹³Žt Ozark, MO USA
Mr David Spaulding ‹³Žt (780) 875-0734 Lloydminster AB
‹³Žt–Æ‹– Honorary Instructor
Mr Thomas V. Payne Windsor ON
ŠO–å?l Sotomonjin
Mr Jack Thompson (403) 242-2441 Calgary AB
Mr Douglas Pleysier (403) 247-3485 Calgary AB