Nakayama KoAikido Kai
The dojos of the Nakayamakai exist to pass on the tradition of
Nakayamakai KoAikido (also know as Nakayamakai Kokyuho Aikido. 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 bugtei "martial Art", for lack of a more complete
translation), a non-competative, non-combative, martial Way 'Budo'
approached in a classical manner. It may be thought of as a
semi-classical Budo [hankobudo] continuation of the work of Ueshiba
Morihei 14 Dec 1883- 26 Apr 1969AD, also know as O-Sensei. O-Sensei
founded Aikido in c1942 but was a confluence of many streams of older
Japanese martial Ways and arts.
Historic Traditons
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 transmitted them to the Takeda clan of Aizu. Takeda Sokaku
of Daito-ryu was the major teacher of O-Sensei. Another important stream
is that of the It Koryu, 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), Kashlma, Katon,
etc. A third tnbutary is the spearwork 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 mystics. Further suggested fonts include his swordsman
friends Nakayama Hakudo and Sugino Yoshio, a possible family traditior
of Budo (Aioi ryu?), and what Ueshiba called "Tenshin", Divine
inspiration, perhaps the strongest influence of all. O-Sensei claimed
that his Aikido was very ancient and brand new.
Modern Traditions
During his lifetime O-Sensei moved constantly towards more and more
gentleness, harmony, and spiritual and technical power. One of
O-Sensej's greatest students was Shioda Gozo, also called,
Kancho-sensei, founder of Yoshinkan Aikido and of the world-wide
Yoshinkai. Kancho-sensei was a major teacher of Kimeda Takeshi shihan,
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, founder of
Shinshin Toitsu Aikido and of the Ki no Kenkyukai are fundamental to the
Nakayamakai. The teaching methods of Mochizuki Minoru founder of
Yoseikan Budo have also been a part of our formation. The example,
support and teaching about Ki and healing of the late Nakayama Goichi
Okina 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 "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 Nakayamakai Dojo's Ten Principles
The Nakayamakai is distinguished by the following Ten Principles: - 1. The
root of all Aikido is swordwork, Ken ja nai, Aiki ja nail - 2. The Four
Points: extend Ki; weight underside; keep One Point; relax dynamically - 3.
The priority of Ki over muscle, of kokyu ryoku, and "no more than four
ounces" (a symbolic number) of force may be used - 4. No fees may be
charged, though contributions to defrayexpenses 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 bya series of
licences) - 6. No permanent damage may be done although momentary pain may
occur, since shite is responsible for for uke's 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",
"Okotta kenshi wa shindeiru kenshi da.") - 10 The goal is Aikisho ("Aiki
victory} which is Masakatsu Agatsu ("the right victory is victory over
oneself}
This mayalso be thought of as, shukai, "personal reformation".
The method is kirihaku, "pruning one's own soul" by the austere
discipline of practice.
Nakayamakai Kata
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 Major Arts Dirivitive Arts
Nakayamakai KoAikido consists of three major arts: kenho (also called
kenjutsu), the use of the Japanese sword; joho (jojutsu ), the four foot
stick; and taiho (taijutsu), empty hand work. The use of other weapons
(naginata, yari, shoto, tanto, rokushakubo, hanbo, yawarajo etc.) is
subsumed under each of these categories. The primary modes of learning are:
1) kata, the pre-arranged forms, and 2) interactive practice of techniques
with a partner [sotai renshu].
Nakayamakai kenho
Our kenho consists of suburi (practice cuts), kumitechi (paired forms), iai
(sword drawing, cutting, and retum, never referred to in our tradition as
iaido), and practice against armed and unarmed partners. Our joho includes
five kata kumijo, and paired practice as above. Our taiho comprises
nege-waze (projections); oase-waza (immobilizations); taoshi-waza ( body
dropping techniques); kansetsu-waza (Joint locking techniques); and shinke;
chusu kogeki (stimulation of nerve centres).
Nakayamakai seiteigata (established forms)
The following seiteigata (established forms) both major and minor, are to be
learned and mastered by a lifetime of practice.
- 1. lai kata
- 2. 5 kumitachi (awase)
- 3. 5 kumitachi (awase) kara iai renshu
- 4. Ki musubi no tachi
- 5. Happo giri
- 6. 31 nojo
- 7. 9 no jo
- 8. 22 nojo Koho
- 9. 13 nojo
- 10. 22 nojo Shinpo (optional)
- 11. 5 kumijo
- 12. 5 kumijo kara tandoku renshu
- 13. Dojo misogi
- 14. Kihon dosa tandoku renshu
- 15. 3 Kokyuho undo: Ten, Tenchi, Chi
Nakayamakai Phillosophical Teachings
Our aim is to eliminate the flaws in one's own character by rigorous
practice of the arts of the Way. Our goal is certainly not "self-defence",
though it is a by-product of practice. The method is kirhaku, 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, unconcemed 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
petition in place of the keppan [blood oath] of of the koryLi,
subscribing to the Principles and thus become a member of the Nakayamakai.
Ueshiba's Way led him from the Omoto-kyo Shinto 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 "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 f 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 West-ern or
cont-emporary 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!"
Contact List
Nakayama KoAjkido Dojo,
St Mark's Church,
1802-33 Ave SW,
Calgary, Ab,
Canada
Saturday 2:00 pm until c5:00,
Monday 1 :30 pm go until 4:00 pm
Fr Douglas Skoyles SSC (403) 265-5466 skoyles@telus.net
Mr James Turner (403) 637-2525 Cremona,AB
Mr Dale Rossetti (403) 948-5718; cell 819-2105
Honorary Instructor
Mr Thomas v. Payne Windsor,Ont.
Sotomonjin:
Mr Jack Thompson (403) 242-2441
Mr Douglas Pleysier (403) 247-3485
Mrs Stephanie Skoyles-Jarkins Ozark MO USA
NKK Website: http://ca.geocities.com/koaikido
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