A.Techniques
When Hisa Takuma was given Menkyokaiden from Takeda Sokaku, densho ( the
list of traditional techniques ) was as follows:
However,
Takeda Tokimune stated that these technique sets were dated when Takeda
Sokaku was given them. When Takeda Sokaku taught to Hisa at Asahi Newspaper,
these techniques were things that Sokaku modified, to a higher lever than
densho. So when Hisa taught to his students too, he wasn't teaching densho.
There are a total of 2,884 techniques in Daito-ryu including sitting, standing,
sitting versus standing, techniques to counter attacks from behind, throwing,
pinning, and disarming techniques. There are aiki throwing techniques that
rely on the mind and on timing, techniques based on the laws of motion,
as well as those based on the meridian anatomy of the human body. There
are also reverse joint-locking techniques, techniques that use applied
pressure to joints, as well as techniques that attack the vital points
of the human body.
The movements of Daito-ryu are based on the movements of Kenjutsu.
As the first step you must learn 118 techniques. This is called Shoden.
And as beginners, you must learn the first 30 techniques of the Shoden.
This set is called Ikkajo( the first group). The next 30 techniques are
called Nikajo (the second group). The next 30 techniques are called Sankajo(
the third group). The next 15 techniques are called Yonkajo (the fourth
group ) . The other techniques are called Gokajo, Taninzudori, and Emonodori.
Most Daito-ryu associations use Shoden as the basic techniques. The foundation
of Shoden is jujutsu techniques. It is very useful to know the basic movements
of Daito-ryu. Now Takumakai also use Shoden as a basic techniques.
However, only Takumakai has Soden. These are the techniques which Hisa
Takuma was taught from Takeda Sokaku and preserved as Soden Waza. The foundation
of Soden is aiki techniques. The more you practice both the Shoden and
Soden, the more you will understand how different the two sets are. As
you progress more in your studies, you will focus more and more on Soden
techniques. In addition to these two sets, there are many uncategorized
techniques without names.
B.Jujutsu and Aiki
The difference between Daito-ryu and other jujutsu is the addition of Aiki.
It is very difficult to explain Aiki. Aiki is the secret which is present
in all of these techniques. The principles of jujutsu and aiki are based
on sword techniques (Kenjutsu), and are reflected in the physical movements
and the mental outlook of Daito-ryu.
Jujutsu is the techniques which were made up of the rational physical movements.
Aiki is the techniques which were made up of the movements of the mind
and breathing. For example, we can learn jujutsu techniques partly just
by watching and being shown. However, we can't learn aiki techniques at
all by watching and being shown. When you practice aiki techniques, you
should grab your teacher's hand and be thrown many times. At that time
you must feel the teacher's aiki techniques.
When we learn aiki, it is necessary for us to switch our common sense and
our the way of thinking in daily life.
In practice, at first we must learn jujutsu techniques, and later, one
step at a time, we learn the jujutsu techniques with aiki. At the same
time we learn aiki techniques ( aiki age, aiki nage, etc )from beginners.
There is an old Japanese proverb : Sajo-no-rokaku. This refers to building
a house on sand. You can't build a building on sand. If you build it, it
will not stand. In everything it is necessary to first build a strong foundation.