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Kendoguy9
19th February 2009, 06:38
Hello all,

I'm starting this thread as a continuation of a thread on Aikiweb about Sokaku sensei's training, originally started by our own mod over here Mark Murray: http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showthread.php?p=225350#post225350

The thread started off about Sokaku sensei's training in Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryu kenjutsu. Mark pointed out that it is very interesting that Sokaku sensei's sword really became polished after training with Sakakibara Kenkichi sensei. I posted this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JdFm...eature=related
This is the Hojo-no-kata the first set in Jikishinkage-ryu. It teaches the swordsman proper kiai and how to dominate the opponent (along with many other things). There are four kata with four types of kiai each representing a season. The first is spring. The student then learns more advanced kata while still revisiting the Hojo. The next sets are: To-no-kata (done with fukuro shinai; spring kiai), Kodachi-no-kata (bokuto tachi vs. kodachi; summer kiai), Habiki-no-kata (a set done with shinken or sharp swords; fall kiai) and last Marubashi-no-kata (shiken tachi vs. kodachi; winter kiai).

Since most people have never had the chance to even see, much less train in, many koryu arts I thought it would be a good idea to post a link to the Budokan video of Ono-ha Itto-ryu (in 4 parts). This video has Sasamori Takemi sensei in it, the current head of the ryu. Sasamori sensei recently gave a very nice Itto-ryu seminar in NJ. This video is very cool. It shows the first 50 victories of the ryu along with the kodachi set and ai-kodachi (kodachi vs. kodachi!).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43j5dEzx-aw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnX31c-AUIU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhywUFIAuTg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3T3nOvRWxw

According to many who knew him Sokaku sensei combinded these schools with what he learn during his travels and created a very unique method of sword. But he wasn't the only person to study both Jikishinkage-ryu and Itto-ryu and become a great swordsman. Yamaoka Tesshu also studeied Jikishinkage-ryu and Itto-ryu (Nakanishi-ha and Ono-ha) and founded his own school Itto Shoden Muto-ryu. Muto ryu is a cryptic form of Itto-ryu with clear Jikishinkage-ryu influences (a one legged stance for example, not seen in the above Hojo video). Here are two kata that they do:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqXvb28N8hU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe0IRMbcXWQ&feature=related

This covers the two major sword schools Sokaku sensei was exposed to.

Next are a few links to some very high quality sumo. Sokaku sensei's father Sokichi was an Ozeki ranked rikishi. Sokaku sensei himself was said to be very skilled in the dohyo. First is a match between the two current Yokozuna (grand champions) Hakuho on the left and Asashoryu on the right.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgbzwkTcFlc
To show I'm not biased (okay I am) I thought I'd throw in a link to a Hakuho victory... he uses anime powers in it... only reason he won. :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV5LF8dwd-8
Last a good match between Takanohana and Akebono. It proves size isn't everything in sumo. I think it also supports the idea that in spite of his small size Sokaku sensei could have been a rather talented rikishi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W26m7uSsPFg&feature=related

Although there is much less proof about his study of Hozoin-ryu (http://www4.kcn.ne.jp/~hozoin/E-index.html) it is said Sokaku sensei learned the art (or may have learned it?) from his father who learned it in turn from his stepfather Dengoro Kurokochi. You can clearly see the power in this school. They also use a jumonjiyari (cross shaped spear tip).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW_9dkcRynQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz3hplpygV4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s26CXKQUO2Y

Earlier this evening I posted a very nice short article about onmyodo. I have no idea who the original author is, it is uncredited and all over the web. If anyone knows who wrote it please let me know so I can credit them. The thread can be found here: http://www.e-budo.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42601
I believe the idea of onmyodo is linked to the aiki of Daito-ryu.

I think these rather aggressive arts along with a family jujutsu system, a world view created by onmyodo and decades of musha shugyo have really shaped what we know as Daito-ryu today.

This is just an outline with some video clips. I hope you find it interesting. Comments welcome.

Best regards,

dengle
19th February 2009, 15:02
I will check out the thread on Aikiweb.
I'm just curious to know about your Daito Ryu and Jikishinkage Ryu history and lineage.
Thanks again for this thread. I am looking forward to more of it.

Kendoguy9
19th February 2009, 15:21
Good morning Don,

I have been studying Daito-ryu for ten years (as of this May). I have a nidan from Kondo Katsuyuki sensei. www.daito-ryu.org

I study Jikishinkage-ryu with Dr. David Hall in Rockville MD (for about 6 years now I think).

I consider myself very lucky to have access to great teachers and sempai.

Best regards,

dengle
19th February 2009, 17:06
This information ceretainly lends credability to the thread.

Kendoguy9
19th February 2009, 18:12
Hi Don,

I don't know how much credability I really have. :D None of this is really research, most of that has been taken care of by Stan Pranin. I'm also assuming a certain amount of background knowledge on the part of the reader about the topic ie. Sokaku sensei was a live in student at Sakakibara sensei's dojo, he was menkyo kaiden in Itto-ryu, he was a skilled rikishi, etc. I just thought having some decent links would help people get a better understanding of what Sokaku sensei did (or is reported to have done). I'll let people come to their own conclusions about the influence each art had on present day Daito-ryu.

Best regards,

Kendoguy9
19th February 2009, 18:15
BTW it is easy for me to remember how long I've done Daito-ryu becuse I started dating my fiancee a month before I started Daito-ryu. She is an easy reminder. I have to do a little more thinking about Jikishinkage-ryu. :D

Nathan Scott
19th February 2009, 20:58
[Post deleted by user]

Kendoguy9
20th February 2009, 04:03
Hey Nathan,

Thanks for posting those other links to threads. Sorry to hear that about Mark. I can imagine being a mod and dealing with all the other one million things in life can be stressful. For those interested in the onmyodo thread it has been merged to a more appropriate thread. A link can be found here: http://www.e-budo.com/forum/showpost.php?p=473911&postcount=76

Best regards,