Article: "What Makes Aikijujutsu Unique?", by Brett Denison

[Mark Jakabcsin]

Following is a link to a site with an AJJ article by Brett Denison for your review. Enjoy.

http://www.detarver.com/What%20makes%20Aiki-Jujutsu%20unique.htm

mark j.

[Mark Jakabcsin]

I should have mentioned in the first post that I know nothing about Mr. Brett Denison. I received an e-mail about an on-line MA magazine, hit the link, saw the article and thought I would post it for your viewing pleasure.

mark j.

[Nathan Scott]

Hmmm, an o.k. article. There are a few things I didn't find myself agreeing with, like defining "aiki" as "divine harmony". I'm also not sure what "his school" is, which would have been good to have clarified before defining what shoden, chuden and okuden level teachings are (apparently "kawashin-ryu jujutsu", a modern system influenced by H.E. Davey and others).

Thanks for posting it though,

[Richard Elias]

I actually found the article very interesting… especially the four paragraphs I wrote. Not because they’re good mind you, just because I wasn’t expecting to see my own writing in someone else’s article.

"Aikijujutsu, as defined in our ryuha, is “creating a jujutsu situation through the use of aiki technique or principle.� With, aiki in our school being defined as “those methods or techniques that deceive or effect the opponent's senses.� And jujutsu being the physical techniques used to nullify the attack and subdue the opponent.

To elaborate--where aiki affects the mind and therefore the body, jujutsu is applied physical technique to the body alone. Aikijujutsu, then, is using a technique to affect the senses, so as to set up a physical defense technique. Some of the techniques used to affect the opponent are done physically. We have within our system, aiki technique that alone can disrupt or influence the opponent enough to cause him to fall, throw himself to the ground, or nullify the attack. Some without touching the opponent. The physical techniques can also be done without the mental ones.

So, in our school, there are aiki techniques, there are jujutsu techniques, and they are brought together in aikijujutsu. These are not necessarily taught as separate arts, rather, the physical and mental are taught progressively as the student’s ability and understanding evolves.

Some of the aiki techniques in our system absolutely require that the opponent is giving a dedicated, full speed, realistic attack. Needless to say this makes them difficult, and sometimes dangerous, to practice (especially when weapons are involved). The attacker will also adjust mentally to some of the aiki techniques, making the number of times you can practice it limited."

I didn’t realize when I posted the above during the Aiki debates on the old Bugei forum a couple years ago that I was contributing to his article. Of course that’s probably because he never mentioned it to me before he plagiarized my description of Yanagi ryu as describing his own stuff. Which, judging from what I see on his site doesn't really fit.

Nathan, you might recognize part of it, you at least had the decency to ask me and give credit to the source of the quote.

I also took a look at the video clips in his gallery and found “his� tantojutsu VERY familiar. Oddly it looks like poorly done Yanagi ryu taken right from the video my teacher released some years ago. Apparently he doesn’t have the same standards we have or he wouldn’t have filmed himself. I would be ashamed to have people see me doing those techniques like that. But then again I was actually taught them.

I think Mr. Denison and I might have to have a little talk.

[Walker]

Hey Rich, I guess you have really "arrived" Ñ by that I mean been ripped off. What follows is champagne, caviar, unwarranted attacks, plagiarism, character assassination, butt kissing and general bad behavior.
Bon Appetite!
:cool:

[Richard Elias]

Well gee Doug, I get all that just from my friends... except the champagne, caviar, and butt kissing.

[Nathan Scott]

Hi Rich,

Yeah, I thought that description of aiki sounded familiar, but didn't have the time or energy to look through my work-in-progress essay for the reference.

Problem with my aiki essay is that I keep learning new things that change somewhat the direction and scope of the topic. It was my intention to simply document what is already out there and draw some comparisons, but even that is changing the more I find new sources. Probably a sign that I should wait longer before putting anything together.

Anyway, getting ripped off should not be anything new for you guys. Apparently there is some webpage in Africa that has posted one of my MPEG's on their site. I don't really mind so much, but as you say, it would be nice to know about it before hand.

Oh well,

[Louis Butto]

Guys, I read this article too, but found it sounding similiar to what some others these days write. Because the history is a bit obscure, and the comments are typical about "aiki." I have my doubts.

[Greg Chapman]

[Content deleted based on inappropriate language. NS]