Hi Steven,
So how are you enjoying Hakko Ryu? I used to study it along time ago, and enjoyed it before moving on to another style.
It was rather ammusing to see the ruckas that followed your simple innocent question of comparing the differences between Daito Ryu & Hakko Ryu.
I've met Brently and enjoyed working out with him in a seminar ( one of Don Angiers ) and a class I taught along time ago using the Hanbo in Monterey. During these occasions he was open minded and we shared some ideas, so I was surprised at seeing his ire and lack of patience at some of the people who tried to answer your question.
I don't come to this post often, but I have to admit that rather than giving someone details on the differences of these two styles it was really disappointing to see such a thread drift initiated by Brently.
With all due respect, Brently lighten up....After reading your post I think I see why you're beating your head against a wall unable to convince others as to the difference between jujutsu & aikijujutsu...simply put your examples are all philosophical and on top of that rely on symbolic representation...Simply put, take some waza and explain the differences in how aikijujutsu based off of your experience conducts these in comparrison to how some form of jujutsu you've experienced conducts these. As long as you remain philisophical or if you state that you can't verbally compare...then you'll continue to beat your head, in which case you need to invest in some asprin or other such product.
By now Steven, unless your instructor does so on their own initiative, you've discovered that Hakko Ryu is based off of Katas, no randori etc. << this is a very simplified explanation >> When Ryuho Okuyama created this system, one of his reasons for its set up was the idea that if you were to focus on kata. << when I read the number of weapon systems that Shodai Soke had learned I was disappointed that he had not chosen to bring them solidly into his system >> The student would achieve a proficiency and ability to move onward much faster than other systems because this was their sole focus. As a result after learning the Shodan Kata, it was time to move directly to Nidan, etc....Had I seen this post earlier I would have elaborated that while one can do randori or henka, it's not part of this styles curriculum. I would however pointed out that Hakko Ryu teaches you shiatsu, which can have great theraputic effects on either yourself or your loved ones...or when doing your waza's make everything so much more painful than before.
While Aikijujutsu is often heralded as being more hidden or less obvious in its use than jujutsu. Hakko Ryu means the 8th light school ( infrared -- the reason he chose this is because you can't see the infrared spectrum and the waza are supposed to be done in such a manner that is so small as to be unseen ).
Unfortunately Hakko Ryu's experienced alot of problems lately. When Irie Sensei left, most Hakko Ryu dojo's left Nidai Soke and went with him. Now there is another rift brewing...which organization are you apart of Hakkodenshin Ryu or Kokoro Ryu?
Eric Bookin