jodo school locations

[Guy LeSieur]

Amphipolis,
In case you would prefer the koryû instead of the seitei variety of jo, may I suggest that you visit Pascal Krieger's FEJ (Fédération européenne de jodo) at http://www.fej.ch/ . He is one of only two foreigners to hold a menkyo kaiden on the Shintô musô-ryû jô tradition. His groups in France are numerous and they often meet to practice in numerous gasshuku all around Europe (except for Greece). If you can tell me in which region of France you intend to pratice, I can look somebody up for you. If you speak French, you can always send me a private message.

Cordialement

[Amphipolis]

[i]Originally posted by Guy LeSieur He is one of only two foreigners to hold a menkyo kaiden on the Shintô musô-ryû jô tradition. His groups in France are numerous and they often meet to practice in numerous gasshuku all around Europe (except for Greece).

Thanks! Guy!

If you can tell me in which region of France you intend to pratice, I can look somebody up for you. If you speak French, you can always send me a private message.

Unfortunately, my France are pretty poor! I'm interested in South France schools. I'm searching for a teacher there, though I don't know his name! Hahahaha, he may is the one you wrote!

thanks anyway!

[dakotajudo]

Originally posted by Brad Burklund
Brian,

Thanks for the information. I have been mostly in karate with a little judo, Bjj, and Aikido thrown into the mix. However, have not encountered the Jo in any of these places.

I guess this leads to another question that you might be able to answer. I have been practicing martial arts for over 20 years, but without weapons training. Does weapon training "corrupt" or otherwise change (beneficial or not) the manner in which you would throw hand-to-hand techniques. This may not necessarily present a problem if I had learned a martial art based on weapons that included hand-to-hand, but I have basically zero training in weapons. I guess the reverse could be true...previouse nonweapon training interfering with weapons traingin.

Just curious.

Thanks,

Brad Burklund

From one perspective, aikido empty hand techniques are simply weapons techniques without the weapon (from another, weapons are used as an extension of center; just as hands are, without weapons).

If your primary background is karate, you would probably have as much problem learning aikido as learning aikijo, or vice-versa.

FWIW, for the next few weeks (our off-season, in my judo club), we're working on kata and some jo/hanbo. Mostly from my previous training in aikido, but some of it is using sticks to understand judo principles (i.e. kuzushi). My philosophy is (and it seems to be shared among some styles) is that your primary style, weapons or no, gives you a core set of skills that you ingrain, reflexively almost (that's what we train in judo, in-season; drills for competition skills). To transition from empty hand to weapons (or vice-versa), you should seek to use those core skills as much as possible.

Jo training, to me, seems a natural extension to judo, where ken does not (while ken does seem a natural addition to aikido).

Today I was thinking about flexible weapons (i.e. rope) and judo key-locks (anyway, that's what I learned them as) - using your opponents gi to tie up his wrists or ankles during grappling.

[Tom Christy]

Mr. Claussen,

Interesting thoughts. I think that there is a lot of truth in the idea that using a weapon can give you insight into your unarmed skill set (and vice versa).

However, I think that you would find some problems when trying to train in another system based on a given weapon. For instance, I do have some training in judo (ikkyu). I can't imagine anything more different in terms of body mechanics and application than judo and SMR jo. There are certain reflexive core principles to every style that can and do present certain problems when transitioning to another system. The things that you have spent years drilling into your brain seem to become liabilities in many cases.

I've got to tell you that you are the first judoka that I've ever heard using a weapon to understand their judo better. Kudos to you! I'd love to hear more about the drills that you use.

Regards,

Tom

[Chuck Clark]

Mr. Christy,

I have known many judoka over the past 40 years (most of them trained in Japan, usually Kokokan or Keishicho) that also trained in SMR. Shimizu Sensei taught at the Kodokan for quite some time.

Many of the principles of SMR can be found within the kihon of Kodokan judo such as posture, movement, distance, timing, taking balance, fitting yourself and the opponent, strategy, etc.

Best in the new year,

[Tom Christy]

Mr. Clark,

Thank you for your thoughts. I agree with your comments and would add that the same thing could be said about karate, aikido, etc. when beginning the training of SMR. However, it might seem like nitpicking but I have found in my limited amount of training that people who have backgrounds in these arts often bring certain conditioned reflexes with them that hinder the proper performance of technique. This is hardly something that can't be overcome, but it does provide its own set of challenges.

If I might go out on a limb, I would say that the principles of one art are compatible with the principles of another. However, it seems that sometimes the actual techniques themselves (stance, movement, etc.) are at odds with the tactical methodology of another art. In this sense, I find that karate and judo practitioners often have to unlearn things considered valid in those arts that are not proper in the art of SMR. These things are usually not big, but they do seem to pop up.

Just my 2 cents worth,

Tom

P.S. I believe we have a common acquaintance in the form of Jon Strauss. He's been recovering from a hip injury, so I haven't seen him in the dojo for a bit.

[Chuck Clark]

Originally posted by Tom Christy I can't imagine anything more different in terms of body mechanics and application than judo and SMR jo. There are certain reflexive core principles to every style that can and do present certain problems when transitioning to another system. The things that you have spent years drilling into your brain seem to become liabilities in many cases.

Mr. Christy,

The quote above is what I based my first post on. Possibly your statement about the difference in mechanics and application is true if you're basing your view on kyogi judo. The type of mechanics used in Olympic style sport judo is vastly different to SMR jo. However, I have experienced many similarities in SMR to the tadashi judo that I learned.

I think my viewpoint comes from a different place, and we use the same words but in different ways. Very difficult to discuss these sorts of variables on the web.

I haven't seen Jon in a long time or heard how he's healing. It must be frustrating to deal with that sort of injury. I'm just now beginning to get to return to some semblance of training the way I like due to health problems. Better times in the coming year, I'm sure. If you see Jon, please pass on my best wishes.

[Tom Christy]

Mr. Clark,

I agree that words often are a real hindrance to communication. The only exposure to judo that I have had is of the competitive "Olympic" type, so we are in complete agreement as to its differences to SMR jo. As to more traditional judo, I have no knowledge of the subject and will gladly accept your analysis.

I just saw Jon before Christmas and will pass along your best wishes when I see him next. Hopefully this next year will be far better for all of us (Lord knows I could use it!)

Regards,

Tom