Shoten no jutsu...

[BigJon]

Just wanted to ask how people in different dojos, approach shoten in their training. Besides just "running up a plank". I have seen the idea used on people as well...

Thanks,

[BigJon]

**ANYONE**!!??

[Oni]

Heh,

Not sure if this counts....but here in AZ I do both indoor and outdoor rock climbing from time to time. We don't really do anything in the dojo though.

[poryu]

Hi

when we trained in a public sports centre they had climbing frames on the walls, and benchs with hooks in the end.

we used to hook a bench up on the frame and then run up it. each bench was abpout 12 feet (2m) long.

now the place we use doesnt have the faciilities or the equipment

[BigJon]

Thanks for the reply Paul...sounds like fun...I have never trained Shoten this way, but I found it listed as a rank requirement. I know what it is, but have never been "taught" how to do it. I guess practice makes perfect.

[JamesGarcia]

I use all forms of Taihenjutsu as a warm up in my classes and which one depends on if we are training inside or outside. I spend time outside the classes (concerts or parties) with my students and I often make them show me a Goton escape technique and sometimes this includes "hey, run up that tree or that wall," keeps em on their toes and also emphasises the mindset to be able to use the skills in the classrooms at any given time.

Sho'Ten is included in the Taihenjutsu section of the Bujinkan's Ten-Chi-Jin Ryaku No Maki. It actually states that this is also used on an opponent as a technique. It can be used to scale fences, walls, trees, buildings and also as a method to vault off a surface to catch an overhang or tree branch, this being a Togakure Ryu' technique of escape. There are techniques or setups for literally running up a person or vaulting off of him, each step becoming a kick up the body of your opponent which often causes your Uke to collapse. Obviously you must be ready to take an Ukemi on the way down or when landing to lessen the impact or right yourself. Depending on the angle, height and your skill level you can also do backflips or handsprings to right yourself. Also keep in mind the application of Shuko' and Ashiko' to either a tree or your opponent.

You are supposed to start on plants (meaning tree) at a slight incline and practice this to acquire better spring in your steps and for balance. You are to increase the incline until you are able to go up a verticle wall. At last years seminar Mr Pratt of Denver Co. was able to ascend as high as 8 feet, literally, 6'3 Bill atkins with his hand extended, Pratt's feet were above Bill's hand.

Hatsumi Sensei is known to start a fire at the base of the tree used for Sho'ten, there is Ku'den teachings on how not to get burned as well as to give the Ninja the incentive to get over that wall (the buildings on fire!!!). I would not suggest anyone trying this without knowing this Ku'den so don't call me if you burn your butt or your hair.

One more word of caution, last year Shihan Bill Atkins was teaching Sho'ten at a park on trees and we encoutered an injury. We were using a large tree with a wide base for Sho'ten, and on one occasion a large peice of bark came loose as one of us was running up, causing a very serious ankle injury. This was after many climbs on the same spot of the same tree that may have loosened the bark on this healthy tree.

[BigJon]

Wow, thank you for the reply. That is a good story. ...and some valuable training tips...check your training equipment!-even if they are trees!

[MICKEY MULLINS]

James,
I am with you on this one,about training outside with trees and such,I still start with "bank running"in front of my house about a 70% grade and plenty of fallen branches,etc.Also it is great cardio,lol.
Mickey Mullins

[Baio]

http://www.urbanfreeflow.com/UrbanFr...NDOWSMEDIA.wmv some shoten in that it looks like he runs up higher than 8 feet

[Baio]

oops that link doesn't work but heres the index of videos

http://www.urbanfreeflow.com/UrbanFr...angraffiti.htm

the ukemi they do especially the kaiten are really textbook the look perfectly executed

[JamesGarcia]

Outstanding!!!

Looks like a typical class at the park, hehe... They emphasize the flash rather than just practical Taihenjutsu, but I like it!

I don't see any Sho'Ten as they are not running up anything. The way they are doing the Jackie Chan wall-run isn't a vertical ascend rather than a lateral run and drop, excellent though. This would be Tobi-ori or dropping from high places, rooftops, trees, walls (also add moving cars, hehe). We use trees and cars, but I am digging the jumps to ledges... Similar to Chinese pole leaping, jumping post to post high up.

When I said Pratt ran up 8 feet, I mean without his hands touching the tree... last footstep being eight feet up, that places his hands another five feet higher! Truly amazing...

[Baio]

the shoten is in one of the later videos i'm not sure of the exact link

[Baio]

http://www.urbanfreeflow.com/UrbanFr...arkourRama.wmv
parkour - rama
video by bam. footage captured from pk4, waterloo jam, brum jam, liv street jam and other pkday events.

this is the video that has some regular shoten and some shoten with flash, i don' tknow if that direct link will work

[Gary Liddington]

http://www.multilevelmoves.com/

Lots of flashy capoeira style stuff here, but did through it and you'll see what this guy can do.. He leaps ontop of a trash bin that's the same height as him.. very impressive.

Regards,

Gary