We warmed up with the jūtaijutsu shuffle training drill incorporating the 鎖分銅 kusarifundō. Besides the normal lessons of balance for this drill, each step provides opportunities for striking or grappling

We warmed up with 半棒術 hanbōjutsu kihon. First we did 片手振り katate furi against a strike. And then we used 八文字振りhachimonji furi to transition into gyaku waza. I began class with 一文字 ichimonji. Hatsumi Sensei

From my Bujinkan 六尺棒術 Rokushakubō Jutsu video exploring 裏裾落 Ura Suso Otoshi. The full video at Rojodojo shares the "crazy wisdom" of 詒変 ihen and bursts open the intervals in training to shield

We warmed up with the 半棒術 hanbōjutsu kihon 合わせ投げ awase nage. We worked limiting the use of the upper body to achieve the result with positioning. And I shared a henka that skips to trap the opponent with

We warmed up with 鎖分銅 kusarifundō striking drills. Whether striking with 片手振り katate furi, or 八文字振りhachimonji furi, control of distance is crucial. We want to be able to strike precise targets while using

We warmed up with partner rolling drills. First using sokuho kaiten to mirror your partner. Then by clasping both hands or one hand… this is more difficult than it sounds! And lastly we rolled between

From A preview of my video exploring the Bujinkan kata 腕締 ude jime. Hatsumi Sensei prefers 指の使え型 Yubi no tsukae-gata, the use of the fingers to control. He told us to use the finger to 支える sasaeru, check

We warmed up with two varieties of 中振 nakafuri using the 鎖分銅 kusarifundō. This comes from 正木流 Masaki Ryu. Hatsumi Sensei studied this school back in the 1950’s and our use of the kusarifundō in the Bujinkan

We warmed up with 坐り型 suwari gata kihon and ukemi. First with basic 膝行 shikkō forwards and backwards. Then receiving a punch or a kick and rolling away. We began class with 鬼砕 oni kudaki. Many people in

We warmed up with some basic 鎖分銅 kusarifundō drills. I began with 片手振り katate furi, then I added 八文字振りhachimonji furi. I showed how to strike using the both the clockwise and counterclockwise spin against

We warmed up with ukemi and taihenjutsu. Then we did 初心五型 shoshin gokei. And we finished the warmup with 五行の型 gogyō no kata. I began class with 腕締 ude jime. The name suggests controlling the arm by bracing

唯逆 Yuigyaku Preview From A preview of my video exploring the Bujinkan kata 唯逆 yuigyaku. Hatsumi sensei taught us about guarding here. And you must be careful to avoid your opponent pulling guard on you.

We warmed up with 手解 tehodoki. I shared some more advanced approaches using the lessons from Hatsumi Sensei that I am able to share. I began class with a continuation of our study of 破術九法 hajutsu kyūhō

We warmed up with 雷光之剣 raikou no ken walking drills. I focused on advancing, then circling the opponent. Then, for an advanced drill, both partners do raikou no ken, with one changing the angle or timing

We warmed up with 順流れ jun nagare and 逆流れ gyaku nagare. First we did these as muto dori evasion against a sword cut. Then we used sword against sword as our opponent counters our cut, we evade with a nagare.

We warmed up with 雷光之剣 raikou no ken walking drills. After advancing and retreating, I added the sideways variations. And we finished with circling our opponent with each cut. We continue our study of

We warmed up with walking drills. As we approach an opponent we evade and roll as he punches. Then we added koho kaiten to this. We finished the warmup walking into jodan or gedan uke. I began class with

We warmed up with 八方蹴り happō geri. We continue our study of 破術九法 hajutsu kyūhō with 蹴砕 keri kudaki. There are four basic forms to this kihon. The first is a 蹴り打ち keri uchi against a punch. It is important

Hatsumi Sensei Directs Sayaka Oguri, photo by Michael Glenn During one class in Japan I was shivering. It was so cold my teeth were chattering. We were indoors, training on a chilled hardwood floor, so

We warmed up with 雷光之剣 raikou no ken. After the solo drill, I added advancing and retreating footwork against a partner. This trains both attack and defense with the sword, but also good distance for muto