-Military Schools, Farmers, and the Clergy -
Last time we touched upon the school or Ryu as the cornerstone of
martial arts. With the time of continuous warfare military men found
the need to test the theory and practice of martial skills. Schools
in feudal times could be run by founders, students of founders,
students who studied various styles and started their own schools or
were of a hereditary, public or private nature. The Ages of Turmoil
from the 9th to 17th centuries provided much testing, devising, and
refinement of the military arts. The earliest records of actual
schools dates from the 11th cen. Schools often overlapped and merged
and often similarly named techniques can be found in opposing schools
today. The type of school as we know it generally originated in the
16th and 17th centuries from techniques developed much earlier. The
transition seems to be from group combat to individual expression. By
the 18th cen. unarmed systems were fairly well established.
Interestingly there were many other non-military sources of the
fighting arts. The farmer, from where early government forces were
drawn from, had there own tight clans and village groups who produced
rice and protected their own land. Later these clan fighters would
grow to full standing armies. Farmers had often lead revolts and
riots against harsh imperial treatment. Also the farmers themselves
were often kept up-to-date in military affairs by keeping the odd
RONIN (more on them later) in their household.
Many Buddhist and Shinto sects became large land owners and so needed
to protect themselves as well. They utilized special guard units of
priests and laymen to protect sacred shrines and relics. There is a
rich tradition of mountain shamans (Yamabushi) who also had as part
of their training the military arts. It took the government Bushi
more than 400 years of continuous warfare to silence the mountain
priests. Even after their eventual fall as a military force, priests
were still admired as theorists especially in regards to the inner
aspects of a warriors training. They themselves flocked to temples
and to monks who could strengthen their character and personality for
facing death.
Next week... The Ronin
Stretching Principles and Guidelines
Flexibility is one of the key components of a balanced fitness
program. Without flexibility training (stretching), you are missing
an important part of overall health. Flexibility prevents injury,
increases your range of motion, promotes relaxation, improves
performance and posture, reduces stress and keeps your body feeling
loose and agile. Although there is still some controversy over which
flexibility exercises are the best and how often one should stretch.
Most fitness professionals agree that the principles and guidelines
of flexibility training that are about to be discussed are the safest
and most effective.
Use Static Stretching (For general flexibility)
Static stretching involves a slow, gradual and controlled elongation
of the muscle though the full range of motion and held for 15-30
seconds in the furthest comfortable position (without pain). This is
the first and most important stretching principle. In our opinion,
all stretches for each muscle group should be done by using this
static form of stretching.
How often you should stretch is still not fully understood. Most
professionals would agree however, that daily stretching is best,
during and after exercise sessions. Frequent stretching will help you
avoid muscular imbalances, knots, tightness, and muscle soreness
created by daily activities and exercise.
Always Warm-Up Before Stretching
A warm muscle is much more easily stretched than a cold muscle. Never
stretch a cold muscle, always warm-up first to get blood circulating
throughout the body and into the muscles. A warm-up should be a slow,
rhythmic exercise of larger muscle groups done before an activity.
Riding a bicycle or walking works well. This provides the body with a
period of adjustment between rest and the activity. The warm-up
should last about 5-10 minutes and should be similar to the activity
that you are about to do, but at a much lower intensity. Once you
have warmed up at a low intensity for about 5-10 minutes and have
gotten your muscles warm, you can now stretch.
Stretch Before and After Exercise
I recommend stretching both before and after exercise, each for
different reasons. Stretching before an activity (after the warm-up)
improves dynamic flexibility and reduces the chance of injury.
Stretching after exercise ensures muscle relaxation, facilitating
normal resting length, circulation to joint and tissue structures,
and removal of unwanted waste products, thus reducing muscle soreness
and stiffness. Body temperature is highest right after the
cardiovascular exercise program and/or after strength training. In
order to achieve maximum results in range of motion and to receive
other benefits, it is highly recommended that you do static
stretching at this point in your workout, just after your
cardiovascular program and during or after your strength-training
program.
Stretch Between Weightlifting Sets
Both strength training and flexibility training are so important for
everyone. Those of you who have a hard time finding time to
incorporate a strength training program into your lifestyle, can
combine your stretching with your strength training programs. If you
have had any experience in strength training, you know that for each
exercise for each muscle group you train, you have a certain number
of sets, usually between one and four. Between each set, you need to
rest and let your muscle recover before going on to the next set.
Well, what better use of your resting time than to stretch that
specific muscle that you're currently training? Think about it,
you've just done a set of 10 reps on the Bench Press. Now you have to
rest, usually about one to two minutes before doing the next set.
This is a great time to stretch your chest-- your chest is warm and
you have time before you start your next set.
How often do you see people who neglect to warm up before their
cardiovascular exercise or strength-training sessions? They begin
going through their stretching routine before their muscles are even
warm. It makes more sense to stretch each specific muscle between
sets of strength training exercises. For example, if you are on a
strength-training program where you do one exercise of three sets of
10 reps for each major muscle group in the body, you will want to
work each muscle group one at a time starting with larger muscle
groups and proceeding to smaller groups. Do your first set with
relatively light weight to warm-up, then rest for a minute or so and
then increase the weight and go onto the next set of 10 reps (or
whatever your goal reps happens to be).
After the second set, your muscles should be warm and ready to be
stretched. While resting before your third set, stretch the muscle
that you have just trained, remembering the important principles of a
static stretch, then proceed to your third and final set. Stretch the
muscle one more time, even a little further. Go on to the next
exercise for the next muscle group and after it is warm, do your
stretch for that muscle, and so on. When you have gone through each
of your strength-training exercises, you will have stretched each
muscle without taking-up any more time.
Stretch Before and After Cardiovascular Exercise
If it is your day off from strength training and you are just doing
your cardiovascular exercise routine, first warm-up for 5-10 minutes
at a low intensity (50-60 percent of your maximum heart rate ) and
stretch the muscles used. Proceed doing a cardiovascular exercise for
at least 20 minutes at a intensity of 50-85 percent of your maximum
heart rate (refer to the Global Health and Fitness Cardiovascular
Exercise Program). Then cool down for 5-10 minutes at a low intensity
(50-60 percent of your maximum heart rate). Now, because your muscles
are very warm you should stretch each of the major muscle groups
involved in the exercise, using the static stretching techniques we
explained previously. For example, if you walked on the treadmill,
you should stretch your quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and lower
back. Proper technique for each stretch is absolutely critical for
achieving maximum effectiveness in any one specific muscle group. In
addition to stretching those muscles used in the exercise, now is
also a good time to go through a full body stretching routine--since
blood has circulated throughout your body and warmed-up your muscles.
Stretching is one of the most under-utilized techniques for improving
athletic performance, preventing sports injury and properly
rehabilitating sprain and strain injury. Don't make the mistake of
thinking that something as simple as stretching won't be effective.
-The Bushi and Ryu-
Last time we jumped into a general definition of Jujitsu and the
systems Jujitsu developed from. I'm going to avoid a list of the
major schools as I find this a bit tedious. I hope to keep this a
general forum that will generate discussion.
Where. When. Who.
These are some obvious points of discussion. In general, Jujitsu
is a Japanese art. It has branched out world-wide, but we'll get into
this later. When it started is impossible to pin down. There was
no "founder" per say, and so no day where we can say "this is where
it all started" It was a originally a military skill practiced by the
warrior class of Japan. The best word for this class was Bushi. This
word is made up of Bu "to stop" and Shi "Spear". So, Bushi, were a
class of people who could keep the peace. The first use of this word
appears around 800 A.D. Another term for warrior, most people are
more familiar with is Samurai. This originally was a verb meaning "to
wait upon or accompany" Later its meaning was nominalized to "Those
who serve in close attendance to the nobility" An earlier reference
for this term is dated around 1000 A.D. By the 12th century Bushi and
Samurai became practically synonymous, as more of the Samurai were
culled from the general warrior population. As time went on Samurai
came to evoke more of the middle and upper eschelons of the warrior
class, especially government and clan administration as well as those
who were direct vassals.
The origin of the men who bore these titles is a long and cumbersome
story which if people really want to know can research themselves,
from materials I'll list later. Briefly, the warrior class grew out
of the inability of the central government to keep peace in the
surrounding
provinces. Administrators of public land and private estates began
assembling, legally, their own militias, recuited from local young
men. These groups grew steadily between the 9th and 12th centuries.
Eventually the central gov't lost control of the provinces and then
the capital itself. From the mid 1150's Japan would see constant
warfare, usually termed "warring states period". By 1600 Japan would
be united under one warlord. This would be the beginning of a strict
class system characterized by a military government ruling in a time
of peace. A feudal era which many consider the "golden age" of
Bujutsu or the fighting arts.
In this feudal era grew the Ryu, generally translated as school.
These were schools with an acredited teacher, often seasoned warriors
from the warring states period, teaching the strategic use of a
weapon or unarmed method in a particular style, with particular
strategies. The purpose of these schools was to maintain warriors
with specialty in a certain area of combat for the good of the clan.
Ryu were to be found everywhere. These schools all fell under the
strict guidance of the ruling gov't.
More about the schools next time...
Jujitsu, Jujutsu, Jiu-Jitsu
These are different ways of spelling Jujitsu. These spellings are
based on the kanji's for the two words Ju and Jitsu. Ju or Jiu has
several meanings, a few being gentleness, softness, yielding,
flexibility, and pliancy. Jitsu or Jutsu is a commonly used word
meaning art, skill, and technique. So, generally, Jujitsu is
expressed as "Art of Gentleness". There has and are hundreds if not
thousands of schools of Jujitsu. Each one has its own interpretation
of what this principle, Ju, is. Some see it as the art of responding
flexibly to attack. Others see it as yielding both physically and
mentally to aggressiveness. Sensei Ogden often has described it as
the execution of a technique with ease and simplicity. We probably
all have our own ideas of what this "Art of Gentleness" means.
What does it mean to you?
Still, "Art of Gentleness" doesn't really tell us a whole lot about
it. Historically, Jujitsu was an all-encompassing term used by many
different schools to describe a skill used by the warring classes of
feudal Japan. This skill was one among many and of secondary
importance. In military matters, training with weapons was always
most important. Jujitsu is really an umbrella term that came to
popularity from many Jujitsu-like systems. The oldest of these terms
was Chikara-Kurab. This was term used to describe the ancient
competitions of public strength. This later evolved into Sumei or
Sumo as we know it today. A look at Sumo techniques will reveal a lot
about throwing styles today. There were a large number of Jujitsu-
like systems. I'll list them and their meanings that will help us get
a little closer to a better definition of Jujitsu.
Gusoku - fighting in light armour with or without weapons
Kumiuchi -stand-up grappling usually armoured
Goshin Jitsu - commoner's self-defense
Yawara - hand-to-hand fighting
Kenpo/Shubaku/Hakuda - to beat by hand
Hade - attacking vital points
Goho - small weapons
Koppo - bone smashing
Koshi Mawari - sword grappling
Taijutsu - body art
Torite - arrest
Wajutsu-art of softness
Remember, each school used terms for what was in their curriculum. If
we take a look at the above list we can see a lot of skills we use in
our own school. Except maybe the battlefield terms there are some
very obvious similarities. This is why we see a lot of throwing
techniques in Jujitsu schools. A look at battlefield fighting shows
that it was very often in close-quarters, involved weapons, and the
participants wore armour. One of the best ways to take away the
effectiveness of a major weapon is to throw the user on the ground.
Often the taking of an enemies head was a way to win esteem from ones
superiors. Armoured grappling would often be the prelude to the
taking of a head. Strikes wouldn't work too well, although they have
been recorded as being used prior to throwing or taking down in
general.
Much of what would become Jujitsu was used as battlefield
techniques to eliminate an opponent. These techniques, learned
through trial and error worked equally well off the battlefield. When
a long period of peace came to Japan these originally armed/armoured
techniques would evolve into the pure empty-hands styles prevalent
today.
But we are getting a little a head of ourselves. Next time we'll
get a fuller definition and look at the school system and social
structure under which these arts flourished.
What is Jujitsu? What is its history? What do the kanji mean? Where?
When? Why? Questions. Questions. Throughout our training, questions
are often raised by ourselves and others about this "thing" we
practice. Over the years spontaneous conversations have arisen in and
outside the dojo. The idea of this Yahoo Group page is to open an
area of discussion for everyone. With history and pictures being
passed along this time of year, what a great time to take a look at
Jujitsu. And what a great way for us to share our knowledge and
ideas. Although it can go into a lot of areas we will try to keep its
base in Jujitsu.
I'll post ideas pertaining to Jujitsu and its study and hopefully
that will generate interest and discussion. Some areas that will
undoubtedly be covered will be some of the following topics. Everyone
is encouraged to take part and give links etc...
Ideographic Meaning of Jujitsu
Mythical and Real History
Japanese Martial History
The Bugei and Bujutsu
Schools and Structure of Feudal Martial Arts
Non-Military Systems
Pre/Post Tokugowa Edo
Judo
Bjj,Mma, etc.
Sources, Bibliographies, Authors
Hi All;
I'd like to express my thanks to all the students and senseis that have helped
me progress all these years, and especially Sensei Ogden. Since I first
enrolled at the dojo in the 1990s' , he has always dedicated himself unselfishly
to his students,of which I am only one. Although I now have my shodan, the love
and practice of jujitsu shall continue. I encourage you all to keep attending
classes and working on your belt progress while we still have the dojo, and of
course, Sensei Ogden.
Gord
---------------------------------
The best gets better. See why everyone is raving about the All-new Yahoo! Mail.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
It was a great pleasure for all of us in class on Thursday to see the
promotion of Gord to 1st degree Black Belt. After years of training,
perservering through injuries and life, Gord passed his test and became
the first BlackBelt Chief Instructor Ogden has awarded in a long time.
This should push all of us to train harder so one day we can join the
BlackBelt Line.
Congratulations from everyone in and outside the Dojo!
The photographs will be posted in the PHOTOS section.
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of the Ju Jitsu of Sensei Ogden Louie.
2) Negative, personal, or other irrelevant information will not be
displayed. Memebers can be banned for inaapropriate content.
3) This site is for approved members. This means to have any input you
have to be invited .
4) More guidelines will be added as is necessary.
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