July Ura & Omote - Ninjutsu Newsletter - Part 5
Ashidome
KOSHIJUTSU VS. KOPPOJUTSU: A COMPARISON
by Jeff S. Mueller
Last month I covered some of the differences and misconceptions between
the Jutaijutsu and the Dakentaijutsu. This month I will try to clarify
some points regarding the differences and similarities between Koppojutsu
and Koshijutsu.
To begin, many people state that the Koppojutsu and Koshijutsu are
sub-divisions of the Dakentaijutsu. This is simply untrue. They are all
different arts with different principles and concepts. The commonly stated
differences are usually gross over-simplifications of the true
differences. The typical answers to the question "What's the difference
between Koppojutsu and Koshijutsu?" are: Koppojutsu is bone-breaking, and
Koshijutsu is muscle and tissue tearing using the fingertips. Some people
go on to describe that the Koshijutsu tearing is done to the kyusho (nerve
point or vital point). Well, this is um, kind of true. Maybe. Let's take
an look at the two systems on their true base levels. Let's begin with the
Koshijutsu. The Gyokko Ryu Koshijutsu is based on affecting the Kyusho at
45 degree angles by using the fingertips and STRIKES. The "muscle and
tissue tearing" usually spoken of is a by-product of affecting the kyusho.
But it is not limited to such action. There are many kyusho that are
exploited in the Gyokko Ryu Koshijutsu that don't tear tissue or muscles.
The method for developing power in the Koshijutsu is a pivoting action
around the spinal column, which creates a solid, snapping strike.
Now let's look at the Koppojutsu. It has been simplified to the extreme,
usually being summed up in two words, "Bone Breaking." Well, let's start
at the beginning, the Koppojutsu comes from the Koshijutsu. The
Koppojutsu deals with the use of the skeleton structure, also known as
Kohtsu Po (Bone Method). The whole body method in the Koppojutsu causes
the attacker to commit when attacking and thereby stretching himself out.
This allows the Koppojutsu stylist to strike with the entire skeleton and
body weight to throw the uke of balance with the initial contact. This
creates a solid, crushing strike. It uses the principles of striking the
kyusho at 45 degree angles as well as an added method of "bone-breaking."
This deals with striking the kyusho at 90 degree angles to break the bone
or create the feeling of numbness that accompanies a broken limb. As an
interesting aside, the kyusho names used in the Bujinkan today come from
the Koto Ryu Koppojutsu.
Let's sum up. The Koshijutsu involves the striking and grabbing of kyusho
at 45 degree angles. The power of these strikes comes from the rotation of
the body and is generated by the limbs. The Koppojutsu involves striking
the kyusho at 45 and 90 degree angles using the entire skeleton as the
tool. They both involve striking the same kyusho, use the same method of
45 degree angle striking and grabbing. The difference is in where the
power comes from and the added method of "bone-breaking" in the
Koppojutsu. Now these are the differences as they apply to the Gyokko Ryu
Koshijutsu and the Koto Ryu Koppojutsu and to any other system of
Koshijutsu or Koppojutsu. And please remember that this article was
written on the base level of understanding that students should have
concerning these two integral concepts of the Bujinkan. There are many
other differences, concerning throws, joint-locks, etc.... I hope this
once again clears up any over-simplification of these important terms.
- Jeff Mueller is the Head Instructor at the Bujinkan Musha no Tomodachi
Dojo in Bowie, Maryland. He has been training in Ninpo Taijutsu since 1988
and has traveled to Japan to train with Hatsumi Sensei and the other
Shihan. He may be contacted via e-mail at: Jeff...@aol.com.
- - -
THE NAGINATA
by Mats Hjelm
The naginata (halberd) was used mainly by the female samurai to defend
their family and territory when the husband was away. It is a longer
weapon and could quite easily keep the swordsman at a safe distance while
cutting his hands or legs.
The blade was curved, and often it was the blade from an old
kodachi/wakizashi (the shorter sword that the samurai carried). The blade
was used to cut rather than thrust (like the yari, spear). The shaft was
also used to strike or distract before the final cut with the blade was
delivered.
The heavier bisento was made of a thicker shaft and a heavier blade. This
weapon was used in the battle field against samurai in armor. Rather than
cut through the samurais' armour, the heavy blade was used to crush the
enemy with its weight.
The naginata or bisento was also used against samurai who were riding on
horses. Attacks directly to the legs of the horse were employed in order
to take the samurai down to the ground. Once the horse unseated its rider,
the weapon could be used to inflict further damage on the felled warrior.
The most common and natural techniques for the naginata employ cutting at
the enemy's hands, arms or legs, from a safe distance before a more final
ending.
When you train use a naginata made of wood - DON'T TRAIN WITH LIVE BLADES.
If you don't own a wooden Naginata, you can use a bo staff (6ft staff).
You can indicate which end is the "live" end, i.e. which end has a blade,
by putting colored tape around one end of the bo. You can also tape a
tennis ball to one end, again to simulate a blade, as well as for
providing added safety when performing tsuki thrusts. Finally, you can
also make your own wooden blade. Make sure that the end is rounded, and
that the "blade" is well sanded. Above all be cautious. Wooden blade or
no, you can still injure your training partner if you are not careful.
- Contributed by Shidoshi Mats Hjelm, Sweden. Mats has been practicing
ninpo taijutsu for the past ten years, has founded several Martial Arts
BBSes, and has his own ninpo newsletter. He is accepting articles for his
NinZine and may be contacted via E-mail: hel...@algonet.se.
* * *
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
* * If you would like to have upcoming seminars listed, please e-mail
Ashi...@aol.com with the details. This is a FREE service.* *
Seminars - Ongoing Calendar
July 1995
July 1 - 5: Bo Munthe - Kinnekulle, SWE; (+49) 6172 23321
July 3 - 4: Steffen Froehlich - Dresden, D; (+49) 351 239 1819
July 5 - 8: Lubos Pokorny - Tisovec, SVK; (+42) 865 93145
July 8: Joe Maurantonio - Bronxville, NY; 1 (914) 779-1311 or contact:
al...@columbia.edu; Staff & Sword Workshop, Kihon Happo Taijutsu/$12
July 8 - 9: Steffen Froehlich - Dietzenbach, D; (+49) 6106 76662
July 8 - 9: Michael Wedekind - Nordkirchen, D; (+49) 2596 4506
July 9: Chris Roworth - Whitstable, UJ; (+44) 1227 277082
July 9: Jean-Pierre Seibel - New York City; 1 (212) 725-7388 or contact:
NYB...@aol.com; Introduction to Executive Protection/$50
July 15 - 16: Pedro Fleitas - Sevilla, SP; (+34) 5 585 1747
July 16: Joe Maurantonio - Port Washington, NY; 1 (914) 779-1311 or
contact: al...@columbia.edu; Bujinkan Tetsuro Shibu/$9
July 16: Jean-Pierre Seibel - New York City; 1 (212) 725-7388 or contact:
NYB...@aol.com; Self Defense and Crime Prevention Awarness Workshop for
Women/$30
July 17 -18: Steffen Froehlich - Eisleben, D; (+49) 6106 76662
July 21 -23: Mini Tai Kai (10th Dans) - Prague, CZ; (+42) 2 547546
July 22 - 23: Michael Ashworth - Lexington, KY; 1 (502) 695-8824 or
e-mail: mi...@ucdhep.ucdavis.edu; Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu & Kukishin
Ryu Yoroi Kumi Ushi/$60
July 24 - 25: Steffen Froehlich - Dietzenbach, D; (+49) 6106 76662
July 24 -28: Bernard Bordas - D; (+49) 6106 76662
July 27 - 29: Tanemura Sensei - Long Island, NY; 1 (516) 321-5432 or
e-mail: RUM...@aol.com
July 28 - 30: Pedro Fleitas - Lanzarote, SP; (+34) 28 811232
July 29 - 30: Peter King - North Wales, UK; (+44) 1244 547497
July 29 - 30: Phil Legare - Williams Lake, British Columbia; e-mail:
grf...@awinc.com
July 29 - 30: Joe Maurantonio - Bronxville, NY; 1 (914) 779-1311 or
contact: al...@columbia.edu; Ninpo Taijutsu, Staff & Spear, Kyosetsu Shoge
& MORE!
July 29 - 30: Keith Porter - Whitstable, UK; (+44) 1227 277082
July 29 - 30: Rick Sears - Sunbury, PA; 1 (717) 988-2288 or e-mail:
JMMi...@aol.com
Taijutsu & the Mind (Sat) Mikkyo Meditation (Sun)/$90
July 29 - 30: Mariette van der Vliet - Ulm, D; (+49) 731-387634
Special Advance Notice!
August 5 - 6: Doron Navon - Dexter, MI; 1 (313) 475-4232 or contact:
equ...@umich.edu
Yarijutsu& Kodashi (Sat) Naginata & Diashosabaki (Sun)/$155 in advance
(w/Bujinkan membership card)
* * *
SCHOOL/TRAINING GROUP LISTING
* *The following listing is in alphabetical order by school
name/instructor (if no school name is listed) If you would like to have
your school/training group listed in this section, please e-mail
Ashi...@aol.com with the details. This is a FREE service.* *
Kevin Addison
Wandsworth Asian Community Centre; 57-59 Trinity Road; Wandsworth, London,
UK
Wednesdays 7p - 9p/phone: 0956 306884
John Brazier, Shidoshi
Shoshin House; 34 Haymarket; Lytham, St. Annes, Lancs, UK/phone: 01253
725075 or e-mail: jbra...@uk.es.com
Bristol Budokan - John O'Connor, 2nd Dan
Chalks Road; St. George; Bristol, England/Thursdays 8pm - 10pm
Budo Arts of Austin - Stef Boeckmann & John Sims
2700 W. Anderson Lane #301; Austin, TX 78757/phone: (512) 453-7753
Bujinkan Akahige Dojo - Shidoshi Kevin Schneider, 7th Dan
5265 Madison Pike; Independence, KY 41051/phone: (606) 356-2967 or e-mail:
MFaz...@iglou.com
Bujinkan Atlanta Dojo - Bud Malstrom
4405 Hugh Howell Road; Tucker, GA 30084/phone: (404) 938-9951
Bujinkan Barbarossa Dojo - J. Courtland Elliott II
P.O. Box 7166; Station "A"; Toronto, Canada MSW 1X8/e-mail:
jceb...@io.org
Bujinkan Dojo Zuerich - Rainer Hauser
Bettlistr. 35, 8600 Duebendorf ZH/phone: 01 822 0919
Bujinkan Millis Dojo - Lifeskills Martial Arts - Kevin Millis, 9th
Dan/Shihan
15315 Culver Drive, #150; Irvine, CA 92714/phone: (714) 551-9335
Bujinkan Millis Vancouver Dojo - Tim Wheatley
For information on Ninjutsu around Vancouver BC/phone: (604) 597-1006
Bujinkan Musha no Tomodachi Dojo - Shidoshi-ho Jeff Mueller
6000 Route 197; Bowie, MD 20715/phone: (301) 464-0406 or e-mail: Jeff M
7...@aol.com
Bujinkan New York - Shidoshi Joe Maurontonio
27 Milburn Street; Bronxville, NY 10708/phone: (914) 337-3339 or e-mail:
al...@columbia.edu
Bujinkan Vancouver Dojo - Shidoshi Adam James McColl
phone: (604) 623-2043 or e-mail: amc...@direct.ca
Bujinkan Yume Dojo - Shidoshi Chris Davy
PO Box 3109; Crofton, MD 21114-0109/ phone: (301) 858 - 0057 or e-mail:
Jeff M 7...@aol.com
Dayton Bujinkan Martial Arts - Shawn Havens and Gary Busch
4716 Payne Avenue; PO Box 292722; Dayton, OH 45429/phone: (513) 275-5647
Paul Genge
Rivermead Leisure Center; Thames Suite, Studio 2; Richfield Avenue;
Reading, UK
Fridays 8:30p - 10:30p/phone: 0956 306884
Grand Rapids Ninpo Training Group - David C. Sink
Xavier Hall -- St. Mary's Hospital; Grand Rapids, MI/Tuesdays 7 - 9pm
phone: (616) 456-6941 or e-mail: AJCa...@aol.com
Paul Harper
Crown Street Hall; Crown Street West; Lowerstoft, Suffolk, UK/Thursdays 7p
- 9:30p
phone: 0956 306884
Shinden-no-Michi c/o Andrea Rees
Am Ameisenberg 12, 61 440 Oberursel, Germany/phone: 06171 98 0249
Stephen K. Hayes' Kasumi-An Dojo
Personal training under the direction of Stephen and Rumiko Hayes
6052 Wilmington Pike, #231; Dayton, OH 45459/phone: (513) 848-9870
Kelly Hill
7777 Hennessy, Suite 115; Baton Rouge, LA 70808
e-mail: khi...@ix.netcom.com or write for more info (by invitation only)
Hudson Valley Bujinkan Dojo - Kevin Harrington
117 Fulton Street; White Plains, NY 10606/phone: (914) 877-6598
Illinois Martial Arts Academy, Inc. - Wayne A. Bearstler
1901 West Irving Park Road; Schaumburg, IL 60193/phone: (708) 351-0375 or
e-mail: Fle...@aol.com
Abdul Malik Kalim - 5th Dan
Kings College London (Chelsea site); Main Building, the Gym; Manressa
Road; London, England
Wednesdays 7pm - 9pm/phone: 0956 306884
Peter King
Baptist Church Hall; Brighton Road, UK; South Croydon, London/Monday 7 pm
- 9pm
phone: 01459 102063
John Laitey - 4th Dan
The Lamb Inn; Clandown, Radstock, England/Tuesdays 7pm - 9pm
Malmoe Taijutsuklubb-Bujinkan Dojo c/o Peter Carlsson, 5th Dan
Solgaten 13; 212 20 Malmoe, Sweden
Philip McNulty
Tuesdays 8p - 10p (at St. Christopher Church Hall; Cheam, London)
Wednesdays 7p - 20p (at Southampton University, The Judo Room) UK/phone:
0956 306884
Miller's Martial Arts Academy - Jeff M. Miller
619 Market Street/PO Box 311; Sunbury, PA 17801/e-mail: JMMi...@aol.com
Missouri Ninja Center - Shidoshi Ken Harding, 6th Dan
8336 Watson Road; St. Louis, MO 63119/e-mail: Shado...@aol.com
Simon Morris
The Unitarian Church; The Flyover; East Croyden, London, England/Fridays
7:15p - 10p
phone: 0956 306884
The Musan Dojo, Inc. - Robert Carcano
P. O. Box 59; 425 Paterson Avenue; East Rutherford, NJ 07073/phone: (201)
804-0352
New England Ninjutsu - Shidoshi Greg Kowalski, 8th dan
Wallingford, CT/phone: (203) 269-9407 or e-mail: Sh...@aol.com
New England Ninpo Society - Mark Davis
161 Harvard Avenue, Suite 4E; Boston, MA 02134/phone: (617) 789-5524 or
e-mail: John...@FMR.Com
New York Budo - Jean-Pierre Seibel
12 West 27th Street, 4th floor; New York, NY 10001/phone: (212) 725-7388
or e-mail: NYB...@aol.com
Ninjutsu International - John Orth
Lawrenceville, GA/phone: (404) 995-0099 or e-mail: led...@ra1.randomc.com
Oriental Arts Bujinkan Dojo - Don & Ginny Gilkinson
RD#1 Box 339; Otego, NY 13825/phone: (607) 988-2639 or e-mail:
Ge...@aol.com
Ian Phillips - Yondan
KewStoke Hall; KewStoke, Weston Super-Mare, England/Saturdays 2pm - 4pm
Phoenix Ninjutsu Academy - Scott Harrington and Byron Harrington
5720 West Camelback Road, Suite 3; Glendale, AZ 85031/phone: (602)
242-8020
Keith Porter
The Sea Cadets Hall; Whitstable, Kent, UK/Thursdays/phone: 01227 277082
Brian Stein Martial Arts Center - Brian Stein
1-04 Schwab Road; Melville, NY 11747-1130/phone: (516) 427-4600
Sukisha Bujinkan Hombu Dojo - Jon Donaldson/Thomas Stowers
Rt. 8 Box 275; Fairmont. WV 26554/phone: (304) 366-5929 or e-mail:
WVN...@aol.com or AraM...@aol.com
ThunderBolt Martial Arts
Ft. Myers, Florida/phone: (813) 337-4705 or e-mail: Mystc...@aol.com
United Martial Arts Academy - Will Maier
9042 Route 108; Columbia, MD 21045/phone: (410) 964-5425
University of Michigan Ninjutsu Club c/o Shidoshi Michael Asuncion, 5th
Dan
555 E. William #12B; Ann Arbor, MI 48104/phone: (313) 665-8684 or e-mail:
Jir...@aol.com
Wexham School - Alex
Norway Drive, Wexham; Slough, Berks, UK/Mondays 7:30p - 9p, Wednesdays
7:30p - 9p, Sundays 5p - 6p (Juniors under 15), Sunday 6p - 7:30p (Weapons
class)
phone: 01753 646012
Tony Woodall, 5th Dan
612 Longfellow Drive, NE; Leesburg, VA 22075
For a list of Swedish dojos contact Peter Carlsson at: dato...@sbbs.se
* * *
FOR MORE INFORMATION...
Here are some other information resources available to ninpo
practitioners.
American Bujinkan Dojo
PO Box 10; Santa Cruz, CA 95063/ phone: (408) 479-1314
Good source for Hatsumi Soke training videos, training tools, etc.
Hannya (Jeff Miller's newsletter)
Miller's Martial Arts/Bujinkan Kuryu Dojo; PO Box 311; Sunbury, PA 17801
$20 per year
Heart, Faith & Steel (Joe Maurantonio's newsletter) "Insights to Martial
Training"
P.O. Box 146; Yonkers, NY 10710
$20 per 6 issues/samples $2.00
Insights and Perspectives (Richard Sears' newsletter)
PO Box 17458; Indianapolis, IN 46217-0458
cost: $19.95 per year/Buddhist-Mikkyo information
Stephen K. Hayes' Nine Gates Institute Shadows of Iga Society
PO Box 291947; Dayton, OH 45429-0947
Information on ninjutsu schools, seminars, books and videos.
Subscription to monthly Musubi Journal is $25 for 12 issues.
Ninja News Network
e-mail: Kakus...@aol.com
Networking and information for Kasumi An family members
NinZine
e-mail: hel...@algonet.se
Ninjutsu magazine
Sanmyaku USA (Hatsumi Sensei's newsletter)
PO Box 30338; Stockton, CA 95213
cost: $45.00 per year/6 issues
SHADOWGRAM (Shidoshi Harding's newsletter)
Missouri Ninja Center; 8336 Watson Road; St. Louis, MO 63119
cost: $20.00 per year/12 issues
The Warrior Information Network (WIN)
P.O. Box 30338; Stockton, CA 95213
Publishes list of schools, groups, etc. Has information on seminars.
INTERNET SOURCES:
On America On-line, the Martial Arts forum can be found by typing "GSARTS"
under keyword (command-K on the MAC). This will take you to "The Dojo".
There is a Ninjutsu section there.
On the internet, add REC.MARTIAL-ARTS to your newsgroups. This is an open
forum for all martial arts, but occasionally good threads are started in
regard to ninjutsu.
WEB PAGES:
http://alhazen1.rug.ac.be/bujinkan
http://aristotle.algonet.se/~helmet/bujinkan.html
http://ww.hooked.net:80/users/poei/index.html
http://www.centuryma.com (Century Martial Arts Supply)
http://www.clam.com/home/shaig/ninpo.html
http://www.ed.ac.uk/~arm04/bbd1.html
http://www.io.org/~jcebujin/musashi.html
BBSES - MARTIAL NET:
North America/California: Barry Kapke - 1-510-234-9431
Idaho: Kim Day - 1-208-327-9916
Texas: Bianca Bickford - 1-512-575-1585
Quebec: Brian Goodyear - 1-514-488-5679
Illinois: Patrick Riley - 1-618-692-0914
Virginia: David Lyle - 1-703-525-4111
New York: Erik Harris - 1-716-787-1155
Colorado: Glen Todd - 1-719-687-7696
Tennessee: James & Michelle Rhodes - 1-901-327-6894
* * *
FEEDBACK
Readers Forum
* * Feel free to ask questions about anything, comment on articles,
request information. If you have any answers or information for the
questions/comments/issues herein, please e-mail Ashi...@aol.com and the
information will be included in the next issue.* *
"I've been training for about three and a half years, and all of a sudden
it feels like my ukemi has been getting louder. In my early training,
quiet rolling was emphasized. Is 'louder' ukemi a problem?" - Tom
"How do you measure your progress in this art? Aside from comparisons to
your peers, is there any way of knowing whether or not you're actually
getting it?" - Peter
* * *
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Whatever we cultivate in times of ease, we gather as strength in times of
change.
* * *
END NOTES
by Liz maryland
July already! My, my, how time flies. It seems like only yesterday, I was
hounding people for submissions to get this newsletter started. I want to
thank everyone who's helped - by sending articles, providing feedback,
complaining. You've helped keep the momentum going.
As always, I'd like to thank all of the authors for their wonderful
contributions to the newsletter. Without them, you would only receive a
seminar listing, training group list and an article or two written by
yours truly. Because of them, we have great breadth and scope of
experience and knowledge. Please e-mail them and let them know how much
you appreciate their efforts.
Well, that's it for this month. Enjoy!
Background
This newsletter was started to connect ninpo taijutsu practitioners from
all backgrounds together. Ura & Omote's goal is to provide a forum where
we can easily gather and disseminate information (both "obvious" and
"hidden"), ask questions and, more importantly, get answers, and share
experiences while living the art.
Here's the Standard Disclaimer
We (the publisher and authors) are not responsible in any manner
whatsoever for any injury which may occur through reading or following any
instructions in this newsletter. Remember, these are martial arts
techniques which may result in injury or death. Find a proper instructor
wherever possible. Please consult a physician before engaging in the
exercises described herein.
Keep in mind that all articles herein are of their author's
opinion/research and the publisher of this newsletter will not be held
liable for any errors or misleading information. If you need further
information on any articles, or if you have questions for the authors,
please contact them directly. If there is no E-mail address listed, please
E-mail me and your request will be forwarded.
- Liz maryland is the editor of this newsletter. She is a graphic designer
by trade and part-time information gatherer. She trains under Jean-Pierre
Seibel at New York Budo (where she is learning to become one with the
bo-staff), is still a vegetarian and a struggling Buddhist (OM this!), has
a wicked sense of humor and may be contacted via E-mail: Ashi...@aol.com.
end of July edition
________________________________________________________
Liz maryland
If you're not living on the edge,
you're taking up too much space.