Nihon Jujutsu, Brazilian Jiujitsu (BJJ, Gracie Jujitsu)! What does it all mean?

Jûjutsu, which generally refers to systems of unarmed combative techniques, is one of the oldest branches of Japanese martial arts. Images of fighters using jûjutsu techniques can be found in a variety of early historical records.

Nihon Jujutsu is a modern Japanese martial art that focuses on practical, efficient techniques as originally found in both ancient and contemporary martial arts. Its principles and techniques come from Japanese unarmed combat and self-defense techniques from pre-1945 judo and aiki-bujutsu, as well as taihojutsu (Japanese police immobilization and arresting methods). The founder of Nihon Jujutsu, Sato Shizuya, established this system based on his extensive studies with leading Japanese budoka (traditional martial artists), many of whom introduced ancient bujutsu methods into modern budo. 

Despite its name, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was originally based on the techniques of Kodokan Judo, a system created by Kano Jigoro. A student of Kano Sensei, Esai Maeda, later known as Conde Koma, visited Brazil, and his instruction formed the basis of today’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Learn more about the similarities and differences between Nihon Jujutsu and Brazilian Jiujitsu techniques and overall dojo environment are here!

Safe, Systematic, Supportive

Your coworker trains in karate. Your neighbor trains in judo.  Your cousin on the west coast goes on and on (and on) about jujutsu!  “Maybe I should try this jujutsu,” you think.  There are so many search results for jujutsu, it’s hard to know where to begin!   Choosing the right martial art style and the right dojo can be overwhelming.  You can simplify it by asking three questions: 

Is it safe?

Is it systematic?

Is it supportive?

Read more here!

Foundations and Evolutions of Tomiki Aikido

"I'm having difficulty with the throw portion of this jujutsu technique that I'm learning," you remark to a friend whose primary art is judo. You walk through the movements and your friend comments, "That's a cool technique! Let's work on the throw and then integrate it into the overall technique, if you don't mind showing me." 

That kind of work could be a game changer!

Most of us miss out on the benefits of training in other martial arts because we think we don't have the time to commit to more than one.  If only we had the opportunity to participate in world class instruction without the cost associated with overseas seminars.  Focused, expert instruction in complementary techniques offers us the potential to raise our game!

To fully understand the common skillsets shared by judo, jujutsu, aikido, look no further than their evolution from their common ancestor - ancient jujitsu. Read more!  

The Missing Link

“I train several times a week, but continue to feel slow, tight, and mechanical during randori, or free practice.” Welcome to the club! Many of us feel this way more often than not when faced with real-time application.

Fortunately for us, Tomiki Sensei created Randori no Kata, a framework of 17 techniques (waza) that are deemed appropriate for randori (free form practice).  The techniques are categorized in 4 categories:

Atemi Waza – Striking (Attacking) Techniques

Hiji Waza - Elbow Techniques

Tekubi Waza – Wrist Techniques

Uki Waza – Floating Techniques

Read more here!

From Movement to Meaning

“I get the basic technique, but struggle with the applications.”  The struggle is real.  Many martial artists find it difficult to move beyond basic techniques into free form practice. They wonder how others manage to “flip the switch” to safe, effective high-level randori, or free practice.

Fortunately, there’s a common foundational skill set in Tomiki Aikido, that can help transform the way you apply your techniques.  John Gage-Sensei tells us that, “Randori no Kata was created by Tomiki Sensei to provide a framework for students to move safely from static, prearranged methods to free form, competitive practice. The core skills, postures, and movements help develop speed, fluidity, and efficiency in real time application of martial arts, especially judo, jujutsu and aikido.”

Join us at JMAC in Ann Arbor on March 16, 17 & 18, 2018, to explore the integration of Aikido, Judo, & Jujutsu with Satoh Tadayuki Sensei.

Satoh Tadayuki Sensei is one of the world’s leading experts of Tomiki-style aikido. He studied directly with Tomiki Kenji Sensei, founder of the Japan Aikido Association, in the living room of his house, and later at Waseda University. In 2007, Satoh Sensei was granted the position of Shihan of Waseda University Aikido club, a position that had been vacant since Professor Tomiki’s death in 1979. Additionally, he teaches aikido at the Japan Police University, and international seminars in the Americas, Europe and throughout Japan. 

To read more, click here.

Kihon Kata I

Steve & Jon performing Kihon Kata I

June 2017

Life is Too Short

The Land of the Living

Life is too short to aspire to mediocrity. It's better to shoot for the stars and only reach the moon. Nowhere is this more true than in the martial arts. To animate your martial arts with the spirit of greatness, choose the most profound role models you can find and follow them with an obsessive devotion. That's your best chance to receive the direct transmission of the deep spirit of your martial art. If and when you receive the direct transmission, keep in mind that it includes everything - the sounds in the room during your training sessions, the rare smile of your Sensei, the warm air coming in through the windows, the pain of learning, the salty tears of exhaustion, the crushing pathos of washing your teacher's gravestone and the incredible energy of great martial arts techniques executed with clarity, energy and joy. The complexity and emotion of your martial arts should be very profound indeed.

To read more, click here.

Karate in the Spotlight

Karate at JMAC

Black Belt Testing

This Saturday, June 10, we will be having numerous high level and black belt tests and demonstrations to celebrate our 11th anniversary! The fun starts at 4pm.  Everyone is welcome to come watch.

Top of the Park

Join us at Ann Arbor Top of the Park, Power Center lawn, today at 5pm for a FREE karate class.  This is a great opportunity to try karate out and to interact with our instructors.

Martial Arts Training in the Land of the Living

Missing from Our Lives

The extraordinary musician, the exemplary painter, the best writer, the gifted singer, and the exceptional martial artist share a unique sort of magic. There's a depth to their performances that only a keen eye can see, only a sharp ear can hear. Their notes are not just notes, their brush strokes are not just brush strokes, their words are not just words, their voices are not just voices, and their kata are not just kata. Instead, they're a deep expression of a collection of meaningful experiences, distilled through countless hours of practices and years of reflection.

If you watch, read or listen carefully enough, you can sense the depth of their technique. If you're lucky enough to have seen their teachers or role models, you'll also be able to see echoes of their predecessors in their art. That's an extraordinary expression of love ... granting immortality to an artist by ensuring that his or her art is preserved in your body, mind and spirit. The level of your tribute corresponds to how well you internalize the nuance of his technique and how well you understand and give life to the principles he held dear.

Today's martial arts world is dominated by light weight players. By that I don't mean people who are small in physical stature. Instead, I mean people who are small in character, technique, and aspirations. Consider carefully the school you plan to attend. Is the approach all about rank? Does the curriculum change frequently ... is it more focused on variation than on depth? Are the lead instructors out of shape, mean spirited, or simply poor technicians?

To read more, click here.

Our kids karate class, practicing their kata during a test.