Fujita sensei part fifteen.

Whole body movement.

 

 

 

The Aikido of Fujita sensei is often described as powerful but not hard and agressive. How is this done? Whole body movement is the base from where his power originates. He is using the basic excercises to illustrate this point. The balance breaking or projections are a result of the movement of his structure by means of his footwork. If you study his movements one will notice that his body moves like a solid unity transported by, usually, okuri ashi. This one step movement will cause a powerful and sharp hanmi posture while moving. So try to use your whole body and not only hand and shoulder power or fragmented use of the body.

 

Here's a demo from the 80's?

 

 

Enjoy practice.

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Fujita sensei part fourteen.

Triangle, circle, square.

Fujita sensei used his signature drawing on the back of your gi at seminars. It consists of three figures namely the triangle, the circle and the square.

 

My own ideas concerning these symbols in relation with the Aikido of Fujita sensei would be the following:

 

The triangle stands for hanmi kamae. The posture represents the most stable position and has a strong focus of energy in front of your hara. This could be compared to the offensive stance in the sword arts of Japan. So in your Aikido one should be aware of always maintaining this stance even when moving.

The circle represents the round posture of the arms and circular movement.

The square stands for the finishing of a technique which should be solid and hips square. Katame waza could also be named square and firm.

 

In the following demo the three principles are easily recognized.

 

 

 

Enjoy practice.

 

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How to use second hip.

 

 

How to use the second hip and what does it mean. Yamashima sensei is known for his use of his hara. In reality he uses both his hip joints to full effect. In the next clip this is shown by using your rear hand and hip in unison to attack the centerline of your partner. So imagine your holding a sword or knife and point this to the hara of your partner. This creates a center to center movement which can be used to upset your uke's balance. Ikkyo is best suited to study your second hip joint, but it's used in all Aikido movements. Hips, hips, hips. Don't use arms, use hips.

 

 

Enjoy practice.

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Fujita sensei study part thirteen

Laser.

To me a laser symbolizes a highly focused and concentrated energetic principle. In Fujita sensei kihon waza one can identify this as the concentrated energy in which he projects into sumi otoshi points. In Chinese internal martial arts this is often translated as Yi, Qi, Li. A simple explananation of this would be that in projecting energy one uses to full effect mind(Yi), breath power(Qi) and body(Li). These three powers combined will produce a laser like power into a single spot. Usually the most weak part of your partner's balance is used. When doing atemi this principle can also used to create a power which is multiplied because of the joining of energy into a single point.

Use of laser in kokyu nage by Fujita sensei. Notice the projection extends beneath the surface of the mat.

Enjoy practice.

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Fujita sensei study part twelve

One step.

 

 

Fujita sensei uses ashi sabaki which are clear and precise. His favorite movement would be the transfer of his whole body structure in one step. This step is called okuri ashi. Foot movement like this is most used in kendo. One should be in hanmi kamae and push of the back foot. This results in a forward movement where the front foot moves first. The end position will be the same as the starting one. Irimi movement and Hanmi principles are therefore maintained.

 

 

Usually his first step is okuri ashi as shown in this clip.

 

 

Enjoy practice.

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Fujita sensei study part eleven

Project through the ground.

Fujita sensei uses projections of whole body movement into sumi otoshi point of uke. Mae otoshi point is also used but the point on the ura side of uke is his most weak spot. It's not enough to just point at this spot or restrict your movement to the edge of the earth. The mental training consists of projecting the energy through the ground towards the center of the earth. Of course this will be impossible to do, but the movement changes because of the effort made. It's like the board braking excercise of karate. Project body, mind and spirit behind the board to go through it.

 

In irimi nage like movements this is best demonstrated.

 

 

 

Enjoy practice.

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Fujita sensei study part ten

D.

The letter D represents a principle which Fujita sensei uses to illustrate that there should be both round and straight energy projections. When one divides a circle in half it will look like two D's put together.

 

 

You will notice a lot of Fujita Sensei techniques use this kind of mixture of round and straight movements. Usually round energy is used to create harmony with your partner, while the projection is a straight energy line directed into sumi or mae otoshi point. Try to identify the use of the letter D in the next clip.

Enjoy practice.

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