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Slow - fast makes perfect sense to me as someone who's had modern military training. In military training the idea is "slow is smooth is fast." Meaning that doing something slow ensures you can do it "smoothly", correctly and without making mistakes, and this in turn means you are not being slowed down by mistakes like fumbling with your weapon or anything else.
Same with professional instrumental training. If you want to practise a fast piece at Prestissimo or with a hard technique, practise it slowly first, but make it perfect. Then move on to higher Tempi. Break the boundaries and practise on and on until you reach the desired Tempo.
Yes, especially when in tight situations, adrenaline pumping, people tend to rush and fumble, and you might lose the fine motoric skills of your hands for example, get a tunnel vision and such. At least that what I've heard, didn't go to Finnish Defence Forces due to badly broken leg.
Same principle in musical instrument training. Especially in classical piano which is the most difficult instrument to learn. Slow practice and gradual increase of speed is the way. If you make an error, you're supposed to slow down and play it without an error again.
I love the expression on his face when he said "We can't help it, we're Japanese". So true of so many of us, if we are lucky enough to have a strong connection to our heritage.
I think it was kinda funny to him because for all the seriousness and logic and training and spirituality, we're also just human and we like what we like.
Histories and modern experiments have shown: the spear, a staff with a blade, was the front-line weapon of soldiers the world over, where swords and axes were the back-up if you lost your spear. In the West, the sword too was powerful as a symbol, even more than its battlefield utility.
@@AnnhilateTheNihilist Fair enough as far as it goes. Bows however were a specialty weapon costing quite a bit more than a spear, even a quality one. Archers were therefore only a minority of any given army (the majority of soldiers in 'samurai' armies were not samurai). Records and experiments show that only about 4% of archers can use a bow with killing power vs an armored man (150lb draw weight or so). Massed archers (60lb draw weight or so) were used to open gaps in enemy formations, to prepare for a charge by spearmen who would mow down the disrupted enemy. I don't dispute that samurai archery was top notch, but there still would have been many more spears than bows at any given battle.
@@heronwireo1085 I think you’re forgetting the archer and swordsman and spearman are one and the same person unlike in Europe at the time, they shoot arrows from distance, then spears until finally the sword. Bows were ubiquitous and more common than swords, but less common than spears, as you say. Families for generations bragged about bowman ship as a legit form of equal importance to the sword of Bushido.
@@AnnhilateTheNihilist The sling is another ranged weapon that was useful on the battlefield and elsewhere. A lot of places had slingers up until guns took over alongside bows and crossbows.
Swords in England, going back to ancient times were buried at cross roads and ancient important sites, thrown into rivers as offerings etc ...they have a deep spiritual and symbolic importance very much like the Katana, in Japan although the focus is on a specific type of sword in this case.
on how useful katanas are on battlefields, and the same can be said of swords as a general rule, it's useful to think of them as equivalent to modern day pistols. no one fights a battle armed only with a pistol , we use rifles and machine guns (bows/polearms) and keep the pistol as a sidearm that's an option of last resort. similarly, when living day to day life no one walks around with a rifles today or polearms in the past, because they're too cumbersome and waaaaay too overkill for self protection. pistols today and swords in the past are both much better self protection options, for similar reasons to each other compared to battlefield weapons: very easy to carry, and fitting for the job
This is a popular sentiment these days, but if you look at the actual period paintings of battlefields, katanas were used extensively on the battlefield along with all the other tools.
Slight correction: in naval combat, medium range weapons like swords were historically dominant. When boarding a ship, or being boarded, you're fighting in a more limited space, without the opportunity to form any sort of major organized formation. Spears and polearms were considered unwieldy and oversized, in this scenario, so swordfighters rejoice! In terms of melee combat at sea, your weapon is a practical primary armament.
I (briefly) studied Yagyū Shinkage-ryū kobudo. It was a practice group in my little city that was a satellite to a larger Dojo nearby. There was a story my sempai told of a day when the local university’s kendo club came to observe our practice. At some point during the observation of our two-person kata, the leader of the club leaned over to him and whispered urgently “you guys are trying to kill people!” To which he responded “yeah… that’s… kinda the point?”
The thing I found most interesting (and intimidating) about studying Kobudo was the intention behind instruction. Koryu are historical artifacts, not some modern self-help exercise or self defense regimen. A practitioner can certainly gain those things from studying them, but the point of instruction is the preservation of the art and the continuation of the lineage. Training is in service to the art, and students must be willing to focus on that preservation and deep understanding, rather than *only* the benefits they personally receive from that study. I think that’s part of why it’s often hard for Soke to find new heirs and instructors- it requires a kind of selfless devotion toward the art, rather than mere skill and a personal pride of accomplishment.
As a U.S. soldier, we're taught "slow is smooth, smooth is fast." So the idea of a relaxed, fluid motion being faster than a hastily executed series of steps feels really familiar. Truly useful lessons never go away.
I love how Seki Sensei values the Staff so much. People underestimate it because it is a "simple and primitive" weapon. What they often dont realise is just how incredibly fast the ends of a Staff move when striking and what sheer force that creates through the leverage imparted. Those "simple sticks" will shatter bones and break skulls if they hit you. Simple doesnt have to mean bad. Only being effective counts.
I think of a staff like that old man in a profession where people die yoing. The fact it is still around with everything else speaks volumes on its effectiveness.
I definitely agree with what the sensei says about purification. Kendo has really helped me to temper my spirit. I feel stronger when I do it consistently, and have even been noticing improvements in my rank in competitive gaming. I've been gaming competitively for years, and have never seen my rank improve as much as it has since beginning my training in Kendo. I get mad at my team less often, and most importantly mad at myself less. I don't choke my plays as often because Kendo helped me to learn to trust myself. I've been watching for about a year now, and your channel is what originally inspired me to look into Budo, and eventually Kendo. Now I'm proud to be one of about 2000 Kendoka in America carrying on the tradition in a foreign land =)
@@fullcrackalchemist most are non-profit clubs, and meet 1 to 2 days a week. My sensei is 3rd-dan, and Limited practice time leads to more emphasis on teaching striking skills, and less on conditioning. Most new Kendoka are also adults, and emphasis is put on bringing them up to speed as rapidly as possible. My club let me wear bogu and spar on the first day. While we don't let everyone do that, it helps keep people interested that wouldn't last through months of footwork. As far as I know of there are 3 schools on the east coast of continental America, 1 in Boston MA, one in Derry NH, and another in Montréal Canada. Not a lot of options hahaha.
Seriously amazing! The techniques seem so fluid and practical, using the whole body. I get the sense that a lot of martial arts (speaking outside of Japan as well) that stay closer to their fighting roots have these characteristics too. Thanks for the video-you could not have hyped this up enough.
I suspect its the economy of motion developed to minimize movement which leads to faster action. We see it with a lot of high level professional shooters, as well as with well experienced soldiers. I'm glad to hear there is a true study/ school of martial arts for the Japanese styles. While I understand the spiritual and sport applications of Iado and kendo, I prefer to study the real and proper use of all such tools as they were meant to be used. I keep no wall hangers on display.
Jesse Enkamp has spoken A LOT on kobudo and how it's been LOST in modern martial arts and especially Japanese arts. It's still taught in Okinawa, "the birthplace of Karate" where they teach for REAL FIGHTING and not for tournaments...the only "rule" is survival.
This sensai appears to be operating on another level from anyone I've ever seen. It's definitely subtle, but when slowed down you can see how much faster and more fluid it is. Thanks for bringing this content to the rest of the world!
It's interesting that the sword developed such a similar cultural significance in such different cultures. I am from Germany and while the details are different, swords here gained a very similar prestigious position. Just as in Japan, they became symbols of authority and power. And the ritual of receiving a sword with the orders from one's lord can also be found here: the Schwertleite was a ritual during which a lord would bind a sword to the waist of a knight-to-be, attach the spurs to his boots and offer him a shield. Swords would become the very icon of knighthood, even more so than the horses they derived their caste from.
It’s an amazing accomplishment of 22 generations to keeps a lethal form of combat going. I rather like the defensive applications; by definition a style with so much emphasis on reactive strikes is defensive in nature.
I've been waiting for this one. I love it when 2 of my favorite TH-camrs collaborate. Seki Sensei is a skilled and knowledgeable teacher and he seems like a really nice guy. I am envious you got to train with him. I bet you learned a lot.
Thanks for the view into Asayama Ichiden Ryu. I will definetly try out these drawing techniquse. Its always nice to get known of the views and knowledge of other styles.
I'm so glad you're doing a collaboration with this channel. Love Seki sensei. I can't speak Japanese, so it's really nice being able to get a bit more clarity on some of the basic techniques of the style.
The teacher is a treasure. He is correct about the sheath. I often found it odd to draw the sword as I was taught when I was young. Now I see a better method that makes sense. There is a saying in NASCAR racing" go slower to go faster". It applies here too. Once you understand the simplicity of the saying you understand how to use it to your advantage.
This might be my favorite Shogo video, yet. There really is a very large difference in the practice of martial arts when you are training for actual combat. It's unfortunate that what we see in dramatizations is stylized to look exciting on screen, but has little practical value. In real fights, speed is everything, much moreso than power, and large movements take a lot of time. The fighter who moves least moves fastest. It doesn't matter how hard you can hit if your strike never lands.
I was blown away when I attended an aikijutsu seminar some years ago. I was really expecting to learn some really nice and peaceful techniques *with no real application* in actual combat, but full of beauty and harmony and, was shocked to find myself on the ground having my limbs locked, my throat chocked, and learning how how to most effectively *disabling* a foe, probably for life, in a life-or-dead situation. I mean you could tell there was some kind of connection between these techniques and those you usually see in aikido demonstrations, but these were completely stripped down to the bare minimum, keeping only what was essential and *practical* and ditching any kind of superfluous embellishments... a really shocking and enlightening experience
@@alfredochavezv aikido comes from Daito-ryu aikijujitsu. O'Sensei watered down his aikijujitsu techniques because they were brutal and more concerned with breaking bones etc... Than the peaceful path he was seeking when he became very religious. With the drastic changes he made to his aikijujitsu, he came up with a different name of Aikido to differentiate his new teachings from his original aikijujitsu. He was still able to make his aikido effective.
Slow is quick and being fluid in one’s motions seems to be a truth in every combative disciple I have witnessed from skilled practitioners from unarmed to firearms and everything in between
I have been studying and teaching Kenjutsu for years and watching this video taught me so many new and interesting concepts. It is truly wonderful and humbling to see you interacting with such a great sensei. So many things to think about and incorporate in training. Arigato, Shogo!
This was very enlightening. I would often read descriptions saying kobudo is different from modern styles, but without any descriptions as to what would be different. Thank you very much.
As a Jodo and soon Iaido student myself, I might never have gotten access to this information without your video. Thanks so much for helping to spread this important knowledge! There’s always so much to learn from your channel.
What a treasure, and thank-you so much for sharing this with us! His thoughts on teaching are so on point with my experience. I have had many instructors in my life but precious few teachers. A teacher, to me, doesn't just share the "how" and "what", but the "why" and "when" as well, and also nurtures the ability to question and understand. Someone who can do that is so far above the rest that finding one who can do all that is a journey all its own.
Very interesting to see a practical use of what a traditional Japanese weapons could be used. Such fluid motions. Awesome video! Always, thank you Shogo😎👍
Very interresting video. I've been training this way of iai for few years now...from the Bujinkan. Proper teachers from there (wich are sadly few) are teaching technics in a way that resemble a lot Seki sensei's ways. I will just add that I was personally taught to not hold the saya before actually performing the technique, but to "grab" it just before unsheating, as it won't shows your intentions to your opponent. I will share this video with my fellow students.
This was great to see. I am a big fan of the Asayama Ichiden kai's TH-cam channel. Great videos there, and Seki Sensei is an absolute powerhouse of knowledge and ability. A true joy to behold. So it was very nice to see you make this video and I hope you make more in collaboration with them.
thank you Shogo & thank you seki sensei for the indepth dive of the techniques 🙏 for someone with limited japanese this is the best collaboration yet! keep them coming! 😉
I practce Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu, and I can say that when fighting, the intention is to kill. This is really what elevates Kobudo from Gendai-budo - the purpose.
I love the concept of not closing your hand on the tsuka until you strike thus not fully committing to any movement until decided and needed but preformed like a reflex of reaction ...... " I don't hit .... it hits all by itself " ... -Bruce Lee The waist is the "core" of movement so I like that the emphasis of movement is based on the centre of the body. That drawing technique with the back turned to then draw with the sword out is a move known well taught by Nakayama Hakudo. He was a pioneer of making Kendo well known and practiced by Japanese people as a nation. I can understand the state of knowing death as a Zen mindset. This makes your actions realistic and your training and way of life... as an artist ....thus a true value of your time. I like the old philosophy of .. "slow and calm in stillness is faster"
Kobudo is beautiful. I love it. As Niten Ichi Ryu and SuioRyu practitioner can only feel respect and love for the words of the Sensei and thanks as much to Shogo for this video 🙇🏻
Hi Shodo, I just came from your fighting video. Maybe this is your call to train kenjutsu or even Kendo. It's clear that you don't have the fighting skills right now but you have the guts and looks like you are a fast learner, so, give it a try. Maybe you will find that fight can teach you other things too
I've just found a katori shinto ryu branch I could train with and was already overjoyed, since I only trained in kendo and iaido before. Then I saw Shogo-San had upoaded this marvel of a video. Now this has to be one of the best days this year.
Great video Shogo! I’ve subscribed to your channel and Asayamaichidenkai over the past year and am happy to see a collaboration together. As a student of martial arts, specifically edged and impact weapon systems, I often get asked why I try in something people don’t carry everyday. Strictly from a martial arts point of view, weapon training in systems like Asayamaichidenkai that are rooted in combat and sparring, teach you distance, timing, and dexterity that some modern systems won’t. Also, I have no doubt that their jiujitsu/aikijitsu is top-notch. Well done!
Thanks for sharing man! I too trained in Okinawa Kobudo and learned Katana skills from that. This was great and can’t wait to see more collabs! Keep it up!
Really enjoyed this. I have to say seeing such a practical approach in action is really something. Each of his draws were not only immediate, but as smooth as silk. Can't wait until the next collaboration.
I've watched countless videos and shows concerning katanas, Japanese history and the whole Samurai culture in general. There are so many senseis teaching different stuff, some if not most of them just want to look cool. But with Seki-sensei, something is just different. You can feel murder just from looking at him. I think this sensei is the real deal.
I love this. His drawing and sheathing techniques are very similar to our Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Iai, where we use our left hand in all actions simultaneously.
Excellent video Shogo. The same principles are utilized in in CQB (Close Quarter Battle) shooting there're is a saying, which varies slightly w/different training venues, "Fast is slow, slow is quick/smooth, front site focus, trigger squeeze, discipline and control". Slow/minimal moments and breath, relax and as I say "enjoy the fight" my people were the Northmen or "Vikings" and Battle is what my family is meant to do. My family, on my Father's side, goes to the 12th "Viking" warriors that invaded Muslim occupied Spain 100+ years before the first Crusade and were called the "Huestes" or "Hueste". This fact about my family is why I've become an operator, Instructor and why I respect Japanese martial arts. I enjoy watching these videos from you, stay safe Shogo.
Interesting...I practice HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) and even though it has a sport/competitive side to it, you learn from the original sources that Medieval sword masters wrote and those sources teach you to defend from an attacker and be an attacker yourself in a duel or on the battlefield. I personally am attracted to the idea of learning a martial art whose principles I can apply in a life-or-death situation (HOPEFULLY it will never happen [KNOCK ON WOOD]), but I'll see about doing Kobudo down the road...
@@naschterraphantom495 Yeah! At least, in general, you could (depending on the weapon; techniques of a longsword can be easily adapted to a katana though you'd have to adjust to the katana having only one cutting edge). And that's what's SO cool about martial arts- they share so many principles that you can adapt to another style quite easily! (and sorry I didn't see your reply until now)
Kobudo is really amazing! Deep and simple. I'm lucky having the chance to practice other Ryuha and anyone who gets interested should too. Asayama Ichiden Ryu is also beautiful!
Dear Shogo-san, I have been looking out for Asayama Ichiden Ryu for a few years now, and one of my friends Patrick Barge, who's a nihon-to expert in France, and also teacher in Muso Shinden Ryu, Batto-jutsu, Ryushin Shouchi Ryu iaijutsu, and student of Sosuishitsu Ryu Iaijutsu, knows Seki-sensei. If Seki-sensei ever wants to come to France and teach us some of the Asayami Ichiden Ryu iaijustu and kenjutsu kata, we, of the European Federation of Iaido, would be thrilled and honoured to organize a seminar, to develop the ryuha, and maybe create european branches ? Let me know, if you think it would be possible to plan something in Europe, and maybe France. Yoroshiku o tanomu oshimasu !
Watching a master in action was amazing. His smoothness of execution. The muscle memory extended to his face when he drew. All business. Then the smile. Thank you for this video!
What an honor for Shogo, to get trained and even spar with the great Seki-sensei! Really happy for you! Gotta watch the video on his channel, of you getting your posterior handed to you 😂
The reverence for technique and tradition mixed with the attention to detail and desire to continuously improve is absolutely beautiful, and the beautiful, along with the humble nature of both of these men is just wonderful.
Fascinating video and well done on getting such excellent answers and demonstrations from the Sensei when your mind must have been running a thousand miles an hour.
I am so glad to see this video. TH-cam has recommended a number of videos featuring Seki Sensei, but they are all Japanese language only. I was very impressed with whatI saw and could tell it was Kobudo, but not the school or any other information. I really like the wakizashi or kodachi techniques or Asayama ryu.
I love Japanese culture and people because they are so humble and show so much respect for each other regardless of difference, I wish we had that in America, but sadly we don’t.. I’ve loved watching your videos on Iaido because it’s a fluid and well put martial art. I am mainly a practitioner of Hapkido but have experience in kendo and iaido, I also do weapons training with staff and nunchaku.
I'm a 50 year old guy from Finland. I love these videos so much I only wish I was born there, and able to train with Shogo & Seki sensei. I really love the chemistry between the two, appreciation and keenness on this fine art of the blade, not to even mention immensely fluid and smooth movements of Seki sensei
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I wish I had known about this 40 years ago. I would have moved back to Japan to study this art.
Thank you for this collaboration.
What is the object in the right hand in the photograph at 18:29?
Are you also going to make a video how Soka Gakkai is ruining Japan?
@@andrewsutton6640 It looks like a fan.
Which one is better, a samurai, or a ninja/shinobi?
Slow - fast makes perfect sense to me as someone who's had modern military training. In military training the idea is "slow is smooth is fast." Meaning that doing something slow ensures you can do it "smoothly", correctly and without making mistakes, and this in turn means you are not being slowed down by mistakes like fumbling with your weapon or anything else.
Same with professional instrumental training. If you want to practise a fast piece at Prestissimo or with a hard technique, practise it slowly first, but make it perfect. Then move on to higher Tempi. Break the boundaries and practise on and on until you reach the desired Tempo.
Yes, especially when in tight situations, adrenaline pumping, people tend to rush and fumble, and you might lose the fine motoric skills of your hands for example, get a tunnel vision and such. At least that what I've heard, didn't go to Finnish Defence Forces due to badly broken leg.
Same principle in musical instrument training. Especially in classical piano which is the most difficult instrument to learn. Slow practice and gradual increase of speed is the way. If you make an error, you're supposed to slow down and play it without an error again.
There's a saying for that in spanish, "despacio que voy apurado", meaning "go slowly since I'm in a hurry"
"festina lente" - Julius Caesar
I love the expression on his face when he said "We can't help it, we're Japanese". So true of so many of us, if we are lucky enough to have a strong connection to our heritage.
I think it was kinda funny to him because for all the seriousness and logic and training and spirituality, we're also just human and we like what we like.
Histories and modern experiments have shown: the spear, a staff with a blade, was the front-line weapon of soldiers the world over, where swords and axes were the back-up if you lost your spear. In the West, the sword too was powerful as a symbol, even more than its battlefield utility.
U forgot the bow. The bow was the primary weapon before the sword for samurai.
@@AnnhilateTheNihilist Fair enough as far as it goes. Bows however were a specialty weapon costing quite a bit more than a spear, even a quality one. Archers were therefore only a minority of any given army (the majority of soldiers in 'samurai' armies were not samurai). Records and experiments show that only about 4% of archers can use a bow with killing power vs an armored man (150lb draw weight or so). Massed archers (60lb draw weight or so) were used to open gaps in enemy formations, to prepare for a charge by spearmen who would mow down the disrupted enemy. I don't dispute that samurai archery was top notch, but there still would have been many more spears than bows at any given battle.
@@heronwireo1085 I think you’re forgetting the archer and swordsman and spearman are one and the same person unlike in Europe at the time, they shoot arrows from distance, then spears until finally the sword. Bows were ubiquitous and more common than swords, but less common than spears, as you say. Families for generations bragged about bowman ship as a legit form of equal importance to the sword of Bushido.
@@AnnhilateTheNihilist The sling is another ranged weapon that was useful on the battlefield and elsewhere. A lot of places had slingers up until guns took over alongside bows and crossbows.
Swords in England, going back to ancient times were buried at cross roads and ancient important sites, thrown into rivers as offerings etc ...they have a deep spiritual and symbolic importance very much like the Katana, in Japan although the focus is on a specific type of sword in this case.
Look at Seki-sensei's big smile when his student successfully performs the Kata. You can see how passionate he is about teaching.
on how useful katanas are on battlefields, and the same can be said of swords as a general rule, it's useful to think of them as equivalent to modern day pistols. no one fights a battle armed only with a pistol , we use rifles and machine guns (bows/polearms) and keep the pistol as a sidearm that's an option of last resort. similarly, when living day to day life no one walks around with a rifles today or polearms in the past, because they're too cumbersome and waaaaay too overkill for self protection. pistols today and swords in the past are both much better self protection options, for similar reasons to each other compared to battlefield weapons: very easy to carry, and fitting for the job
come on down to texas
This is a popular sentiment these days, but if you look at the actual period paintings of battlefields, katanas were used extensively on the battlefield along with all the other tools.
@@dickdastardIy Where we can carry our Katana legally💪
Slight correction: in naval combat, medium range weapons like swords were historically dominant. When boarding a ship, or being boarded, you're fighting in a more limited space, without the opportunity to form any sort of major organized formation. Spears and polearms were considered unwieldy and oversized, in this scenario, so swordfighters rejoice! In terms of melee combat at sea, your weapon is a practical primary armament.
@@yeetlordentertainment3937 also cavalry often used swords as main weapons (mostly after 18th century)
I (briefly) studied Yagyū Shinkage-ryū kobudo. It was a practice group in my little city that was a satellite to a larger Dojo nearby. There was a story my sempai told of a day when the local university’s kendo club came to observe our practice. At some point during the observation of our two-person kata, the leader of the club leaned over to him and whispered urgently “you guys are trying to kill people!” To which he responded “yeah… that’s… kinda the point?”
The thing I found most interesting (and intimidating) about studying Kobudo was the intention behind instruction. Koryu are historical artifacts, not some modern self-help exercise or self defense regimen. A practitioner can certainly gain those things from studying them, but the point of instruction is the preservation of the art and the continuation of the lineage. Training is in service to the art, and students must be willing to focus on that preservation and deep understanding, rather than *only* the benefits they personally receive from that study. I think that’s part of why it’s often hard for Soke to find new heirs and instructors- it requires a kind of selfless devotion toward the art, rather than mere skill and a personal pride of accomplishment.
@@spiritandsteelI truly wish I could be able to devote myself to something like this.
@@KanuckStreams Maybe just try? Maybe it will grow on you.
As a U.S. soldier, we're taught "slow is smooth, smooth is fast." So the idea of a relaxed, fluid motion being faster than a hastily executed series of steps feels really familiar. Truly useful lessons never go away.
Indeed.. I use that concept for gamings.. Self enlightenment
I love how Seki Sensei values the Staff so much. People underestimate it because it is a "simple and primitive" weapon. What they often dont realise is just how incredibly fast the ends of a Staff move when striking and what sheer force that creates through the leverage imparted. Those "simple sticks" will shatter bones and break skulls if they hit you. Simple doesnt have to mean bad. Only being effective counts.
especially since once you add a blade/spike to that staff you have a spear. And now you have a battlefield weapon
I think of a staff like that old man in a profession where people die yoing. The fact it is still around with everything else speaks volumes on its effectiveness.
Also staff weapons cannot be easily cut. Swords at best dent them. So they're amazing at blocking blades, and often can outrange them too.
I definitely agree with what the sensei says about purification. Kendo has really helped me to temper my spirit. I feel stronger when I do it consistently, and have even been noticing improvements in my rank in competitive gaming. I've been gaming competitively for years, and have never seen my rank improve as much as it has since beginning my training in Kendo. I get mad at my team less often, and most importantly mad at myself less. I don't choke my plays as often because Kendo helped me to learn to trust myself. I've been watching for about a year now, and your channel is what originally inspired me to look into Budo, and eventually Kendo. Now I'm proud to be one of about 2000 Kendoka in America carrying on the tradition in a foreign land =)
I didn't even know there were schools for it in America, what are they like?
@@fullcrackalchemist most are non-profit clubs, and meet 1 to 2 days a week. My sensei is 3rd-dan, and Limited practice time leads to more emphasis on teaching striking skills, and less on conditioning. Most new Kendoka are also adults, and emphasis is put on bringing them up to speed as rapidly as possible. My club let me wear bogu and spar on the first day. While we don't let everyone do that, it helps keep people interested that wouldn't last through months of footwork. As far as I know of there are 3 schools on the east coast of continental America, 1 in Boston MA, one in Derry NH, and another in Montréal Canada. Not a lot of options hahaha.
@@collin3012 Yeah, I guess that's to be expected. Still it's really cool you get to do that!
Only 2000 kendoka in America?! I thought there would be more. I look forward to returning and joining those ranks.
Insane level of weebery
Seriously amazing! The techniques seem so fluid and practical, using the whole body. I get the sense that a lot of martial arts (speaking outside of Japan as well) that stay closer to their fighting roots have these characteristics too. Thanks for the video-you could not have hyped this up enough.
I suspect its the economy of motion developed to minimize movement which leads to faster action. We see it with a lot of high level professional shooters, as well as with well experienced soldiers.
I'm glad to hear there is a true study/ school of martial arts for the Japanese styles. While I understand the spiritual and sport applications of Iado and kendo, I prefer to study the real and proper use of all such tools as they were meant to be used. I keep no wall hangers on display.
Jesse Enkamp has spoken A LOT on kobudo and how it's been LOST in modern martial arts and especially Japanese arts. It's still taught in Okinawa, "the birthplace of Karate" where they teach for REAL FIGHTING and not for tournaments...the only "rule" is survival.
This sensai appears to be operating on another level from anyone I've ever seen. It's definitely subtle, but when slowed down you can see how much faster and more fluid it is. Thanks for bringing this content to the rest of the world!
now these kinds of practical swordfighting techniques are REALLY fascinating to me. would love to see more content like this!
It's interesting that the sword developed such a similar cultural significance in such different cultures. I am from Germany and while the details are different, swords here gained a very similar prestigious position. Just as in Japan, they became symbols of authority and power. And the ritual of receiving a sword with the orders from one's lord can also be found here: the Schwertleite was a ritual during which a lord would bind a sword to the waist of a knight-to-be, attach the spurs to his boots and offer him a shield.
Swords would become the very icon of knighthood, even more so than the horses they derived their caste from.
The most interesting video yet. Having an expert demonstrating their art is just a whole new experience.
I'm absolutely fascinated with kobudo and it's practicality oriented nature.
We have a saying in the military "slow is smooth, smooth is fast" and it is fundamentally the same concept of the "slow-fast" technique
It’s an amazing accomplishment of 22 generations to keeps a lethal form of combat going.
I rather like the defensive applications; by definition a style with so much emphasis on reactive strikes is defensive in nature.
I've been waiting for this one. I love it when 2 of my favorite TH-camrs collaborate. Seki Sensei is a skilled and knowledgeable teacher and he seems like a really nice guy. I am envious you got to train with him. I bet you learned a lot.
Thanks for the view into Asayama Ichiden Ryu. I will definetly try out these drawing techniquse.
Its always nice to get known of the views and knowledge of other styles.
It really was an amazing experience for me too✨
I'm so glad you're doing a collaboration with this channel. Love Seki sensei.
I can't speak Japanese, so it's really nice being able to get a bit more clarity on some of the basic techniques of the style.
The teacher is a treasure. He is correct about the sheath. I often found it odd to draw the sword as I was taught when I was young. Now I see a better method that makes sense. There is a saying in NASCAR racing" go slower to go faster". It applies here too. Once you understand the simplicity of the saying you understand how to use it to your advantage.
Fascinating! "Slow is fast" is also appropriate to combat handgun technique here in the US. Sometimes we express it as "smooth is fast".
The term originates from sailing in water. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast
This might be my favorite Shogo video, yet. There really is a very large difference in the practice of martial arts when you are training for actual combat. It's unfortunate that what we see in dramatizations is stylized to look exciting on screen, but has little practical value. In real fights, speed is everything, much moreso than power, and large movements take a lot of time. The fighter who moves least moves fastest. It doesn't matter how hard you can hit if your strike never lands.
I was blown away when I attended an aikijutsu seminar some years ago. I was really expecting to learn some really nice and peaceful techniques *with no real application* in actual combat, but full of beauty and harmony and, was shocked to find myself on the ground having my limbs locked, my throat chocked, and learning how how to most effectively *disabling* a foe, probably for life, in a life-or-dead situation. I mean you could tell there was some kind of connection between these techniques and those you usually see in aikido demonstrations, but these were completely stripped down to the bare minimum, keeping only what was essential and *practical* and ditching any kind of superfluous embellishments... a really shocking and enlightening experience
@@alfredochavezv aikido comes from Daito-ryu aikijujitsu. O'Sensei watered down his aikijujitsu techniques because they were brutal and more concerned with breaking bones etc... Than the peaceful path he was seeking when he became very religious. With the drastic changes he made to his aikijujitsu, he came up with a different name of Aikido to differentiate his new teachings from his original aikijujitsu. He was still able to make his aikido effective.
Slow is quick and being fluid in one’s motions seems to be a truth in every combative disciple I have witnessed from skilled practitioners from unarmed to firearms and everything in between
Love how Sekei Sensei is still so humble and gentle during training. A true master. 😊
I have been studying and teaching Kenjutsu for years and watching this video taught me so many new and interesting concepts. It is truly wonderful and humbling to see you interacting with such a great sensei. So many things to think about and incorporate in training. Arigato, Shogo!
This was very enlightening. I would often read descriptions saying kobudo is different from modern styles, but without any descriptions as to what would be different. Thank you very much.
As a Jodo and soon Iaido student myself, I might never have gotten access to this information without your video. Thanks so much for helping to spread this important knowledge! There’s always so much to learn from your channel.
I am really glad that you say so!!
Such a giving and genuine teacher
What a treasure, and thank-you so much for sharing this with us! His thoughts on teaching are so on point with my experience. I have had many instructors in my life but precious few teachers. A teacher, to me, doesn't just share the "how" and "what", but the "why" and "when" as well, and also nurtures the ability to question and understand. Someone who can do that is so far above the rest that finding one who can do all that is a journey all its own.
It's a very impressive set of skills. So much attention to details.
Wow, an amazingly beautiful style! The martial arts do help our spirits grow! Discipline is the foundation, and Seccess Nershes Hope.
Thank you Shogo! I cant wait for the next episode with him!
Seki sensei seems to take genuine joy in teaching his knowledge. Great to see.
Shogo, if you are collaborating with Seki Sensei, why not train Asayama Ichiden Ru? Who knows? You could most likely become one of his instructors.
Very interesting to see a practical use of what a traditional Japanese weapons could be used. Such fluid motions. Awesome video! Always, thank you Shogo😎👍
Very interresting video. I've been training this way of iai for few years now...from the Bujinkan. Proper teachers from there (wich are sadly few) are teaching technics in a way that resemble a lot Seki sensei's ways. I will just add that I was personally taught to not hold the saya before actually performing the technique, but to "grab" it just before unsheating, as it won't shows your intentions to your opponent. I will share this video with my fellow students.
Sensei is a true gentleman. I do hope you will take to heart the lessons he has taught you, and accept his further invition with friendship.
This was great to see. I am a big fan of the Asayama Ichiden kai's TH-cam channel. Great videos there, and Seki Sensei is an absolute powerhouse of knowledge and ability. A true joy to behold. So it was very nice to see you make this video and I hope you make more in collaboration with them.
thank you Shogo & thank you seki sensei for the indepth dive of the techniques 🙏 for someone with limited japanese this is the best collaboration yet! keep them coming! 😉
I practce Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu, and I can say that when fighting, the intention is to kill. This is really what elevates Kobudo from Gendai-budo - the purpose.
Thank you so much for sharing this! You are a wonderful student, gentle and respectful. And adept!
I love the concept of not closing your hand on the tsuka until you strike thus not fully committing to any movement until decided and needed but preformed like a reflex of reaction ......
" I don't hit .... it hits all by itself " ... -Bruce Lee
The waist is the "core" of movement so I like that the emphasis of movement is based on the centre of the body.
That drawing technique with the back turned to then draw with the sword out is a move known well taught by Nakayama Hakudo.
He was a pioneer of making Kendo well known and practiced by Japanese people as a nation.
I can understand the state of knowing death as a Zen mindset.
This makes your actions realistic and your training and way of life... as an artist ....thus a true value of your time.
I like the old philosophy of .. "slow and calm in stillness is faster"
Kobudo is beautiful. I love it. As Niten Ichi Ryu and SuioRyu practitioner can only feel respect and love for the words of the Sensei and thanks as much to Shogo for this video 🙇🏻
Hi Shodo, I just came from your fighting video. Maybe this is your call to train kenjutsu or even Kendo. It's clear that you don't have the fighting skills right now but you have the guts and looks like you are a fast learner, so, give it a try. Maybe you will find that fight can teach you other things too
I've just found a katori shinto ryu branch I could train with and was already overjoyed, since I only trained in kendo and iaido before. Then I saw Shogo-San had upoaded this marvel of a video. Now this has to be one of the best days this year.
Great video Shogo! I’ve subscribed to your channel and Asayamaichidenkai over the past year and am happy to see a collaboration together. As a student of martial arts, specifically edged and impact weapon systems, I often get asked why I try in something people don’t carry everyday. Strictly from a martial arts point of view, weapon training in systems like Asayamaichidenkai that are rooted in combat and sparring, teach you distance, timing, and dexterity that some modern systems won’t. Also, I have no doubt that their jiujitsu/aikijitsu is top-notch. Well done!
Thanks for sharing man! I too trained in Okinawa Kobudo and learned Katana skills from that. This was great and can’t wait to see more collabs! Keep it up!
Really enjoyed this. I have to say seeing such a practical approach in action is really something. Each of his draws were not only immediate, but as smooth as silk. Can't wait until the next collaboration.
Amazing video,soo deep and beautiful!thank you for connecting to this 🙏 and congratulations 🎊 !🍀
As usual, a training full of wisdom where each word impacts your awareness. Thanks Shogo for raising our level of practice with Seki Sensei
This is so neat! It's been a while since I've watched any of shogo's videos but I love listening to and seeing his experiences!
I've watched countless videos and shows concerning katanas, Japanese history and the whole Samurai culture in general. There are so many senseis teaching different stuff, some if not most of them just want to look cool. But with Seki-sensei, something is just different. You can feel murder just from looking at him. I think this sensei is the real deal.
The day a person stops learning, is the day they die. Happy for you to have this experience!
I'm HAPPY to see you & tour team Shogo. 👍👍👍
I appreciate the quick draw and limb attacking aspects.
I love this. His drawing and sheathing techniques are very similar to our Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Iai, where we use our left hand in all actions simultaneously.
You guys are so amazing. Thank you for committing your time/efforts to keep this alive so the rest of us can enjoy and try to learn a bit also.
I like that subtle distinction between being fast and being busy. That's a great observation.
I still watch this video at least twice a week, it pops into my queue with the daily training videos. It's very special to me! 🙏🙏🙏
Excellent video Shogo. The same principles are utilized in in CQB (Close Quarter Battle) shooting there're is a saying, which varies slightly w/different training venues, "Fast is slow, slow is quick/smooth, front site focus, trigger squeeze, discipline and control". Slow/minimal moments and breath, relax and as I say "enjoy the fight" my people were the Northmen or "Vikings" and Battle is what my family is meant to do. My family, on my Father's side, goes to the 12th "Viking" warriors that invaded Muslim occupied Spain 100+ years before the first Crusade and were called the "Huestes" or "Hueste". This fact about my family is why I've become an operator, Instructor and why I respect Japanese martial arts. I enjoy watching these videos from you, stay safe Shogo.
Interesting...I practice HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) and even though it has a sport/competitive side to it, you learn from the original sources that Medieval sword masters wrote and those sources teach you to defend from an attacker and be an attacker yourself in a duel or on the battlefield. I personally am attracted to the idea of learning a martial art whose principles I can apply in a life-or-death situation (HOPEFULLY it will never happen [KNOCK ON WOOD]), but I'll see about doing Kobudo down the road...
Could you practially try applying some of these techniques to HEMA? I heard the techniques applied in Kenjustu can apply to HEMA as well.
@@naschterraphantom495 Yeah! At least, in general, you could (depending on the weapon; techniques of a longsword can be easily adapted to a katana though you'd have to adjust to the katana having only one cutting edge). And that's what's SO cool about martial arts- they share so many principles that you can adapt to another style quite easily! (and sorry I didn't see your reply until now)
How exciting and humbling at the same time... I cannot imagine how you must have felt... 👍👍
This was so interesting to me thank you. You may not be using it in fights, but it’s very important to preserve the culture and history
This Sensei is a Jedi.
You cannot convince me otherwise.
Great job Shogo, I really enjoyed the happiness you experienced making and sharing this special time…..
Excited for these colab videos!
Kobudo is really amazing! Deep and simple.
I'm lucky having the chance to practice other Ryuha and anyone who gets interested should too.
Asayama Ichiden Ryu is also beautiful!
Dear Shogo-san, I have been looking out for Asayama Ichiden Ryu for a few years now, and one of my friends Patrick Barge, who's a nihon-to expert in France, and also teacher in Muso Shinden Ryu, Batto-jutsu, Ryushin Shouchi Ryu iaijutsu, and student of Sosuishitsu Ryu Iaijutsu, knows Seki-sensei. If Seki-sensei ever wants to come to France and teach us some of the Asayami Ichiden Ryu iaijustu and kenjutsu kata, we, of the European Federation of Iaido, would be thrilled and honoured to organize a seminar, to develop the ryuha, and maybe create european branches ? Let me know, if you think it would be possible to plan something in Europe, and maybe France. Yoroshiku o tanomu oshimasu !
Watching a master in action was amazing. His smoothness of execution. The muscle memory extended to his face when he drew. All business. Then the smile. Thank you for this video!
"Slow Fast" makes a lot of sense. It really is a philosophy that is applied to all arts. As they say, "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast".
Look forward to more collaboration with them. Seeing you learn is great
Slow-fast !
What a beauty !
Seki sensei really demonstrates that calmness conquers all.
he is truly a great teacher, his smile tells it all.
I love the videos that goes in depths of how the samurai actually fought, thank you for the great content shogo.
This is proper, priceless knowledge right here
Im so glad that you did this video, im looking forward to learning more about Kobudō! ☺️☺️
It is an incredible privilege to get to learn from sensei, in any small way, and you do an awesome job with the videos. Thank you.
Shogo your amazing.. your attitude and everything.. your a real knight in my eyes..
This was so cool to watch. Thank you very much for a peek into this fascinating martial art. Respect
What an honor for Shogo, to get trained and even spar with the great Seki-sensei! Really happy for you! Gotta watch the video on his channel, of you getting your posterior handed to you 😂
I really like! Very informative and the technique is really practical.
The energy and admiration you show is infectious.
The reverence for technique and tradition mixed with the attention to detail and desire to continuously improve is absolutely beautiful, and the beautiful, along with the humble nature of both of these men is just wonderful.
I love your passion and dedication to teach us through your sensei.
This is wonderful to see you and Seki sensei, please continue collaboration, ganbate kudasai
Fascinating video and well done on getting such excellent answers and demonstrations from the Sensei when your mind must have been running a thousand miles an hour.
That is very dangerous Man with a blade. Beautiful demonstration. Thank you for this Shogo.
This is really amazing~ and i am looking forward to your collaboration with them!
THAT there Sir,... is amazing! :D Thank you for going to, and sharing this! Timeless knowledge n pragmatism,
This was an eye-opening display of the truly best way to use katana.
I am so glad to see this video. TH-cam has recommended a number of videos featuring Seki Sensei, but they are all Japanese language only. I was very impressed with whatI saw and could tell it was Kobudo, but not the school or any other information.
I really like the wakizashi or kodachi techniques or Asayama ryu.
I love Japanese culture and people because they are so humble and show so much respect for each other regardless of difference, I wish we had that in America, but sadly we don’t.. I’ve loved watching your videos on Iaido because it’s a fluid and well put martial art. I am mainly a practitioner of Hapkido but have experience in kendo and iaido, I also do weapons training with staff and nunchaku.
In America we have guns and beer
@@rexlapis1075 Yep..
@@validbutatwhatcost8754 Well-chosen name.
I'm a 50 year old guy from Finland. I love these videos so much I only wish I was born there, and able to train with Shogo & Seki sensei. I really love the chemistry between the two, appreciation and keenness on this fine art of the blade, not to even mention immensely fluid and smooth movements of Seki sensei
DomoArigato Mr Shogo !!!! Very impressive and heavy to find out the staff is the most powerfull weapon in battle or in other situations. Very NICE !!!
Watching this is really getting me into martial arts again, so thank you
21:00 "expresses the benefits of those who move later" ... Wise and beautiful.
I absolutely felt this lesson in my heart. Thank you.
This was very enjoyable and educational and it was a joy seeing how excited you were.
Great work and I'm sure this will stay with you forever.