His name is Shihan James Wright, he is one of the highest ranked westerners in the Genbukan and hold's Menkyo Kaiden in different Ryu Ha. Shihan is one of the few people that know the patterns inside and out and can use the material in real situations. He knows how to take the traditional and make it more modern to deal with current
such clean bojutsu skill, i love kukishin ryu stuff...pure samurai brutality. its a shame theres pretty much no good video of kukishin kenjutsu on the internet that i can find..
As for the bokken positions, I am completely aware of what the stances are and what they are good for. Through 13 years of experience I have come to understand (very early on and consistently supported throughout my years of training) that the neutral stance is ALWAYS the safest and most effective stance. Aggression is an important tool, but not at the cost of one's own safety.
Okay a few points: 1. I actually did not have the pleasure of learning abroad, but I did learn from a bojutsu grandmaster in Los Angeles. I also regularly practice jeet kune do with various sparring partners (this is not a wholly "official" method of learning I know, but it's been pretty successful so far in MMA situations and stuff.)
Another inside story about this demonstration is that Shihan was riding his bike to the dojo and went through and intersection and a truck came through a red light and struck his bike throwing him about 30 feet, he rolled, got up and his left arm was damage but he still did this demonstration.
"As for the bo staff user, why would he use a stance that's raised above his head, thus negating his advantage of reach?" That position is called "tensho no kamae" or heaven and earth stance and is actually very applicable to most polearm techniques. You can find it in the Katori system as well as other jojutsu schools like Shinto Ryu.
you bring up some good points, yknow we could argue this until the sun burns out so im sorry for starting a quarrel over theoretical technique without being able to physically practice them with you. good luck in your future training. GANBATTE!
Well, katas are only the very basic foundations of the skills. By necessity you HAVE to deviate a little bit. Otherwise everyone would have the same styles and attacks. It's knowing when and where to apply certain things that counts. And yes, I do understand the importance of switching stances, I merely commented on his penchance to keep going for very aggressive stances, which doesn't necessarily goad attacks.
actually he doesn't because hatsumi doesn't have any scrolls in kukishin ryu (at least not related to physical techniques). he has sokeship of a made up ryu called kukishinden happo biken and if i remember correctly he has some amatsu tatara scrolls as well which are pretty important, but do not outlay martial technique. my memory is a bit rusty about amatsu tatara though.
Well, my primary reasoning for picking up jeet kune do was for learning more effective hand-to-hand combat in the absence of a weapon, although I think that it's pretty much been extendable to any martial art I've tried. It's terribly fun if you just want to have freestyle sparring sessions. Also, sparring is a very traditional concept. After all, that was how dojos compared techniques with one another.
Mr. Dawkins, Who do you think taught him most of those techniques? Mr. Hatsumi! His training withthe other teachers is quite short compared to the training with Mr. Hatsumi. Also Mr. Hatsumi fights like a person reaching 80 yrs old, like he is suppose to. I would like to see you move better at his age.
"Also, why would he lift his sword in a stance against a bo staff user, thus removing his advantage of extended blade?" I'm not trying to be confrontational, but that stance is called jodan no kamae, a very agressive stance that is found in most koryu kenjutsu waza when dealing with a polearm.
As for dealing with a polearm, that stance is negligibly weak, considering it makes the practitioner extremely vulnerable to a simple sweeping attack (if you study the very traditionalist or very modern forms of kendo/bojutsu this is obvious).
I admit that I am not as experience in bo fighting, but I have dabbled in it and, thus far, I have found that the neutral half-length stance is far more useful than any other fancy looking stance. But, like I said, I'm not as experienced in this aspect, so whatever. But, with every martial art I have learned, I have never seen a stance other than the neutral one to ever be truly effective in a bout. Martial arts is about keeping the fight in balance, so it makes no sense to not start in balance.
*sigh* Okay, this is going to be my last post on this thing. Everything else you say is going to fall on deaf ears. First, I don't need to justify my skills by taking videos of myself and posting them online. Not only is that arrogant but it speaks for lack of confidence in my ability (namely, that I feel I need to show off to have people affirm to me that I'm good at what I do).
Hm, I would indeed never prefer a weapon since they are all kind of the same, if for example you are at a restaurant and attacked by two guys who are carrying bats, I would ( if the change is there ) use the chair and fight it the same basic way as I would fight with a bo, if there is not such a change I would simply use my arms in the same way, cause the tools we use for it are all extensions from our arms. Ofcourse using only my arms and body I would have to shorten te distance.
Hahahahaha Shihan Wright is a beast and he hurts like hell, trust me. I agree with Brownsound1, This is for Blndrfist, I guarantee you wouldn't need Tanemura Soke to prove his worth, Just test it on his Shihan especially Shihan Wright. LMAO you REALLY dont understand...
Third, you would understand that the neutral stance, in any martial art, is about 90% of the time the best stance to at least START with. There's a reason that it's the first and most inferred stance, because it is the most balanced of all stances. Like I said, if you actually knew anything about martial arts, this would be crystal clear. This is first time in the dojang stuff.
(Ironically, I could argue that my method is technically more traditionalist considering that that is the origin of many of the katas and techniques you hold very dearly to, but I digress) In any case, you believe your methodology is better, I believe mine is better. I guess we couldn't really know unless we had a match, but I don't think that's plausibly arrangable.
Dangit...I couldn't help it. But I AM going to just clarify a few thing and now listen to your pasty-faced insults: 1. I'm not the "Music Man". That's a mockumentary I was doing. Thanks for noticing though.
It matters because he was a police officer and used true martial arts in true situations, whereas you are arguing on the internet. Who are people gonna believe?
Actually, this is the dueling form of bojutsu, so no, it was never used in combat. It was ALWAYS used in sparring matches in "comparisons of techniques", and I was merely commenting on these practitioners' poor implementations of the techniques they learned. They don't seem to have grasped the actual practicality of the moves they are using.
One last thing I'd like to add: I don't think the credibility of my credentials are an issue, and, before you bring it up, those guys' rankings aren't an issue either. Rank has little to do with skill: it's just a formality. And I resent that you call my dojang fake and trophy-plaqued. We've never used kendo for the purpose of getting trophies or shit like that. It's always been for self-improvement.
Damn...you really got me there pal. I feel so terrible now. Ow-wee. Can't even make a properly biting response. What a shame...I have overestimated you greatly.
You deny that he was a police officer? It's hard to demonstrate true sword fighting techniques against a non-compliant opponent - the result would be kendo
2. I can clearly see now that, whether you are telling the truth or not (because every single thing you are saying is easily bsable) we have a radical difference in opinion. You adhere to the "traditionalist" view of adhereing to katas and technique whereas I adhere to a "modernist" view of learning through sparring matches and practical technique.
P.S. I'm not saying either method is better than the other...actually, I kind of AM saying mine is better, but that's just my opinion, and I can't be sure of it until I've seen you actually sparring, eh? Also, FYI, I loathe tournaments. Only ever been to one.
3. Your first used term is Kukishin ryu Bojutsu? C'mon...that's in the damn title of this video. That's like answering a question on a test with part of the question. Although...I really don't care at this point: it's extremely easy for anyone to just Wikipedia the terms and toss them out for brownie points anyway. In any case, if you respond, which I'm sure you'll do, forgive any belated reply, considering I am going to be busy for a bit. Toodles.
@marya4u2006 tanemura might not be very tall but if you think he's not strong go to saitama and let him deck you in the face for making such a stupid comment, i'm sure you'll reevaluate what your idea of strong is
In fact, I think I'm going to keep retorting on this post with you until you stop. It's actually become sort of fun. I do like to see these supposed "old-timers" make fools of themselves over nothing.
You are only repeating what has been written in books. The reason why I'm telling you don't know anything is because I live in Japan now. I have met both people we are discussing. (Hatsumi&Tanemura) Have you? I doubt it?
2. The neutral stance is not an American made-up bullshit. Every martial arts has a neutral stance...this is not something I am making up, it is an integral part of the training. What are you talking about? Also, I think you fail to realize I learned for genuine masters, not bullshit belt-ranking assholes who think they know anything.
Mm...not really. Just because I don't use traditional terms (I'd like you to name some for me btw) doesn't mean I don't understand how they work. In fact, I probably have a better fundamental understanding of what the meanings of the teachings of bojutsu are than you do because you seem to be stuck on terms and formalities rather than the spirit of the art. Quite a shame, considering how much younger I am supposedly than you are.
You think the students of Tanemura can beat all the Special forces on the planet? Have you met all the Special forces on the planet. Special Forces, are people, who have actually killed people for a living. Why don't you ask Tanemura and his group who has killed a person before? Once again your comments show your ignorance. You seem to be quite young as well.
o_O Ok, first of all, none of those techniques are real. Why would someone using a bokken go straight for a leg sweep after a vertical slice? Also, why would he lift his sword in a stance against a bo staff user, thus removing his advantage of extended blade? As for the bo staff user, why would he use a stance that's raised above his head, thus negating his advantage of reach? Overall, all of the movements and attacks looked strangely stiff and planned. Crappy demonstration overall.
Lastly, again, if you were really of the martial arts caliber, you'd realize that using your skills in an pre-emptive manner, like you're suggesting, is a universal no-no. Shame on you.
Lol, your complete lack of understanding of what any of this means is tickling. Y'know, forget it. Keep hiding behind your 10-second Wikipediaed research. I don't need to justify this "arguement" with my presence anymore.
His name is Shihan James Wright, he is one of the highest ranked westerners in the Genbukan and hold's Menkyo Kaiden in different Ryu Ha. Shihan is one of the few people that know the patterns inside and out and can use the material in real situations. He knows how to take the traditional and make it more modern to deal with current
He sounds very basic imho. A lot of Bujinkan guys including myself do this
such clean bojutsu skill, i love kukishin ryu stuff...pure samurai brutality.
its a shame theres pretty much no good video of kukishin kenjutsu on the internet that i can find..
As for the bokken positions, I am completely aware of what the stances are and what they are good for. Through 13 years of experience I have come to understand (very early on and consistently supported throughout my years of training) that the neutral stance is ALWAYS the safest and most effective stance. Aggression is an important tool, but not at the cost of one's own safety.
Okay a few points:
1. I actually did not have the pleasure of learning abroad, but I did learn from a bojutsu grandmaster in Los Angeles. I also regularly practice jeet kune do with various sparring partners (this is not a wholly "official" method of learning I know, but it's been pretty successful so far in MMA situations and stuff.)
Another inside story about this demonstration is that Shihan was riding his bike to the dojo and went through and intersection and a truck came through a red light and struck his bike throwing him about 30 feet, he rolled, got up and his left arm was damage but he still did this demonstration.
"As for the bo staff user, why would he use a stance that's raised above his head, thus negating his advantage of reach?"
That position is called "tensho no kamae" or heaven and earth stance and is actually very applicable to most polearm techniques. You can find it in the Katori system as well as other jojutsu schools like Shinto Ryu.
you bring up some good points, yknow we could argue this until the sun burns out so im sorry for starting a quarrel over theoretical technique without being able to physically practice them with you. good luck in your future training. GANBATTE!
Well, katas are only the very basic foundations of the skills. By necessity you HAVE to deviate a little bit. Otherwise everyone would have the same styles and attacks. It's knowing when and where to apply certain things that counts.
And yes, I do understand the importance of switching stances, I merely commented on his penchance to keep going for very aggressive stances, which doesn't necessarily goad attacks.
actually he doesn't because hatsumi doesn't have any scrolls in kukishin ryu (at least not related to physical techniques). he has sokeship of a made up ryu called kukishinden happo biken and if i remember correctly he has some amatsu tatara scrolls as well which are pretty important, but do not outlay martial technique. my memory is a bit rusty about amatsu tatara though.
Well, my primary reasoning for picking up jeet kune do was for learning more effective hand-to-hand combat in the absence of a weapon, although I think that it's pretty much been extendable to any martial art I've tried. It's terribly fun if you just want to have freestyle sparring sessions.
Also, sparring is a very traditional concept. After all, that was how dojos compared techniques with one another.
Mr. Dawkins,
Who do you think taught him most of those techniques? Mr. Hatsumi! His training withthe other teachers is quite short compared to the training with Mr. Hatsumi. Also Mr. Hatsumi fights like a person reaching 80 yrs old, like he is suppose to. I would like to see you move better at his age.
Who is the guy on the right of the screen?...He has amazing technique and skill with the staff
"Also, why would he lift his sword in a stance against a bo staff user, thus removing his advantage of extended blade?" I'm not trying to be confrontational, but that stance is called jodan no kamae, a very agressive stance that is found in most koryu kenjutsu waza when dealing with a polearm.
wow nice bo technique feirce wow i would love to study this style of ninpo
Ah...I see what you're getting at. Then you're absolutely right, yes.
probably the only decent genbukan video I've ever seen.
As for dealing with a polearm, that stance is negligibly weak, considering it makes the practitioner extremely vulnerable to a simple sweeping attack (if you study the very traditionalist or very modern forms of kendo/bojutsu this is obvious).
Tanemura Soke was not kicked out of the Bujinkan!
I admit that I am not as experience in bo fighting, but I have dabbled in it and, thus far, I have found that the neutral half-length stance is far more useful than any other fancy looking stance. But, like I said, I'm not as experienced in this aspect, so whatever. But, with every martial art I have learned, I have never seen a stance other than the neutral one to ever be truly effective in a bout. Martial arts is about keeping the fight in balance, so it makes no sense to not start in balance.
*sigh* Okay, this is going to be my last post on this thing. Everything else you say is going to fall on deaf ears.
First, I don't need to justify my skills by taking videos of myself and posting them online. Not only is that arrogant but it speaks for lack of confidence in my ability (namely, that I feel I need to show off to have people affirm to me that I'm good at what I do).
Hm, I would indeed never prefer a weapon since they are all kind of the same, if for example you are at a restaurant and attacked by two guys who are carrying bats, I would ( if the change is there ) use the chair and fight it the same basic way as I would fight with a bo, if there is not such a change I would simply use my arms in the same way, cause the tools we use for it are all extensions from our arms. Ofcourse using only my arms and body I would have to shorten te distance.
Hahahahaha Shihan Wright is a beast and he hurts like hell, trust me. I agree with Brownsound1, This is for Blndrfist, I guarantee you wouldn't need Tanemura Soke to prove his worth, Just test it on his Shihan especially Shihan Wright. LMAO you REALLY dont understand...
Third, you would understand that the neutral stance, in any martial art, is about 90% of the time the best stance to at least START with. There's a reason that it's the first and most inferred stance, because it is the most balanced of all stances. Like I said, if you actually knew anything about martial arts, this would be crystal clear. This is first time in the dojang stuff.
He used traditional jujutsu and goshinjutsu whilst a Tokyo police officer. Criminals are known for being "noncompliant".
(Ironically, I could argue that my method is technically more traditionalist considering that that is the origin of many of the katas and techniques you hold very dearly to, but I digress)
In any case, you believe your methodology is better, I believe mine is better. I guess we couldn't really know unless we had a match, but I don't think that's plausibly arrangable.
Dangit...I couldn't help it. But I AM going to just clarify a few thing and now listen to your pasty-faced insults:
1. I'm not the "Music Man". That's a mockumentary I was doing. Thanks for noticing though.
It matters because he was a police officer and used true martial arts in true situations, whereas you are arguing on the internet. Who are people gonna believe?
Actually, this is the dueling form of bojutsu, so no, it was never used in combat. It was ALWAYS used in sparring matches in "comparisons of techniques", and I was merely commenting on these practitioners' poor implementations of the techniques they learned. They don't seem to have grasped the actual practicality of the moves they are using.
A weapon cannot beat another weapon.
One last thing I'd like to add: I don't think the credibility of my credentials are an issue, and, before you bring it up, those guys' rankings aren't an issue either. Rank has little to do with skill: it's just a formality. And I resent that you call my dojang fake and trophy-plaqued. We've never used kendo for the purpose of getting trophies or shit like that. It's always been for self-improvement.
Damn...you really got me there pal. I feel so terrible now. Ow-wee.
Can't even make a properly biting response. What a shame...I have overestimated you greatly.
You deny that he was a police officer? It's hard to demonstrate true sword fighting techniques against a non-compliant opponent - the result would be kendo
All how its trained...I must admit though, there isn't enough quality control, but not all Bujinkan is bad.
2. I can clearly see now that, whether you are telling the truth or not (because every single thing you are saying is easily bsable) we have a radical difference in opinion. You adhere to the "traditionalist" view of adhereing to katas and technique whereas I adhere to a "modernist" view of learning through sparring matches and practical technique.
P.S. I'm not saying either method is better than the other...actually, I kind of AM saying mine is better, but that's just my opinion, and I can't be sure of it until I've seen you actually sparring, eh?
Also, FYI, I loathe tournaments. Only ever been to one.
3. Your first used term is Kukishin ryu Bojutsu? C'mon...that's in the damn title of this video. That's like answering a question on a test with part of the question. Although...I really don't care at this point: it's extremely easy for anyone to just Wikipedia the terms and toss them out for brownie points anyway.
In any case, if you respond, which I'm sure you'll do, forgive any belated reply, considering I am going to be busy for a bit. Toodles.
@marya4u2006 tanemura might not be very tall but if you think he's not strong go to saitama and let him deck you in the face for making such a stupid comment, i'm sure you'll reevaluate what your idea of strong is
In fact, I think I'm going to keep retorting on this post with you until you stop. It's actually become sort of fun. I do like to see these supposed "old-timers" make fools of themselves over nothing.
You are only repeating what has been written in books. The reason why I'm telling you don't know anything is because I live in Japan now. I have met both people we are discussing. (Hatsumi&Tanemura) Have you? I doubt it?
2. The neutral stance is not an American made-up bullshit. Every martial arts has a neutral stance...this is not something I am making up, it is an integral part of the training. What are you talking about? Also, I think you fail to realize I learned for genuine masters, not bullshit belt-ranking assholes who think they know anything.
You would be doing Bujinkan if he was not kicked out!
Mm...not really. Just because I don't use traditional terms (I'd like you to name some for me btw) doesn't mean I don't understand how they work. In fact, I probably have a better fundamental understanding of what the meanings of the teachings of bojutsu are than you do because you seem to be stuck on terms and formalities rather than the spirit of the art. Quite a shame, considering how much younger I am supposedly than you are.
You think the students of Tanemura can beat all the Special forces on the planet? Have you met all the Special forces on the planet. Special Forces, are people, who have actually killed people for a living. Why don't you ask Tanemura and his group who has killed a person before? Once again your comments show your ignorance. You seem to be quite young as well.
I'm aware of the positions, but in terms of practicality, they are useless (if you go to any martial arts tournaments, you'd see why).
o_O
Ok, first of all, none of those techniques are real. Why would someone using a bokken go straight for a leg sweep after a vertical slice? Also, why would he lift his sword in a stance against a bo staff user, thus removing his advantage of extended blade?
As for the bo staff user, why would he use a stance that's raised above his head, thus negating his advantage of reach?
Overall, all of the movements and attacks looked strangely stiff and planned. Crappy demonstration overall.
Lastly, again, if you were really of the martial arts caliber, you'd realize that using your skills in an pre-emptive manner, like you're suggesting, is a universal no-no. Shame on you.
Bujikan looks sooooo fake. And Hatsumi's bujikan rules piss me off. I can't wait to take Genbukan.
Lol, your complete lack of understanding of what any of this means is tickling. Y'know, forget it. Keep hiding behind your 10-second Wikipediaed research. I don't need to justify this "arguement" with my presence anymore.