A Paradise Drop

We warmed up with the jūtaijutsu shuffle training drill incorporating the 鎖分銅 kusarifundō. Besides the normal lessons of balance for this drill, each step provides opportunities for striking or grappling with the chain. The hard part is moving the feet concurrently rather than as an independent step from the use of the weapon.

I began class with 極楽落 gokuraku otoshi. I shared details about the mechanics of the arm trap. It resembles a shuto and allows for the manipulation of the joints back into the shoulder.

But Hatsumi Sensei told us not to put all of the focus on the right hand. He said, “Pull on the elbow here. But look at the left hand. If you only focus on using the right hand, then that is incorrect. You control the technique with this left hand.”

What I learned from him that day was that the left hand drives the technique while the right hand steers. This is not obvious to an observer because it looks like the right hand is trapping. It is, but the power for this comes from the left.

Next I shared how Soke uses the fingers to make subtle changes. In that same class, he continued to explain, “Use these fingers サインみたい sainmitai, like a sign. With the balance you make him feel the fingers.” This allows you to steer and go through any resistance. When the opponent does resist, it is often exactly how you directed him to resist.

I finished by taking weapons off of my opponent. When I have him controlled through balance and manipulated by the fingers, his knife became available. This is when your own knife should be drawn as well. It is a free moment in the kukan.

Of Note: fruit stand