After I video TDD #13, I will have introduced all of the basic Tandokudosa exercises. But wait, there’s more! Yes, Shirata sensei had a series of solo Ken exercises and Jo exercises too. My present thought is to introduce those as well, along with taking a look at “standard” Aiki Taiso.

Why? Well, Ken and Jo exercises are a very important part of what was left to us by Shirata sensei. Usually, Japanese kata are not so much “exercises” but rather “scenario-based containers of practical knowledge.” I learned both solo kata and paired kata. Some of the paired kata were inventions of Ueshiba or Shirata, while other’s were “borrowed” from Koryu and, served their original purpose while also, presumably, being embued with Aiki. The solo kata’s purposes were altogether different. They serve the same purpose as the Tandokudosa, only with Ken or a Jo in hand. Unlike the 13 Tandokudosa, Shirata sensei’s solo Ken and Jo kata have been better preserved. However, In my opinion, their main purpose has not been well preserved. As is so often the case, the outer form seems to have been mistaken for the contents.

It is for a similar reason that I think I shall also plan on touching upon several common, and perhaps not so common, Aiki taiso.

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5 Comments

Chuck Hauk · March 16, 2020 at 5:40 pm

Looking forward to seeing Shirata Sensei’s solo Jo and Ken exercises.

    Stan Surbatovich · March 16, 2020 at 6:38 pm

    The Shika exercise you have mentioned would be great to see.

Craig Moore · March 16, 2020 at 10:08 pm

You’ve got some great material lined up. I’m especially interested in the Aiki Taiso.

fred veer · March 17, 2020 at 1:55 pm

sounds good. Eagerly awaiting the content

adarsh · March 25, 2020 at 2:06 am

Silk reeling/figure eight movement

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