Articles, stories, and insights in the field of martial arts
This story can’t be labeled educational despite its edifying value. It can’t be considered a heroic fable either, even though blows were exchanged, and certainly not a show-case in strategic and tactical conduct. However many constructive and wise martial lessons may be deduced from the idiotic actions that I took. “Out of the strong came …
The role of uke, the person on the receiving end of the aikido technique, is often misunderstood. In some cases, it’s even looked down on. The reason for this is the fact that the original role of the uke, to assist the performer, the shite, while he or she demonstrates or practices a …
Sensei Jekyll and Sensei Hyde – A short tale about taking Uke for Chino Sensei Read More »
The literature on Aikido has introduced the art and techniques to people who learn it firsthand and practitioners who want a review of the techniques. These passages are aimed at those who are already practicing Aikido with the idea of focusing on the ways of clearer study. As Aikido is considered by many a mystical …
The top Sensei at the Yoshinkan Hombu Dojo kept personal Uke for their demonstrations. They would elect their Uke from the enthusiastic young instructors at the Dojo. It was the most honorable task at the school – the path to excellence some suggested, the only way to truly grasp the fine details of the art. …
Hava Nagila – A Tale about Being Chida Sensei’s Uke during the early 1990’s Read More »
I had never heard of Master Gozo Shioda until the day I entered the Yoshinkan Honbu Dojo. In fact, I knew very little of Aikido, and had never heard of the Yoshinkan. Back in Israel, where I used to practice karate and boxing on a regular basis, aikido was virtually an unknown art. My only …
In my early twenties, and to the protest of my parents, I flew to Japan with the dream of learning the martial art of Aikido from the Masters. Aikido was established in 1924, and although the founder passed away in 1968, there were still a few highly skilful teachers in Japan who had trained with …
The problem with that magic… – Taken from the book – Playing with Ornette by Gadi Shorr Read More »
The instructors sat on the mats in two parallel lines. Each instructor faced a counterpart on the opposite line, watching him attentively, with his back erect and chin tucked in – not moving an inch. The hierarchy of the sitting arrangement was simple—at the top of the lines sat the highest grade teachers and at …
The Last Seiza – A tale about the last seiza seesion that Master Gozo Shioda conducted Read More »
Part One Of all the instructors I trained with, Chino sensei proved to be my hardest challenge. The brutality in which he behaved took me completely by surprise. I knew Chino sensei from the day I joined the Hombu Dojo, six months prior to the beginning of the Senshusei course, as he was one of …
The Confrontational Instructor – A Tale About A Particularly Rough Instructor Read More »
During my Senshushi course, which was the last course to mix foreigner students with the riot police, there were only three foreigner students and an even number of policemen. It proved problematic when we started practicing the techniques and had to divide into partners. The riot police, being an organic unit, were divided into partners …
Part One Discontent took hold of me near the end of the senshusei course. The irony did not escape me. I felt lost, unfocused and misguided, despite the incredible amount of knowledge that was poured into me on a daily basis. Things got worse when we started practicing jiyu-waza (free techniques), where the movements …
