Heard Sensei in Action--Part 3

In the first image above, Kevin Heard Sensei is throwing Troy Swenson with a Saigo Ryu technique called sukui nage. In the following images, he is performing one of the Saigo Ryu sutemi waza, or "self-sacrifice techniques," to dynamically throw Mr. Swenson, while he falls to the ground himself. Heard Sensei's more than 25 years of jujutsu experience are clearly evident in these photos.

Heard Sensei will be attending the second SMAA California Seminar this November. If you'd like to meet and practice with him, be sure to reserve your place at this special event soon. Below is all the information you'll need to practice Japanese yoga and martial arts with several advanced SMAA instructors:

SMAA California Seminar (2)—Dates: November 21 and 22. Location: San Francisco Bay Area (Albany, California). Featured Instructor: H. E. Davey (SMAA Primary Director and jujutsu Shihan/seventh dan). Attending Instructors: Kevin Heard Sensei (SMAA Senior Advisor), Ohsaki Jun Sensei (SMAA Senior Advisor), and Ann Kameoka Sensei (SMAA Senior Advisor). Subjects: Japanese yoga/meditation and Saigo Ryu aiki-jujutsu. Theme: “Meditation in the Martial Arts.” Contact: H. E. Davey (Telephone: 510-526-7518, E-mail: hedavey@aol.com).

Heard Sensei in Action--Part 2

The images above show Kevin Heard Sensei, SMAA Senior Advisor and SMAA Jujutsu Division fifth dan, demonstrating various Saigo Ryu immobilizing techniques. Troy Swenson is the uke, or "receiver" of these techniques.

Heard Sensei is one of the original members of the SMAA. He taught well-received classes in Saigo Ryu at the 2005 and 2006 SMAA Seminar & Conference, and he is one of the senior ranking members of the SMAA Jujutsu Division.

Heard Sensei in Action--Part 1

A San Francisco Bay Area native, Kevin Heard Sensei has been studying Japanese cultural arts for 25 years. He holds teaching licenses in Shin-shin-toitsu-do, a form of Japanese yoga, as well as related healing arts. He also holds the rank of menkyo chudan (a traditional teaching license roughly equivalent to fourth through sixth dan in modern ranking systems) in Saigo Ryu aiki-jujutsu.

Heard Sensei also serves on the SMAA Board of Advisors. He is the assistant editor for the SMAA Journal and the former webmaster for the SMAA website. He currently holds the title/rank of Fuku Shihan/fifth dan in the SMAA's Traditional Jujutsu Division.

He has also received rank and teaching licenses from the Nihon Jujutsu and Kobudo divisions of the Kokusai Budoin, an elite international martial arts federation headquartered in Tokyo. He has, additionally, demonstrated aiki-jujutsu several times at the Kokusai Budoin Sogo Budo Taikai, held annually in Tokyo.

The images above show Mr. Heard applying various Saigo Ryu techniques to Troy Swenson, SMAA associate member. The photos depict randori, training that is not prearranged (like kata). In Saigo Ryu randori, the opponent can attack using any type of assault, including punches, kicks, grabs, close-in grappling, etc. The defender responds with appropriate techniques that use the principles of Saigo Ryu.

Ohsaki Sensei in Action--Part 3

In the post Ohsaki Sensei in Action--Part 2, Mr. Ohsaki demonstrated a jujutsu throw commonly called kote gaeshi. It involves a painful bending of the assailant's wrist, along with a dynamic breaking of the attacker's balance.

Following such a throw, it is possible to roll the opponent onto his or her stomach. This face down position is often used in Nihon jujutsu ("Japanese jujutsu"), because it largely eliminates the attacker's ability to strike with their hands and feet. In the images above, Ohsaki Sensei is using ashi garami, "leg entwining," to bend the opponent's arm behind his back. This puts extreme pressure on the attacker's shoulder, causing him to lift one hip and shoulder to attempt to relieve the pain in his trapped arm/shoulder. Notice how Ohsaki Sensei is pressing one knee and his entire body weight onto the opponent's floating ribs. This stops him from escaping from the bending of his arm behind his back. Note as well that, once again, Ohsaki Sensei's hands are free to draw a sword, bind the attacker with rope, or fend off a second opponent. These type of advanced restraining holds are known in traditional jujutsu as mute gatame, "no hands pins."

In the final photo, the attacker attempted to hit or push Ohsaki Sensei with his free hand. Mr. Ohsaki caught the wrist and then locked the shoulder. This ending position places severe weight on the ribs via knee pressure, bends one arm behind the back, and strains the muscles in both shoulders. Escape would be difficult.

Ohsaki Sensei will be at the second SMAA California Seminar this November. If you'd like to meet and practice with him, read over the information below and reserve your place soon:

SMAA California Seminar (2)—Dates: November 21 and 22. Location: San Francisco Bay Area (Albany, California). Featured Instructor: H. E. Davey (SMAA Primary Director and jujutsu Shihan/seventh dan). Attending Instructors: Kevin Heard Sensei (SMAA Senior Advisor), Ohsaki Jun Sensei (SMAA Senior Advisor), and Ann Kameoka Sensei (SMAA Senior Advisor). Subjects: Japanese yoga/meditation and Saigo Ryu aiki-jujutsu. Theme: “Meditation in the Martial Arts.” Contact: H. E. Davey (Telephone: 510-526-7518, E-mail: hedavey@aol.com).

Ohsaki Sensei in Action --Part 2

In the preceding images, Ohsaki Jun Sensei, SMAA Senior Advisor, is seen demonstrating a version of kote gaeshi. Kote gaeshi goes by varying names depending on the martial art, but some version of it can be found in many different disciplines including aikido, jujutsu, aiki-jujutsu, and even in judo's Kodokan Goshin-jutsu kata. Ohsaki Sensei's opponent in the photos is Troy Swenson, SMAA associate member.

You can get a close up of the pictures by left clicking on them with your mouse.

Ohsaki Sensei in Action--Part 1

Ohsaki Jun Sensei brings over 50 years of martial arts experience to the SMAA. He serves on our Board of Advisors, and he's an important member of the SMAA Judo and Jujutsu Divisions. But we haven't published much information about him before, and this multi-part post should help to rectify that.

In the images above, Ohsaki Sensei is performing a type of osae waza, or "pinning technique," that is found in varying forms in several versions of jujutsu. The idea is to immobilize the attacker using a painful wrist bending action, along with superior body positioning. In Daito Ryu aiki-jujutsu this sort of technique is sometimes called ippon dori, in aikido it's ikkyo, Hakko Ryu jujutsu calls it shodan osae dori, and in Saigo Ryu it's known as ude osae waza.

It is possible to transfer the painful pressure of the hand on the opponent's wrist to one's foot, and pin the opponent with a single foot. This leaves the hands free to draw a sword or perform one of the ancient Japanese forms of rope binding. Ohsaki Sensei can been seen executing this ashi gatame, or "foot lock," above.

Ohsaki Sensei was born in 1948 in the Shibuya section of Tokyo. He was interested in budo as a child, and at the age of seven he began to study Kodokan judo. His instruction began at the Hatagaya Keisatsu Dojo, one of the numerous dojo sponsored by the Tokyo police department. These keisatsu dojo, or police dojo, are infamous throughout Japan for the severity of their training. His initial training began with soji, the ritualistic cleaning of the dojo. For some time, he was only allowed to clean and watch his sempai (seniors) practice. Eventually, having proven his sincerity, he began learning safe falling techniques (ukemi) and later throwing and grappling methods.

Eventually, Ohsaki Sensei also began a comprehensive study of traditional jujutsu and classical Japanese weaponry, which he has excelled in for many years. A member of the Kokusai Budoin's prestigious kobudo, or ancient martial arts, division, he has demonstrated Nippon jujutsu at the Kokusai Budoin Sogo Budo Taikai. This important budo exhibition takes place early each spring at Otakumin Plaza in Tokyo. (Japan's Kokusai Budoin promotes all traditional Japanese forms of budo and bujutsu, and it is active in a large number of countries throughout the world.) Besides budo, Ohsaki Sensei has extensive training in Japanese forms of meditation and healing arts, along with a comprehensive background in shodo, the art of Japanese calligraphy.

More on the Michigan SMAA Seminar

The next event in the 15th Anniversary SMAA Seminar Series will take place in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Nicklaus Suino Sensei, an SMAA Primary Director, will be the senior ranking instructor. You can read Suino Sensei’s biographical sketch here: http://smaa-hq.com/bios/suino.php.

Some of the details about this event have changed since it was originally announced. Below you’ll find everything you need to participate in this exciting budo training experience:

Where:
Japanese Martial Arts Center
771 Airport Blvd, Suite 1BAnn Arbor, Michigan 48108 USA(734) 645-6441
shudokan@smaa-hq.com
Map: http://www.japanesemartialartscenter.com/location.php

When:
July 25, 2009

Who:
Nicklaus Suino Sensei (SMAA iaido seventh dan), Andrew Bryant Sensei (SMAA iaido third dan), Charlie Kondek Sensei (All United States Kendo Federation third dan), and Max Roach Sensei (SMAA iaido and aikido third dan/Aikikai aikido third dan)

What:
“SMAA All-Swords Day”—a one day seminar focusing on traditional Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu iaido, kendo, tameshi giri (test cutting of objects), and aiki ken (Aikikai aikido swordsmanship)

Schedule:
9:30 - 10:20 AM: Iaido with Nicklaus Suino
10:30 - 11:20 AM: - Kendo with Charlie Kondek

11:30 – Noon: - Jigen Ryu speed drill contest

Noon - 1:30 PM: Lunch

1:30 - 2:50 PM: Tameshi giri with Andrew Bryant

3:00 - 3:50 PM: Aiki ken with Max Roach
4:00 - 4:30 PM: Suburi (repetitive solo cutting exercises)

Equipment:
Minimum equipment: bokken, shinai (both available for sale on site)

Preferred equipment: bokken, shinai, iaito, shinken, suburito

Cost (includes two targets for tameshi giri):

$45 (SMAA Members)

$55 (Non-Members)

Suggested Lodging:

Comfort Inn & Suites

3501 South State Street

Ann Arbor, MI 48108

(734) 761-8838

http://www.comfortinn.com/

Airport & Rental Cars:

Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)

http://www.metroairport.com/

Contact:
Nicklaus Suino Sensei
(734) 645-6441
shudokan@smaa-hq.com