Jinenkan Ottawa Dojo

This is just a quick announcement: will be updating site information as soon as possible.
Effective the first week of November, we are changing our classes from Tuesday to Wednesday nights.
The time and all other details will stay the same. This move will allow for greater growth, for ourselves and other groups at our location.

(photo taken in January 2020)
Continuing with online Zoom training this week, we focused more heavily on the Sui no Maki (Water Scroll: countering techniques) of Jinen Ryu Bikenjutsu.
Of particular importance was Cho no Mai: "butterfly dance". In this kata, the opponent attacks in a sharp, snappy manner, performing a beat on your blade. Absorb the impact, roll behind it with the complementary motion, and enter to finish as he would have. Use your timing to evade his attack, and gain control of Seigan (line pointing to the eyes) instead of him before cutting him down.

(photo taken in January 2020)

Though I haven't posted much to Facebook, we're active with online training through Zoom! After reviewing unarmed Kihon Gata, we have been pursuing Jinen Ryu Bikenjutsu to sharpen our sword (Katana) skills.

Jinen Ryu Bikenjutsu was originally modeled on the Go-Rin no Sho (i.e., Musashi's Book of Five Rings). There were five scrolls: Chi no Maki (Earth Scroll), Sui no Maki (Water Scroll), Hi no Maki (Fire Scroll), Fu no Maki (Wind Scroll), and Ku no Maki (Void Scroll). Eventually, to this was added the Iai no Maki (Iaijutsu Scroll). This makes six, of course; but we mostly focus on the first five scrolls still.

Most recently, we examined the interplay between the attacking kata Ryu-Da and the responding kata Yama Arashi. The attacker snaps his sword up from below; rather than meet force-on-force, let the impact roll your sword to your arm and step behind the blow. This allows you to circle and cut him down.

UPDATE:
Hi all,

I hope all of you and your families are doing well. As of this week, we have officially been in a state of stay-at-home isolation for one month.

While I haven't posted much here on FaceBook, for the past month the Jinenkan Ottawa Dojo has delivered training through the ZOOM (https://zoom.us/) platform. Our friend Coach Dwayne Desloges, an excellent personal trainer and founder of bemoreawesome.ninja, has made this possible.

We run 60-minute group lessons, from 7-8PM on Tuesdays evenings. For the time being, I'm offering this still as a free service. Depending on personal factors, I may start charging for distance lessons. I will give ample warning.

Please feel free to reach out to me confidentially if you're interested in joining us. I want to be accommodating, though that may mean I have to take into account what will serve the largest number of people.

WE ARE DOING: solo training drawing from the individual ryu-ha, combined with calisthenics. This is going to focus on Kamae (stances) Atemi (unarmed striking techniques), and Keri (kicking techniques). We also do a portion on Jinen Ryu Kenjutsu (sword technique). Because many of you won't have anything TO hit, I'm going to be taking that into account. But there will also be a calisthenics component. We're all going to be basement ninjas for a while. Might as well get used to it.

YOU WILL NEED: exercise clothes, EITHER a Daito Bokken, Fukuro Shinai, or even a straight stick about 36 inches/90 cm in length; and EITHER a Kodachi Bokken, Kodachi Fukuro Shinai, or even a straight stick about 18 inches/45 cm in length. I want to add Jo in the future, so you will also need EITHER a Jo or a straight stick about 48-60 inches/120-150cm in length; enough space to stand up in and move approximately 3-5 walking paces in any direction. A yoga mat will certainly help if you are on a hard surface. Also, have a water bottle handy.

Thank you all for staying strong through this. We'll get through this.

Hello all; due to recent developments, including recommendations from the Government of Ontario regarding the evolving situation with the COVID-19 Coronavirus, the Jinenkan Ottawa Dojo is suspending operations for the time being. While we regret this situation, we feel it is a necessary and sensible precaution. I will advise on any new developments that change how we are responding.

Thank you, and stay safe,

Andy Keyworth, Dojo-Cho
Jinenkan Ottawa Dojo

Really looking forward to the first Jinenkan Toronto seminar of 2020. Am very glad to be sharing Jinen Ryu Kenjutsu with my existing students and new people both!

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The Toronto Jinenkan Training Group will be hosting a Kenjutsu seminar (Jinen Ryu Bikenjutsu).

On February 2nd, Andy Keyworth (Dojo-Cho of the Jinenkan Ottawa Dojo) will lead participants through fundamental techniques of Japanese swordsmanship, as expressed through the core sword art of the Jinenkan. The Katana is a fascinating and signature weapon; come learn the basic stances, cuts, thrusts, drills, and Kata that the Jinenkan uses to impart skill in this highly regarded sword.

The seminar will be:
Sunday, Feb 2nd (330PM to 630PM)
100 Amber Street, Unit 2 Markham, Ontario, L3R 3A2

The cost is $100.
Please contact Daniel Dees ([email protected]) in order to register.
All participants must register and pay before the seminar, in the form of an E Interac.
We would prefer all students have their own Fukuro Shinai (leather covered, bamboo training sword), but some loaners will be available.
No live swords or other weapons will be permitted as part of the seminar.

Koto Ryu Koppojutsu- finally crossed the threshold of the Hekito Kata. These are empty-hand counters to a sword-armed opponent.
The first kata is Sokuboku: the meaning is you kick to strike the opponent down.
In the original, you evade the cut and immediately kick up into his descending arms. Use the reaction and attack the face.
The first henka uses a variation of footwork to get to the same place; this creates a higher degree of body torque, like winding a spring.
The second henka is more conceptual, and involves having the freedom to enter to the inside as well as the outside, and to choose your kicking target.

I want to give a shout-out to the owners of our new location, Team Bushido. They have an amazing new location, complete with boxing ring and energy drink stand!

Koto Ryu Koppojutsu- after finally recommencing classes, we reviewed the Koto Ryu Moto Gata and Torite Kihon Gata. And finally, FINALLY, we finished the Okuden by covering the last kata, Ura-Kimon. In this kata, you strike the Kyusho named Ura-Kimon and use it to break the opponent down.

In the original version, as the opponent approaches, enter, strike and grasp Ura-Kimon in one movement. From here, move him to a position advantageous for you. Then kick him down and perform Zanshin.

The two henka reflect that he may move or block your attack to Ura-Kimon.

In the first henka, roll your attacking hand to strike the same place with Ura-Ken. Then simply kick him where an opening presents itself. If he shifts his body or blocks, you should still be able to roll around his counter and perform Ura-Ken in most cases.

For the second henka, enter and strike Empi-Ken. From here, you can kick to Kinteki, and then finish with Zu-Dori. How far through this sequence you go is based on necessity.

The important point is that when your first attack is thwarted, do not retreat or pause. Instead, press forward and roll around his defense to continue the attack. Do not get pinned in place and lose the initiative.