05/29/2025
New blog post up on the website:
Aiki, Kuzushi, and Tomei na Chikara (Transparent Power) – Japanese Fighting Arts Northwest
Posted on May 29, 2025 by Christian MosesAiki, Kuzushi, and Tomei na Chikara (Transparent Power) Last month I realized that I’d either given away my copy of “Transparent Power” by Kimura Tatsuo or I’d read a borrowed copy. Either way, it had been quite a few years and a lot of training hours...
11/07/2024
With the upcoming political changes in the US, we at Japanese Fighting Arts NW need to be explicit that we are a safe space for all races, genders, ages, and sexual orientations. We will not tolerate intolerance and we promise you will not find a more welcoming space to train. In-person community is going to be more important than ever in the coming years and we welcome you to join our small group. All humans deserve safety and respect especially in the face of ignorance, prejudice, and oppression.
JFANW is a Safe Space – Japanese Fighting Arts Northwest
Posted on November 7, 2024 by Christian MosesJFANW is a Safe Space With the upcoming political changes in the US, we at Japanese Fighting Arts NW need to be explicit that we are a safe space for all races, genders, ages, and sexual orientations. We will not tolerate intolerance, and we promise you w...
02/13/2024
https://youtu.be/2M6nN3EgEbM?si=7LfowbP2DEBLz4XI
Here's a video of our demonstration this weekend at Lonin's Kagami Biraki.
Kagami Biraki 2024 Demo at Lonin Martial Arts
JFANW was invited to demonstrate some of what we do at Lonin Martial Arts Kagami Biraki event on February 11th, 2024. Thanks to Mark Raugas for hosting the e...
01/22/2024
Don Angier and Yanagi Ryu had a profound impact on what we do at JFANW through our teacher Neil Yamamoto. One of his former students is now posting a wealth of great content about this art. Check it out here!
https://www.facebook.com/DonAngierArchive
The Don Angier Yanagi ryu Archive
01/02/2024
As we head into our second year of post-pandemic training we’re pleased to announce that we’re going to two classes a week: Tuesday 7-8 PM and Saturdays from 1-2:30 PM. This feels like a bit of a return to where many of us got started with Neil Yamamoto’s Icho Ryu Instructor Program, aka the “Tuesday Night Bad Budo Club”. If you’re in the Seattle area we welcome you to stop in for a class. Classes are small and vary greatly depending on who is there, but budo tanren (bodyskills) still form the foundation of what we do. For some examples of what class looks like, see our recent “in class” video posts. If you’ve previously attended seminars from people like Dan Harden (Sangenkai) or Akuzawa Minouru (Aunkai) and would like to check in with other folks who have been practicing and studying these kinds of skills as well as how they might fit into more practical applications, we’d love to meet you. Are you struggling with a certain technique, exercise, or principle? Odds are we can help. We ask that all visitors be vaccinated against COVID19 and encourage regular boosters and flu vaccinations to protect the health and safety of our membership. Stopping in to check out class is always free.
01/02/2024
Another short in class video, this one about coordinating the five bows of the body to create heaviness and break your partner's balance.
In Class: Becoming Heavy With the Bows – Japanese Fighting Arts Northwest
Posted on January 2, 2024 by Christian MosesIn Class: Becoming Heavy With the Bows More in class content, this time looking at how to use the five bows to create a sense of compelling heaviness. This also relates to focusing on yourself over your partner, but still being sensitive and aware to kuzus...
12/10/2023
Latest video is up!
In Class Instruction: The Cone – Japanese Fighting Arts Northwest
Posted on December 10, 2023 by Christian MosesIn Class Instruction: The Cone Something a little different this week. Here’s an outtake of a typical class where Christian discusses “the cone” or “the walls” a primary principle with our group largely based on the Sangenkai principle of “th...
10/29/2023
For folks who liked my earlier video on the Yi Jin Jing (muscle tendon changing classic) here's my "do the YJJ with Chris" video that runs through the entire form with only minimal talking (for me, minimal talking for me, lol).
Yi Jin Jing Follow Along with Chris
Please see my earlier video for a more in depth discussion of some details of the Yi Jin Jing. Here I walk though the form from start to finish as I would in...
08/28/2023
Here's my detailed walkthrough of how I am approaching the Yi Jin Jing (Muscle Tendon Changing Classic). This qi gung has become an integral part of my daily training and is the first thing we do each class. Links to more resources about the Yi Jin Jing in the video description.
Yi Jin Jing Full Walkthrough
Here I go through some details of the classic qi gung sequence called the Yi Jin Jing (Muscle and Tendon Changing Classic). I will be releasing a separate "n...