GaryWado

Hi Zoodles, Are you from the UK? If so, there is a fair chance I know you. I'm loving the comparison of European medieval ma to that of feudal Japan, but it has to be taken into context. (I’m lucky as one of my senior students is a professional practitioner of it and we get chance to swap notes regularly). Many of the techniques handed down in Japanese "koryu" traditions however have been "active" transmissions i.e. directly from teacher to student over an unbroken lineage of hundreds of years. What are your thoughts on the accuracy and functionality of techniques from such Japanese koryu compared to that of modern day European medieval combat practitioners who, in the most part, have had to rely on research to establish their raison d’être? Gary

I think a lot also depends on your age and family/work life etc. When I was in my teens and twenties I trained virtually every other day and most weekends were given over to comps etc. I'm an old(er) fella now with a job and family etc., so I can't and in a way don't need to put the mat hours in. There's a cross over point where physical training meets cerebral understanding. Gary

Martial arts are a great leveller. Do it well and the results are apparent, however, you only have yourself to blame when it goes wrong (well that and a better opponent)! Either way - you learn and get better from it, and you take that attitude home with you when you leave the dojo. I wouldn't go home it that outfit though!!! Gary

In a lot of ancient Japanese “Koryu” traditions - they had internal strength building exercises. These were often solo exercises but there are paired ones also. They were not about building brute strength as much as garnering internal energy/power - "Ki" if you are Japanese and "Chi" if you are Chinese of course. Many senior Japanese Wado karate instructors will tell you that kata such as Naihanchi and Seishan were developed /and are practiced for this purpose. So yes, Karate does have internal forms imo. Gary

Not everyone's cup of tea I know - but you have got admit, these guys take it to another level. Nyumon

You gotta love Talhoffer!

I'd teach them. After all, that's why they came to train with you in the first place? what did you end up doing Sensei8? Nyumon.

Hello Newb here, I think there is something to be said for the dimensions of Japanese Jujutsu compared to that of BJJ. Ime, the dojo that teach really good quality Japanese jujutsu are very thin on the ground. So on one level, you stand a far greater chance of getting a good education at a "respected" bjj club. That said, if you are lucky enough to find a quality "traditional" Japanese jujutsu dojo - there is a lot more to it than meets the eye! The term Jujutsu has become rather "flattened out" over the last century or so. Use the term in Japan and most people will think you are talking about Judo! In fact, traditional Jujutsu is far more than just locks, throws, holds and ground work. Then there's the cultural and historical connection. Not everyone’s cup of tea I get that - but it does open doors to other aspects, is a mind broadener and a lot of fun to boot! Just my thoughts and well... hello again Nyumon