Category: Tokyo Class

News regarding the Tokyo classes

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2022 Ranking and Grading Events

This year saw a number of grading examinations for Aunkai members with several years of experience.

In this set of gradings, use was made for the first time of a strict set of guidelines for judging not only external form but internal skills and understanding, which is to become the baseline for Aunkai gradings.

Akuzawa sensei’s feedback was an important part of the grade presentation ceremonies, giving students guidance on where to focus for the most effective progress.

2022.5.21 White belt grading / 2022.6.4 brown belt / black belt presentation

2022.6.18 Renshi black belt grading examination

2022.8.11 Hanshi black belt grading examination

2022.8/.9 Presentation of black belt ranks

2022.10.27 Grading of Akimasa Watanabe (Swiss Aunkai)

2022.10.29 Presentation of black belt and kyoshi rank

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2021-09-05 Tokyo Open Seminar Report

The seminar drew many applications, largely owing to the visibility generated by Akuzawa sensei’s collaboration on the Shioda Masahiro Youtube channel. Unfortunately, owing to lockdown restrictions, the number of participants had to be limited.

Since the vast majority of participants had no previous exposure to Aunkai, Akuzawa sensei chose to introduce an selection of the exercises used in standard classes for this seminar.

We extend our thanks to all those who participated in the sminar, and look forward to training together again in the future.

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2021-02-20 Tokyo Open Seminar Report

Owing to Covid, is has been nearly 1.5 years since the previous seminar. We held this seminar taking suitable precautions.

Participants consisted of a core of regulars, plus some new people, some of whom travelled from as far away as Kyushu in order to attend.

The content of the seminar focussed on body movement, and this was ineresting and held new insights even for experienced bujutsu practitioners among the participants.

We extend our thanks to all those who participated in the sminar, and look forward to training together again in the future.

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2021-02-20 Tokyo Open Seminar

Note: Seminar date and location have changed.
1. originally scheduled for 2021-02-21, changed to 2021-02-20
2. location changed from normal training venue to a separate venue

Overview

One-day Aunkai Open Seminar in Tokyo given by Akuzawa sensei.

In this seminar, the emphasis will be on experiencing the principles of body movement underlying the Aunkai methodology. This is a good opportunity to feel Akuzawa sensei’s skills, and to learn about the Aunkai system of training.
Aunkai is geared towards people both young and old, helping to build body skills that are both unique and powerful. We look forward to seeing you on the mats!

  • Updated:
    Date: 21st 20th February 2021 (Sunday➡Saturday)
  • Updated:
    Venue: Kami-Saginomiya Dai-Ni Apartment Assembly Room, Nakano-ku, Tokyo (Access information)
    Address: 4-chome Kami-Saginomiya, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 165-0031

    Tokiwadai Regional Center No. 1 Recreation Hall
    4-14-1, Tokiwadai, Itabashi-ku
    4 minutes from “Kami-itabashi” on the Tobu-Tojo Line
    Please use the “Tokiwadai Regional Center Entrance” instead of the “Educational Science Museum” entrance
  • Time: 13:00–16:30
  • Fee: 5000 JPY
  • Application: please use online application form.
    Note: direct participation without prior application is not permitted.

Further Information

  • Participation: 18 years or older and in good health.
  • Clothing/footwear: clothing easy to move around in; indoor shoes (barefoot also OK).
  • Other: please bring own water/drinks, towels.
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2020-03-20 Tokyo Open Seminar

Overview

One-day Aunkai Open Seminar in Tokyo given by Akuzawa sensei.

An introduction to Aunkai: Train the body for Aiki using methods old yet new.

In this seminar, we will uncover the principles of body movement that create Aiki, and how to harness this skill in applications. The Aunkai methodology is geared towards people both young and old, helping to build body skills that are both unique and powerful. We look forward to seeing you on the mats!

  • Date: 20th March 2020 (Friday—public holiday)
  • Venue: Kami-Saginomiya Dai-Ni Apartment Assembly Room, Nakano-ku, Tokyo (Access information)
    Address: 4-chome Kami-Saginomiya, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 165-0031
  • Time: 13:00–17:00
  • Fee: 6000 JPY
  • Application: please use online application form.
    Note: direct participation without prior application is not permitted.

Further Information

  • Participation: 18 years or older and in good health.
  • Clothing/footwear: clothing easy to move around in; indoor shoes (barefoot also OK).
  • Other: please bring own water/drinks, towels.
  • Dinner reservation: post-seminar dinner with Akuzawa sensei is planned (expected cost approximately 3000 JPY). A great time to ask questions, mix and mingle, and benefit from each other’s experiences.
    Confirmations can be made in advance, with finalization during seminar break.
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End of year party & final training for 2019

Honbu dojo end of year party was held on Saturday, 7th December; final training for the year took place on Saturday, 21st December, leaving 2019 with a great atmosphere.

The year-end party included tons of discussion and brought up a few points of importance for training, much to everyone’s satisfaction. For sensei, as appreciation for the past year, was a gift of various items of clothing, which he wore right away. A very enjoyable event for all!

Sensei showing his delight at the presents, which were much to his liking.
Chicken hot-pot, with delicious soup to which was added later on some rice to make a wholesome gruel to end off the dinner.
A selection of the awesome sashimi.

It is rather amazing how quickly yet another year has passed. This year saw the reappearance of some old faces in the dojo again, a great pleasure, and the welcome entry of new members. Sensei felt that 2019 has been a good year of progress.

It is everyone’s hope that 2020 will see a continuation of learning in bujutsu, and sensei is there to encourage everyone to their best ability.

Last training of the year group photo.
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2019-09-23 Tokyo Open Seminar Report

Report of the Aunkai Open Seminar, given by Minoru Akuzawa sensei, successfully held on 2019-09-23 in the gymnasium of Musashino Primary School. The venue was vastly improved by the addition of air-conditioning, which was really appreciated as the typhoon brought high temperatures and humidity to Tokyo. So just like last year’s seminar, in other words!

Sensei concentrated on teaching the essentials of “center line” (in Japanese, “Sei-chū-sen”) and “center of gravity” (“Jū-shin”), and how the former leads to use of the latter. In particular, these principles are in contrast to the use of “body axis” (“Tai-jiku”) which relies on grounded base, and “body weight” (“Tai-jū”) which involves leaning or kicking off the ground.

The training consisted of standing posture and walking exercises, with more experienced students giving advice and sensei moving from one person to another to let them feel his posture and movement for reference, and to give corrections.

Unbalancing partner training followed, and finally some free practice with a 6-foot staff (rokushakubō).

All in all, great learning experience for all!

Sensei demonstrating posture and walking without bracing.
Various types of standing an walking training.
Sensei demonstrating posture and unbalancing.
Sensei demonstrating use of short sticks in training with visitors from a Silat/Kali dojo.
Putting lessons into practice with rokushakubo partner training.
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2019-09-23 Tokyo Open Seminar

Overview

One-day Aunkai Open Seminar in Tokyo given by Akuzawa sensei.

Theme: Learning to use centerline (seichūsen) and center of gravity (Jūshin)

For some, centerline might refer to the anatomical centerline found in many textbooks.

The Aunkai works with a different kind of centerline — one that only reveals its merits in a martial context once the practitioner can feel it. This centerline is the basis for the Aunkai many unique and effective movements.

In this seminar, we will walk you through the process of posture and movements needed to “feel” this centerline.

This centerline is a very concrete proprioceptive feeling that was developed from the usage of bladed weapons.

Understanding this organization of the body can lend itself to producing devastating strikes, incredibly effective throws with little effort, all of which can be used in a variety of martial disciplines.

  • Date: 23rd September 2019 (Monday—public holiday)
  • Venue: Musashinodai Primary School Gym Hall, Nakano-ku, Tokyo (Access information)
    Address: 5–1–1 Kami-Saginomiya, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 165–0031
  • Time: 13:00–16:30
  • Fee: 6000 JPY
  • Application: please use online application form.
    Note: direct participation without prior application is not permitted.

Further Information

  • Participation: 18 years or older and in good health.
  • Clothing/footwear: clothing easy to move around in; indoor shoes (barefoot also OK).
  • Other: please bring own water/drinks, towels.
  • Dinner reservation: post-seminar dinner with Akuzawa sensei is planned (expected cost approximately 3000 JPY). A great time to ask questions, mix and mingle, and benefit from each other’s experiences.
    Confirmations can be made in advance, with finalization during seminar break.
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2019-03-21 Tokyo Open Seminar

Overview

One-day Aunkai Open Seminar in Tokyo given by Akuzawa sensei.
Theme: Training striking techniques for competition.

The focus on this seminar is the application of internal body usage to striking techniques useful for competition.

Owing to space considerations, participation is restricted to 15 persons. Note that a minimum of one year of experience in martial arts training and competition is required.

  • Date: 21st March 2019 (Thursday—public holiday)
  • Venue: Kami-Saginomiya Dai-Ni Apartment Assembly Room, Nakano-ku, Tokyo (Access information)
    Address: 4-chome Kami-Saginomiya, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 165-0031
  • Time: 13:00-16:00
  • Fee: 8000 JPY
  • Application: please use online application form.
    Note: direct participation without prior application is not permitted.

Further Information

  • Participation: 18 years or older and in good health.
  • Clothing/footwear: clothing easy to move around in; indoor shoes (barefoot also OK).
  • Other: please bring own water/drinks, towels.
  • Dinner reservation: post-seminar dinner with sensei is planned (expected cost approximately 3000 JPY). A great time to ask questions, mix and mingle, and benefit from each other’s experiences.
    Confirmations can be made in advance, with finalization during seminar break.