Not Ichimonji No Kamae in Black Dragon Ninjitsu

 Both are Taisabaki images... above

This is Fudo Kamae... above

A fun little comparison brought up from a still image of the Jukyu DVD was that it looked like Ichimonji no Kamae. Allow me to explain this simply, this is not Ichimonji no Kamae. I was simply demonstrating taisabaki, the lead arm is passive and is raised only to demonstrate the range for hand strikes. It is used to help understand the basic element of striking distance in the scope of moving through the three dimensional space of one's "battle field."

Now it is very important to realize the differences in how Ichiminji no Kamae is applied & how Fudo Kamae of Black Dragon Ninjutsu is applied. Fudo Kamae is merely a platform for striking techniques, Black Dragon Ninjitsu uses explosive power, the snapping of the hips (called Fajing in Kung-fu, Chinkuchi in Okinawan Karate), thrust of the arm and transfer of body wieght along the knees to generate an explosive thrust into the target. The application of Ichimonji no Kamae is more often then not similar to the application of Kokutsu Datchi of Karate.

Fude Kamae is a fluid platform used to teach principles like balance, movement and positioning. They are similar in principle but not application the generation of power comes from the movement of the body. Strikes in Black Dragon Ninjitsu from Fudo Kamae are similar to a whip snapping and once the concept is learned, the Black Dragon Ninjitsu disregards the posture for the principles of balance, footwork and movement existing in the kinetics of the moment.

Comparing the two is like comparing apples to oranges... Omoto Ryu Jujutsu/Taijutsu (we should I know by now I used the "i" and "u" interchangably in "jutsu/jitsu") is very fluid almost Aikido-like in application but also far more aggressive in application. As in Karate, Budo Taijutsu, Aikido, Judo & Jujitsu taisabaki plays a big part, because you are not just moving your knees but positioning your body to avoid and even counter your opponent's action. However, to generate power you must also apply Koshi-Waza (Hip Technique) also called Fajing in Chinese arts  & Chinkuchi in Okinawan Karate. This is the concept of explosive power being delivered behind one's strikes and not merely "leaning" into the strike.

The difference in power of impact as well as the ability to change targets is very simple. The passive raised arm of taisabaki exists only to show the potential range of one's strikes while moving away, around or closer to one's opponent. Allow me to show you exactly what I am referring to.

Here is an online course from a Bujinkan Dojo, I grabbed it to highlight the differences here... That said I'm talking about technical thinking and not the individual here. The principles are sound, the execution for his art is fine but to my level of thinking no so much...

The attacks lack power and in a fight strikes are not so easily seen. Consider that both men have extended arms and that both art outside of striking range for throwing a jab. The attack is telegraphed & moving inside at a 45 degree angle don't protect you from being hit by the reverse hand (I point this out because it is something taught in the Bujinkan which is false). Consider that one person is striking an attacking limb while moving inside at a 45 degree angle and counter striking with a knife hand to the side of the neck.

Compare this to say Karate were here we see in a Tournament a person the person on the right using a much larger and more telegraphed lunge strike & it is countered by stepping back and executing a faster reverse punch to the chin. The Winning Karateka also used their positioning on the inside of the attacker's guard to position themselves for the strike. The fact that the Losing Karate was also in a position to counter with a reverse punch is still there.

The Logic as to why 45-degree angles exist and why they don't always work is simple. Take my very bad Paint drawing of boxers, fighters if you will... I point to boxing because Boxing uses the 45 degree angle, as well as a host of other arts... almost all of them to be honest.

Now just so you understand what everything is we have this image, the term centerline is found in Wing Chun and Jeet Kune Do it refers to an imaginary line from the area above the upper lip & below the nose and goes to the groin passing through the solar plexus/diaphragm. I passing along a path that includes almost all vital areas on the torso.

Here were see the idea of offsetting or aligning to the strike the centerline area and targets like the chin, nose, throat, solar plexus & diaphram, the floating ribs, various organs along the belly and the groin. If the fighters were to stand square or even off set such as above they create a "triangle" that reveals the essential angles for striking.

Following the triangle we can see that both hands are equal distance from the centerline and our "triangle" is created. The base of the triangle is the line of intersecting for defense while the two sides are paths to strike (excluding the potential for hooking strikes) for arguments sake. By standing offset the trangle changes to place on fist closer to the target area then the other.

As you can see here the left hand (ok its circle but it represents a hand) is closer to the target then the right. This is the position the Karate fighter used to deliver a reverse punch for the win in the above video. If each one is standing at an angle the triangle changes.

Here see this triangle elongated and this is looking at the square up for two orthodox fighters (meaning two right handed boxers). The range of the reverse punch is extended and less lightly to deliver a blow, were as the lead hand is capable of delivering jabs and hard leads to the opponent. Something the passive lead hand floating represents in Taisabaki.

Breakdown the Ichimonji no Kamae and the inside 45-degree angle places you in danger of a reverse hand strike. You are literally lining yourself up for the reverse hand strike.
 

Breakdown the Ichimonji no Kamae and the inside 45-degree angle places you in danger of a reverse hand strike. You are literally lining yourself up for the reverse hand strike. Positioning yourself with the reverse hand's "triangle" of threat range. It would be useless against a boxer or kickboxer, a karateka and potentially even against an untrained fighter who is going to come in with both arms swinging.

This is just to point out both that the Taisabaki image is not Ichimonji no Kamae and that the principle foundation of Ichimonji no Kamae is not something endorsed by Black Dragon Ninjitsu on a technical level.

Martial Arts & Children...

A lot of people don't agree with the fact that I was awarded a black belt as a child, at times I'm not sure I do either... then I look at the fights I got into as a kid and realize I don't agree with it. I was almost expelled in the 2nd Grade because I nearly killed a kid with a Rear Naked Choke I refused to let go of. Teaching potentially dangerous techniques to a child is, well... dangerous. Not only because a child could easily hurt another child without an in depth moral understanding of the ramifications of the result but there is a legal responsibility as well. Which takes precedence over any colored strip of cloth and what it means to someone else.

Now I am not against teaching children nor am I saying martial arts for children is a bad thing. In my case, the other boy was bigger then me and had the teachers been more concerned with telling me to let go rather then freaking out and trying to force me to break the hold, I'd have let go. You see my teachers didn't do a good job in maintaining discipline and, discipline is a corner stone for teaching children. Martial arts for children teaches confidence and self-discipline. Self-Discipline has another term Personal Responsibility, being responsible for yourself and your choices. My teachers were many times racist, clannish, and played to their favorites.

Most often the Doctors and Lawyers kids who could freely bully other kids and be excused for doing so while those who defended themselves were often labeled trouble makers. Of course some teachers were known to grab and pull kid's hair, grab & pull their ears and yell at and belittle those same kids. Years after I left that school my younger cousin who attended that same school told me the same teachers where still acting like bullies and tyrants. They didn't inspire trust and didn't maintain discipline, in fact when the teachers let the bullies be bullies, many kids (myself especially) used more force to defend ourselves then required. When parents became involved and the school was looking at being sued, discipline broke down due to the school board becoming involved. Because the draconian tactics used unnecessarily to maintain order, could no longer be used. Perhaps this is a microcosm for our national debate on police brutality, police militarization, race and civil rights... or perhaps that is just over reading into the situation.

Understanding this environment is critical to why I thought choking someone out and actually tightening the hold on the Hadaka-Shime (Rear Naked Choke in Judo and Jujitsu) when my teacher tried to break the hold, I was afraid that once I let go the bully the would be permitted to attack me. So I tightened my hold on a person who was unconscious, I could have killed someone. Many times parents use martial arts or public school as a surrogate for teaching self-discipline. The fact is that martial arts can teach discipline in the Dojo but, parents need to teach discipline at home. Disciplining a child is the foundation to the child learning to discipline themselves, to take personal responsibility for their actions. For a child to study martial arts, and learn discipline for a few hours a week in the Dojo, they are more likely to only learn to fight and to discipline themselves or to learn only "selective discipline."

In fact, my suspension for fighting and having to face the school board for the unbroken RNC resulted with me showing several letters of complaints from other students' parents. This is what caused the school board to become involved, because I wasn't alone in my complaints about the school's staff. However, that doesn't excuse the fact someone could have been seriously hurt or killed. I took responsibility for not breaking the hold & this highlights how teaching dangerous techniques to children can be a danger in itself.

Many martial arts styles are intended to be taught to children, daycare in a gi. Others have a more combative feel, are designed for self-defense and not appropriate for children. Some martial arts are designed for sports only were as others are a mix of all those elements. Some traditional arts try to teach "warriorship" which can be a very dangerous idea for a developing child, it is certainly a dangerous idea for some adults (I'll have to do a whole new blog on "Warriorship" to address this issue). Some schools exist to teach "cultural understanding" which serve to force Eastern Religion and Philosophy onto it's students. Selecting a martial arts school for children is very important and very difficult unless the parent has a good understanding of what the school teaches, why and how.

I consider boxing a martial art and several martial artists I've met and trained with over the years also boxed, this is true of those mainly dedicated striking arts like Karate & Tae Kwon Do or Hapkido. Basic principles and techniques for a cross are the same as for reverse punch, a jab as for a straight punch and the foot work is pretty much the same. Sure all three use open hand strikes and self-defense techniques like kicking, throws and joint-locks that boxing doesn't. Boxing teaches combinations, distance, timing and "slipping the punch" that those arts don't and it transitions well into self-defense and sparring. Boxing has a clear focus as a competition sport, which is excellent for fitness and exercise as well... I recommend boxing as a starter art for younger children. Many, early Self-Defense systems were a blending a Boxing and Judo.

What I suggest is Child Appropriate:
When I say child appropriate I am stating between the ages of 5 and 12 years old...

1. Make sure the school does not teach a philosophy or religious ideas that is counter-productive to beliefs and philosophy you are trying to build in your child or children. I dropped out of an Aikido school after only 2 weeks (free lessons) because the instructor kept trying to force his ideology on me, this was considerably more then just studying Eastern Philosophy or cultural traditions. Discipline begins at home so, don't cause a breakdown in the discipline you're teaching your child by paying someone to teach them opposing philosophies to your own. They get enough of that in public schools already. Be weary of schools talking about anything "spiritual" as part of the training.
2. The amount of physical contact with your child is also important, I know some people who won't enroll their kids in Brazilian Jiujutsu because the guard looks like the missionary position. Both you and your child have to be comfortable with the physical contact used in the class, this includes your child's acceptance of being hit during sparring. I can't tell you what is acceptable for you and your child but this is something you need to observe and discuss with your child. As for the Brazilian Jiujutsu matter, if your child isn't thinking of sexual positions then there shouldn't be an issue and, if they are there is already an issue.
3. Manner & attitude of the instructor. The last thing you want to do is leave your child in the hands someone who is "Toxic." I'm not talking about frauds, criminals and sex offenders but people who bully, insult and are generally a negative influence. Criminals have a record and sex offenders are on a registry but a "toxic personality" is like a bad relationship with a crazy person, everything starts off all good and goes bad from their as the crazy becomes more obvious.
4. Set a goal for your child that is to be achieved through the martial arts. I'm not talking about reaching a belt rank but a goal of learning... This is why I think competition arts like Boxing, Kickboxing, Wrestling, Judo, Karate & Brazilian Jiujutsu are great for younger kids. Set goals like physical exercise/fitness, improved competition and building confidence.

Martial Arts for Teenagers:
When I say teenagers I mean 13 to 17 years old...

1. Here is where a child will start gradually moving out into the world and things like self-defense starts becoming more useful in a child's life. Self-defense systems like World War II era Combatives & Krav Maga, become more appropriate.
2. More so, some of those same martial arts styles like Karate, Hapkido, Jujutsu, Brazilian Jiujutsu, Judo can be treated more combatively depending on the age, physical ability and maturity of the child in question.

Tips of Parents before Enrolling Children in Martial Arts:

1. Talk to the instructor...
2. Observe at Least Five to Ten Classes, to see how & what the instructor teaches...
3. Talk to the students and other parents, particularly away from the school. Remember these are customers at a business, they may feel required to speak well of the instructor or school in front of the instructor. So your best bet for getting accurate information is away from the school... 
4. Do your research but don't believe everything you hear. Martial arts is a business and it is largely unregulated. Many people in the business of selling martial arts training take to slandering others.
5. Follow up with the instructor, address things you found out & made a judgment call on how he or she responds to your questions.
6. Avoid "Hidden Marketing." It is perfectly acceptable to pay a monthly fee, testing fee & buy your uniform. It is "ok" to pay an organizational fee (provided being a member of the organization is an option, usually this is restricted to Black Belts & Instructors) but having to pay this added fee as a low ranking kyu grade is questionable. It is a "No-No" to add requiring a student to buy "Grandmaster So-&-So's" books and require "book reports" for cultural training at each grade. It is even "OK" to have to buy a student handbook, but this is often free with the beginning when you pay for your uniform, etc. Having to buy additional books and materials is a questionable practice. 
7. Remember you are buying what someone else is selling. Don't be surprised or feel insulted if an instructor doesn't want to "sell." I don't teach children, I refuse and I do so for a number of reasons the main one being that what I teach isn't often "age appropriate." Black Dragon Ninjitsu has been defined by an observer as a "Killing Style" and Street Focus Jujitsu is as named Focused on Street-Based Self-Defense. Either style can greatly enhance a person's odds of survival in a self-defense situation or they can be misused to make a very dangerous person. I often turn down teaching adults.