Ten months of Motoha Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu

I can’t believe that time has passed so fast since I started training. I have to say, that up until recently I felt that I hadn’t made any progress at all in the art. It wasn’t until I had to try an explain some of the kihon no kata that I felt that I had achieved some small understanding. And by small, I mean very little! The more I study, the more I see that there is to learn. Even the basics, which appear simple, are difficult for me to do correctly.

The stance is one of the most important points. If it’s too high then my balance is not good and I will be unable to throw the opponent; instead I will end up being thrown. If I have too deep a stance I will be unable to move quickly and thus lose to the opponent. Of course this applies to all martial arts (IMO), and is not unique to MHYRJJ.

Kuzushi, or breaking the opponent’s balance, is vital as well. If you don’t break the opponent’s balance, then the throw will become a contest of strength instead of technique. I’m still struggling to see when the opponent’s balance is broken. Sometimes it’s obvious, but most times the instructors will point and say “see?”, but nothing looks different to me!

Yet another principal is “Irimi”, which means “entering” or “closing the gap”. An online search defines “Irimi” as “the act of entering straight into a technique”. In MHYRJJ the defender must step in deeply and remain close to the opponent to complete the throw. Failure to do so will dissipate one’s force and also prevent a successful completion of a defense technique.

These are just a few details that I have noticed in my practice. I’m nowhere near the point of being skilled at these details, or the many others that need to come together in harmony to have a masterful performance. But when I see my 80 year old Soke perform these techniques effortlessly I am inspired to keep trying! After all, how many people get to spend their Saturday morning being thrown around like a rag doll, by someone in the twilight of their life?