Explore Budo – Martial Arts Lecture & Demonstration

UCHI! ZU! TAI! NI! TSU! NI! TAI! NI! TAI! NI! TAI! SHO SHO! TAI! Thank you very much, Saiiki-do. One more? OK. We have one more, sorry. TAI! TAI SO! TAI! TAI SO! TAI! NI! TAI! NI! TAI! TAI SO! TAI! NI! TAI SO! TAI! There's a martial art in English. In Japanese, we call it BUDO. BUDO is not just about the physical strength, but also the strength of spirit, respect, and cooperation. And also, BUDO is open to anyone. And even in Edo period, in those times, women had very limited opportunities, but they were open with all those BUDO. So the BUDO is something to us, in the spirit of the Japanese and Asian culture. The Paris Sports told me that inclusion doesn't weaken tradition, it enhances it. But even today, the athletes with disabilities face so many barriers, physical, social, or systemic, at the juvenile and so on. So I'm very proud to see today, Mr. Tony Welby, the Cal Olympian and judoka. Also, Mr. Etchart, the devoted advocate for the adaptive martial arts here with us today. So they remind us, martial arts can be for everyone, if you choose to open the door. That spirit of inclusion is what it's all about today. Judo originated in Japan in 1882 and was created by Jigoro Kano sensei as a modern martial art derived from traditional Jujutsu, which was practiced by samurai. Kano sought to develop a system that emphasized not only physical prowess, but also moral and mental discipline. Refining the older, often more dangerous techniques into a practice focused on safe, efficient movement and personal well-being. The fundamental principles of Judo are maximum efficiency with minimal effort, as well as the benefit of mutual well-being. These principles guide the practitioners to use the strength of their opponents against them, to encourage continuous improvement, and to encourage respect and cooperation, both on the tatami and outside the dojo. Alan and Tony are practicing a self-defense kata. Last year in Las Vegas, they placed 10th in the world. Kata competitions are judged much like Paris figure skating, except that instead of a boy and a girl forming a dance, in Judo, there's a good guy and a bad guy. Le mot Judo est composé de deux caractères japonais. Ju, qui signifie douceur ou souplesse, et Do, qui signifie joie ou chaudesse. Thus, Judo translates as the gentle way, reflecting the art's emphasis on adaptability, efficient use of energy, and harmonizing with rather than opposing a force. Oi! Eii! Oi! Eii! Oi! Eii! Oi! Eii! Oi! Tadro! Judo made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games for Men in 1984, and Boron in 1988. his inclusion in the Olympic Games has considerably increased his popularity in the world of RC and has increased the number of participants. Another aspect of judo is free practice. This is similar to the competition at the Olympics. However, we can see that both participants and participants Hello, my name is Ayano Watanabe, the chief instructor of Shito-ryu Karate Odawa, founded in September 2024. Today, I will demonstrate karate with Leticia, my daughter and assistant instructor and my student. As you will see today, karate can be started at any age and any gender. The word karate means empty hand, reflecting that it is an armed combat system using the hands, feet, elbows and knees, along with blocks and evasive movements. However, karate is not just about fighting. Karate is a form of self-defense. It is said, That means, there is no first attack in karate. It is a martial art that begins with a defensive posture, never attacking first, but countering after receiving the opponent's attack. It emphasizes respect, self-control, perseverance and humility. The main elements of karate are kihon, kata and kumite. Kihon is basics and involves practicing fundamental techniques such as punches, kicks, blocks and stances. Jodan, chudan, gedan with kiai. Motodachi, left foot in front. Age uke, gyaku tsuki. Gyaku tsuki with kiai. With back leg, mae geri, chudan tsuki, oitsuki and gyaku tsuki with kiai. Jodachi. Kumite is sparring. Practicing fighting with an opponent to develop timing, distance and technique. Kata consists of prearranged sequences of movements that simulate combat. It is like an imaginary fight without a real opponent. Kata is a combination of Japanese and Japanese martial arts. This combination is a combination of karate and karate. Kata is a combination of kata and karate. This combination is a combination Finally, each kata has bunkai, which is an application of the kata, showing how moves and techniques could work in real life situations. My name is June, and this is Bronwyn, and we're here representing the Ottawa Kyudo Association. During the performance, we'd like to share some information about kyudo and its three guiding principles. Kyudo, which translates to the way of the bow, is a martial art of traditional Japanese archery. While it may appear similar to Western archery, kyudo differs in many important ways, beyond just the bows themselves. Whereas Western archery often emphasizes the archer's physical strength in drawing and releasing the bow, kyudo places its focus on beauty, rather than on a display of power, in order to reach the target. Rooted in centuries of samurai tradition, kyudo is not only about technique, but it is also about personal character and its development. The ultimate aim of kyudo is shin-zen-bi, truth, goodness, and beauty. The first of the three guiding principles is shin, which means truth. Truth is a concept that is deeply interwoven with the archery. Think of the expression straight as an arrow, or the meaning of the phrase, to shoot true. In short, truth is the arrow's path to the target. If arrows naturally fly straight, one might wonder how the shooting could possibly be deceitful. Seeking the answer to this question is an essential aspect of kyudo. Every shot is devoted to getting closer to the truth, and by extension, the target. The truth of the bow is measured by its sight, serenity, tsune-ne, sound of the string during release, and teki-ichu, hitting the target. The way of the bow is a process of seeking shin by improving these skills one shot at a time. We must be honest and genuine, as a true shot comes from the heart. Our relationship with our shooting can distort this truth, and only when we become fully receptive to the act of shooting can we truly receive it. The second of the three guiding principles is zen, which means goodness. Goodness reflects moral values and purity of heart. Aspects like rei, courtesy, and fujo, non-conflict, require one to always stay calm and not lose their composure. In these modern times, it is natural for one to seek sophistication, introspection, peace, and equality. The crucial idea of kudo is to associate, bond, and be at peace with others while maintaining serenity at all times. This discipline is the basis of kudo. To embody zen, an archer must let go of ego, aggression, and distraction. Through this tranquility, we seek to embody harmony, not only within ourselves, but also with others. This harmony is also reflected in today's sharei, the ceremonial shoot, where the performance is aimed to be greater than the sum of the three archers' actions. The final of the three guiding principles is bi, which means beauty. Kudo is as much of an art as it is a sport, and it is quite unique among martial arts for its emphasis on aesthetic beauty. The Japanese yumi is exquisitely beautiful and is distinct from other bows on account of its length and asymmetrical shape. In terms of length, the yumi is unmatched, as a single bow can be between 221 cm to 233 cm. The length of the bow, while functionally inconvenient, is a source of beauty in the archer's form. While in full draw, the yumi's asymmetry positions the archer within the great arc of the bow. For a moment, the archer becomes one with the yumi. Kudo embraces the philosophy of bi by turning a physical demanding activity into a display that is fluid and elegant. The three guiding principles of kudo cannot exist independently of one another. Without both shin and zen, there can be no bi. It is only when all three of the guiding principles are present that the true ideal of kudo is achieved. Thank you for having us here today. We hope that this demonstration has stimulated some interest in kudo. If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to join us later for the interactive portion of the program. Thanks very much for having us today. My name is David Bedore. I'm the head instructor at the Tateyama Kendo Club. And I'd also like to introduce alongside me is Renato Simoes, also one of our senior instructors at Tateyama. First of all, we're going to talk a little bit about what is kendo. Kendo, the way of the sword, is the art of Japanese fencing. A descendant of kenjutsu, the goal of modern kendo is to build self-confidence, character, respect for oneself and for others, as well as increase one's physical fitness. Now I'll mention the concept of kendo as stated by the All Japan Kendo Federation. The concept of kendo is to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of kendo. The purpose of practicing kendo is to mold the mind and body, to cultivate a vigorous spirit, and through correct and rigid training to strive for the improvement in the art of kendo. To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor, to associate with others with sincerity, and to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself. In this demonstration, we'll explore three core aspects of kendo philosophy. Reihou, which is courtesy, diligent practice, and mutual respect. As with many Japanese martial arts, reihou, or etiquette, is central to kendo. In the dojo, this is expressed in specific behavior and actions. Kote uchi, 4 times. Do uchi, 2 times. That's all. So of course we bow before and after practice. This is important for engaging with one another. Reihou helps cultivate the attitude of respect and humility, both towards the art and towards our fellow practitioners. We always say onidashimasu before we start, which means please, but in this context we're saying, please help me practice, please help me get better. And you'll see at the end we always say thank you. Meuchi, 3 times. Kote uchi, 3 times. Do uchi, 3 times. Through consistent training, practitioners strive for movement, technique, and to cultivate a strong spirit. Kote men, 2 times. Kote do, 2 times. Repeated practice builds muscle memory, precision in strikes, helps us practice footwork, and also handling the practice sword. Correct strikes must include several parts. Ki, ken, tai, no uchi. The spirit, the sword, and the body as one. They need to all occur at the same time. And you also saw, after each strike, the yell is sustained afterwards. And that's to show that we have overwhelming spirit, and we have to show alertness and presence after each strike. As you can see, kendo is a method of self-improvement, however it's impossible to improve without others. Forms and techniques can be practiced alone, but if you do it through mutual practice, you can become better at it. This exercise, kirikaeshi, is an exercise that allows students to practice basic foundational techniques, while learning to develop a connection with their opponent. And we can also practice things like spacing and distance. And you'll see, we're about to practice shia. And when we face an opponent, we have to give our best effort to win. However, we're not merely looking for ways to get points or win. When we're practicing, we're engaging in a process of shared learning. Both students must work hard. In fact, not trying your best is a disrespect for your practice partner or your opponent. If you're working your hardest, doing your best, you're showing that you need to do your best. This is a formidable opponent. And it's the only way we learn. And also, your opponents can't learn if you're not trying your best. So you can see, one side is marked red, the other side is white. Yes! Now we see a strike. As we face another opponent, this allows us the opportunity to work on our weaknesses. Such as surprise, fear, doubt, and confusion. So now each side has a point. We need to do one more. Not every strike is a successful strike. If it's missing down to three, it's kikentai no ichi. Or if it doesn't have enough seconds. This is one thing that separates us from other types of tensei. So kendo is a journey of continuous learning and improvement. It encourages self-reflection, personal growth. And to many, it becomes a way of life, rather than just a hobby or sport. It's a way to cultivate respect, humility, and mental clarity. And the values and discipline of kendo, when embraced fully, can help students both within the dojo, and it's things that we can carry outside the dojo as well. So thank you very much for allowing us to present today. The Aido traces its roots to the 16th century. The first two characters of the Aido, I and I, are believed to have been taken from the phrase, tsune ni ite, kyuu ni awasu, which roughly translates to, being constantly prepared to meet the opposition immediately. This conveys the idea that one must always be prepared for any eventuality, and handle problems with swift resolve. This is expressed in the practice of the Aido, through the development of a refined awareness of one's surroundings, and the study of techniques for handling different scenarios. Thus, the Aido is as much a mental discipline as it is a physical one. On the surface, the Aido can appear to be quite combative, but this is not the true objective of the training. The Aido is not a fight against the enemy, but a struggle with oneself. With each kata teaching you discipline, humility, and clarity. Through the practice of the Aido, one can learn to be calm in challenging situations, maintain mental focus, and promote peaceful relations with others. The sound that you hear is called tachikaze, and when you do the Aido, it's not really necessary to make this sound. Before the blade is even drawn, there is rei, or respect. Respect to the dojo, to the teacher, to the tradition, and to the sword. Each Iaido kata begins with stillness. It is necessary to watch and sense your opponent's intention, and then in one motion, the sword is drawn and strikes. This is called nukitsuke. It's not about speed, it's about decisiveness. The lesson here is to act clearly without hesitation, and when the moment calls for it, the finishing cut is called kiri otoshi. It is precise and controlled, and guided by purpose. The next motion is called chiguri. That is the act of cleaning the blood from the blade. This symbolizes the release of conflict while maintaining awareness and presence. Finally, there is noto, returning the blade to the staggered. This is done slowly and deliberately while showing presence of mind after the fact. You will notice that he never takes his eyes off his opponent. You can see that his noto is very smooth. Ed Chart has a 7th degree renshi in iaido, 7th degree renshi in jodo, and 4th degree in kendo. Recently, he demonstrated at the Kyoto Enbu Taikai on May 2nd. This is a very prestigious honor for him.