2019-12-28 22:20
Here we have a lovely hanegoshi springing hip throw!Want to discuss this blog post?Come find me on Facebook at my Mokuren Dojo FB group ____________________Patrick Parkerwww.mokurendojo.co… Read More
Blog Directory > Sports Blogs > Mokuren Dojo sports Blog >
Mokuren Dojo Blog
mokurendojo.blogspot.com
News and views on Aikido, Judo, Jo-jutsu, and tactical blade from Mokuren Dojo in southwest Mississippi
2019-12-21 22:06
Ashiguruma is one of my favorite techniques - and this is a spectacular one!Want to discuss this blog post?Come find me on Facebook at my Mokuren Dojo FB group ____________________Patrick… Read More
2019-12-14 22:00
Yoko otoshi is a super-uncommon tournament throw. Check out this beautiful execution!Want to discuss this blog post?Come find me on Facebook at my Mokuren Dojo FB group _____________… Read More
2019-12-09 17:41
Junokata is a curious exercise - especially to modern eyes and competitive western minds. But one of the points of value that is probably easiest to see in Junokata are the hipthrows… Read More
2019-12-08 01:05
Just like kosotogake last week, tsurigoshi is another point of curiosity for me. One of my instructors has told me that tsurigoshi is basically an evolutionary throwback to an earlier… Read More
2019-12-02 13:29
If you know me then you know that I am always playing balance games, standing on one foot, walking on curbs, doing judo rolls as slowly as possible backwards and forwards..But you might have… Read More
2019-12-01 00:58
Kosotogake is a curious thing for me. One of my most beloved judo instructors, Mac McNeese told me not to bother with kosotogake - that it was basically a waste of training time that I… Read More
2019-12-01 00:46
Statistically, uchimata is the most frequently thrown tournament technique in most levels of competition. I'm not sure why. Is there something inherently magical about that techn… Read More
2019-11-29 22:42
We've been talking about embu lately - how to do a good demo - a demo that does several things, includingshows that the student knows some things - "Wow! That guy is really good at this!"sho… Read More
2019-11-29 13:54
Our first positional control or hold in judo, ukigatame, is more than just a hold and it is more than just a near-universal transition between tachiwaza and newaza. Ukigatame is not ju… Read More
2019-11-27 16:50
A great testimonial and a couple of nice variations on our first armbar - udegatame. Check this out! Want to discuss this blog post?Come find me on Facebook at my Mokuren Dojo FB group______… Read More
2019-11-24 00:28
Haraigoshi is such a versatile technique that you see it a LOT in judo and in MMA - and unlike some other techniques, it seems to mostly be thrown cleanly.Want to discuss this blog post?Come… Read More
2019-11-22 15:30
Killing field is a military science term describing an area through which an enemy is forced to move where they will be exposed to your power. Examples might include a fortified beach like N… Read More
2019-11-19 18:35
There is an old aphorism about the difference between freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. It is said that...Freshmen are clueless and they don't know it.Sophomores still d… Read More
2019-11-17 00:22
Taiotoshi is a magnificent tournament throw when properly executed. Check out this compilation!Want to discuss this blog post?Come find me on Facebook at my Mokuren Dojo FB group ___… Read More
2019-11-16 19:33
Folks are always moaning about how aikido doesn't work. Well, let me tell you a secret... Real aikido folks already know that! See, we know that aikido does not work, because nothing&n&hell…Read More
2019-11-15 16:33
photo from: http://files.4medicine.pl/download.php?cfs_id=1388Our judo and aikido teacher, Karl Geis, attributed a significant portion of his newaza doctrine to seemingly little-known judo s… Read More
2019-11-14 17:16
Here's a fun-looking tidbit that I stumbled upon. Since we start our choking instruction with katatejime from ukigatame, this looks like it would fit right in. Maybe a class on attacki… Read More
2019-11-10 00:15
For the past several months I've been posting technique compilation videos on Saturdays and I've been following the order of the Gokyo no waza. This week we are halfway through the 2nd… Read More
2019-11-08 14:40
For some years now (Wow! has it really been 6 years!?) we at Mokuren Dojo have been using a peculiar form of Koshiki no kata as a sort of a sport-specific warmup and contextualized ukemi exe… Read More
2019-11-07 17:11
Somewhat stream-of-consciousness thoughts on the order that we teach things in....Tomiki sensei gave us a set of a couple dozen techniques (sometimes 15, sometimes 17. Some students ad… Read More
2019-11-04 19:22
Check out this video. Roy Dean is (IMO) the king of nice-looking rank demos (embu). Want to discuss this blog post?Come find me on Facebook at my Mokuren Dojo FB group_________________… Read More
2019-11-03 00:08
Tsurikomigoshi, and particularly the "sode" or sleeve-ends version, is one of the throws that mezmerizes me the most. For me watching competitors perform this throw (especially in slow… Read More
2019-10-27 00:03
My favorite hip technique is koshiguruma because the version that I throw most does not require as much turn-in as any of the other hip throws so I can get into position and pull the trigger… Read More
2019-10-25 14:35
At Mokuren Dojo, we have always scheduled rank advancement demonstrations (embu) to occur any time 1-2 students would become ready to advance. We're going to continue to provide excell… Read More
2019-10-22 12:39
The first and foremost school of Judo in Japan, Kodokan, sprang from two ancient schools of jujutsu - Kito Ryu and Tenjin Shinyo Ryu. These ancient forms were largely kata arts because… Read More
2019-10-19 23:58
Kouchigari is not my best technique but it was one of my most favorite teacher's most favorite throw though and I'm still working on it! Here's to John Usher!Want to discuss this blog… Read More
2019-10-12 23:52
Kosotogari is not only difficult to find competition film of, but it is also nearly indistinguishable from deashibarai when conditions are not perfect. It seems like my students and I… Read More
2019-10-05 16:05
Seoinage is not exactly my favorite throw but it is super effective and super-common in tournament play! These are some superb examples!Want to discuss this blog post?Come find me on Faceboo… Read More
2019-09-28 16:01
Ouchigari is frequently successful in tournaments but it often looks clumsy. There are some smooth and some clumsy examples on this compilation but they were all successful!Want to dis… Read More
2019-09-25 20:46
Want to discuss this blog post?Come find me on Facebook at my Mokuren Dojo FB group____________________Patrick Parkerwww.mokurendojo.com Read More
2019-09-24 16:49
Judo has been popular with entertainers, artists, and actors, including...James CagneySonny ChibaGeorge HarrisLucille BallMelanie Chisholm (Sporty Spice)Ed ParkerGene LeBellRonda RouseyChuck… Read More
2019-09-23 21:01
Want to discuss this blog post?Come find me on Facebook at my Mokuren Dojo FB group ____________________Patrick Parkerwww.mokurendojo.com Read More
2019-09-22 20:52
Want to discuss this blog post?Come find me on Facebook at my Mokuren Dojo FB group____________________Patrick Parker.mokurendojo.com Read More
2019-09-21 15:57
Ukigoshi is really hard to find competition videos of. This film contains a few seconds of instruction and 2-3 examples drawn from competition. the slo-mo of the girls throwing i… Read More
2019-09-20 08:38
Want to discuss this blog post?Come find me on Facebook at my Mokuren Dojo FB group____________________Patrick Parkerwww.mokurendojo.com Read More
2019-09-17 19:22
First ten men to ever be promoted to 10th dan rank in JudoYamashita, Yoshitugu (1865-1935) Promoted 10th Dan 1935Isogai, Hajime (1871-1947) Promoted 10th Dan 1937Nagaoka, Hidekazu (1876-1952… Read More
2019-09-16 11:00
One of the coolest things about judo is that it is real and honest. Outcomes are objective instead of subjective and everything is executed to completion, as opposed to pulling punches… Read More
2019-09-14 15:49
Osotogari is one of those techniques that is probably taught in every martial arts class that there is because it is extraordinarily easy to force an unsuspecting opponent down with it. &hell…Read More
2019-09-13 14:06
In the first Tomiki aikido technique, shomenate, tori enters directly in front of uke and projects uke straight backwards by pressing on his face and stepping through him..But except for sho… Read More
2019-09-11 16:40
In karate, we were often exhorted not to get into the block-counterattack game because it is a never-ending, un-productive loop. He attacks, I block, I attack, he blocks, he attacks, I… Read More
2019-09-10 08:30
There are pretty much as many different forms of grappling arts and sports as there are people who like to grapple. Here are ten of the many.JudoAikidoJapanese jujutsuBrazillian jiujit… Read More
2019-09-07 15:42
Ogoshi, though an effective, fundamental technique, is not as prolific in competitions as some techniques. You might argue that a few of these throws were something other than ogoshi… Read More
2019-09-06 13:29
A couple of weeks ago I did a post talking about several of my heroes in martial arts - people whose special sparks I want to emulate and develop in myself..One of those judo superheroes is… Read More
2019-09-03 11:25
Deashibarai is a going-down throw. It happens when uke is trying to put his foot down on the ground - not when uke is trying to pick his foot up. Do not try to kick uke's foot to… Read More
2019-08-31 15:33
Sasae tsurikomiashi, the foot prop, is one of my favorites. I can reliably get a lot of people down with this even though I usually don't get this much amplitude out of it. The f… Read More
2019-08-27 12:11
Judo has been a popular pastime for politicians and political leaders all over the world for the last century, including...Theodore Roosevelt (United States)Angela Merkel (Germany)Pierre Tru… Read More
2019-08-26 13:20
A few days ago I mentioned that one of my judo heroes is Nick Lowry - particularly when it comes to developing my double foot sweep technique (okuriashibarai)..Okuriashi is a thing tha… Read More
2019-08-24 22:01
A compilation of very nice competition knee wheels. These are all very fine but the first one is so exquisitely perfect that I could watch it all day. I think the 3rd or 4th one… Read More
2019-08-22 16:39
Judo is a brand name of Japanese jujutsu just like Xerox is a brand name of copiers and Frigidaire (or "fridge") is a brand name of refrigerator..What makes Judo special that separates it fr… Read More
2019-08-21 11:31
Check out this tiny 5yo Quin Parker putting a nice kosotogari on his older brother!.There are joys and frustrations associated with teaching your own children..Eventually kids all get to the… Read More
2019-08-20 12:15
We all have our tokuiwaza, our special techniques or abilities or attributes. Here are 10 martial artists whose special sparks I want to develop within myself.Nick Lowry's okuriashibar… Read More
2019-08-17 15:20
A compilation of instances of my favorite technique done successfully (in come cases, magically) in competition. This sort of thing turns me on!Want to discuss this blog post?Come find… Read More
2019-08-16 14:38
Since I recently re-launched my judo classes after a 2-year sabbatical, several of my students and judo buddies have expressed their amusement and/or delight at what they have called my "Pat… Read More
2019-08-15 10:35
You thought I'd completely shifted my focus to judo, didn't you? Not so! Here's some of the other stuff I've been thinking about and playing around with lately..For jo folks that… Read More
2019-08-14 17:14
Since the beginning of the Scouting Movement in the late 1800s, Scouting has had an association with Martial Arts. Scouting began as a sort of paramilitary organization intended to pre… Read More
2019-08-13 13:18
I've been on a martial arts sabbatical for the past couple of years..Before relaunching my classes a couple of months ago I hadn't done anything remotely martial in two years. I had a… Read More
2019-08-12 11:00
In judo, we assign names to the two partners in an engagement. Sometimes picking out who plays each role can be tricky, but in very broad terms...uke is the guy that hits the ground fi… Read More
2019-08-09 11:07
Things I'm thinking these days about control.Judo is control. We used to say the criteria for ippon is "hard, fast, and in-control" but hard and fast are really poor criteria because s… Read More
2019-08-08 11:21
What does a typical judo class at Mokuren Dojo look like? Here is a really general sort of guide that I use to create lesson plans for most of my judo classes.Individuals warmup with l… Read More
2019-08-07 13:03
Henry Copeland sensei asked me one time, "What is your favorite technique?" and I instantly responded, "sumiotoshi.".I was excited at the prospect of working on my most favorite move with su… Read More
2019-08-06 15:22
According to Uchida, Wilson, & Fujiwara the most popular winning throwing techniques at the All Japan High School Championships for 10 years (1962-1971) included...uchimataseoinageosotog… Read More
2019-08-02 21:31
Sometimes you hear martial arts referred to as spiritual disciplines, and sometimes you hear of parents who put their kids into a martial arts class to "get discipline," But all the classes… Read More
2019-07-30 14:59
A few personal thoughts, mantras, and quotes that are meaningful to me at the moment...I do not have to derive legitimacy from a connection to a lineage of ancient masters. I am as good a m… Read More
2019-07-19 13:35
Judo is a remarkably standardized martial art. Wherever you find judo in the world, you will see a lot that is either the same or at least familiar.They work on the same techniques in… Read More
2019-07-18 19:32
Tonight's newaza class will include a TON of ground mobility drills, sit-up and uphill escapes from kesagatame, and entries into wakigatame and jujigatame from ukigatame. Be there or b… Read More
2019-07-12 14:38
After a sabbatical of about 2 years for various reasons/excuses, we've restarted judo classes at Mokuren Dojo this week!.We're doing Tuesdays and Thursdays and initially planning to do stand… Read More
2017-10-12 07:21
There are a lot of different modes that you can do most martial arts exercises in. They seem to be made to be played in different ways under various conditions..One of the ways that we… Read More
2017-10-11 07:22
Here are a couple of interesting videos to watch. In fact, I think they might just be important to your martial research. Not because I agree with every point in both videos. &nb&hell…Read More
2017-10-11 03:05
One of the things that can seem alien to a karate guy beginning in aikido or judo is the idea that each of the kata in judo and Tomiki aikido involves two people - tori (or nage) and uke. &n&hell…Read More
2017-10-06 14:59
You know what is really cool? When you have both enough time in a body of work, and the opportunity to step back from it far enough that you can see the themes and motifs running throu… Read More
2017-10-04 19:37
Naming conventions for martial arts techniques and kata vary from art to art. Some folks like the ultra-simple thing-1, thing-2 sort of ordinal naming system, while others like more de… Read More
2017-09-29 15:45
Tokio Hirano was one of the, if not THE winningest competition judoka in history. The story goes that he racked up 4300 competition wins in 6 years in western Europe in the early 1950's… Read More
2017-09-28 16:33
A relatively new addition to the body of literature about aikido is Walther G. Von Krenner's, Aikido Ground Fighting. This is a really interesting book in a couple of ways.First… Read More
2017-07-17 17:17
Martial Arts are not the only thing I do! I know - hard to believe. Like the rest of ya'll I juggle a few other activities like family and scouts and travel and sports and work.For some time… Read More
2017-06-06 02:07
I heard an interview on the radio today that was really interesting. The subject was a fellow who translates Haruki Murakami works into other languages. The interviewer asked him… Read More
2017-04-22 05:30
Lately in class we have returned to an emphasis on kihon - that is (IMO) making sure that you get all the steps in and making them as distinct as possible.Aigamaeate is the second of the kih… Read More
2017-04-21 13:40
A doctrine that is often attributed to Kano and his successors is that a technique is composed of three (some say 4) parts - kuzushi, tsukuri, kake (and some people add zanshin).kuzushi refe… Read More
2017-04-21 00:26
It's amazing how every old dead wise guy seems to say such amazing-sounding stuff. For instance, I've been told that one old dead wise guy once said, "If you do small techniques you wi… Read More
2017-04-11 21:36
Per my last post, we've started working Junana in more of a kihon mode. That is, static uke and explicit emphasis on making each phase of the technique (kuzushi, tsukuri, and kake) as… Read More
2017-04-04 02:40
Every teacher and organization and group and subgroup has its own distinctive practices. Things they do because of the way they interact or the particular way that they happen to think… Read More
2017-03-29 14:14
When I'm filtering around the interwebs looking for things of interest, I prefer to look for the commonalities between different approaches rather than the differences. For instance, I… Read More
2017-03-28 00:53
Aikido is not aiki. In fact, it is just a primer that we might be able to use to achieve a distant goal. But a good primer is nothing to sneeze at..If we were to set sail for a d… Read More
2017-03-26 01:10
In my previous post I posed a question. Does aikido possess a technique or skill that would allow the aikidoka to reliably make a violent opponent stop their misdeeds immediately without nec… Read More
2016-10-07 14:27
I've had some discussion recently with some buddies about the effectiveness of aikido at making a real life bad guy stop what he is doing right now. That is, when a situation is critic… Read More
2016-10-06 17:25
Here is another excellent demonstration of Koryu Dai Yon kata. I like this one even better than the previous one that I posted. Although that previous kata was perhaps more polis… Read More
2016-10-05 17:01
How many aikidoka does it take to screw in a light bulb? A dozen - one to screw the thing up and eleven to tell him, "That's not how we do it at our dojo.".When I was preparing for my… Read More
2016-10-03 14:09
“Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable. Let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all.” Douglas AdamsWhat is this aiki… Read More
2016-09-27 15:49
Each of the Koryu kata seems to have a spirit or theme that makes it distinct and unique. This is done as a challenge to growth - sort of a, “now that you know most all the aik… Read More
2016-09-26 16:47
One can think about kuzushi in a lot of different ways, including - A pre-requisite or set-ups for doing a technique. The first step in executing a technique. (Classical judo th… Read More
2016-08-09 16:38
So, Nick's got a cool shindig planned for end of September at his place in OKC. I think the way it works is everyone that shows up is supposed to bring some aiki or judo thing to play… Read More
2016-02-03 18:12
There is, of course, an objective skillset underlying aikido and judo, but each practitioner seems to also have a subjective aesthetic ideal of what the art is supposed to look and feel like… Read More
2016-01-31 01:18
Today we had our first Aikido Renaissance Playday of the year, and I went into it thinking along the lines of playing with aiki-jo material and trying to figure out what sticks and swords ha… Read More
2016-01-08 14:48
We almost never allow students to do newaza (ground grappling) and tachiwaza (stand-up throwing) practice at the same time on the same mat. This is especially important in a small prac… Read More
2016-01-07 18:10
A lot of times in our classes, we get hung up on throwing people down - as if that were our goal. It isn't. We are not out to topple and smash - our real goal is to develop and d… Read More
2016-01-05 15:43
Why is deashibarai the first technique of the gokyo? I have wondered this for a long time, and (in my spare time) sought an answer. I've come up with a couple of possible answers… Read More
2016-01-05 15:43
Why is deashibarai the first technique of the gokyo? I have wondered this for a long time, and (in my spare time) sought an answer. I've come up with a couple of possible answers… Read More
2016-01-04 18:10
I've been assured by all the Baby-Boomer curmudgeons out there that too much access to smartphones and Facebook and Internet and television and computer games would make me stupid. I'm… Read More
2016-01-04 04:00
In preparing for the start of a new class tomorrow, I ran across this set of performance measures that we have used in the past to judge the viability and righteousness of what we are doing… Read More
2015-12-31 17:14
Historically, I haven't had many students express interest in competing in judo or Tomiki aikido competitions. I've tried to carefully remain neutral and offer students the opportunity… Read More
Subscribe to Mokuren Dojo
Get updates delivered right to your inbox!