Maruyama Sensei seminar 2003

A Seminar report on the Master Koretoshi Maruyama 5 day seminar held at Goshinkan, Byron Bay, Australia Sept 5-9 Sept 2003

What a fantastic, energetic seminar this year - fortunately spring came 

late to Byron Bay which kept the temperatures favorable for vigorous 

training (though challenging for Gi washing/drying)

This year Sensei Maruyama focused on three ideas (the Seichusen, Moon 

shadow foot and Lizard legs) these were repeatedly emphasized and 

experienced through aikido technique and weapons training. These ideas are 

spoken at length in the new yuishinkai student guidebook by Sensei Michael 

Williams but became living (reality?) at the seminar. Whilst most of the 

tehnique syllabus was covered during the five days, I'll not attempt to 

convey this here(though perhaps others will attempt?).

The Seichusen

The centre line (encompassing the gei/seika, chu, and jo tandens) is 

familiar to many aikkidoka, its relationship to uke's centre line, where to 

cut for projections and having that forward feeling during leading were 

emphasized during weapons suburi and aikido technique.

I think Maruyamas seichusen was tested only once...as a passenger in Sensei 

Neil's (Cleveland dojo) Corvette Stingray between classes one day ;)

Moon Shadow foot

Is a method of breaking ma-ai without ukes knowledge, this is achieved by 

sliding the front forward with no weight on it (as a transitionary 

movement). I guess a lot of experienced aikidoka do this anyway but it's 

nice to have it presented in formal detail. Maruyama sensei explained how 

it is borrowed from the shinkage sword school(s) and spoke of its use in 

some famous duels in history. The name itself comes from how your foot 

moves forward like the reflection of the moon on a pond.

Lizard legs

Was presented as a way of stepping to make distance to shikaku (hidden 

point behind uke) comfortable with out having to take big steps, awkward 

shuffling or dramatic leaps. Sensei explained this has helped his aikido 

become more effective with big westerners (in particular Peter from 

Fuji-ryu in Tasmania) and how as our bodies age this is a way to continue 

to do effective movements with less hip mobility.

Weapons training

Of particular interest to me were his insights into traditional sword 

practice where he explained a little of the linage of our sword training 

and more on the famous shinkage ryu schools. He spoke why we have different 

stances to traditional sword practice -  owing to the use of  bokken and 

not having to wear heavy armour and also about some of the 'fictions' of 

swordsmanship in popular Japanese movies.

A day of the seminar was devoted to Jo and Bokken practice, where we 

studied the relationship of the above 3 principles through kata and 

kumitachi. We studied bokken-bokken kumitachi (much like taigi 29 for you 

KS folks) and he really brought it alive as an intense interaction, we then 

covered Jo-Bokken kumitachi and the bokken part to the first jo kata 

(shooting star aka taigi 27 for KS). In fact I would go as far to say the 

first session was my favorite class(es) ever.

A particular students comment sticks in my head "I thought weapons was an 

interesting side to aikido but never really understood its importance in 

helping me understand things before"

Seminar Dinner/wild party

Saturday night we were treated to local Byron dojo talent at the seminar 

dinner with the 'Senseishins' band lead by Michael Williams Sensei and 

numbering some professional musicians in the group. Quieter moments also 

featured some acoustic guitar and vocals and a few excellent piano and 

vocal standards.

The seminar was well thought out showing a logical progression of ideas for 

each class and the classes as a whole. Its clear that Maruyama sensei has 

evolved his ideas (different from his time with Ki Society), in general 

there is greater martial emphasis and he embraces concepts from other aiki 

styles. e.g. he referred to and explained aiki-age from the daito-ryu as 

well as teaching little snippets of other aiki-things as well (thought i 

spied some shinbudokai stuff as well).

In closing Maruyama emphasized his motto 'I am mind itself' and reiterated 

the importance of posture and the seichusen as the most important thing for 

aikido and daily life. More info can be found on Maruyama sensei can be 

found on http://aikidoyuishinkai.com