2024 TAA Summer Gasshuku Wrap-Up

During the course of the training, one of the candidates urged the Shihan Division to put together curriculum videos of the koryu no kata, also known as the dai-san.  There is no real need for us to do so, however, because both Shodokan and the JAA have already filmed the dai-san, and our very own Erik DeVietro has done a masterful job of creating a comparison video of those two endeavors.  You can view that video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9MN06Bo3Vw .

The toshu (person performing the techniques) for Shodokan is Sakai Sensei through the tanto-dori followed by Sato Sensei doing the jo and bokken techniques, while the toshu for JAA is Konaka Sensei.  They are all superb aikido players, and personally I think both performances are very well done.  As someone who has trained extensively in Japan (10 years), at Waseda under Tomiki Sensei and Ohba Sensei initially in the 1970s, and then under Shishida Sensei (i.e., the JAA), and at Shodokan under Nariyama Sensei in the1980s, I think the Shodokan performance is better.  The only point where I diverge from that opinion is #5 in the tanto dori waza, where I think that Konaka Sensei of the JAA does a better job because he finishes with both arms locking tanto’s elbow, which is the way that Tomiki Sensei taught me the technique.  I also believe that that finish is more powerful and effective.

In addition to highly recommending the above YouTube video for those of you working on the dai-san, I wish to remind everyone that I have filmed much of the TAA kyu-level curriculum.  That content can be found on the TAA website behind the paywall, not to mention the Pandemic Dojo clips that I did during lockdown and which also are on the website.  I urge everyone to study the videos thoroughly, not only to learn the material but to refresh your memories.  The USA is a very large country, making it difficult for all of us to meet up in person on a regular basis; thus, the videos are a good way to learn and remember.

Something that I consistently notice as I teach across the country is that many folks have a tendency to revert to something they think they were originally taught but which they themselves have transmogrified over time or which might have been erroneously taught to them in the first place.   I have seen something as basic as movements from the tegatana dosa being taught and done erroneously.  If we, all the members of the TAA, want to improve our aikido and finally win some medals at the World Championships, then we must up our game starting now.  Right now.  Immediately.
Remember, the next World Championship is being held in Switzerland in 2026, so we have two years to get our act together.  

Yours in Aikido,

Bob Dziubla Shihan, 8th dan
Head of Shihan Division