Friday, August 23, 2013

Patrick Parker's Challenge

FRIDAY KNIGHT NEWS

Patrick Parker of the Mokuren Dojo issued a challenge to write a post per day for twelve days on the various Tomiki judo-taiso, unsoku, tandoku, tegatana exercises. He issued the challenge to the Tomiki aikido stylist. I fall short here both on the duration and affiliation.

Nick Ushin Lowry and Eric Pearson both have covered in depth the history of these exercises and the evolution of oyo of the aikido taiso in the Tomiki lineage. The Tokoshi Bujutsu lineage is a direct descendant off of this history. Since there is very little I could contribute to the treatment of the subject as to likes of Nick Lowery, Eric Pearson and Patrick Parker. I decided to devote my once weekly blog to the Tokoshi Bujutsu Ryu jujutsu version of this exercise.

History has different perspectives depending upon the viewpoint of the individual involved. Some individuals become entrapped in the belief that the evolution of the art that the study reached its apex at the time whatever version of history their association owes their allegiance too, (in truth I just looked for something that worked for me). This is true of many martial arts styles from aikido, jujutsu, karate, kenjutsu, and ninjutsu. This is even true with Chinese based arts Wing Chun and Jeet Kune Do.

The particular lineage I that I owe my allegiance to is an offshoot of a branch founded by Merritt Stevens, sensei. Stevens, sensei did a lot of work with law enforcement and had a big organization. This is where my sensei met him. It is my understanding that Merritt Stevens was one of the original men to bring Tomiki aikido to the USA and that he was a founder of an offshoot system that he called Kaichido. Many of the officers and prison guards from the Tokoshi Federation had backgrounds in Tomiki aikido, Kaichido, judo and various types of jujutsu, karate or kung fu.

My sensei Tom Manson had a 4th Degree Black Belt Kachido Aikijitsu along with higher ranks in karate and jujutsu and he instructed self-defense tactics to various law enforcement personnel throughout the state. Ten of seventeen kata from the the Tomiki style of Aikido was used as a foundation to the self-defense curriculum that was certified by the state for instruction. The major variation with Tokoshi and Kaichido was the inclusion of more of the Hakkoryu Jujutsu, and other jujutsu systems as well as karate. This I believe is reflected in the walks.



We refer to the walks as aiki tai sabai and they consist of eight movements of eight each of which can be seen as either an evasion, block, lock, strike, or throw. Each dojo even within the same system seems to have a slight variation to the walks according to the understanding of the practitioners. Side-by-side comparisons often invoke either disapproval or enlightenment. I hope this serves for the latter, as a wise man can learn from a fool.

My stories are about martial arts adventures that are intertwined with paranormal or supernatural events. The following links are to the Kindle version books from the "Dream Walker” series. Our adventurers find themselves on a quest where they are confronted with both conspiracy and mystery. Their challenge is to unite their mind and body skills together utilizing what they have learned in the martial arts with the transcendental power of dream mediation. They attempt to do this while they are trying to make a life for themselves and elude those that seek to use and control them.

Conversations with a Sage (Book 1 of the Dream-Walker)

Conversations with a Sage: This explores Xander Davidson's early encounters with the mysterious fog like Dream Walking martial art sages. He ponders if they are real or if they are only remnants of his dreams. He mainly keeps this secret world to himself as he tries to copes with abuse, growing up without support or guidance and the mystery of his family's past. 

Xander and the Assassins Gift (Book 2 of the Dream-Walker)

The Assassins Gift: Xander Davidson struggles with the conspiracy of his family and the group that is actively trying to manipulate him to join them or die. The young Dream Walkers learns an early lesson to be careful about whom they let into their circle.


Warriors of Perception (Book 3 of the Dream-Walker)

Warriors of Perception: Xander Davidson and his band of friends embark on a mission to free themselves from their oppressors. They bravely face the challenge all the while vying for the right moment to turn the tables.


Jace Lee The Shift (Book 4 of the Dream-Walker)

Jace Lee The Shift: We find a new apprentice, Adam, that is fighting for his life. He is struggling to understand the amazing skills of his mentor, Jace Lee; a younger man that has trained under Xander Davidson. All the while his mentor attempts to reconcile the fact that his skills do not match up with the other Dream Walkers.


Jace Lee No Agenda (Dream Walker Book 5)

Jace Lee No Agenda: Jace Lee attempts to find himself on a self-imposed vision quest of sorts. Instead he finds himself being stalked by the same group that had previously sought after his teacher, (Xander Davidson). Instead of mastering his odd Dream Walking skills he finds love and the potential loss of his powers.

Jace Lee and the Tutelage of Ming Wu: Dream Walker 6 

Jace Lee The Tutelage of Ming Wu: Jace Lee rejoins his teacher Xander Davidson as they cope with a possible combined threat (the mysterious), Ming Wu and the Council that has continuously monitored the Dream Walkers.      

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