Aikido and Chinese Kung-fu : Similarities and Differences/ Ryuji Shirakawa and Tamotsu Miyahira

0:00 I realized that although Aikido and Chinese martial arts share similar forms,

0:03 their levels of danger are vastly different.

0:06 What do you think about aikido?

0:10 A discussion on Bujutsu between Ryuji Shirakawa and Tamotsu Miyahira.

0:14 This is actually a scene from the Blu-ray box set “Crossroad

0:18 Evolution.” There is also training in Sendai and a long interview.

0:23 In Okinawa, Shirakawa sensei demonstrates Aikido on tatami

0:29 mats and experiences Miyahira sensei's terrifying techniques.

0:33 What's more, the Blu-ray box set includes

0:35 a large amount of footage of Togo Ishii, for a total of 6.5 hours.

0:39 Today, we will show you the beginning of the Bujutsu

0:43 discussion from this highly satisfying Blu-ray box set.

0:47 Thank you very much for your guidance over the past two days.

0:50 Through actual experience,

0:51 I realized that although Aikido and Chinese martial arts share similar forms,

0:56 their levels of danger are vastly different.

0:59 This difference clearly highlights the distinct

1:04 philosophical foundations between Chinese martial arts,

1:09 which originated in China, and Aikido.

1:15 Even with similar forms, the presence of destructive and lethal elements

1:21 underscores the profound historical differences between the two.

1:27 I also felt a sense of commonality in various techniques.

1:32 However, the fact that wild,

1:38 raw techniques like the "qin-na" I explained yesterday still exist

1:51 may indicate that Bujutsu has not yet evolved into Budo.

2:03 I feel that I have experienced

2:07 the difference between Budo and Bujutsu this time.

2:12 I think that the transition to Budo has

2:14 increased safety and led to its widespread development,

2:15 but perhaps what has been lost is its lethality and destructive power.

2:20 On the other hand, in your Bujutsu, there is a focus on its dangerous aspects.

2:25 It's not a matter of which is better, but I have once again felt

2:30 that there are significant differences between the two.

2:33 That's right.

2:34 However, in modern times, Budo also has aspects such as education,

2:40 physical training, and health methods.

2:44 And techniques with lethal force may be considered excessive self-defense

2:48 in a modern country governed by the rule of law.

2:53 In such an environment, the fact that I am still practicing Bujutsu,

2:59 which has lethal force, may be considered a bit anachronistic.

3:03 Dangerous techniques that destroy the human body cannot

3:09 be used against actual people in modern times.

3:15 These are techniques that people in the old

3:18 days actually experienced and passed down to us.

3:22 Therefore, if we were to stop practicing them now,

3:27 there would be no way to study them again in the future.

3:33 That's why we are trying to preserve these dangerous techniques in our dojo.

3:37 However, we need to think carefully about how to make use of them in the future.

3:45 It is certainly difficult.

3:46 Once something is lost, it is difficult to regain it.

3:50 I agree.

3:50 If we completely prioritize safety, it will become something different.

3:54 So, I think that is a difficult point for instructors.

3:56 If we push forward with the goal

4:00 of popularization and development while prioritizing safety,

4:04 the original direction may be distorted.

4:07 I think we need to be careful about that as well.

4:11 There is a method of verification using "kata",

4:13 but conversely, if you only practice kata,

4:15 it becomes formalized and you can only move within that framework.

4:19 That said, if you incorporate free attack and defense in competition,

4:24 you will practice thoroughly according to the rules,

4:29 and as a result, it may end up going

4:34 in a different direction from what the founder intended.

4:39 Therefore, it is very difficult for instructors.

4:42 It is truly difficult.

4:43 I feel that Miyahira Sensei's Bujutsu cannot be systematized and taught.

4:46 Since it involves teaching dangerous techniques,

4:49 the original spirit and training methods must be conveyed with great

4:52 care to prevent it from going in the wrong direction.

4:54 On the other hand, if we overly prioritize safety and create rules,

4:57 it might become too rule-based and end up in a different direction.

4:58 Therefore, I believe you are doing something very delicate and challenging.

5:03 This is not about which is correct, but rather about yin and yang.

5:08 In other words, there is a point of yin within yang,

5:11 and a point of yang within yin.

5:13 Therefore, you must adapt and respond appropriately depending on the situation.

5:19 This also varies depending on the level of each disciple.

5:21 For example, even among the veteran members of our dojo,

5:25 there are those who can use their feet

5:27 without hesitation after knocking their partner to the ground,

5:29 and those who cannot bring themselves to use

5:33 their feet on a partner who has fallen.

5:37 So, conversely, we have them practice soft

5:40 movements and exercises that focus on health.

5:43 We also have those who are not yet at the level

5:50 where they can knock their partner down practice Bujutsu techniques more.

5:57 We always give advice tailored to each individual disciple.

6:07 If you don't carefully assess each person's level,

6:10 dangerous situations may arise, or the person may misunderstand.

6:15 We build each person up very delicately, considering that balance.

6:22 In that sense, I realized that Miyahira Sensei

6:25 is doing something that is truly difficult to spread.