Daito-ryu is a traditional martial arts path suitable for women and men of all ages.
This club maintains strong links to Japan and the Aiki Jujutsu shihan in Osaka. This martial art is very deep and not a fast path to a black belt. Dedicated study will bring many rewards to those who apply themselves. Aiki promotes freedom from mental and physical tension, no matter the external environment. Learn to harmonise your mind, body and spirit to be truly in the moment, open to opportunity, empowered in adversity.
Daito-ryu Aiki Jujutsu as taught within the Takumakai, is a challenging Kobudo (a battle tested, ancient martial way) that requires many years of patient dedication to truly unlock its secrets. There is much about this traditional school of Jujutsu that is hidden in the sense that there are many subtle elements within each technique that are not obvious to the casual observer. Daito-ryu encompasses the skills and philosophy that were at the core of one of Japan's most powerful samurai clans known as the Aizu.
At the beginning of learning, one struggles to copy the movements of the sensei (teacher), all the time wondering how on earth this stuff works. It is particularly difficult for those who are focused on using muscular power and strength as often they have not learned how to be soft and to feel each movement. Feeling is crucial. Learning it is a journey of discovery that can take a life time.
Daito-ryu as a Budo and a Bujutsu
In martial arts there are many different approaches and focuses between different styles. A budo is known as a martial way, that is, it is a pathway for polishing the self, a way for promoting personal growth. Arts that typify this include Judo, Aikido, Kendo, Kyudo amongst others. All of these martial ways are modern, having developed from ancient bujutsu. A bujutsu however includes the complete practical skill set of the warrior, concerned with honing the efficiency of warriors in complete battlefield skills. Bujutsu is not sport and neither is it directly concerned with self development. However, the Japanese realized that personal growth will arise from entering deeply into something and giving completely of oneself. There are many pathways for this in Japanese culture, some of which include the tea ceremony, calligraphy and flower arranging. Daito-ryu is a budo that maintains it`s bujutsu origins, using the original physical techniques and training forms of the warrior to achieve spiritual growth. In modern life one may hopefully never need to draw on the physical skills of the warrior which are the focus of practice, but the inner lessons learned from practice will empower us to address all manner of situations in our lives.
Kawabe sensei - Demonstrating in Finland.
The Source of Martial Inspiration
Daito-ryu is a very deep, complete art that has influenced and given rise to other very popular martial arts. Two significant offspring include Aikido (Japanese) and Hapkido (Korean). Aikido came about after world war II, and focused on the ethical, philosophical and spiritual aspects of the harmonization approach found within the "aiki" principles of Daito-ryu. Hapkido has less emphasis on spiritual concerns and combines the Korean striking art of Taekwondo with the joint locking and throwing techniques drawn from Daito-ryu.
While there are many techniques within Daito-ryu, the essence of the physical art is more than the sum of these technique; Daito-ryu aiki jujutsu is a complete system of training for mind, body and spirit. Much of the training involves learning how to move efficiently and effectively, and this physical training can change one's way of thinking. The techniques themselves can be considered pathways to learning and eventual understanding. Ultimately, one who learns and discovers the Aiki of Daito-ryu is not bound by set technique or forms, but can move freely, maintaining complete control over oneself and the situation at hand. This freedom is something that can encompass one`s entire way of being. In much more than a physical sense "Aiki will set you free".
Womens Self Defence, Aiki will set you free
Daito-ryu Aiki Jujutsu is an excellent martial art for young and old of both sexes however it is particularly good for women. There is even a unique high level curriculum that is intended specifically for women. Aiki which can be softly and harmoniously applied, is what makes this art so available to women and men of all ages. When one starts to understand and feel what aiki is, strength becomes less and less relevant. As hard as an aggressor may attack, this attack can softly and easily be managed and overcome. Some of the best Japanese practitioners of Aiki Jujutsu in the Takumakai are women. Because women do not have the same strength as men, many generally find it easier to understand and apply aiki intuitively to jujutsu technique. If you are a woman of any age that has an interest in learning a real self defence path then you should seriously consider Daito-ryu Aiki Jujutsu. Not only will you find an excellent martial art that conditions your body and empowers your confidence, you will also find that the Aiki way can change and improve many other aspects of your life as well.
The Women of Daito-ryu Takumakai - Demonstrating in Finland.
Belts and Progression
On average it will take around six years (two sessions a week) to shodan (black belt), which in truth is only the beginning of learning. After shodan, a student is considered to have committed to the journey and in addition to a blackbelt is entitled to wear a hakama (traditional pants). In Takumakai Daito-ryu there are only three coloured belts ; white (up to sankyu the fourth grading), brown (nikyu and ikkyu, the fifth and sixth grading test respectively) and finally black (for all dan grade tests thereafter). Junior classes have different colored belts to seniors and maintain a similar belt system to Judo.
The best way to learn what this art is all about is to practice. Come along and have a go, first lesson free.
Costs for Classes
Gold Coast Dojo costs are kept low thanks to the Tweed Heads PCYC which provides best practice facilities for members. Payment is a low fee payable on attendance of each class. Other costs include membership of the PCYC and the Australian Jujutsu Association. There is also a small yearly contribution towards the clubs insurance. All instructors are volunteers who are practising and teaching for the love of the art not money.
Costs are as follows
Cost per Class:
Seniors $7
Juniors $5
Annual Memberships (approx $45 in total):
PCYC annual - $20
Australian Ju Jitsu Association annual student $20
Martial Arts Insurance Contribution
Approximately $10
Grading Costs (Payable on successful completion of grading):
Complete Takumakai Aiki Jujutsu Practice manual (available after first grading): $15
Japanese kyu grading recognition and hand made calligraphy certificate (exchange rate dependent) currently $50.
