Greetings from Japan!

Mike and I attended the last training session of the year with Soke at the Hombu on 26 December 2004. That was the last session that Soke taught this year's theme of Roppo Kuji Bikenjutsu. Although training was great, focusing on using the elbows in conjunction with the hips, we could tell Soke is ready for the New Year's theme of Gyokko Ryu Kosshi Bikenjutsu, Tachi and Bo.

He treated us to a preview of what is in store with a couple of Tachi and Bo techniques performed by someone who would be wearing armor. Soke did a lot of techniques during 2004 as if wearing armor, so this was not something totally new to us. (Although Mike and I were in the USA during Daikomyosai 2004, we heard that the Shihan wore armor quite a lot during the 3 days of training.) What was new was the concept of doing the techniques from the perspective of Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu. By that I mean, getting in close, pivoting on a center axis, gripping the opponent or the opponent's clothing with "koshi." The advanced point of the technique is to grip the opponent's spirit in "koshi," not just part of their body.

Duncan from Tasmania, a resident of Noda for this last year or so, said it best. Soke called him up to be uke and after demonstrating a technique on him, asked Duncan to explain his feeling. Duncan said, "from the moment Soke called me up to be uke, he had me off balance." So this will be the advanced version of the New Year's theme-- to unbalance your opponent by using "koshi" of the spirit. Now go play!!

Mike and I wish you a safe and wonderful holiday and all things good for the New Year. We hope to see you in Japan and/or at one of our workshops in the USA, Canada and elsewhere.

Bufu Ikkan,

Phil Legare
Tokyo, Japan
31 December 2004