Sunday, July 26, 2009

Jiu-jitsu vs Aikido terminology and techniques

Aikido is a 20th-century offshoot of jiu-jitsu, whose core empty-hand techniques are -- unsurprisingly -- drawn from jiu-jitsu.

Since aikido terminology is standardized and widespread, it's useful for me to have a ready reference so that when someone starts talking about a particular technique by its aikido name I can quickly visualize a corresponding jiu-jitsu technique.

So here are some basic aikido techniques and the nearest equivalents in the jiu-jitsu system that I practice.

Ikkyō (aikido): Elbow roll submission (jiu-jitsu), elbow turn-takedown (also jiu-jitsu)
Nikyō: Side wrist throw, wristlock technique, bent elbow wristlock
Sankyō: Wristlock comealong, lifting wrist-flex comealong, corkscrew
Kote gaeshi: Basic wrist throw, metacarpal wrist throw
Shiho nage: Shoulder-lock rear takedown, shoulder-lock comealong
Hiji-jime: Reverse armbar

Each technique comes in many variations and diverse applications. However, in each case the jiu-jitsu and aikido "equivalents" that I have grouped together are all recognizably related, even though the principle versions differ somewhat in execution.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Mid-year presentations

I am just back from the mid-year grading presentation at our Honbu (HQ), where grading certificates were presented to everyone who passed a grade (or grades) in jiu-jitsu, judo or chinese boxing.

From our school, congratulations go to Lisa, John, Jeremy and Lejoe who all passed their respective gradings with flying colors.

Additionally, certificates of merit were awarded to David, Ashley, David and Connor, all of whom completed significant training and made excellent progress, but were unable to do their gradings this time round.

Well done, everyone!  

This was the most people I've had grade in one go, but if present trends are any indication, we should have an even larger contingent at the end of the year.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Just Married!

I haven't been blogging that much recently, partly because I've been getting ready for my marriage to another (more popular) blogger, PatchAndi, which came to fruition last Sunday.

Here's my beautiful bride, walking in with her parents:


We were married under a chuppah that Andi made out of kimono fabrics (inspired by my martial arts obsession and her love of the color red) ...


 ... surrounded by our respective parents ...


and our two gorgeous children.

An extensive party followed, featuring much dancing, eating, drinking, speeches, and more dancing.  It was all great!