Taijutsu : A ninja's path

Taijutsu meaning "Body Technique" is a term for a Japanese martial arts technique that rely solely on body dynamics as opposed to weapons and other devices. Here, one learns to use all of one’s body and not just one’s limbs separately. The base of this training, at least in the first stages, is the movement, what in Japanese is called Tai Sabaki.

The Japanese term "Taijutsu" is synonymous with the Art of the Ninja. Taijutsu translates as "The Way or Art of the Body." It ususally is associated with the Ancient Japanese Empty Hand Techniques practiced by the Ninja and a few other Ancient Martial Ryuha or lineages. The words are easy enough to understand. However, the Art of the Body is not. Notice the name is not the "Art of the Body Parts." It is simply the "Art of the Body." One Completely Unified Body. This concept goes all the way back to the Chinese origins of the Japanese Martial Arts where the Chinese say : "If One Joint Moves, All Nine Joints Move." This is really profound and difficult to understand on the Physical Level. If you tilt your head slightly, just one joint, your neck, will have moved. Therefore, every other joint in your body will have to shift slightly in order to keep your Structural Integrity intact. If this does not happen, you will lose the Harmony and Balance between your "In" and "Yo" or Yin and Yang. After that, the flow of your Ki or Internal Energy will not be correct and the skill level of your Taijutsu will become much lower. You will have to depend more on local muscle strength and less on whole body power to accomplish your goals. Ki unties your whole body. It is the only one thing that connects the distant parts together. How else can the power from your foot drive your hand? There is no one muscle or even one nerve that travels that whole distance. Yet, with the proper alignment, you can easily feel the power flow from your feet to your finger tips!

Taijutsu techniques may include strikes, kicks, joint locks, throws such as those found in martial arts like jujutsu, judo and karate, etc. While most of its aspects appear external, the student will find many internal aspects as well.

Taijutsu techniques may include strikes, kicks, joint locks, throws such as those found in martial arts like jujutsu, judo and karate, etc. While most of its aspects appear external, the student will find many internal aspects as well.

Taijutsu techniques may include strikes, kicks, joint locks, throws such as those found in martial arts like jujutsu, judo and karate, etc. While most of its aspects appear external, the student will find many internal aspects as well.

As an example, here's an excerpt from the Bujinkan-Ninpo-Togakure-ryu ninjutsu curriculum:

• Taijutsu (body art/movement)
  
  
  • junan taiso (body conditioning)
  
  
  • taihenjutsu (body movement)
    
    
    • ukemi (going to the ground safely)
    
    
    • kaiten (rolling)
    • tobi (leaping)
  
  
  • dakentaijutsu (striking methods)
    
    • koppojutsu (bone attacks)
    • koshijutsu (muscle attacks)
    
    
  • jutaijutsu (grappling methods)
    
    • nage (throws)
    • hajutsu (escapes)
    • gyakuwaza (locks and controls)
    • shimewaza (chokes)

Budo Taijutsu is comprised of nine schools, only three of which are actually ninjutsu ryu. The nine schools are:

• Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu (Hidden Door School)
• Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu (Jewel Tiger School)
• Kukishinden Ryu Happo Hikenjutsu (Nine Demon Gods School)
• Koto Ryu Koppojutsu (Tiger Knocking Down School)
• Shindenfudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu (Immovable Heart School)
• Takagi yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu (High Tree, Raised Heart School)
• Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu (Truth, Loyalty and Justice School)
• Gyokushin Ryu Kosshijutsu/Ninjutsu (Jeweled Heart School)
• Kumogakure Ryu Ninpo (Hiding in the Clouds School)

Unlike many martial arts, Budo Taijutsu has continued to evolve and adapt to each passing generation. As some styles are locked into practicing techniques designed to be effective against now defunct weapons and strategies, Budo Taijutsu teaches the practitioner how to deal with the dangers of an ever-changing modern society.

Living martial traditions must change and adapt with the times. Budo Taijutsu is the antitheosis of this idea. The basic idea, or "feeling" remains the same, the applications change. Budo Taijutsu is effective whether you're fighting unarmed, with a traditional weapon, or a modern weapon.

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Philippines : Yaw-Yan

It sounds chinese, with movements resembling that of Thai-Boxing and Tae-kwon-do but the origin is strictly Filipino, once taught only to select Filipino students who have to undergo series of tests of character, loyalty, and fortitude, is now being offered to everyone. Yaw-Yan is billed as the Philippine's most lethal martial art. The word Yaw-Yan was derived from the two last syllables of "Sayaw ng Kamatayan" meaning "Dance of Death", originated by Grandmaster Napoleon A. Fernandez, an undefeated All-asian and Far-East Kickboxing champion.

Contrary to most popular belief, Yaw-Yan is not purely a full-contact no-holds barred sport martial arts. It is a complete martial training with body-mind coordination and test of enduring indomitable spirit. More than just physical training, it also involves the mental disciplines of focus, concentration, alertness, flexibility, stamina, speed and continuity. Students train for real confrontation and actual fights -- on or off the ring. Advanced Disciples have to go through a rigorous ritual of practice and discipline consisting of actual full-contact sparring, bag hitting, and flexibility exercises. The elbows, knees, and shin are utilized in much the same way as in Muay Thai.

Yaw-Yan practitioners have to learn 40 basic kicks, advanced disciples have to be able to execute and apply complexed advanced kicks requiring great dexterity, flexibility, and mastery. Most of these advanced kicks are trick kicks which always caught unsuspecting opponents by surprise.

Yaw-Yan practitioners are also adept with Philippine bladed weaponries such as the balisong and bolo. Bladed weapons are mere extensions of the hands. The forearm strikes, elbows, punches, palms strikes, and hand movements are empty-hand translations of the bladed weapons. There are 12 bolo punches which were patterned from Arnis, the Philippines' very own armed art. These punches have continous fluid striking motion quite similar to western boxing but incorporating the art of Arnis. Grappling, ground-fighting, and knife-fighting had always been a part of the Philippines' martial art and are always incorporated during the Yaw-Yan practice period. Yaw-Yan is a transformation of ancient Filipino Martial Arts and a Modern Competition Sport with high emphasis on practicality and actual confrontation.



The Yaw-Yan Symbol

All lines on the seal show the non-resistance principle of Yaw-Yan. The non-opposing lines fluidly flow continuously either with others or independently on its’ own.

The first outermost black circle is thicker than the second black circle or any of the other lines. This circle signifies the infinite power that encompasses all being, no beginning and no end. This outer circle signifies God is my shield.

The second circle is white, sandwiched between the first outermost black circle & second black circle. This signifies secrecy. Everyone has its’ own weakness and strength, Yaw-Yan practitioners are not an exception to this.

The third circle is another black circle; this signifies Organization and Honor, the organization which binds all Yaw-Yan brothers & sisters together. Give due respect and obedience to our Grandmaster, as well as to your elder brothers and sisters, and be polite to everyone including your younger brothers and sisters in the art. This traditional hierarchy within the organization, common to Filipino customs and values shall be observed at all times.

The blue circle, the red ellipse, and white space are all directly connected to this third circle, this is to remind each of us that life’s most valued treasure more valuable than life itself is Honor.

There are 3 main colors inside the black circle which signifies the same meaning as the Philippines' flag - White for peace which can also mean truth or purity, Red for bravery, and Blue for loyalty.

Red signifies bravery and preparedness, always ready for what is to come. The space it occupies on the seal also stands for 40 basic kicks. This color is on a sort of elliptical or eclipsing shape. Imagine this to resemble the bamboo tree -- when young, it boasts to reach the sky, it continues on as it grows, but gradually in time as it aged it bends humbly forward. This is the same as the learning process common not only in all martial arts but life in general.

Blue stands for Loyalty and Allegiance. The space it occupies on the seal also stands for 12 bolo punches. Notice that this color is on a humbly smaller round circle than the other circles -- where it begun it continues without end. It is directly connected to the bigger circle, signifying loyalty to the organization. Yaw-Yan members are loyal to the brotherhood, the organization, and to its’ founder. When you became an advanced disciple, you were not given a belt which you can easily take off your waist, but a hot iron branded mark you carry with you wherever you go, signifying that you are a part of the whole.

All the curving lines and the colors - black, white, red and blue... stands for the creed declaration - "Yaw-Yan is my weapon."