That was fun

[koto_ryu]

Went to the 2nd Annual Ninja Camp for the Pittsburgh Bujinkan and had a blast, got to do a lot of stuff we normally don't inside of the dojo. More indepth into the Togakure-ryu school, shuriken throwing and grappling, using shukos, metsubushi (i.e. eggshell bombs), sentry takedowns, sui ren (water training, basically moving quietly through the water and fighting in and under water), stealth games, and the kyoketshu shoge (basically a small kama with a blade pointing out on top connected to either a length of rope or chain with a steel ring on the other end). Got a nasty cold from the water and a few good bumps on the head from experimenting with the best way to defend against a bo if all you have is a kusari fundo, but all in all fun times.

[Hikage]

Went to the 2nd Annual Ninja Camp for the Pittsburgh Bujinkan and had a blast, got to do a lot of stuff we normally don't inside of the dojo. More indepth into the Togakure-ryu school, shuriken throwing and grappling, using shukos, metsubushi (i.e. eggshell bombs), sentry takedowns, sui ren (water training, basically moving quietly through the water and fighting in and under water), stealth games, and the kyoketshu shoge (basically a small kama with a blade pointing out on top connected to either a length of rope or chain with a steel ring on the other end). Got a nasty cold from the water and a few good bumps on the head from experimenting with the best way to defend against a bo if all you have is a kusari fundo, but all in all fun times.

Sounds like a blast! Wish I'd have known about it, had money for it, and had the time for it... Can you give some of us who are interested some details about the techniques you picked up? I'm espescaially interested in the chain v. Bo, the sentry take downs, and what the heck is a "shuko"? The hand things for climbing?

(If you think ninjitsu is crap, that's great, but please don't ruin the chance for the rest of us to learn something).

-Hikage

PS> I assume that this was reserved for those who already possess a firm foundation in the kihon happo? I grow weary of people who's primary aim is to impress people with their "supplimentary knowledge" and skimp on the foundation.

[koto_ryu]

Sounds like a blast! Wish I'd have known about it, had money for it, and had the time for it... Can you give some of us who are interested some details about the techniques you picked up? I'm espescaially interested in the chain v. Bo, the sentry take downs, and what the heck is a "shuko"? The hand things for climbing?

We went into the five kamaes for the Togakure-ryu school, which are:

1)Ich no Kamae (basically ichimonji but your stance is a lot wider with most of your weight on your rear foot and your guard hand is curled as its supposed to be holding either shuriken or metsubushi)

2)Tenchi no Kamae (the same as before, you're just in a similar stance to ich no kamae as all the Togakure-ryu stances are pretty low)

3)Hoppo Gakure (from ich no kamae turn into a modified hoko-like position with arms bent about 45 degrees and in loose fists as if you're holding two metsubushi)

4)Ton Sou no Kamae (again, like ich but your rear hand is inside your gi or sweatshirt pocket or whatever and your rear hand is cradling the elbow, as if you're getting ready to pull out a shuriken or metsubushi)

5)Hira Ichimonji (from ich just turn to the side in hira but elbows more bent than regular hira)

After those we did a lot of work with the shukos (climbing claws), from daikentaijutsu to the kihon happo to weapon defenses and takes (I was surprised how easily they lock around a sword blade), then a lot of sword work, first doing all the kamaes and strikes and such then a few parrys and counters and then stopping the opponent from drawing the sword. We worked up a few fun ones for that too. When they go for a draw, you halt the drawing hand while stepping in and hitting the other hand with a shuto. Then, grabbing the scabbard hand, drag that hand along the blade they're pulling (mean, I know it, but that's why I like it so much ) and then throw them in a takeori and sweep their feet to the ground, snatch their sword, and go Ginsu Chef on em

The kusari fundo vs bo was actually something I figured out on my own time with some buddies, and though I got quite a good bit of lumps (got two nice eggs on my head from my buddy, hes a 2nd kyu and the bo is his favorite weapon) we managed to work out a few strategies. You essentially want to concentrate on using the rigidity of the kusari to pop the bo out of the way (using taisabaki to avoid the strike, or basically moving in an angle to avoid the attack for those who don't know), and then close the distance quickly so you get out of their striking range. Sometimes the pop alone can be enough to disarm then or at least make them lose their grip if you pop it at a nice angle. After that, we got creative with how we took them down, strangling with the bo or kusari, using sampo geris (hidden kicks, often hitting the feet, knees, or nuts) or sokuyaku kens (heel/sole foot dance) while snatching their bos from them. Lots of fun, learned some good stuff.

The sentry takedowns were pretty fun, we started off using the kuhi techniques (basically jumping on them like a pissed off cat), taking them out with shukos, tantos, and the like. Then we did some stalking through the water (which was nut numbing cold and made us all sick) where you had to crawl-swim a good bit to come up behind a "sentry" holding a fake shotgun and have to swim to the shore, stand up, and take him out quietly. We then did teams, where you'd have two attackers on one sentry with lots of mean stuff (such as smacking his yari up, both of you grabbing it and running him into the ground).

The metsubushi techniques were fun too, we basically used baby powder instead of the really mean stuff and we practiced it against individuals and groups with the eggs, sword scabbards, vials, and even blowguns. Played a few stealth games after that, then the next day concentrated on a lot of shuriken training and a little kyoketshu shoge to end the weekend. All in all, a lot of good fun and good training.

PS> I assume that this was reserved for those who already possess a firm foundation in the kihon happo? I grow weary of people who's primary aim is to impress people with their "supplimentary knowledge" and skimp on the foundation.

The majority of those who were there were all members of the Bujinkan, some pretty new but who still had a good time. There was a few who weren't but it was encouraged to bring along others so they could have some fun too. I just put this up mostly for you and anyone else who is genuinely interested in ninjutsu. We only trained about two days, as Fri night we spent watching two DVDs, one was Soke's new "Hidden Weapons" and the other was an older one, "Togakure-ryu Ninpo Taijutsu", but we got a lot out of it.

[Hikage]

Good stuff, thank you sir. I must say, I am impressed by your willingness to piece together techniques on your own with the kusari v. bo. That is how you will learn, not by memorizing something someone else does. Good show.

-Hikage

[koto_ryu]

Good stuff, thank you sir. I must say, I am impressed by your willingness to piece together techniques on your own with the kusari v. bo. That is how you will learn, not by memorizing something someone else does. Good show.

-Hikage

Thanks, I love the kusari so I'm always trying to figure out stuff for it. In most of my training, I try to find ways to piece together techniques with things I already know so I can be like "Ohhhh just like omote gyakku" or "Ohhh kinda like takeori". The kusari vs. bo thing came more out of boredom, I was just playing with my kusari and my buddy with his bo, and I just said "Hey, attack me with that, I wonder what I can do."

Correction on one of the Togakure-ryu kamaes: Tenchi no Kamae is actually called Hachimonji no Kamae, otherwise it's the same.