Aikido: Yasuno Sensei seminar in Paris (2-3 Feb '08)
Over the past weekend I attended an aikido training seminar in Paris, given by Yasuno Masatoshi, a Shihan (master instructor) from the Aikikai Honbu dojo in Tokyo. I also had the chance to catch up with some of my friends in Paris, so the weekend flew by much to fast!
Yasuno Sensei is well known for his powerful and dynamic aikido, and at the seminar he demonstrated it clearly. His style strongly resembles that of his late teacher, the legendary Yamaguchi Sensei. Also his teaching style seems similar, from what I have seen on video. My primary teacher, Christian Tissier sensei, was also a student of Yamaguchi sensei and it was interesting to see the similarities and differences between Tissier and Yasuno’s way of teaching.
In teaching Yasuno sensei concentrates on principals and themes rather than fixed, individual techniques. The individual techniques at the seminar were mostly variations of ikyo and irimi nage, but they regularly mutated into whatever seemed appropriate at any given moment. Two other techniques that stood out were his trademark shihonage and expertly timed tai tade (body slam).
His style is very organic, spontaneous and instinctive and he seems to demonstrate endless mutations of a technique, each mutation uniquely adapted to each attack. Through watching all these variations a central theme or set of underlying principles becomes apparent. The following principals stood out for me: • keeping upright posture • breaking the attacker’s posture (the primary action) • controlling the attacker’s spine or axis • distancing • timing
Yasuno Sensei in Jedi mode
Yasuno sensei demonstrated all techniques empty handed as well as with the sword (ken), short staff (jo) and a short fat stick like a taiko drumming stick that I have never seen in aikido before. I was very impressed by his weapons work. His sword drawing is almost identical to the simple and direct Kashima Shin Ryu method as taught by Tissier Sensei. My guess is that he too must have studied that particular sword school.
His techniques are effortless and devastatingly effective. One doesn’t get the impression that the uke (attacker) is co-operating or “throwing himself”, as is so often the case in aikido. All the applications are martial, but not brutal or violent. The level of ukemi (receiving technique, or falling) was also very high. I wish I could have filmed it!
The seminar was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone present, from beginners to the most advanced students. The teaching was in Japanese and translated into French so most of the verbal teaching when straight over my head, but Yasuno sensei’s visual language is very clear. He gave me allot of material to work on and created an environment in which I was free to experiment. His manner is vigorous dignified and he teaches with great authority and a healthy dash of humour.
It was agreat seminar and I look forward to training with Yasuno Sensei again some day!
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