Interviews with Nishioka Sensei
In regards to our practice of SMRJ, we always train one on one. So it might be assumed that fighting / a battle is always going to be one on one. Why is this so? What is the opinion of SMRJ about fighting with multiple enemies at the same time?
On this topic I can only give my idea about being in a state of readiness, but I do so without real confidence. Training one on one is the only way one can come to understand the basics, and I think other applications can be found entirely in the basics. Even in the situation of confronting multiple opponents, it’s likely that you will face one person at a time, isn’t it?
“Do not turn the enemies behind you,” “Always place your enemies in front of you.” It has been said that one must always fight the enemy in front of you. To expand upon this idea, one might say “target the head of the enemy’s group” or “destroy the enemy’s headquarters.”
Normally, learning consists of practicing basics. If one can’t do the basics, then I feel that one cannot apply (any technique). Perhaps the important thing is the aim of learning. I am extremely annoyed that some people call me a Budoka, or a senior, without knowing why.
Depending on the aim of each person, you will probably get a different answer. I have learnt SMRJ and am now in the position of teaching it. I think I can only say that training one on one is the only way of learning it. I would like to tell you that you will only face one enemy at a time. My feeling is that the ability to deal with a number of people simultaneously is a matter of dealing with one person at a time. When facing such a situation, there is not likely to be many solutions. Naturally, I think it would take one’s whole power to deal with that situation.
Life has been called a battleground, and if life is the battleground – the place where living and dying occurs – we seek budo for the purpose of finding the way for self protection, to remain standing and for long life. That is to have a positive influence on people’s lives, and is definitely not just about killing and wounding.
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Keiko is to learn the important things about life from your parents, or your Sensei, or possibly your ancestors and seniors. The dojo is the place to learn it. I have been thinking about these things whilst making this answer, what do you think? As I expected, I lack real confidence in the answer that this become.
Kiri-otoshi and other discussion - Jodojo Nov 04
Interview with Nishioka Sensei - Jodojo Sept 04
My Thoughts on Honte and Gyakute - A discussion by Nishioka Sensei. Jodojo 11 Apr 04
Knowing the ‘suigetsu’ by the round stick. – Jodojo 10 Feb 04
What is the opinion of SMRJ about fighting with multiple enemies at the same time? – Jodojo 18 Oct 03
What are the essential elements of kata practice? - Jodojo 18 Oct 03
How does training in koryu differ to other, more widely available, martial arts such as karatedo, aikido or judo? - Jodojo 16 Oct 02
What do you think training in the traditional Japanese martial arts means in today's world? What kind of attitude do you expect a person studying kobudo to have? - Jodojo 6 Sept 02
Interview with David Dangerfield, Jan 02
