Thursday, February 8, 2024

Learning The Martial Arts: Taiden, Kuden, Shinden

A model for learning the martial arts. In the dojo there is always a forward facing and a rear facing, things that one can see, and things that are just *understood*. 

The forward facing aspects are easy- just watch a class- practicing techniques, learning and growing, being part of a supportive martial arts group to help realize your goals. 

The rear facing aspects are elements of the learning model that make that happen which are not always talked about or pointed out, but *are* a part of every training session- the literal engine of that session. 

Let's explore a bit of that model in this post so you can see it in your own training and get a further idea of the methods we practice. 

Much of the learning in the martial arts is taiden- body transmission. 

The teacher or seniors in the dojo perform a technique or a kata and the class models it- alone or with a partner depending on the waza. 

Watch it and perform it- which works quite well given the martial arts are a physical body movement of arts. Body transmission can also include the teacher coming over to make any corrections or adjustments in the student's movement. Kuden is next- verbal or secret instruction to power the technique. 

This could be feedback as in you can also do this, or now that you can do this, do this and this, etc. 

Shinden is a layer over both taiden and kuden- shinden meaning heart, the *true* transmission of the martial arts. 

Shinden is a feeling- the *feeling* of having a waza done to you, and in *feeling* it understanding how it takes your balance, distance, and timing. 

Feeling the place it puts you in, understanding that martial arts technique through experience of having it done to you.   

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The aim of the Bujinkan Shinmyoken Dojo (school of the life giving sword) is to understand nature and the movement of being zero through taijutsu- martial ways of using the body. The school exists to create and transmit this feeling and method through the experience of isshi soden.

Located in Westchester New York, the Bujinkan Shinmyoken Dojo is a martial arts training group founded in 2005 with the aim of coming together as martial arts friends to study the Japanese martial arts of Masaaki Hatsumi through the movement lessons of the Bujinkan Dojo.

Training is supervised by Fred Feddeck who has been studying Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu since 1993.

Classes are held on Saturday Mornings from 9-11 AM at a local park in Yonkers New York easily accessible by car, train, and bus. Additional training times are held for workshops and seminars each quarter.

Questions, feedback, and inquiries may be directed to the group here: bujinkanshinmyoken@gmail.com.

Those interested in finding more about our training are invited to join our meetup and event mailing list below.

This mailing list is used to provide updates regarding upcoming seminars and workshops, along with meeting times for our once a month martial arts meetup to discuss and explore various topics in our training.

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 email contact: bujinkanshinmyoken@gmail.com