Martial Arts Throwing Objects

If we examine our movement and philosophy contained in the tenchijin ryaku no maki, flatten it out as a list, it appears pretty straightforward and once one has covered the material through the dan grades, it doesn’t look like much- just memorize the techniques and be able to perform them- to an extent. But, as one trains in the art, many other lessons manifest themselves through this movement-philosoph-y, and suddenly one realizes how much is not written down, and at best it is a framework for the movement. We find this in our taijutsu training as movement-stuff that isn’t written down anywhere but passed on person-to-person, stuff you need to be able to do, stuff that is powered by your taijutsu.

An example?

The ability to throw things.

It is something you need to be able to do, correctly using taijutsu of course, but just how one cultivates the skill depends on how the individual Bujinkan dojo does it.

An example of how we approach it?

First would be throwing objects using the kihon, movements found in the san shin no kata to learn correct body alignment, transference or power, and accuracy. Polish these basics until they shine.

From there being able to throw objects against a static target using the different body postures- kyu kamae.

These two elements would approach the skill and very much look like training in a traditional Japanese dojo regarding throwing objects and what one would expect to see.

But now, we need to cross over with our taijutsu and make it a natural skill, and this is where the application of the foundation will be different depending on the dojo or group.

Same idea, different manifestations.

First is setting up a static target, and practicing ukemi taihenjutsu, specifically rolling and break-falling and as that is happening, the ability to throw an object and hit the target.

Second is working with a training partner, again setting up a static target some 10-15 feet away, and as one performs waza with a training partner, being able to throw an object and hit the target, sometimes before the waza, sometimes after the waza, and sometimes during the waza.

Being able to do it without making it a big deal.