I got a great comment a day or so ago from Nick Lowry at the Windsong Dojo in Oklahoma City. He commented on my “Divine Nine’ judo throws that we practice more often than the remainder of the syllabus. Apparently KG’s students in Houston were practicing almost this same set of core techniques 20 years ago and Windsong students in OKC have been practicing a similar set for 10 or so years. This is one of those funny times when finding out that you’re only 10-20 years behind the times is good. These are great guys to be 10-20 years behind. True giants! So, I consider myself to be close to the right track when I can find out that I’m only a couple of decades behind folks this awesome.
One of the differences Nick noted between my Divine Nine and their core set was that they practiced tsurikomigoshi and sodetsurikomigoshi in the spots where I practice ukigoshi and kubinage. Those are certainly good throws. I was approaching the set of core techniques from perhaps a different point – TKGoshi and sode TKgoshi are variants of ogoshi/kubinage, so I put kubinage in my list. But I can see where TKgoshi could be a higher percentage throw because of perhaps greater ease of getting sleeve grips in a tourney or because of the necessity to get lower than a resisting opponent.
One of the differences Nick noted between my Divine Nine and their core set was that they practiced tsurikomigoshi and sodetsurikomigoshi in the spots where I practice ukigoshi and kubinage. Those are certainly good throws. I was approaching the set of core techniques from perhaps a different point – TKGoshi and sode TKgoshi are variants of ogoshi/kubinage, so I put kubinage in my list. But I can see where TKgoshi could be a higher percentage throw because of perhaps greater ease of getting sleeve grips in a tourney or because of the necessity to get lower than a resisting opponent.
I drive by Windsong Dojo all the time in the course of my work. It's right down the road from the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.
ReplyDeleteWindsong has a nice-looking building. Maybe I'll stop and snap a picture sometime.
always welcome Dan--
ReplyDeletePat -- as to the sleeve grip-- i do know that KG spent some long period of his judo years working exclusively from double sleeve grip because it is the weakest position to take --i believe this was a way to compel technical development over power and probably came from his sensei, Yoshimi Osawa -- it begins the process of learning hand weaving-- (also gets suspiciciouly close to aikido hand randori ideas)
As to the use of tsurikomi over the more classical ogoshi/ukigoshi--this was a move avoid a tactic of standing armbar applications that had become a common defense against the encirciling arm actions on the classical hip forms-- tsurikomi gives you these positions and throws without the endangerment of your elbow/shoulder being trapped in a coil (in uki or ogoshi) or shoulder crank (in kubinage)
-- finally let me say thanks for the compliment but that i dont consider you or anybody "behind" me --we all just go forward and shine together
I appreciate what I take to be an invitation, Mr. Lowry. As I am always working when I am in Oklahoma City, any visit will have to be of the stop-and-say-hi variety, but I'll try to do that sometime before the year is out.
ReplyDeleteA great throw in the video there, Personally im not one forany throws mentioned apart from kubi nage. I think it is one of the throws that is very hard to defend from once a good grip and hold had been made. Also in the BJA, there is a rule from having a "piston grip" so we have to watch out when grabbing the sleeves.good post!
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