Aside from the regular schedule, we have two main events in April.
At the Passover holiday, April the 18th, 08:00 (Friday), we will have a weapon master class revolving around Sword, Stick, Kunai and flexible weapons. The AKBAN armory supplies the weapons for this seminar, but you can bring your own.
Here’s a link to the Facebook event page.

After the holiday, at April the 25th, we will attend the third colloquium that will explore two Kukishinden ryu kata. Here’s a link for the Facebook page for the 3rd colloquium.

The regular training schedule continues. Last week we worked with Ganseki nage and Otoshi. This week will continue with further techniques of arm locks in Randori.

1. “It is better to be violent, if there is violence in our hearts, than to put on the cloak of nonviolence to cover impotence.” – Gandhi


2. “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” – Gandhi


3. “A weak man is just by accident. A strong but non-violent man is unjust by accident.” – Gandhi


4. “The hand that punched is the hands that gives compassion” – David Avidan


5. “If you meet a Buddha, kill the Buddha.” – Linji Yixuan


6. “…but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” – King Solomon


7. “The ability to abstain from punching, is founded on the ability to punch well.” – We say this here

Last week we worked with derivatives of Ku no Kata from Gyokko Ryu. This week we will check how close range grappling can use deception in the same way. We will revolve around two Kukishinden Ryu kata, Hane Taoshi from the Okuden level and Kaza Harai from the Sabaki gata level.

Let’s just hope that it’s not a trick. I always live with this feeling, what if I’m tricked? what if I believe this just because it is beautiful?

We are starting a new chapter this week. After months of exploring defensive Kihon and sabaki we are starting to implement Ninjutsu offensives in various scenarios. We will work with kata that include an element of deception.

Also, this Friday we are starting a weapon session. Twice a month, starting from 21/3/2014, this Friday, at 08:30 in AKBAN Tel Aviv dojo.

Here’s a link to the event on Facebook.

In order to make gold, it is first of all necessary to have a certain quantity of real gold

From “In Search of the Miraculous: Fragments of an Unknown Teaching” by Pyotr Demianovich Ouspensky
gif from Grand Master TRAN TIEN – Sun eating

We had a great colloquium, the second one for 2014, in which we explored Gyokko ryu Kata. I will upload the video of this Ninjutsu colloquium in two weeks time, after I’ll finish editing and translating it’s syllabus. Meanwhile here is a gallery of pictures from this event.

This week in the dojos, we’ll work with some more principles of Gyokko ryu kata. We’ll start with implementing the Tsuki step using linear and circular closing the distance and proceed to use this to enter Ninjutsu joint locks.

Here’s a video of modern usage of the Tsuki step.

If you have such a hammer that makes every problem looks like a nail, get yourself a spoon.

Taken with permission from Wasifat Salata Min Binat Gishrit By Gingi Han

We are exploring three different, but related subjects: Tai Sabaki in advaced Randori scenrious, Tactical principles of Koto ryu techniques, especially up-down attacks, and the use of Daken in throws and arm-locks.

I am attaching the 1st clip of traditional sabaki being used in modern martial sports scenarios. The techniques are executed by Lyoto Machida, a Brazilian MMA fighter with a strong background in traditional Karate. Machida’s traditional background only contributed, not detracted, from his abilities as he combines his unorthodox background with an extensive training in Randori and Shiai.

In the 1st clip of the series one can see Machida utilizing two techniques, Diagonally backward and Combat stepping, Aruki, when he tries to maintain distance against a charging attack. Two techniques that are so important in Ninjutsu that we practice them from day one in the dojo.

This Friday, 7.3.2014, at 08:00, we will meet for the monthly AKBAN colloquium. The 2nd colloquium for 2014 (link for the event) will be taking place at 294 Hayarkon St., at our Tel Aviv dojo. Practitioners from other Martial arts’ schools who wish to participate can contact me.