Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Iroha-kun

(The Precepts of the Fundamentals)

English Translation of the Table of Contents and Introduction
by Billy Ristuccia (Draft Version 1.0)

大東流柔術松武館々長松田敏美先生著
Daitō-ryū Jūjutsu Shobukan – Cho Matsuda Toshimi Sensei-cho
(Matsuda Toshimi Leader of the Shobukan Daito-ryu Jujutsu School)
 
大東流合気柔術 Daitō-ryū Aikijūjutsu
いろは訓 Iroha-kun (Precepts of Fundamentals)
 
北海道松武館本部發行
Hokkaidō Shobukan Honbu Hakkō
(Published by Hokkaido Shobukan Headquarters in1939)

The Daitō-ryū Aikijūjutsu Iroha-kun is one of the first known booklets produced by Okuyama Sensei while he was still a student training under Matsuda Toshimi learning Daito-ryu Jujutsu. The recorded precepts in this manuscript use to be a closed secret passed only to students training. Okuyama Sensei authored this work in collaboration with his teacher Matsuda to make the once secret precepts more available.

Daito-ryu Aiki Jujutsu (by Okuyama for Matsuda) COVER
First Booklet authored by Okuyama Sensei while he was still training under Matsuda Sensei learning Daito-ryu.
Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Iroha-kun Introduction

Introduction to the Iroha-kun by Okuyama Ryuho

This book is written by Matsuda Toshimi, head of the Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Hokkaido Shobukan. The writing is concise and there is no need to go into detail about how it is a retelling of the Daito-ryu tradition, which has been kept secret for hundreds of years and which everyone in Japan has inherited. Everything that should be lived and practiced in this Daito-ryu tradition is contained within this minor key work.
 
Therefore, I believe that the thoughts and feelings accumulated in Daito-ryu are the source of the Japanese spirit, and as a servant of the world, they can serve as a guide to health and growth, and can be connected to the sect and beyond through the taste and appearance of the spirit.
 
The fact that it is now possible to publish something that was previously only kept secret by disciples is a shining light on the important aspects of humanity. Today, I am grateful to Matsuda Sensei for his contributions to this project, and I feel that he is no different from the rest of the world.
 
Matsuda Disciple:
Okuyama Ryuho
(At the Nippon Shidokai Dojo)
Iroha-kun (Table of Contents)

大東流合気柔術いろは訓
Daitō-ryū Aikijūjutsu Iroha-kun
Table of Contents Translation

・い 息は脾下に Iki wa Saika ni (Breathe Below the Navel. Utilize your Saika Tanden 臍下丹田)
・ろ 論より先手 Ron Yori Sente (Act Before You Speak) Attack the enemy before they attempt to strike. This is related to “Sen” 先.
・は「歯は噛み締めて」 (Hawa Kamishimete) – It is easy to develop power when clench your teeth.
・に「睨みは強く」 (Niramiwa Thuyoku) -Control the opponent with a strong stare (intimidation).
・ほ「歩は低く」(Ho wa Hikuku) – Sliding foot. Walk with your hips low and your center of gravity low.
・へ「平行の着眼」 (Heikou no Chakugan) –
Synchronize yourself parallel with the enemy
・と「當の気合いは引き」(Tonokiaihahiki) – For “striking”, put “energy” in the hand and pull it back quickly.
・ち「力は一時に」 (Chikara wa ichiji ni) – Use power instantaneously (explosive power).
・り「利に敏く」 (Ri ni toku)- Use effective techniques (use what works).
・ぬ「ぬかるな先手を」 (Nukaruna Sentewo) – Don’t miss the moment to take the initiative (Make the first move).
・る「類を選ばず」 (Rui wo erabazu) -Don’t be picky about who you train with. Train with everyone.
・を「押さえは軽く」 (Osaewa karuku) – When controlling an opponent’s wrist, hold it with light pressure. Don’t use force.
・わ「脇腹用心」 (Wakibara Youjin) – Watch out for attacks to the side of the torso. This is a weak point that must be protected.
・か「肩の力を抜け」 (Kata no Chikara wo nuke) -Relax your shoulders.
・よ「寄り身は下げ腰」 (Yorimi Wa sagegoshi)- Keep your hips low when approaching an opponent.
・た「高足無用」(Takaashi muyou) -If you raise the center of gravity, there is a possibility of losing balance.
・れ「礼儀正しく」(Reigi Tadashiku) – Don’t forget to be courteous and polite.
・そ「添手は早く」 (Soete wa Hayaku) – When performing Koto Gaeshi for example, one hand is a hook (hooking hand technique) while the other is merely a quick and temporary support.
・つ「突きより引き手」 (Tsuki Yori Hikite) – To make the punch more effective, pull it back quickly.
・ね「根強く座れ」(Nezuyoku Suware) -Sitting techniques are very important (for learning essence and principles)
・な「何事も恐れず」(Nanigotonimo Osorezu) – Fear nothing (show no fear).
・ら「乱打より一打」(Randa Yori Ichida) – Rather than hitting multiple strikes, hit the opponent effectively with one strike. Focus on developing one solid strike to end the fight.
・む「無駄足使うな」(Mudaashi tsukau na) – Don’t waste your time. Act decisively.
・う「受け身は早く」 (Ukemi Wa Hayaku) – If thrown by the opponent, take evasive action quickly and fight back.

・ゐ「胃部は斜めに」 (Ibu wa Nanameni)-Attack the abdomen at an angle.
・の「咽喉は縮めて」 (Nodo wa Chijimete) – The throat is a vital area. protect your throat by contracting your neck muscles and lowering your chin.
・お「押す手に引き足」 (Osute ni Hikiashi)-Push hand, pull leg. By pulling one foot back slightly, the distance to the opponent will increase, and the ability to push through the opponent’s wrist becomes easier.
・く「口を閉じて」 (Kuti wo Tojite)- Don’t waste your breath by speaking about unnecessary things.
・や「夜行丹田」(Yakou tanden) – Moving from your Tanden (core). By doing so, the opponent will not be able to understand your movement or technique.
・ま「前より横敵」 (Maeyori Yokoteki) – The enemy by your side is more dangerous than the one in front of you.
・け「拳より手刀」(Ken Yori Tegatana) – Better to use one’s hand as a sword (tegatana)than one’s fist.
・ふ「振り手を使うな」(Furi-te o tsukau na) -Don’t use a swinging hand motion when striking. It’s easily countered by the opponent.
・こ「腰は中腰」 (Koshi ha chugoshi)- Soften your knees to lower your hips and center of gravity.
・え「えいで打ち込め」 (Eide Uchikome)- Using Kiai whil striking (Ei).
て「手先細かく」(Tesaki Komaku)- When your wrist is grasped by the opponent, It is important to move your fingers minutely, and focus on how your each minute movement has a direct effect on the opponent’s grip, as well as the synchronization with your opponent’s shoulder.
あ「阿吽を計りて」 (Aun wo Hakarite)
synchronizing yourself with the enemy (This is important for the feeling of Aiki).
さ「先手を悟れ」 (Sente o satore)- Feel the opponent’s intention, and move first.
き「気合いを乱すな」 (Kiai o midasu na) – Don’t let your temper get the better of you.
ゆ「油断より負」 (Yudan yori Fu) – Better to be cautious than fearful. Always stay alert.
め「目と手は共に」(Te to Me wa Tomoni) -Your eyes follow your hands while performing a technique.
み「身廻し早く」(Mimawasi Hayaku) – Always be prepared to turn around quickly.
し「下より突き上げ」 (Shita yori tsukiage) – Push upwards from below.
ゑ「ゑんびは伸ばすな」 (Wen biha nobasu na)-When a technique is being applied to your elbow, don’t lock your elbow out completely. If the elbow is stretched and locked, your elbow will be destroyed. By slightly bending your elbow, you can prevent its destruction.
ひ「引き足は斜めに」(Hikiashi wa Nanameni)- Pull your legs diagonally backwards.
も「双手使うな」(Morote tsukau na)-
One hand is a hooking hand. The other is only for support. Don’t apply a lock with both hands.
せ「せかずあわてず」(Sekazu Awatezu)- Don’t be in a hurry to complete a technique. Take your time and get it right.
す「すり足で進め」 (Suri Asi de Susume) – Use a sliding foot step, instead of picking up your foot completely.
京「胸部廣めて」 (Kyōbu hiromete)- Leverage can be applied by opening up the chest.

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