Taiji Instruction Germany: Deutscher Taichi-Bund - Dachverband für Tai Chi und Qigong e. V.
The
DTB is the umbrella organisation for Taiji and Qigong in Germany.
Scientific research programs to
explore the obvious connections to traditional Japanese Budo were
initiated in 1988. According to Prof. Louis Swaim many Chinese
thinkers in the early eighteenth Century had an admiring fascination
for bushido. This and many other intriguing facets should be
explored in more depth.
The situation in Germany for some schools of Taiji is awkward to put
it mildly - it seems to reflect
Plato's allegory of the cave (or even worse Thomas Gray's proverbial
"Where ignorance is bliss it is folly to be wise" and "The emperor
has no clothes"). This does not bode well and should really be changed
for the better: To enhance the prestige and
reputation of Tai Chi Chuan.
Comparative Research: Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu and Taijiquan - Sino Japanese Studies on Internal Martial Arts
Martial
Arts Internals to many are a true gem! Structural Connectedness
in unison with Posture, Proprioception, Relaxation and Mind/ Intent/
Imagination
seem to be the core features for future comparative study. Dr.
Langhoff: "The common underlying *softness* in martial systems is
fascinating to both researchers and practioners. But much of what
can be read belongs to myth and lore and will certainly not hold up
under academic scrutiny. Hopefully additional authoritative proof
for Japanese relations to southern China martial arts traditions can
be dug up in the near future.
Since
the days of
the legendary Master Yang Luchan many Taiji masters have emphasized the alleged uniqueness of
their art (see Tai Chi Principles). While most schools chimed in and followed suit, Dr. Langhoff had
never suscribed to this controversial claim. To him Wado Karate and Shindo Yoshin
Ryu Jujutsu feature similar comparable principles. This assumption is
proven by
studies of the fascial network.
Research on Facial Connective Tissues and whole-body-connections
Modern findings of fascia research show the importance of myofascial chains ("energy trains", tensegrity model). They prove that energy can be stored and coordinated within the whole body. Compare the term "one Chin" from the Chinese taiji classics). So given these biological features it would be wrong to assume there would be only tai chi to use them (see article "Fascial tissues, energy trains and tensegrity).
Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu as "Nihon Koryu" - Taijiquan as a "Neijia"
Nihon Koryu appears to many to be schools of an "endangered art". Some Japanese martial arts systems are traditional ("Nihon Ko-ryu") - they are not taught to outsiders. Such transmissions would be very insightful for researchers though. Tai Chi Chuan too is often said to have secrets restricted to an "inner Circle" or "Neijia". But more and more "secrets" and "unique features" are being openly taught and discussend. The official state of the art is reflected by Taijiquan families' statements of this year's Tai Chi Symposium.
Authoritative information sources of Qigong/ Taijiquan: The search for reliable knowledge has also presented researchers with an immense task. Okinawan and Chinese sources present the serious researcher with a tangled web, a complex labyrinth of truth, half-truth and verbal tradition. See Dr. Langhoffs post on "Data skew and truth".
Tags: Nihon-Koryu: Kata, seminar reviews, contrastive research data skew, Traditional Martial Arts School Domon-Kai mainline branch SYR curriculum weapons´forms Training Licenses, omote ura versions history Ohbata Takamura
Shindo Yoshin Ryu and Taijiquan - what do they have in common as internal martial arts?
This international research program is conducted by Dr. Stephan Langhoff, a long time practitioner of both Wado Ryu Karate and Yang Style Taijiquan (see Yang-Family-Taijiquan Germany. His teachers include Teruo Kono and Fu Zhongwen respectively (more information on his German Website www.stephan-langhoff.de). His studies are aimed at a deeper understanding of internals in Eastern Martial Arts. Shindo Yoshin Ryu with its focus on body mechanics, structure posture, awareness and mental control can deepen the understanding of various martial disciplines including Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong. Early talks from the beginning of the seventies with Kono sensei motivated Dr. Langhoff to explore deeper into the similarities and differences of Eastern Martial Arts. This website focuses on the comparison of Japanese Shindo Yoshin Ryu and Chinese Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan).
"Nairiki" - Body Mechanics, Connectedness and Internal Strength - New Article and References
From
the various similarities between Taijiquan and Shindo Yoshin Ryu we
choose one to begin with: Body mechanics and its role in developing
Inner Strength ("Nairiki", Nairiki No Gyo, Nairiki Kata). To my
knowledge there has not been much serious research on this matter -
at least not on a scientific level (pointed out here:
Nairiki).
The eminent role of proper body mechanics in martial arts is as
interesting as challenging. The role of myofasical-trains has
still to be studied deeper and with more scientific scrutiny. Topics are "Unified Strength" and
"Connected Body". My research is focused on
describing main aspects of body mechanics in Authentic Yang Style Taijiquan
and compare them with statements about Shindo Yoshin Ryu and
especially "Nairiki". 1: Posture and Structure 2: Linear Energy and Spiraling Energy 3:
Proprioception Outwards and Proprioception Inwards. 4: Physical
Aspects and Mental Aspects. Autoritative Info wanted: Internal Strength Nairiki
Kata compared to Chinese Qigong: Banjaku Tetsutai Tekyaku Shingetsu
Zangetsu, Yoitsuki, Batsu, Tasuki (see metaphor Tenchijin - Heaven-Earth-Man).
Central questions and Conclusions so far:
|
Dr. Langhoffs Jujutsu-Forschungen - Recherche für größere Zusammenhänge
Forschung über Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu / Toby Threadgill in DeutschlandDer in den USA lebende Tobin E. Threadgill ist einer von nur drei TSYR-Meistern, denen die außerordentliche Graduierung eines "Menkyo Kaiden" (Lizenz der vollständigen Überlieferung)" verliehen wurde. Threadgill Senseis Lehrgänge erleuchten die Tiefe der "Jujutsu-Internals" und loten sie aus. Sie sind gut mit Prinzipien, Techniken und Kampf-Strategien des Taijiquan und Qigong vergleichbar. Der DTB-Arbeitskreis ist ein vielversprechendes Novum in der Geschichte des Verbandes. Er ist das einzige Projekt in ganz Deutschland auf der DTB-Basis des "Richtigen Lernens". Deutsche Studien über SYR-Techniken gibt es wenige. Online-Artikel und Lehrgangsberichte zu Toby-Threadgill-Lehrgänge in Berlin. Einerseits ist Shindo Yoshin Ryu in Deutschland nicht sehr verbreitet und zum anderen gibt es natürlich die "Koryu-Schranke". Auch was öffentliche Omote-Versionen anbelangt, bleiben Artikel häufig an der Oberfläche, gehen nicht in die Tiefe und stellen keine wissenschaftlichen Bezüge zum chinesischen Ursprung her. |
Comparing similarities between Taijiquan and Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu
Watching Otsuka Sensei we see principles similar to Tai Chi Chuan. We see him connecting. We see him moving in one. We see the unified body. We see him using ju to overcome his opponent. We see ten chi jin. So Shindo Yoshin Ryu could be the means to access what Otsuka Sensei was doing. Statements like these are widespread. This ties in well with what is said in the "Tai Chi Classics". These traditional Chinese documents were transmitted within the Yang-family and Wu-Family. (See hours pictures of the Tai Chi Classics).
Important for comparative research: Many Chinese thinkers in the early 18th Century had an
admiring fascination for bushido - see Miyamoto Musashi, Jujutsu and manuscripts of Yang Style
founder href="http://www.yang-tai-chi.org/yang_luchan.htm">Yang
Luchan. Source Taiji Community of DTB Germany. Examples:
As soon as you move, your entire body should be light and sensitive
and all its parts connected ... From the feet to the legs to the
waist should be one complete flow of Qi. ... All the joints of the
body should be connected without permitting the slightest break
... Our posture should be erect and relaxed, able to control the
eight directions. ... From mastery of the posture, you will
gradually awaken to interpreting energy. Source: Wang Tsung-Yueh’s Treatise on Taiji Quan ‘Yang Family
Secret Transmissions’. Compiled and translated by Douglas Wile
(Wile, Douglas: Lost T’ai-chi Classics form the Late Ch’ing Dynasty.
State University of New York Press 1996). See Body
mechanics: Unified Strength / Connected Body. Quotatons TC:
Shindo Yoshin Ryu exercises use internal body dynamics and structure
to develop better connection to the ground.
New Study on Internal Chinese Martial Arts on
Yang Luchan
(1799-1872 A.D.) - origin and evolution of Taijiquan Myth and
evidence in the light of contemporary study).
Archives, Bibliography, Annotations/ Footnotes
FAQ Chinese relations Yang Luchan: Nihon Koryu, Akiyama, Katsunosuke, Otsuka Kono: Facebook page Page is now offline: Reason, comments background information on facts and fictionsPlease note that there is another (German) website confined to the complimentary relationship of Hironori Otsuka´s Shindo Yoshin Ryu and his Wado Ryu Karate as transmitted by Teruo Kono in Germany (see review: Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin Ryu). Also see the German abstract including the official statement of Yang Family concerning Yang Chengfu´s transmission of internals.
to think imaginatively using new ideas instead of traditional or expected ideas - literally translated we mean "to look over the edge of the plate"
Citations allow the reader to associate a given bit of material in an article with the specific reliable source(s) that support the material. We intend to create a list of full bibliography citations to support shortened footnotes or parenthetical references.
Dr. Stephan Langhoff: Dissertation Gestalt Linguistics Hamburg Germany
International Discussion "Clearing House and Budo Brotherhood": Shindo Yoshin Ryu T. Threadgill.
Tradition und Weiterentwicklung
Immer mehr Lehrende in Deutschland werden ausgebildet nach der Methodik des "Richtig Lernens und Lehrens". Dieses ganzheitliche Konzept wurde entwickelt vom Dt. Taichi-Bund - Dachverband für Taichi und Qigong e. V. (DTB). Seine "standardisierten Konzepte" sind zugelassen für Krankenkassen-Anerkennung. Kurz gesagt führt es durch übergeordnete Perspektiven zu einem tieferen Verständnis und damit zu besserem Unterricht ohne Esoterik und WUDE-Moral-Kodex. Nach bestandener Prüfung tragen die Lehrer das Qualitätssiegen "Geprüfter Lehrer DTB".
Der hohe Stellenwert des chinesischen Taijiquan und Qigong in der ganzheitlichen Gesundheitsbildung führt dazu, dass Kampfkunst-Aspekte wie traditionelle Überlieferung und althergebrachte Anwendung in der Selbstverteidigung an Bedeutung verloren haben. Vorgaben der Krankenkassen-Förderung zur Primärprävention haben diese Entwicklung mit beeinflußt. Eine parallele Entwicklung findet sich in den japanischen Kampfkünsten wie z. B. Aikido, Jujutsu und Judo. Doch viele Praktizierende möchten das "Authentische" oder "Ursprüngliche" der Tradition nicht aufgeben und befürchten eine "Verwässerung". Seit langem befasst sich der DTB e. V. mit diesem Spannungsfeld. Die Ergebnisse dieser Forschungen, die ebenso ermutigend wie interessant erweisen, eingearbeitet in die bundesdeutsche Aus- und Fortbildung.
Der DTB-Arbeitskreis ist ein vielversprechendes Novum in der Geschichte des Verbandes. Er ist das einzige Projekt in ganz Deutschland auf der DTB-Basis des "Richtigen Lernens". Der einzigartige neue Ansatz betrachtet sino-japanische Forschung als exzellente Möglichkeit, die Prinzipien Innerer Kraft besser zu verstehen.