Time Flies

For those of you who might be regular readers of this blog, I want to assure you that Spencer and I have not abandoned it, and have every intention of posting a lot more material in the future. Unfortunately, there just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to do everything we want to get done, and due to the fact that work and family obligations our our priority posting new material has just taken a back seat to the rest of our lives.

Please bear with us during this respite, and rest assure more entries will be forthcoming.

Nage Waza Seminar

On Sunday Jan 13th 2008 Victor Anderson will teach a Nage Waza (Projection/Throwing Techniques) seminar at the Yachigusa Ryu Dojo.

This seminar is open to anyone interested in attending.

The cost for the seminar is free, but donations for the sushi dinner we will take Victor to after class will gladly be accepted.

Victor Anderson began his Kodokan Judo training in 1960 in Hayward, CA. Since then he has trained on both the West and East coast as well as Texas. Mr. Anderson also studied judo in Korea and Panama. He has been the head instructor at two military judo clubs, Ft. Hood, TX, and Ft. Belvior, VA. Mr. Anderson has placed in the national master's tournament in 1994 and 1996. He has also studied Shudokan Karate, Korean Hopkido, and Chinese boxing. Mr. Anderson has trained U.S. Military Police in unarmed combat. He has also attended three seminars given by Mr. Rick Clark on the use of pressure points. Mr. Anderson holds a national level coach certificate from U.S. Judo and is a nationally certified judo referee. While Mr. Anderson is well practiced in judo as a sport, he also studies judo as a martial art. He continually strives to refine his understanding of the application of Kodokan Judo to unarmed combat.

Date:
Sunday January 13th, 2008

Time:
Starts at 9:30 AM
*Warm-up time 9:00

Location:
Yachigusa-Ryu Aiki Bugei
3440 20th Street San Francisco, CA 94110

Phone:
415-821-1902

Holiday Schedule

This is just a reminder to all Yachigusa Ryu students that the school will be closed during the following dates:

Saturday December 22, 2007
to
Wednesday January 02, 2008

During the holidays the entire Moro family wants to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Best wishes!

November 11, 2007 – The Newest Addition

After 40 plus hours of labor Shirly and Gary Moro are proud to announce the birth of Zachary Jarrett Moro. Born 11-11-07 @ 1215 hrs; 8 lbs; 20 inches long.

(10 minutes old)

Zachary – Hebrew - Meaning – “The Lord Remembers”
Jarrett – Germanic – Meaning – “The Strength of the Spear”

(Mama and baby finally meet face to face)

(After first bath)

(Time to end a very long day)

Mother and baby doing very well, but since the delivery was via a cesarean section both mom and baby will spend the next four days in the hospital.

Depending on how things go at the hospital classes may or may not be cancelled next week. Thanks for understanding.

Audio Interview of Gary Moro

The folks at the "Psychjourney Audio Book Club" have put up a podcast interview with Yachigusa Ryu's Gary Moro for their "Warrior Traditions" series (alternate).

The interview is a two hour(!) conversation mostly centered around what it means to be a warrior in the modern world, as is the theme of the series. The topic also wanders around aspects of Gary's own training, how he now trains students at our school, and his experiences as a police officer among other things.

The interview can be found here or here. An mp3 file can be directly downloaded here.

Part two will be forthcoming later.

Reminder for Rick Clark Seminar

I just wanted to put up a reminder that we are hosting Rick Clark this weekend for a seminar on vital point striking in San Francisco and Dixon (near Sacramento).

http://yachigusaryu.com/seminar_rick_clark_2007.html

Yachigusa Ryu Aiki Bugei

15th Year Anniversary
Barbecue

Saturday July 14th
2:30 – 7:00
B.Y.O.B.

Students (past and present), friends and family welcomed.
For more information contact Moro, Gary Kyoshi (415) 821-1902

Rick Clark Seminar, July 28 & 29, San Francisco and Dixon, CA

Yachigusa Ryu Aiki Bugei and Ramtown Karate Present Prof. Rick Clark Ao Denkou Jutsu Vital-Point Striking Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29, 2007

Professor Clark's Ao Denko Jutsu, based on the use of vital points, enhances striking and grappling techniques of any given system or style to achieve maximum effect. Many of his techniques are developed through analysis of traditional forms, uncovering effective applications hidden within them. This world-class instructor has taught martial artists all over the world how to increase the effectiveness of their techniques and gain a better understanding of traditional forms they practice.

Location:	Saturday 07/28 2729 Mission Street 2nd Floor (room #201) San Francisco, CA 94110 10:00 – 3:00map Sunday 07/29 Ramtown Karate 628 North First Street Dixon, CA 95620 11:00 – 4:00map
Cost:	Pre-registered – 1 day $55.00 / both days $85.00
	Day of event – 1 day $65.00 / both days $100.00
To pre-register:	Checks should be payable to: Spencer Burns
	Yachigusa Ryu Aiki Bugei Attention: School Treasurer 3440 20th Street, #101 San Francisco, CA 94110
For more information contact: Gary Moro, Kyoshi Yachigusa Ryu Aiki Bugei (415) 821-1902 / yachigusaryu@aol.com Sensei Jim Ernest, Ramtown Karate (707) 678-4899 / jimernest@sbcglobal.net Or visit http://www.yachigusaryu.com, www.ramtownkarate.com, www.ao-denkou-kai.org/seminars.htm

Vital Point Striking Seminars with Rick Clark 10/21 and 10/22

Yachigusa Ryu Aiki Bugei and U.C. Davis Hapkido Club Present Prof. Rick Clark Ao Denkou Jutsu: Vital-Point Striking Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, October 22, 2006

Professor Clark's Ao Denko Jutsu, based on the use of vital points, enhances striking and grappling techniques of any given system or style to achieve maximum effect. Many of his techniques are developed through analysis of traditional forms, uncovering effective applications hidden within them. This world-class instructor has taught martial artists all over the world how to increase the effectiveness of their techniques and gain a better understanding of traditional forms they practice.

Location:	Saturday 10/21 10:00 – 3:00 998 Geneva Ave San Francisco, CA 94112 map Sunday 10/22 11:00 – 4:00 1501 North C Street Sacramento, CA 95814 map * Space is limited at San Francisco seminar.
Cost:	Pre-registered – 1 day $55.00 / both days $85.00
	Day of event – 1 day $65.00 / both days $100.00
To pre-register:	Checks should be payable to: Spencer Burns
	Yachigusa Ryu Aiki Bugei Attention: School Treasurer 3440 20th Street, #101 San Francisco, CA 94110
For more information contact: Gary Moro, Kyoshi Yachigusa Ryu Aiki Bugei (415) 821-1902 / yachigusaryu@aol.com Bob Sarason, U.C. Davis Hapkido Club (530) 752-3737 / rlsarason@ucdavis.edu Or visit http://www.yachigusaryu.com/

Kyudo Program at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

I've been practicing with this group for three years and have nothing but good things to say about the quality of instruction. If you are intersted in kyudo this is one of the best ways to get an introduction.


Intermediate: May 17 (evening) – May 21, 2006

Beginner: May 18 (evening) – May 21, 2006


The contemplative practice of Kyudo, when taken up with patience and attention to detail, is a dynamic way to focus the mind and open the heart. Kyudo demands that we let go of our goals and expectations and live fully in the moment.

The physical aspect of Kyudo is inseparable from its spiritual aspect. The form and movements provide a subtle mirror of the mind at the moment of the arrow’s release.

In this retreat, beginners will receive training in the basic form of Kyudo, called “The Seven Coordinations”. The training is open to all, regardless of age, strength or physical skill.

Intermediate students will receive instruction in the basics and in formal group shooting.

The retreat will take place at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center Genjo-ji, which is under the guidance of Jakusho Kwong-roshi. This provides a unique opportunity for Kyudo training within the container of Zen Practice.

Traditional hand-crafted yumi as well as all other necessary equipment will be provided.


About the Instructor:
Don Symanski is a longtime Zen practitioner and a warm, skillful teacher. He has studied with Kanjuro Shibata Sensei XX since 1980 and is currently the Head Instructor in the Heki-ryu Bisshu Chikurin-ha form of Kyudo.

Don learned traditional bow making with the Shibata Family in Kyoto.

Since 1991, he has made “yumi”, the Japanese bow, and taught Kyudo as a meditation path.

Cost: Intermediate: $300
Cost: Beginners: $225

Information / Registration:
(415) 681 1185 Lucy Halverson at kyudoka@juno.com
(707) 938 0103 Hans Brede at hgbrede@vom.com

Sonoma Mountain Zen Center: www.smzc.net
Heki-ryu Bisshu Chikurin-ha: www.zenko.org

Seminar Announcement: Don Angier Yanagi-Ryu Aiki Bugei

DON ANGIER is the Soke (inheritor) of Yanagi Ryu Aiki Ju Jitsu of the Yoshida family of Kyushu by direct succession from Kenji Yoshida, son of Kotaro Yoshida. Yanagi Ryu Aiki Bugei is a complete samurai art encompassing all the skills that were necessary for the Yoshida clan in the execution of their duties as samurai.

Seminar Date – Sat. April 29 – Sun. April 30, 2006

Time - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

$45.00 one day
Whole weekend $75

Aikido of Diablo Valley
Concord, CA 94520
(925) 676-6763
www.advdojo.org

If you’ve never had the chance to train with Mr. Angier you should not miss this opportunity. His knowledge about the samurai arts is amazing, as are his technical abilities.

This seminar is definitely a must see for anyone who trains in any Koryu, Jujutsu, or Aikido system.

Gary

While I find it hard to believe that my students would be interested in listening to more of my rambling, as I’m often prone to do in class, I have been asked to keep a journal of my thoughts regarding the martial arts, teaching, and other points of interest. Or to clarify, things I would like to address in a format where every “Tom, Dick and Harry” with access to the Internet, can’t just slam me for my opinions, or make corrections without some degree of courtesy, or more importantly substantiated fact.

Since this journal is open to the public I think it is only fitting I tell a little about myself, so others know where the following essays, rants, sarcasm, and humor are coming from.

First of all, and foremost, I'll never win an award for political correctness, or sugar coating what I have to say. I’ll also never win an award for being concise, as I tend to be wordy.

Secondly, I suffer from the human frailty of being overly opinionated, and believing that because of the research I’ve put into something my opinion must be right. That does not mean others have to share my opinion, agree with them at all or in part, or that I am so closed minded that if proven wrong--with facts--I can’t admit I’m wrong and change my opinion.

Third, I tend to be very sarcastic with a warped sense of humor. Unfortunately when sarcasm is written or read incorrectly one can assume the writer is being disrespectful, vulgar, aggressive, or conceited. While I can clearly be guilty of all the above, both consciously and unconsciously, I ask any readers to this site to be open minded, and if in doubt to my true intentions to ask before making assumptions and presenting them to others as fact.

Lastly, I like to consider myself as a very open and honest person. Traits that have often times come back to kick me in the ass, since I’ll tell others what I believe, not necessarily what they want to hear. To make things worse I often tend to express myself in a manner that lacks a sense of tact or diplomacy. However, in my defense, I wont say or write something about anyone else that I wouldn’t say directly to his or her face, or make comments about others I have never met in person (something that has been done repeatedly to me). In addition if I don’t know something I don’t have the type of ego where I can’t admit my lack of knowledge.

I hope what I write in the future is of some interest to others, and if I accomplish nothing else I hope to open the door to exposing myself to new ideas, thoughts, debates, and information I hadn’t been exposed to or thought about exploring before.

Thank you for your interest in this site.

Spencer

I just stumbled across this old photo from a demo we did two years ago. It amuses me.

To establish some background: I've been a student of Yachigusa-Ryu for five years. Currently I'm one of Gary's senior students and am the assistant instructor for weapon arts. I don't have a colored belt.

I also set up this blog, run the website, and try to figure out how to connect us with the right new students.

in additon, I practice kyudo (meditative Japanese archery) in the Heki Ryu Bishu Chikurin-ha style of Kanjuro Shibata XX. Previously, I studied Modern Wushu with Sifu John Chuck in Mountain View, CA for ~4 years and I wrestled (poorly) in high school.

Preface

Welcome.

This is a blog to discuss what's going on at the Yachigusa-Ryu dojo in San Francisco, and whatever other thoughts about martial arts, samurai, and so forth occur to us.

For background on what our art is, the main website is at http://www.yachigusaryu.com It's currently a bit out of date, but we hope to spiff it up soon.

In a short version: Gary teaches classical samurai martial arts in the Mission District of San Francisco. He teaches both unarmed arts (aikijutsu and jujutsu) and weapon arts including sword (kenjutsu) and spear (sojutsu).

Yachigusa-Ryu is a family art and is not affiliated with any other style or organization. See the website.



Given the querulous nature of martial artists, this blog will not be opened up for comments at this time. If you wish to email us feedback, or especially questions, we will publish or address them--provided they are courteous. Gary can be reached at YachigusaRyu@aol.com I can be reached at tsburns18@hotmail.com

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of polite discourse. In truth we all tend to have strong opionins here and speak our minds a bit too clearly. Although we might lapse into ego, sectarianism, and occasional human failings, we will try to do it with tact and ask the same of readers.


This is not the transmission of wisdom from a master, but the wanderings of students.

--Spencer