I have watched the koryu demonstration in the Yagyu Shingan Ryu post a number of times. I have watched other demonstrations of koryu ju-jutsu and trained with a few people who study in various ryu. I've also trained with many ju-jutsuka from many different so-called gendai schools. At the end of the day, I don't see a whole lot of practical difference between the two. Taken a step further, I struggle to buy into the koryu-gendai argument of purity vs practicality.
Much more pertinent to me is the interaction between uke and tori, regardless of the ju-jutsu on display. What I tend to see is unrealistic distancing in attacks, attacks that freeze on 'impact', uke who turn off their bodies' natural inclination to adjust to sudden changes in their immediate environment, unrealistic and exaggerated arm and body movements, etc, etc. It really doesn't matter if it is koryu or gendai, Japanese or Western; what I see is people perfecting improbable, artificial fighting responses.
On the other hand, I become very excited when I see ju-jutsuka who clearly do a lot of randori and shiai. Their posture is different, their attitude is different, their distancing is different, their commitment is different ... everything is different. Their ju-jutsu may not be elegant or flowing or spectacular, but there is an immediately recognisable beauty in the sophisticated simplicity of their ju-jitsu. Sadly, such displays are rare.
Why is it that so many ju-jitsu schools fail to practice randori and shiai? Why do they value choreography over fighting ability? And how can they practice the art of yielding without learning to yield during committed and continuous attack?
Much more pertinent to me is the interaction between uke and tori, regardless of the ju-jutsu on display. What I tend to see is unrealistic distancing in attacks, attacks that freeze on 'impact', uke who turn off their bodies' natural inclination to adjust to sudden changes in their immediate environment, unrealistic and exaggerated arm and body movements, etc, etc. It really doesn't matter if it is koryu or gendai, Japanese or Western; what I see is people perfecting improbable, artificial fighting responses.
On the other hand, I become very excited when I see ju-jutsuka who clearly do a lot of randori and shiai. Their posture is different, their attitude is different, their distancing is different, their commitment is different ... everything is different. Their ju-jutsu may not be elegant or flowing or spectacular, but there is an immediately recognisable beauty in the sophisticated simplicity of their ju-jitsu. Sadly, such displays are rare.
Why is it that so many ju-jitsu schools fail to practice randori and shiai? Why do they value choreography over fighting ability? And how can they practice the art of yielding without learning to yield during committed and continuous attack?