Martial Arts for Kids

Childrens Martial Arts

Samurai Kindy 5-7yrs

Samurai School 7-14yrs

Last Updated

November 2007

www.samurai-school.co.uk

This website is brought to you by

Mu Te Shin Dojo's Bristol

Proud members of the

Mu Te Jinen Ryu Society

Proud members of the

British National

Martial Arts Association

Japanese Terminology  - Kamae no kata

Hibons Rectangle  -  How to Tie Your Belt

Japanese Terminology

Click here to learn the Japanese terminology required for your first grading.

A complete list of Japanese terms which students are required to learn for Orange belt and above is available in the Student Handbook.  The handbook also details the history and traditions that have influenced the Samurai School and includes full colour illustrations of the basic kata required by all grades; Kamae no kata and Taisabaki no kata Mu Te Ryu.

Available in Class or from Goshinjutsu.com

Samurai School Kamae no Kata

Hibon's Rectangle

Use Hibon's Rectangle to create your own rectangle then, just as you are taught in class, practise the Kamae no kata.

©

At the core of the physical side of Samurai School training is balance.  Balance is achieved through a combination of correct breathing, mental focus and correct posture.  At Samurai School we adopt a variation on the Kamae no kata Mu Te Ryu which derived from the teachings of the 900 year old traditions of Ninjutsu.  In basic form they are adopted to teach correct posture however as the student advances and continues to practise the kata becomes a moving meditation which provides benefits to spirit, mind, and body.

I first saw the rectangle being used (as a teaching method) in Tai Chi Chaun taught by New Zealand Tai Chi Association teacher Hu Loo-Chi.  The simplicity in how he communicated balance and correct body movement in relation to a simple rectangle could not be overlooked and I began applying these principles to my own training.  Thereafter it was adopted by the Samurai School as a way to communicate the positioning of the feet when teaching the Kamae no kata postures; this however is not a method to learn the kata.

Just as with walking the Kamae no kata will become as unique to the student as is their their own unique walking style; learnt through many years of trial, error and youthful determination.  Eventually the student will begin to feel their balance rather than look to the rectangle for it.

 I believe that the Kamae no kata is the basis of all Ninjutsu training and should be practised daily; slow as possible, low as possible.

The Kamae no kata is a series of freeze frame stances which illustrate the correct form our bodies would be in at a given moment during movement; combative or otherwise.

An example of this would be to imagine 3 photos being taken of you from the side whilst you were walking.  The first image might be you taking a step with your right leg; your right leg stretched forward, left leg stretched behind you and your body centred above your hips.  The second image would be in mid step and might appear as though you were standing with your arms and legs by your side.  The third and final image would be you taking a step with your left leg; left leg stretched forward, right leg stretched back and body centred above your hips.

Learn How To Correctly

Tie Your Martial Arts Belt

Learning to wear your belt and uniform with pride may seem trivial and even silly but this simple action can have a great impact on the rest of your life.   The Japanese Samurai created a ceremony out making a simple cup of tea.  They did this because they knew that if they could apply themselves to the pursuit of perfection in such a simple task then no matter what challenge stood before them they would have the self discipline and fortitude to find a solution them as well.

At the very least you should wear it with pride because you,

and nobody else, has earned the right to wear it.

Terminology for 1 Mon & Etiquette Merit Badge

Tori                              Defending student (applies technique)

Uke                              Attacking Student (receives technique)

Deshi                           Student
Senpai                         Junior teacher
Sensei                         Senior teacher

Doshi                           Teacher of the way

Soke                            Headmaster
Gi                                 Uniform
Obi                               Belt
Dojo rei                       Bow on entering or leaving the Dojo
Ritsu rei                       Standing bow
Seiza rei                      Greeting whilst kneeling also called Za rei
Sensei ni rei                Bow to Sensei

Soke ni rei                   Bow to Soke

O-ne-gai-shi-mas(u)   please teach me

Arigato gozaimas(u)  Thank you for teaching me

Mokuso                        Close your eyes and meditate
Yame                            Stop (open eyes if meditating)

Hadjime                       Commence

Mate                             Wait

Jodan                           Upper

Chudan                        Middle

Gedan                          Lower

Migi                              Right

Hidari                           Left

Taisabaki                     Body rotation, body movement

Counting - 1 to 20