starting iwama ryu

Just started iwama ryu i was initially looking for a aikijujutsu club but ive settled with iwama ryu though im new to aikido after doing karate for 17 years is the training different to other aikido styles?
Chris

Since ive just started aikido just want to know whats the main differences in hombu style and iwama ryu is there a huge difference or are they generally the same?

A big difference is the emphasize on the weapons system (bikiwaza) and it's relationship to the empty handed techniques (taijitsu) which as far as I know doesn't exist in the hombu "house style"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfJLRg7vG-E

Christian Brownlow wrote: Since ive just started aikido just want to know whats the main differences in hombu style and iwama ryu is there a huge difference or are they generally the same?

Hombu Aikido is demonstration Aikido. Ukemi ukemi ukemi. No weapons!

Richard Campbell wrote: Hombu Aikido is demonstration Aikido. Ukemi ukemi ukemi. No weapons!

So how come every time I went to Aikikai Hombu (admittedly not that often), someone was swinging a bokken or a jo?

Walter Martindale wrote: So how come every time I went to Aikikai Hombu (admittedly not that often), someone was swinging a bokken or a jo?

Were they being taught the bokken or jo? Or just swinging them around.

Christian Brownlow wrote: Since ive just started aikido just want to know whats the main differences in hombu style and iwama ryu is there a huge difference or are they generally the same?

As an Iwama style dan ranked practitioner (retired) I'd suggest to you to avoid the Iwama vs Hombu political bs like the plague.

One comment from an outsider, you seem to think all dojos belonging to an organization are the same, and they are not. Both "Aikikai\Hombu" and Iwama" are more organizations, and at least as far as I see from outside of both, for "Aikikai\Hombu" any generalization is likely to fail as it is rather open to lots of variants depending on the dojo head and his teachers \ sub-organization.

Hence, the conclusions here are generalizations which don't face the practicality.

Amir

Don't waste time on the comparison. Aikikai is not a style. It is a huge umbrella that includes groups like Birankai and Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (Saotome and Ikeda) that are very much involved in weapons training. Terms like Aikiken and Misogi no Jo are actually more brand names, and these are tied to certain teachers. Iwama Ryu only recently stopped being a part of Aikikai itself, within the last 5-10 years. Until quite recently, none of the North American organizations were using Aikikai Hombu grading requirements for grading; they all had their own.

Individual dojo, inside and outside an association, can very widely.

I've seen groups where a teacher wants to lecture on why that organization is unique - moreso than having you train. My own experience, the lectures will never help your Aikido.

Sorry i do apologise I dont want to cause a big debate over this i didnt realise it was such a senstive topic i was just curious as ive just started aikido and im just trying to find out about what im actually learning and will be for the rest of my life (hopefully) i was initially wanting to start daito ryu but finding a club in my area is like rocking horse poop...so i settled with aikido and started a style called iwama ryu which to be honest im enjoying very much

chris

Christian Brownlow wrote: Sorry i do apologise I dont want to cause a big debate over this i didnt realise it was such a senstive topic i was just curious as ive just started aikido and im just trying to find out about what im actually learning and will be for the rest of my life (hopefully) i was initially wanting to start daito ryu but finding a club in my area is like rocking horse poop...so i settled with aikido and started a style called iwama ryu which to be honest im enjoying very much chris

Absolutely the most important thing. If you enjoy the practice and the people, well, you'll be together a long time so good that you enjoy it.

Regretibly, there is some history that most rank and file have nothing to do with that has created some bad blood. Competition between schools is a simple fact of life, but I train with anyone. I hope you continue to enjoy yourself.

Aikiken, Aikijo - this is the brand name of Saito weapons. Takemuso Aiki is often associated with Saito as well. He was a very prolific author, and his books and weapons are highly recommended for anyone of any style. Tons of him on YouTube as well.

The Aikikai is the Catholic Church.

Iwama ryu are Lutherans.

Yoshinkan is Eastern Orthodox.

Daito ryu is Judaism...

A whole new dimension of opportunities to take offence :-)

Cliff Judge wrote: The Aikikai is the Catholic Church. Iwama ryu are Lutherans. Yoshinkan is Eastern Orthodox. Daito ryu is Judaism...

What about the shodothugs?

Demetrio Cereijo wrote: What about the shodothugs?

Probably the Godless atheists.

Birankai must be the Anglicans then.

Don't forget that Osensei believed in 'Bankyo-Dokon' (all teachings, same root).