Ikiyōyō-Ryu Bujutsu

Jacob Sibley

Ikiyōyō translates as spirits rising. We believe that training in martial arts should raise our spirits in every training session and beyond. People should feel happier, safer and more successful through martial arts training. The joy of learning and self improvement are emphasised while learning powerful and traditional martial arts.

Students need to understand the context and meaning of a movement in order to understand what they are doing. Anyone can learn to juggle: Jujutsu should not become an act of juggling with other people’s bodies. Plastic imitation of movement is possible for all people and is an important part of the learning process but in itself it is not Budo. Only through engaging emotionally and with ‘spirit’ a student can embrace the historical connection with a movement or technique and deliver with conviction and meaning.

Ikiyōyō-Ryu Bujutsu places emphasis on effective core movement as a path to traditional jujutsu and weapons technique; ikiyōyō undō. Each person has a way of moving that is natural to them- rather than force fitting martial technique we practise core movements which offer pathways to effective engagement in both self defence and traditional Jujutsu kata. There are endless and wonderful ways to move the human body but the value and effectiveness of any movement is contextual. Ikiyōyō  is an experiential study in biomechanics through; classical technique, discovery and experimentation. This approach supports initial accessibility and effective martial movements and promotes a feeling of success for students. Through learning basic natural movement students are then able to develop an in depth understanding and respect for traditional martial techniques.

Movement has meaning because of context (proximity, environment,), physical delivery (speed, tension, relaxation)  impact (damage, disruption, deterrent, protection). The most influential aspect of meaning in movement is intention, intention and motivation combine in the energy expressed and the form of it’s expression. Meaning is also significantly influenced by the moments after action. The period after action shapes understanding in the immediate and how it is framed in both memory and future retelling. Ikiyōyō Ryu Bujutsu places emphasis upon helping students understand context and to engage in different levels of emotional expression and to develop a Budo mindset.

Martial arts require many skills that are not the ‘physical delivery of techniques’. The ability to react/respond to stimuli visual, tactile, aural, environmental and intuitive is in many ways more important than the subsequent movement. Initial engagement through the student’s natural movement Ikiyōyō Ryu Bujutsu aims to reduce anxiety of ‘how’ to respond and help them identify the appropriate response instinctively. The creation of different stimuli within the safety of the dōjō is vital to students ability to internalise their art. The dōjō must, therefore, be a place of peace and happiness where individuals are respected and their differences celebrated. The Ikiyōyō dōjō should be a space in which students are encouraged to be happy and enthusiastic to learn. 

Pedagogical research shows that people learn best when they feel safe and supported within a learning environment that encourages an inquisitive mindset and none-oppressive teaching methods. The speed at which people learn and develop is significantly increased in such environments. Ikiyōyō  Ryu students are encouraged to push themselves beyond expectation and they often go further than they ever thought possible. That push comes from within not from instructor pressure, this promotes individual ownership of achievement. 

Whatever the reason someone starts martial arts if they stay long enough their reasons to continue often change and develop. At the higher levels of engagement in martial arts, as in all physical arts, we do it to get better at it because we want to get better at it and we enjoy that process. Unlike Sisyphus (who feels the burden of pushing a rock up a mountain only to watch it roll down again) Ikiyōyō  celebrates the process and achievement of the learning journey then happiness at the new opportunities that open each time we achieve a goal.

Form and Technique

While movement in itself can initially be observed as simple there are many layers to be discovered through the path of Budo. From simple accessible movements that are useful from the first lesson increasing depth and beauty can be found as layers of intricacy, application and meaning are revealed

As we engage in the martial movements we develop the martial mind. The mind is the centre of the learning and experiential process. From playful reaction and interaction we progress through self defence and warrior applications to access deeper levels of Budo mind and creativity. In the dōjō we offer a shared objective with other students, we experience the joy of learning and a connection with the past masters and students that have studied and shared their wisdom so that we can learn today.

The techniques taught within the Ikiyōyō dōjō aim to recreate and utilise the ancient martial arts of Japan. These include many Taijutsu, Jujutsu and weapons forms that have been distilled over centuries of combat and teaching. These techniques and styles of teaching are living historical records of times and contexts that we do not experience today in England. We learn these techniques to potentially adapt and utilise them within the modern world and the challenges it may bring. We also learn these techniques to feel contact with their history and tradition. We take responsibility to preserve those teachings and methods in order to pass them to future generations. 

There are distinct expectations in both behaviour and etiquette shared in most Japanese dōjō. These behaviour and etiquette expectations are maintained in the Ikiyōyō dōjō to offer students a cultural experience and to maintain order, safety and contact with tradition. Our connection to other Japanese schools and organisations provides further opportunity for cultural exchange.

Ikiyōyō-Ryu Bujutsu why?

Martial arts must be effective for students to feel the value offered. Effective self defence is one of the main motivating factors that students join a class. Community, history, affiliation, learning, self-discovery and many other aspects of martial arts classes are important and embraced by students across all styles in all countries but at the core must be effective self defence and combat systems. 

From the start of the learning process Ikiyōyō-Ryu Bujutsu offers an introduction and access to core self defence movement and principles. The content of the syllabus and knowledge and skills of the instructors who have extensive experience of traditional Bujutsu as well traditional and modern martial arts from Asia, Europe and Latin America offer students the opportunity to find ways that will work for them. 

Avoiding dogmatic and narrow approaches in the initial stages of learning helps students learn effective responses and to build confidence. This supports students' ability to embrace their further learning with a mindset that is both inquisitive and critical. This mindset is vital to students recognising the true value of traditional arts and their capacity to utilise them in a modern context. 

Ikiyōyō-Ryu Bujutsu may ultimately offer the student more questions than answers. The learning experience should help create confidence in the ability to scrutinise their own action and their art while looking further and deeper into both effective combat and tradition.