Fear and faith in Aiki jujutsu, James Williams Sensei

A discussion of the mental aspects of classical martial arts with a demonstration of re-directions of force. These techniques come from kenjutsu as it is the foundation of strategy and movement and defines the art.

[@bigusdickus123]

You are a profound thinker and martial artist. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge :)

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Thank you, I am fortunate to be able to teach and share my life's study and passion.

[@johnchipmanseishinaikido1531]

As are we who remain open to it and appreciative of those that came before us. Respects to you.. A lifetime of knowledge for those inclined.

[@yeshuado]

In the Bible - fear is overcome by faith. There's much connection in that teaching. Thx for posting

[@SystemOfStrategy]

We do not use the word "faith" in the way you are using it. You are talking about belief. We also have a different view on the purpose and place of technique in our art.

[@rakugakid]

Really great discussion, it makes me wish I was able to train with you. I own your Hissatsu folder and it's by far my favorite knife.

[@KhadijahJoySams93]

How do I become a great Aikido and aikijutsu practioner? I know its training but my dojo closed due to covid. I ordered books and they do help. Any advice? Someday I want to teach the arts.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

From our perspective there is a great deal of difference between Aikido and Aikijujutsu. We have an online dojo which is beneficial however there is no substitute for personal training. If you attend some seminars then the online dojo is much more beneficial.

[@andrameda1]

awesome professor thank you want to follow more you are a valueable asset

[@andrameda1]

MR. JAMES WILIAMS YOU ARE THE BEST TEACHER IN THE MARTIAL ARTS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SHARING IT WITH THE PEOPLE.

[@ronin6016]

Awesome video, great explanation, this has been very helpful, thank you very much for sharing your knowledge Sensei

[@alanfreeman8483]

I have recently (over the last year or so) became interested in the Samurai techniques. Ive studied Aikido for 10 years. Ive recently since last year started a womsn self defense class due to a lot of crime that has went on in my local area. Also found out today that one of the nursing homes is interested in my showing their staff some techniques.. This is an opportunity Ive been praying for... Have you ever shared your knowledge with that of any hospitals or nursing staff??

[@davesparks9503]

Can't endorse Mr. Williams enough.. a deep drink...

[@KhadijahJoySams93]

Any redirecting advice for daycare teachers? Sometimes my kids are too much

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Ha, now that can be a challenge...

[@zaxarion]

Your Tanto Kodachi is beautiful...

[@alanfreeman8483]

Over the summer I worked briefly as security for one of our local hospitals. While there I heard of several incidents where nurses had been attacked by violent patients.. While talking to them they told me that they were interested in some defensive training. So after that I went to the head of the nursing staff and asked if there was a way that we could do some training there at the hospital "for free" . Dont you know that they still declined my offer..

[@SystemOfStrategy]

I have worked with ER Docs, medics, etc. on how to handle violent and difficult patients.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Read the "Talent Code" by Daniel Coyle.

[@TheBUTOKUKAI]

These are principles of Systema, as well

[@MrChieftainJake]

What if the second punch is a hook or upper cut? Not using realistic attacks is dangerous... But I like what you said about consciousness...

[@williamsmith8790]

@mikebalko post a demo, please.

[@williamsmith8790]

@mikebalko No. i want to benefit from your vast martial knowledge and experience....

[@williamsmith8790]

@mikebalko this guy is pretty well respected by some pretty respectable types. You, are a nobody that lives in his parents basement, has a vast array of Tap Out and Affliction t shirts, paid for by your barista job, loves MMA, but just can’t quite get that blue belt yet. I don’t know if James Williams can pull off his stuff or not, but I do know who he is. You... nobody knows you. I do know this, though, you should at least cut your parents grass every now and then for them letting you stay there rent free.

[@alanfreeman8483]

Hey James I have something I wanted to run by you to see what you thought.. I think I told you about a staff member at a nursing home that is interested in getting some training from me.. They seem to only one one days worth of training for about $100. I am trying to persuade them into allowing me to train them maybe twice a week or at least a month so they can get a better grasp on things. What are your thoughts?? .

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Let me see on that...yes and no. I did not start out thinking I would be in the position of teaching etc. as I am now. I have always, since I can remember, had a desire to study martial arts although it was hard to find a long time ago. I have been very fortunate in being able to train under some of the best teachers on the planet and there is no substitute for that. My training and study for Samurai is a very old and uncommon one as this knowledge is no longer easy to find.

[@ronin6016]

Great video, thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@renshisensai5508]

Sensai Williams is there any chance you can post how to tie the legs of the hakama for ground fighting please!? I Teach a classical form of Jujitsu and we use MOST of the Samurai weapons as well as a few not Samurai weapons! and you are givne me a few incites that my forma Sokie forgot to teach me...THANK YOU! (as Im no longer with my forma Soke he failed to teach me hoe to tie the hakama legs up for the floor work!)

[@SystemOfStrategy]

The hakama are riding pants, not unlike chaps. The original way of the warrior was the way of the horse and bow. Samurai also lived in an environment where tools were virtually always carried. That includes smaller knives, shurikan etc. tucked into their obi. Grappling as we see in modern derivations was not practiced much. When you add tools it fundamentally changes the engagement. Going to the ground is also a good way to lose. Time to solution is inefficient, you are vulnerable to multiple opponents, you are vulnerable to knives etc.. I personally think that grappling is a valuable skill base. It is the root of the tree of martial arts. It is a necessary foundation. We do not however go to the tree for its roots. We go for the fruit. I have two sons that compete in BJJ. I started them when they were young. It is a great sport, it teaches essential skills both mental and physical. It is not the way that we solve problems on the street or in combat. My suggestion is to wear gi pants when you practice grappling. Blousing, tying the legs up, the hakama will not prevent it from being damaged during grappling practice.

[@renshisensai5508]

ok so what ur saying is you dont know!!! I KNOW about grappling iv studied 9 marshal arts over 30 years and have been teaching Jujitsu(Japanese not bjj) for 16 of them!!! what I asked is HOW DO I TIE THE HAKAMA UP ON THE LEGS PLEASE!? I have seen it in other peoples vids.....I want to know as when im teaching traditional some moves end up on the floor and the hakama does get in the way! BUT in the demos I have seen when it is tied up it does not get in the way!!!!

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Yes, I know how to blouse the Hakama. Not recommended for grappling, which I started doing in 1960. When training you can reach under one of the straps on the hakama and grasp the bottom of the matadachi and pull it up throw and over the strap. That will bring it up off of the legs.

[@renshisensai5508]

thanks!!! !!

[@gunfighterwinesnob]

Oss! Thank you

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Not a problem with the hook or uppercut. I am just showing some solutions, not all solutions. Make it to a seminar and you can ask whatever questions and I will give answers. I like question/problems as it helps everyone when they are asked.

[@alanfreeman8483]

One of the other staff stated that they have verbal cues to go by if things got out of hand. She then stated that as long as the verbal cues were used the situation would not escalate.. But in the mean time their staff still encounters these un pleasant situations.. Go figure..

[@GoshindoTanaka]

master i practiced aikijujutsu for 3 years then i stop for 7 years 1 month ago i returned to my sensei i am a green belt i think that my mind remebers everything but my body is slow i practice 4 hours a week how long should it take to get to my previous status.

[@Jdmsword14]

simply passing by but might i suggest a different question, how quickly can you surpass your previous self?!?!

[@patrik79a]

would it be possible to ask you to further explain the difference between faith and belief egarding to the person down below citing Ueshiba Sensei? you said it isn´t faith - it´s a beleif ....

[@SystemOfStrategy]

To understand and communicate we need to create a shared reality. To do this we must understand what words mean as specifically as possible. In our Nami ryu lexicon faith is what we have in the laws of physics manifested in the construct, creation, that we all live in and everyone is bound by. There is not "point of view" here as gravity etc., affects us all regardless of viewpoint or belief system.

[@patrik79a]

SystemOfStrategy Thank you for your answer!

[@SystemOfStrategy]

You are welcome.

[@alanfreeman8483]

Sir if I may say so you have an impressive resume history... This might sound like a weird question but did you in the beginning set out or plan to accomplish all that you've done in the area of martial arts, or was it like a domino effect with opportunities that opened up over the years that provided you to study other styles?? Lastly how did you get into the bodyguard or executive protection field??

[@aHigherPower]

Do you have a religious affiliation Mr. Williams?

[@RealBrothaProduction]

Otake Risuke Sensei look him up. He holds the last Samurai Dojo that teaches a really secret art from the Samurai. He is a real samurai just outside of Tokyo. They train nonstop and 50% of the people that join aren;t even Japanese but they have to learn Japanese because its Japan and no one speaks English.

[@MCShvabo]

RealBrothaProductions No disrespect to Otake Sensei but he is not real samurai, he is a part of religious group, Katori shrine is not legitimate art (in my opinion) couse it puts highter emphasis on their shrine work than actual warfare or martial arts.

[@RealBrothaProduction]

MCShvabo Most samurai back then are not real samurai because it is a social class, "real" Samurai would have his family crest on his Kimono. If we were being just from Fuedal times, he would be considered a Samurai only because he went to a Samurai Dojo and earned his rank. People like Musashi are called Samurai but technically he is a Swordsman.

[@MCShvabo]

The Dub Master Yes I see what you are trying to say, samurai is social grade, but not all Samurai were rich and influental enough to carry a banner, crest on Kimono, sure, also, you were first to call man who is actualy one of leaders of religious society "Real Samurai", btw Musashi WAS Samurai in his later years in service of Lord of Kumamoto (can' remember his name though)

[@RealBrothaProduction]

MCShvabo Most Samurai were actually poor tbh because they were not allowed to work real jobs. So it hit them hard during the Meiji Era and Samurai were know as Freelance body guards or hired assassins. And also Musashi still wasn't considered a samurai. They still reckegnized him as the most skilled swordsman who ever lived.

[@MCShvabo]

RealBrothaProductions We disagree on some points but anyways, good day!

[@alanfreeman8483]

Hey James, just wondering if you got the last couple messages I sent to you on here in reference to not being able to access your email. Thanks Terrence

[@2008August30]

Knowing technique gives you faith in your ability to protect yourself, this in turn allows you to relax and perform Budo with a clear, conscious mind without fear. Where there is no fear love springs forth in our training and in life. If we have love in our training, we will try to protect life under all circumstances even if we are attacked, this is the heart of Aikido.

[@alanfreeman8483]

Im not too good with utubes emailing system.. May I have your personal email?

[@kokyu10]

Uke nagashi - irimi remainds me tenshin Dojo style.

[@521Life]

Wow? I think Meditating on that principle just opened something in me.

[@CYM2407]

Excellent articulation of koryu concepts, Williams sensei. Domo arigato.

[@renshisensai5508]

Ogawa Ryu - Jujutsu Katame no Giko - Makimono Study sorry have a look and see what I mean!

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Okay, they are also using ties on their legs to keep the hakama above the knee. This might have historical accuracy in some ryu, I have not however seen it. This, unlike tasuki, would take time and not be something that could happen spontaneously prior to a fight. Personally I would just us gi pants if you are going to grapple. This probably came from training where they used the clothes that they had and protected them the best they could. This going to the ground, and depending upon joint locks etc., would be a bad idea in a fight, just as it is a bad idea on the street today. If it was a setup "match" it probably took please in less than lethal conditions.

[@staninfire1]

Fearless and redirecting great glass.

[@alanfreeman8483]

Thanks.. Which email should I use?

[@SystemOfStrategy]

You are welcome.

[@bangermccrusher]

thanks for sharing this knowledge

[@JaguarRonin]

IN MY VIEW: The faith element of the discussion is bias. Based on on some of the other comments, clearly a distraction. Faith doesn't yield success on the battle field or the octagon. Training, skill, knowledge and preparation brings you home.

[@danielskipp1]

+JaguarRonin I think you are underestimating the power of faith in combatting the enervating and repressing effects of fear. The knowledge of one's preparation and skill is what gives faith which lessens the fear and cowardice and stress.... without faith the fear overwhelms the knowledge and the skills become useless. Conor McGregor lost the faith when his lefts weren't KOing and he got hurt, so he went down like a !#@ . Nate Diaz had the faith... his spirit won. Yet the UFC is a tiny shadow of the fearful mortal threat that real combat is... no rules, weapons, hatred and raging bloodlust. Without faith strength fails and the will falters, action is not true, opportunity is lost and aim is off. We lose without faith. Attitude is king, above ability.

[@JaguarRonin]

Since I've been in mortal combat using a variety of artifices - including my considerable fighting science knowledge - and have had to live (at considerable cost), I reject your thought that I am underestimating anything. I offer the you the value of understanding "stone soup". Good luck to you.

[@danielskipp1]

JaguarRonin I appreciate the veracity and value of your hardwon knowledge. I assume the "soup" you refer to is "the school of hard knocks". Perhaps you would elaborate? How can all your skill and knowledge be of any use if, god forbid, you lost faith in them? Where would your motivation and hence your sureness of action, your grace, your efficiency, go if you lost confidence, belief, trust, faith,in your skill and knowledge? Knowing intellectually is one thing, but having emotional strength is surely a crucial ally, no? Realization only fully comes with confidence, otherwise your first step is shaky at best.. With no faith how can there be confidence? Knowing you have the skills and feeling you have the skills are different, is what I am saying. Even in a basic biological example if someone lacked faith in themselves then they would be frightened and the epinephrine could make them feel "weak at the knees" and the flight/fight/freeze reflex could paralyze them. Do you see my point?

[@arilestariono]

great stuff..on suruage..sensei

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Thank you

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Email me on this.

[@kingofcobwebs]

Wu Wei . . .