Budo Melbourne - Jukuren Dojo

COMING SOON - BEGINNER COURSES!!!

Starting in September, we will have an introductory offer for new members, with a reduced rate and free uniform for an 8 week course of our Fundamental Class on Tuesday nights!

These offers will be for new students starting at the beginning of each term, and will cover a wide range of the skills taught at the Jukuren Dojo, including:
Fundamental Taijutsu/Jujutsu (Postures, Striking, Locks)
Fundamental Weapon Handling (Sword, Half-Staff)
Solo Exercises for Home Training (Sanshin Gogyo no Kata)
Paired Exercises for Timing, Distance, and Targeting (Kihon Happo)
and more!

Once completed, students can become full members, and join in the Thursday Classical Class, and Sunday Sword Class as well for the regular fee!

More details to come!!!

A very happy birthday to Sensei Wayne Roy!

Sensei Roy has dedicated his life to empowering the personal development of people for most of his life, beginning with introducing the Bujinkan system of martial arts into Australia in the very early 1980's. Over the next 3 and a half decades, he continued to research, innovate, and develop his study and teaching of traditional arts in a way that was of great value to the modern world, including absolute cutting edge modern self defence concepts that were well ahead of their time.

We at the Jukuren Dojo (Budo Melbourne) would like to wish Sensei Roy a very happy birthday, and express how proud we are to be a part of his legacy!

This week at the Jukuren Dojo, we will be holding a Special Workshop! This class is open to all interested persons, and will focus on Knife Versus Knife Encounters!

With the seeming uptick in knife and bladed assaults on the news, I thought it would be a good time to revisit our tactics and techniques for surviving these dangerous situations... but first, it's important to gain an appreciation for just how fast a knife assault can occur.

To that end, we will be spending our final Tuesday class this month exploring Knife Combat Skills against another knife. While not a common situation, it will give you a good sense of just how quickly these weapons can be employed, and how much damage can be incurred.

We will be utilising a safe replica of a modern double-edged knife, as well as looking at a training example of another commonly carried type of blade, and will use these to explore a range of methods, focusing on ending the threat as quickly as possible.

We will explore:
Bio-mechanic Cutting
The False Reliance on "Killing" Techniques
Protective Principles
Preventing A Follow-up Attack
and more!

Where? Melbourne Budo Academy, Level 1, 96A Hoddle Street, Abbotsford
When? Tuesday, 30th April, 8:30pm-10:30pm
How Much? $25 for Casual Students, Class Fee Included for current practicing members
What To Bring? A drink and loose, comfortable clothing, as well as a safe training knife if you have one. As this is a Modern Workshop, regular uniforms are not needed.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Term 2 for 2024 is about to start!

The focus for Thursdays Classical Jujutsu will be on Asayama Ichiden Ryu Yokohama-den Taijutsu, and Short Weapons (Jutte, Tessen, and Kodachi), as well as the second cycle of our Fundamental Classes on Tuesdays!

New Students are always welcome... please message the page for more information!

Goodbye 2023, hello 2024!!!
We have settled nicely into our new home at the Melbourne Budo Academy in Hoddle Street, as well as our new structure with three classes per week!
Classes resume as of the 14th January (Muso Shinden Ryu Iaijutsu), and 16th January (Budo Heiho)... message the page for more information!

Some very sage advice on visiting (especially Japanese) martial art schools... after all, when in Rome... or Japan!

Now taking enquiries for membership in 2024!

Studying Classical and Traditional Jujutsu, Weaponry Skills, and Modern Self Defence in Melbourne!

Planning to visit a new martial arts school. Some Do's & Don'ts.

1. Always call first and schedule an appointment to watch a class. Some schools have a particular beginner classes that they prefer new students watch.. Although most schools allow “walk ins” to watch a class, in most cases it is disrespectful.. Please call ahead!

2. Be on time! When you schedule an appointment to watch a class, being late is disruptive and disrespectful. Plan to arrive 5 to 10 minutes before class begins. This will give the instructor time to meet you and sets a good example. If for some reason you cannot make your appointment, call or text ahead of time. It’s polite!

3. When you arrive, remove your shoes immediately upon stepping into the building. In most martial arts schools, students practice barefoot. Nothing is as disrespectful as stepping onto the training floor with shoes on as it can mar the flooring, tracks in contaminants and brings in dirt. The simple act of removing your shoes gives you instant clout with the instructor as being someone they want to teach.

4. Sit quietly without interrupting or making comments. Usually, the instructor will have some time after the class where you can get your questions answered. And of course turn your mobile phone OFF

5. Make time to stay for the whole class. It is disruptive to leave in the middle. The only exceptions is if you told the instructor ahead of time that you could only stay for a certain period of time.

6. Thank the instructor for allowing you to watch a class. Collect any information you need to make a decision and politely leave. You are not required to sign up immediately.

Yesterday marked my 30th anniversary in the Takamatsuden set if martial arts. On August 5th, 1993, one week after watching a class, I signed up as a brand new student in a dojo in Doncaster, Melbourne, under the banner of Wayne Roy, to study the Bujinkan and its teachings. I had checked out a number of other schools, and had some 5 or 6 years of karate and taekwondo under my belt, and was drawn to this group because of its consistency, and seriousness of study, something that wasn't always easy to find in the world of "ninja" arts!

Nearly 10 years later, Wayne Roy had made the decision to remove his schools from the Bujinkan, and, not long after that (but completely unrelated), my personal instructor changed careers, leaving the Melbourne dojo without a teacher. Along with a few other seniors at the time, I took over the teaching role, eventually becoming the primary instructor for the dojo. This continued until the organisation was disbanded at the end of 2016, when it was decided to continue as a completely independent dojo, now known as Budo Melbourne - Jukuren Dojo.

Since then, I've worked to maintain the standards that Wayne Roy instilled, and keep the cutting edge approach to understanding and training modern self defence, as well as improving our Classical and Traditional arts, giving them an authenticity that is, I feel, unique among these schools, making them far closer to the way you would learn a classical (koryu) system.

Today, the Jukuren Dojo teaches on Tuesday and Thursday nights (Tuesday classes covering fundamental skills based on the Ten Chi Jin Ryaku no Maki, and Thursday classes being the Classical material, covering the individual Ryu-ha and Densho Weapon kata), as well as incorporating a study of Muso Shinden Ryu Iaijutsu on Sunday mornings to aid in sword handling skill. And, while we are a small school, I truly believe we are one of the most well-rounded, with some of the best depth of study to be found in any location... and I am incredibly proud of all who have been with me on this journey!

My thanks to my personal instructors, Siang Teoh, Richard Coote, and, of course, Wayne Roy. I look forward to the next 30 years!

Muso Shinden Ryu Iaijutsu Classes Now Weekly!

Starting this Sunday, we will be holding Muso Shinden Ryu Iaijutsu classes every Sunday from 10:30am!

This class is open to all interested persons in Japanese Swordsmanship, and is a supplemental class to the Jukuren Dojo Jujutsu classes, meaning that people interested can choose to train in both Jukuren Dojo Jujutsu and Muso Shinden Ryu Iaijutsu, or in just one (at a reduced monthly fee for just the Iaijutsu)!

Please message the page for more information!

A very Happy Birthday to Wayne Roy!

A highly influential and respected figure in Australian martial arts, Wayne Roy was the first to introduce the Bujinkan approach to martial arts, popularly described as Ninjutsu, at the beginning of the 1980's. He would continue to refine his teaching methods for this traditional Japanese artform, ensuring it is of maximum relevance and benefit to a modern Western practitioner, constantly researching and staying on the cutting edge of teaching methodology and understanding of violence, eventually creating his own schools known as the Jyukutatsu Dojos (Schools of Self Mastery). The Melbourne branch of the Jyukutatsu Dojo is now the Jukuren Dojo.

This approach has become the foundation for his modern teaching of Bodyguarding principles and Reality Self Defence for his group in Brisbane, and branches in Sydney.

We, at the Jukuren Dojo, are proud to continue his legacy in both Traditional and Modern Reality based approaches.

New Term starting this month!

Shinden Fudo Ryu will be the focus for the next four months, a school emphasising natural movement in response to an attack... so, if you are looking to start a martial journey with a traditional focus, and an eye to modern applications, message the page!

Classes held on Tuesdays (Fundamentals) and Thursdays (Classical Ryu-ha Kata) in Abbotsford!

(Photo of calligraphy done by Ebisu design in Melbourne of Jyukutatsu, former name of our school... Self Mastery... the reason for training!)

Classes return this week!!!!

From this year, we will be holding two classes a week... Traditional Jujutsu (Kihon Fundamentals) on Tuesday, and Classical Jujutsu and Weapons (Ryu-ha to Buki) as advanced material on Thursdays! We will begin our Thursday classes with Kukishin Ryu Taijutsu and Kenpo (Sword)... message the page for more details!

As we move out of 2022, and into 2023, there are a number of changes for the Jukuren Budo Melbourne - Jukuren Dojo!

Beginning from January, we will be increasing our classes to include a Traditional Jujutsu and Weaponry class on Thursday nights to compliment our Fundamental Jujutsu Tuesday class. We also hold a fortnightly Muso Shinden Ryu Iaijutsu class every second Sunday morning, making for a very well-rounded syllabus for classical Japanese martial arts!

If you are interested in joining, coming along to watch, or just want to chat martial arts, please contact the page! I look forward to meeting you!

The Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne is located at Level 25, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne... might be worth stopping by at some point prior to the beginning of February...

A demonstration of Muso Shinden Ryu from 2019's Meiji Jingu Embu Taikai.

Muso Shinden Ryu Iaijutsu - Takahashi Tsuguhide - Meiji Jingu Kobudo Demonstration 2019 [FHD 60fps] Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaFF4Q8RlfNq45cPDUwE8QA?sub_confirmation=1School: Musō Shinden Ryū IaijutsuEvent: Meiji Jingu Kobu...

Did You Know...?

Budo Melbourne, as part of the classes associated with Jukuren Dojo, also holds fortnightly lessons in Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido? Operating as a study group, these lessons are open to all members of Budo Melbourne (Budo Melbourne - Jukuren Dojo and Hekitan Dojo Melbourne - Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu & Katori Shinto Ryu) as part of the class fees, as well as to other interested persons.

Muso Shinden Ryu is a branch of the Tosa-Iai schools tracing back to the person to whom the Iai concept is attributed to, Hayashizaki Jinsuke. Over the years, the original Hayashizaki Ryu also added the Hasegawa Eishin Ryu, and the Omori Ryu later, to create a complete Iaijutsu tradition. We also study Shindo Munen Ryu/Hosoda Ryu as an introduction, and other paired techniques (such as Nihon Kendo Kata) to give a thorough grounding in sword!

Classes are held on alternate Sunday mornings from 10:30am to 12:30pm, at the Melbourne Budo Academy in Hoddle Street, Abbotsford. Please message the page if you are interested in this wonderful art!

(Picture of Nakayama Hakudo, modern organiser of the school into its present form as Muso Shinden ryu).

https://www.facebook.com/reel/3329055434084260

Robert Greene is an author whose work is inextricably linked with decoding aspects of human behaviour. Here, he lays out an important rule in engaging with others, whether in a self-defence or other context, that echoes what we teach in our Goshinjutsu lessons...

Time for reflection...

Yesterday was my 29th Anniversary of beginning my journey in this art... over the near-three decades I've been involved in what was once called Ninjutsu, there have been quite a number of changes and developments, in myself, my understanding of the art, and more. I went from a student, to an instructor representing my teacher, to heading my own independent dojo, known today as the Jukuren Dojo.

The Jukuren Dojo has also gone through it's own journey of discovery and development... beginning as a part of the Bujinkan under the pioneer of the art in Australia, Sensei Wayne Roy, before becoming an independent organisation (Jyukutatsu Dojos) under Sensei Roy in 2001, and, finally, becoming the Jukuren Dojo Budo Heiho following Mr Roy's retirement from traditional martial arts in 2016.

And, while the approach and application, as well as the depth of understanding of the arts taught and studied have continued to develop, the heart has always been the same... to provide the best information and training to all students, ensuring that every need and want is met as fully as possible.

To that end, we continue to explore the traditional arts, weaponry skills, and cutting edge self defence lessons, giving you history, culture, skills, and modern sensibilties with each and every lesson... continuing the legacy of my teachers!

Thank you to all who have supported myself and the school, especially over the last few difficult years... we will continue to grow for years to come!

It's official! We are moving!!!

After a somewhat tumultuous time, I am very excited to announce that we have a new permanent home at the Melbourne Budo Academy!

This professionally run facility has fully matted floors, fans for summer, and a split system for winter... absolute luxury! More importantly, it is run by people whose biggest concern is providing a quality environment for the study of both martial and cultural study... giving a very traditional environment with modern convenience!

We will be holding our first class there next Tuesday, at the new time of 8:30pm! I am excited to start at our new home, and I hope to see you there!

Traditional Martial Arts

Say, this is an interesting website.... https://www.melbournebudo.com.au/ ... and this is a fun page... https://www.facebook.com/melbournebudo.com.au/ ... it might pay to keep an eye in them in coming weeks...

News coming!!!!

Melbourne Budo Academy 🥋 Aikido Yobukai
🇯🇵 Ancient Theory; Modern Practice
🇦🇺 Aikido, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Judo

A very Happy Birthday to Sensei Wayne Roy!

This is an interesting paradox... taking the shorter, easier path leads to more effort being needed... putting in more effort allows you to develop yourself so that you can perform more easily... of course, the effort cannot slip, or your skills will as well.

This leads to the corollary to the below lesson: The more effort you put in, the easier things get. So... if you want to make real progress, the answer is simple! Choose the longer path... put in the effort... make the time... be committed... and reap the rewards!

After all, as the ancient wisdom teaches us, the quick and easy path leads to the Dark Side...

So... I'll see you in class this week?

Today is April 2nd, 2022, the 50th anniversary of the passing of Takamatsu Tosh*tsugu.

Known from his time in China as "Moko no Tora" (Mongolian Tiger), Takamatsu is considered the source of a number of martial organisations today, collectively referred to as the Takamatsuden arts (transmissions from Takamatsu), including our own school!

Today, we can reflect on his influence in our arts, and the influence his arts have had on our lives, and celebrate potentially the most important teacher in our systems.

Get ready... news is on the horizon (hopefully!)... continuing the legacy and tradition, while preparing for the modern world!

Historically, samurai would sometimes embark on journeys, called Musha Shugyo (warrior journeying). In these activities, the warriors would move often, either gaining temporary employment in various locations, or setting up teaching locations as they travelled, taking students as they went in order to support themselves.

Since coming out of lockdowns last year, we do not have a permanent home, while we await a new one to be located, so we have been looking around at a number of temporary homes... and have moved to a new one at the Calton Baths in Rathdowne Street!

This location is a rubberised floor, with air-conditioning (luxury!), and is very conveniently located just north of the CBD!

In the spirit of the old samurai, why not make the trip to come and see us? Teaching classical Japanese martial arts, Weaponry skills, and Modern Self Defence... and helping you become better than you are today!

First Class of 2022 Tonight!

New Location for January - Sussex Neighbourhood House, 7 Prospect Street, Pascoe Vale!

Start Time: 7:30!

Be There!!!

While we will be able to resume classes from next week, the Jukuren Dojo is currently without a home... but not to worry! There are a number of (temporary) options that we are exploring while we await a new permanent home, so I am hoping to start classes again with a minimal delay... it is likely that we will return with a focus on weaponry (sword and staff), so make sure your training tools are maintained properly (sanded, oiled, and safe to use) for when we return!

This is, on the surface, quite an amusing read... however, to me, it highlights quite an important factor of studying old martial traditions, as we do, and that is the concept of institutional or assumed knowledge.

When we train in our traditions, it's easy to forget just how much we are culturally removed from the persons who founded, formulated, applied, and trained in the arts in centuries past. To simply look at medieval or feudal Japanese culture, there are any number of aspects that, simply put, are not present today... even in modern Japan. These include physiology, as Wayne Muramoto (Takeuchi Ryu Bitchu-den, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, and more) has mentioned a number of times on his Classical Budoka blog, older generations of Japanese lived "closer to the ground"... in other words, they didn't use chairs, toilet facilities were often little more than a covered hole in the ground, and so on, leading to such persons having much more flexible, and much stronger hips and legs (due to all the sitting, kneeling, and squatting)... all of which affects the body structure and movement. It can also include ways of viewing the world, how it's understood, religious concepts, and far more... but let's stick with the physiological.

Musashi wrote that "your everyday walk should be your combative walk, your everyday posture should be that of your combative kamae"... schools also specify "natural stepping or footwork", and so on. What does that mean to us today, though? What was the walking method like in a culture far more aware of their hips, their centre of gravity, with stronger legs and hips? How does that affect the way you move in kata? Should your "natural step" be the same you use today, in a Western culture? With a different physiology? Or should you strive to replicate the walking methods found in older cultures, as that's the framework used to describe how the art was designed to work?

Questions like these should be a part of your study of your martial training... recognising and being able to see all the aspects that aren't written down... as, historically, most of these arts, especially those who were restricted to the buke (martial families) would work more on refining a set of established skills than learning from scratch... unlike us today!