By: Max Fernandez Rodriguez Roy
Daito Ryu Aiki Bujutsu
A lthough it very similar and all that remains today, "Bushi no Jutsu Dojo Shin-Zo"
(originally "The Way of the Warrior"), it was probably the first dojo in Cuba
to teach Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu.
In the last decade of the 1930 Japanese immigrants on the island, taught various forms of jujutsu in an extremely secret, only to relatives or friends close to the Japanese community within these styles that were taught, was the now famous "Daito Ryu."
Much later, Japanese officials, Dr. Hideo Hanmura and Mr. Taro Nishiyama, members of the Dai Nippon Daito Ryu Aiki Bujutsu Rengo Kai, instructed another generation of students, which included a small number of Cubans, some of whom were young. It is to this generation, the current dojo was presented, because it produced figures such as William Murphy Del Cueto, one of the students Hanmura Sensei, who first taught Max and Roy Fernandez Rodriguez led his first steps in this art, under the direction of Dr. Hanmura.
Fragment of an article written by:
Ayako Yamamoto Sensei, entitled:
"Daito Ryu in the Caribbean"
A a vibrating latent in our memory as flame those recommendations suggested by our beloved and respected teacher William Murphy del Cueto, written in an eloquent letter dated 20 December 1992. It gave us important councils response to our questions, which marked the beginning of a difficult but beautiful mission in this country, the noble task of educating, educate and expand the legendary art of Daito Ryu Jujutsu Auki.
In an excerpt from that text we read:
... "If you want to train with someone else's art, do it with people you can trust. Have integrity, dedication and honesty, but mostly humility (pride and arrogance destroy the spirit of Aiki). "
That same year, we received another important letter, whose text we infused a mixture of satisfaction and awe, we were honored by the confidence that our teacher had placed in us, but parallel to that we fear to face the fact and take After such a huge assignment, which required courage, knowledge, loyalty and above all absolute will of steel. Trembling and heart latiéndonos chest heaving inevitable we read with astonishment the lines in which our teacher we proposed:
"... talk to them your students the true spirit of budo, the practice of the samurai of the Aizu clan, which is called "Misogi" (purification) etc. Culture and manners were part of the elite of the Aizu clan, descended from the Minamoto clan, and particularly the Takeda group (part of the Aizu clan) for their discipline was just as the spirit, if someone was not able to control , was not considered man, much less Samurai! (Not allowed to drink, have bad manners.). This is what I hope you can teach in the manner of attitude ... maybe your students can choose to adopt and create a good group to continue beyond the true direction of budo or Bujutsu. "
This was a great start! ... the first cut made in our own spirit, with the noblest of swords, a true warrior can do. The first firm step on the correct path, following the traces left us a beautiful and rich tradition of Budokas, decorated with a vast and storied history written with the highest principles that humans may possess, including: Honor, courage, compassion and loyalty ... a story put into practice by men of high wisdom and culture, whose audacity kindled and allowed them to move forward overcoming all fear and indecision. Was thus we made the decision, taking as standard, our debt of gratitude and respect for our teacher and the legacy that transmitting. And accepted the challenge and we took on the task of selecting a small group of top students who lectured on "Jyoshin Mon Shorin Ryu Karate Do," with the ultimate end goal of giving effect to the proposed Murphy Del Cueto Sensei.
Our first strategy was to begin to reassert those students further purified spirit, instilling in each practice session the firm purposes and principles of ethics and culture of Bujutsu and Budo, take root in their hearts the rich traditions and discipline of the art of Daito Ryu.
The 13 December 1993 the first began to teach basic technical aspects at the level known as Oku iri (entering the secrets of style) jealously measuring spiritual behavior of each of them it was necessary to evaluate the level of persistence of individual students and their attitude to the inviolable rules of the code of conduct inside and outside the dojo, it took us a long time, because the mind of some still had traces of the alterations that reveal the films of "arts martial in the theater, as well as large negative influences left by the deplorable some martial arts competitions in future and so-called "combat sports."
was not an easy job even if fully complied indications inviolate codes of conduct and the wise advice of our teacher, we were gradually creating in students of different ages and sexes, a new way to see and appreciate martial arts, the new form and atmosphere that emphasized the harmony correct at the dojo. They spoke and demanded Reigi (courtesy and etiquette), the Shugyo Shin (Spirit of austere training) and Misu Irazu (mutual aid, without contradictions). At that time our dojo was named "Fuji Yama Dojo-Bunko "to remember and praise the name of the Dojo of Sensei Murphy Del Cueto, of the same name and its look to clarify that ours was a branch of that.
So the new seed of Daito Ryu Jujutsu Auki began to germinate in our country are beginning to give way to nostalgia and wise idea that a group of Cubans demonstrate that the true Budo could root in the heart of every practitioner of the art with humility and decency, regardless of the lack of resources, dissatisfaction and insecurity of the skeptics, the vituperation of some, nationality, race, culture difference, the traditions and ideology. Nothing can stop the human desire to create, to take the difficult work consolidation is proposed, to love and fight for just causes, away from the mediocre and unseemly. In this way begins to come true the dreams of the heart, great ideas, the last parcel and the difficult goal trazábamos us only with a fair goal and a belief instilled by our teacher.
We learned in these hard times that falls are only slides to propel, the sores often become shell when blood clots, the sweat cools our body and mind enlighten the face with a glow staff perceive only those who persevere in the spiritual victories post .
Looking heavy fighting that we deliver on our mind, the permanent slogan was able to continue what fifty years ago, our country was just a nightmare inconsolable for some Japanese immigrants as we have been transmitted came to our island trying to escape the persecution of the Kenpo tai (imperial secret police), by the mere fact that they belonged or were members of religious sects and Ichirei Omoto. They were forced to travel to different countries, including Cuba, with false passports, after the war, hiding their true identities and posing as traders, hawkers and vegetable growers, who were called by the people, wrongly: "Chinese," as you see by his countenance spoke Asian or because they Mandarin or Cantonese, not to reveal its original source. The reality was that they were mostly descendants of the high class Samurai (Hatamoto). High-ranking officials and nobility who read the Chinese classics and knew the art of Oshikiuchi (old name of Daito Ryu). Despite all this, it could only share this knowledge our land in a hidden with their closest relatives, deprived by this situation, to convey the noble legacy of his art, much less publicly and officially instruct him in Cuba.
Unfortunately for us, many of these teachers were killed in anonymity without being found by their relatives. Others returned to Japan being closely guarded secrets of his art. This was the case "Tomeo Fujita, a cousin of Ichikawa Yoshinori (" Soke "style: Daito-ryu Aiki Bujutsu Ryu Saigo has Ko). Which returns to the "Land of the Rising Sun" between the years 1956-1957, approximately.
These little known facts, for our nation, inspiring us and we inserted an authentic enthusiasm to continue the history of Daito Ryu in our country and preserve the legacy that the teacher teaches Murphy Del Cueto, Daito Ryu style.
The first group of Cuban students who began the practice in 1993 led by Max Roy Fernández Rodríguez, direct student of maestro Guillermo del Cueto Murphy were :
1. Pedro Jesús González inbox.
2. Joseph A. Rodriguez de los Reyes.
3. Reynier del Rosario Sánchez.
4. Ariel del Rosario Sánchez.
5. Nusdey de la Caridad Alvarez Frometa.
6. Virgilio Saldivar Rodriguez.
7. West Cesar Rodriguez.
8. Jussep Torriente Pedroso.
9. Jans Sosa Rojas.
10. Brian Castro Sosa.
11. Silvio García Delgado.
12. Yuney León Santiago.
These students were those who started the practice, then added another to increase the initial group. The practice in those days became rigorous, since we shared the stressful time in two sessions, "The first began at six in the afternoon with the Jyoshin Mon Karate Do, culminating with eight in the evening when starting the second session dedicated to learning Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu, ending at ten at night and on many occasions, more after this time "
We must clarify, it deserves merit, that this small group consisted mostly by children and adolescents, which will work together with adults fighting ruthlessly against the pain of the many films on the hard surface of just one inch in height, filled with wood chips and covered with a canvas of an old damaged tissue thickness , which was tied to a rotten frames and hard wood, this mat had a dimension of four by seven meters.
much more painful was the application of techniques for students, since they had many skills and constant injuries occurred in the joints of the wrists, knees, ankles and torn ligaments.
The dojo was a kind of trench, where he resisted hunger and thirst, the appearance of the students was really pitiful, their uniforms were torn by their poor condition, there were no Hakamas, of course, the lack resources in our country.
bathed They practiced all of copious sweating, bleeding knees by the practice of Shikko Ho (knee walking), pale and breathless by the supreme effort. All this made us think at times that everything would end at any time, but night after night repeating the same situation and the complaints of those dedicated practitioners expressed their faint smile and a positive movement of the head when one of his fellow practitioners and I strongly projected it applied an efficient control (Osae).
Upon completion of classes, late at night, coming home was transporting cycles manufactured in China. Some students had to overcome the distance of about twenty miles away, between the dojo and their homes.
Things get even harder, as if the law of cause and effect would prove, or prevent us from meeting our objectives, as it turned out that this humble dojo that we had provided for the practice was required by management of Iron and Steel Company "José Martí" (West Indian steel), to install a printer there. The decision was irrevocable, since our pleas were of no avail before the directors of that institution. The fact was accomplished, but this unwanted incident, became in turn a new test. Thus the new dojo we share, it became a grass lawn surrounded by a steep slope where there was a ring of the national highway, at the very edge where the town begins the "Cotorro" in Havana. Here the stoic group of practitioners began their practices again, sincerely applying the concept of "Seichin Tanren " (training to strengthen the spirit), combined with Shugyo. The enthusiasm was such that with the constant training of grass turf, ended up being a hard dirt field, where the feet of the students were hurt, this brought further setbacks seriously because we were asked by the parents of many of them and last but not least, we are threatened with expulsion from the place, at the request of the workers in charge of forestry beautification of that space setting, for the reason of damage to the lawn.
also suffer the vituperation of many passers-by place, teasing and indecent words against those exhausted and worthy students, who eagerly sought only to find the "Satori no Waza" (The understanding of each technical study of art). Despite the discipline and perseverance of this group, beat all restraint and stayed there, for about year and a half, overcoming this difficult, but beneficial test.
finally get justice somehow. With the help of many good people who helped us get the news that we were "OK" again in the same company "West Indian Steel," an area specifically designated for making a sports complex of interest to that organization, fulfilling an agreement made with the institution of National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER) Cotorro Township.
designated area, even without a roof and no floor required many resources, which by the favor of the parents of the students themselves and we made many efforts appeared. The roof was installed and the floor, after some time of pleading with the leaders of this company. This lasted about five or six months, then started again search for a new canvas to make their contest with another timeout for that solution.
All this work culminated in 1995 when it finally came to organize and decorate the place, to make it a real traditional Dojo Budo practice.
On 10 September the same year 1995, formally confirms that Up Roy Fernández Rodríguez is designated as the official instructor of Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu (Saigo has Ko Ryu), Shoden Mokuroku level, condition suggested by Murphy Del Cueto Sensei and is also authorized as a regional representative Cuban group's Rengokai to the Republic of Cuba at the request of Hanmura-Shihan Hideo (Fukushido Hombu-Cho So Hombu Dojo).
We took on the task of finding an appropriate name to explain by itself all the dedication, bravery and courage shown by our valued group of students. So he appeared names like "do Dojo Bushi" ("Place of the way of the path of the warrior") and "Shin-Zo Bushin No Jutsu Dojo" ("Place of the way of art from the heart of the warrior") . A name, according to some "unconventional." This latter after all, even with errors expressed in magazines and articles which appeared published. So we change it, in a not too distant future.
The battle for spiritual growth shrank not a single moment, included other rules of discipline and ethics, obviously to control the conduct of practitioners who continued to add up. This resulted in all combat as the sad and unfortunate loss of some initiatives and the inclusion of others that did were able to break their bad ideals and his own ego as it induces has made the noble legacy of Budo. So "Victory right on your own weaknesses" prevailed before the spiritual defeats of some.
As ocean waves, some perished in the comfort of the beaches, but others from the heat of battle, emerged, joining the unstoppable flow and vigorous, with energy and power.
The arrival of 1996 was an encouraging incentive for the persistent strength of Daito Ryu group in our country, because on 7 February that year officially recognized practice in Cuba by the then called "Cuban Federation of Karate and Martial Arts Related (FCKAMA), at a meeting held in Sports City Ciudad de la Habana, with senior representatives of the Federation and the respective presidents of the Association of martial arts that were involved, which also elected Max Roy Fernández Rodríguez, President of the section of Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu in those days mandated affiliated to the Cuban Association of Aiki Do.
On Saturday October 5, 1996, a selection of this group of Cuban students, led by its chairman and instructor made "The first public demonstration of Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu" in the Colosseum itself City Sports City Havana, which caused great expectations in this hobby, this caused a strong interest in understanding the origin, history and technical strategy of this ancient martial art.
This allowed some journalists and photographers were interested in filming a practice session in the dojo, to disseminate this unknown art, the Cuban public. The shooting took place and was taken to the study of Cuban Television, a program called "All Sports" channel "Tele Rebelde", 23 March 1997. At the same had the opportunity of doing a live demonstration and most importantly, expose subjects of historical interest, ethical and philosophical references to the style. It was a great time to make it known that the Daito Ryu and we did in Cuba in this regard.
We had the privilege of having our first show could be viewed as recorded by teachers from Puerto Rico, Canada, Israel and Japan, which stimulated us with congratulations for the good work and discipline, and the recovery of tradition. Master: William Menkyo Murphy Del Cueto, Kaiden (Technical Adviser North and Central America, and our head teacher), Miguel Ibarra Sensei (Yama Bushi Daito Ryu Ju Bokuyukan), Daliah Seima Israel Sensei (Daito Ryu Saigo Ryu Ko has Uchideshi Ichikawa Sensei), Ayako Yamamoto Sensei (Official Representative Rengokai). Among others who gave their opinions satisfactory in this regard.
continued arriving in our hands the instruction materials Daito Ryu teacher and some students of Murphy del Cueto for "Fuji Yama Dojo" in Canada visited us pass on the lessons, experiences, ethical and philosophical, that our teacher suggested to us and especially encouraged to continue working with the same enthusiasm.
On September 28, 1997 held a demonstration of Daito Ryu in order to definitely change the name of our Dojo, which was suggested by the teacher Ayako Yamamoto Sensei. Which was due to the fact that his father joined the Dojo to Dojo master Akio Sakura Sensei, leaving a vacancy in the name of their own dojo.
Ayako Yamamoto sensei consulted with the teacher Murphy Del Cueto, if we wanted to return the name to rename our Dojo and retain the name of his father. He would not notified and with honor, we agree to adopt it, so definitely our Dojo is named "Bushin Dojo "(The place of the way of the warrior spirit) a good name with a rich tradition that arguably provides the desired vision of what the ultimate goal of this humble site for learning the art and our desire to train Daito Saigo Ryu Aiki Jujutsu Ryu Ko has , because this is nothing more than promote the true spirit of Bushido in the heart of Cuban martial artists.
The October 10, 1999 public in Cuba is a modest work in the newspaper Juventud Rebelde, the importance of cultivating the tradition of our style, the arrival Cuba from Daito Ryu and other aspects that repealed the bad information that was in the arts of the ancient samurai of Aizu Clan entitled "Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu IS ESTABLISHED IN CUBA." Although not written anything that wanted to exhibit, we give a short message which explained that the Daito Ryu is against violence, then display it in every moment of life even outside the dojo.
The January 11, 2000 is made an official ceremony of "Keppen" (Blood Oath) with seven of the most dedicated students of style, which put his honor at stake, to be sworn loyal to the style and take care of technical and spiritual deterioration as well as conduct an honorable and dignified as true Budokas.
The 26.27 and 28 days of February of that year, after the arrival in Cuba (Oct. 24) by Richard Thiessen Randolf (Randy Thiessen), is made the first official test ranges Daito Saigo Ryu Aiki Jujutsu Ryu Ko has a group of Cubans who with so much love and dedication were held for eight years doing his duty. This, to put it this way does not seem significant, but the fact is that the spirit of "Shiken Shobu" ("Fight to the death, living sword") became a reality at this point in the history of Daito Ryu in Cuba. Everything begins with love and enduring spirit longed receives its fruits. The major effort since the beginning of this select group of students who maintained and kept aloft the axiom:
"We made the decision and that choice makes us"
We pointed out in force Saigo Tanomo sentence written by the priest of the Aizu clan in which states:
" When you hit the flow of a river that no trace on the water" because the same shock, the trials and tribulations faced could not stop the flow of the current dynamic that every candid mind set towards their duty and commitment.
Thus, this group with their faults, errors and virtues. Launched another great struggle against the vicissitudes, before the test. And with the confirmation of the visit of the representative examiner, we were in a difficult situation, as the Dojo was virtually no Tatami, which had made us stop practices there.
Weeks before the arrival of Sensei Randy had to work hard to get together and buy canvas, which was acquired with the help of a student, Dojo conjugábamos arrangements with scheduled practices with regard to evaluation. Restoration work began at five in the afternoon, until seven or eight at night and exhausted and had to start practice in an area of \u200b\u200bJudo that we paid after the finished their daily training instructors, often between eight and nine past meridian, then we started late at night.
Finished arrangements Dojo area including painting and decorating, was the day appointed for the testing.
Randy Thiessen, Senmu Rijicho (Vice chief representative for Canada-Cuba), who officially witnessed and videotaped each presentation of the students, led the review, which was authorized and approved by the FCKAMA, the Rengokai (Japanese Association) and IBA International Budo Association).
Randy Thiessen was very impressed with the students who stayed the three days of testing with virtually no power lunch, or drink water during the long sessions that made them. This was a task that was due, not so much to demonstrate the technical level, but for teach and be an example of the power of the spirit of Budo.
participated in this review examined by the following levels:
1. Taylor Añón García (Level Okuiri) 5th Kyu
2. Ivan Castañeda Suárez (Level Okuiri) 5th Kyu
3. Saumel Luis Ernesto San Martín (Level Okuiri) 5th Kyu
4. Juan Pablo Bakura Salina (Level Okuiri) 5th Kyu
5. Víctor González Fernández (jo Nikka Mokuroku level) 3rd Kyu Chu
6. Virgilio Saldivar Rodriguez (Level Nikka Mokuroku jo) 3rd Kyu Chu
7. Ariel del Rosario Sánchez (jo Yonka Mokuroku level) Jokyu 2nd Kyu
8. Amaury Hernández González (jo Yonka Mokuroku level) 2nd Kyu Jokyu
9. Miguel Antonio Romero Rivas (jo Yonka Mokuroku level) 2nd Kyu Jokyu
10. Dionne Daudinot Alonso (jo Yonka Mokuroku level) 2nd Kyu Jokyu
11. Burzón Pedro Jesús González (Level Yonka Mokuroku jo) Jokyu 2nd Kyu
12. Nusdey of Charity Frometa Alvarez (jo Gokken Mokuroku level) 1st Dan Fukoshidoin Yudansha Jokyu
13. Reynier del Rosario Sánchez (jo Gokken Mokuroku level) Fukoshidoin. Yudansha Jokyu 1st Dan.
Shidoin Max Roy Fernández Rodríguez (Level Gokurai) 5th Dan.
The July 21, 2000 taking advantage of the visit of Ms. Donna Murphy (wife of William Murphy sensei) to Cuba was made a formal act "Bushin Dojo" with the aim of officially handed over the certificates of rank, approved by the fourteen members Rengokai Cuban examined, as well as the scroll authoritative for the instruction at "Bushin Dojo."
These were received from the hands of Ms. Donna Murphy own Sensei, who also did reach the hands Roy Maximo their status as "Shidoin" ("Who can point the way"), and Menkyo (The license of instruction), which in turn, handed over two of its students Certificates evidencing "Fukoshidoin" (assistant instructors). Following the inaugural ceremony was held by the students a demonstration of Daito Ryu in honor of this fact and the opening of "Geiko Natsu (summer internship) in Cuba.
The December 12, 2000 is actually the dream of opening the first dojo branch in Cuba, "Keiikan dojo," in Nuevitas, Camaguey. It is followed by opening the "Nintaikan dojo" in "Tapaste" Havana province, the January 15, 2001, the dojo Seigyokan the March 9, 2001, in "Rio Cauto," Granma Province, the dojo Kyoshokan in Guantanamo, August 24, 2003 and Meiyokan dojo, the September 17, 2003, in Holguin.
The March 21, 2005 the Japanese Association "Dai Nippon Daito Ryu Aiki Bujutsu Ryu Saigo has Ko, formally ratifies the recommendation of Murphy Del Cueto, Hanshi, the highest position of honor as a representative of the Cuban organization Daito Ryu, with promotion junior member of the "Shihan Kai" Roy Fernandez Maximo Rodriguez, and November 7, 2006, is awarded the rank of "Renshi."
In the near future it is expected that "Bushin Dojo" and other dojos branches, leaving the future teachers that will expand this ancient art with the opening of new Dojos around the country. This is a dream that our teachers will yearn for something real, to bring the whole country the rich lessons of true Budo.
gosai MASHITA DOMO ARIGATO!
(Written for the study of the Cuban Association of
Daito Ryu Aiki Bujutsu Saigo has Ko-Ryu).
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