Our teacher, Ellis Amdur, describes Taikyoku Araki-ryū as "rooted in an old koryū, but done in a non-traditional manner." Our study is focussed on Araki-ryū’s close combat catalogue ( torite and kogusoku ) in a model that allows exploration of diverse practice methodologies. Some of these may even hearken back to an earlier era, before these arts were "traditional," and embracing more opposed practice, which we know was done from the historical record. Practice is still centered in katageiko , or pattern-practice. Most of Araki-ryū’s close quarters kata apply nearly “as is” to modern-day situations involving edged weapons. How they are trained is our primary concern. Practice must include elements of opposition to properly prepare for violent encounters - which is our goal in a very real sense. Training that does not include opposed work has been appropriately decried as “empty forms” and "mere choreography"...
Araki-ryu torite kogusoku