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" for hundreds of years. Classical pattern-practice can embody principles while embracing adaptability.
As grappling ability is foundational to our practice, we use a modified version (simply called kumiuchi ) that instills tactical awareness in striking and weapons-based environments.
And as proper etiquette within the martial tradition often conveys vital aspects of psychological conditioning, essential elements are retained in our study.
(top) Craig Douglas of Shivworks at his Edged Weapons Overview.
(bottom) Araki-ryū’s Kyoten no Itami by 16th generation shihan.
Instructors:
Chris Leblanc in Portland, OR and Brandon Uttech in Seattle are both certified by Ellis Amdur as Taikyoku Araki-ryū instructors.
Chris served in a highly decorated law enforcement career for over 28 years, working in Patrol, SWAT, and Training assignments, and instructed Control Tactics, Patrol Tactics, and Active Threat Response at al levels, among other topics.
He holds black belts in Judo and Brazilian Jiujitsu, and has been recognized as a Multi-Disciplinary Tactics instructor by Craig Douglas of Shivworks.
Brandon has studied striking, grappling, and weapons based martial arts over the last 4 decades and holds black belt ranks in Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do.
He trains extensively for multi-day extreme endurance challenges and tactical events.
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