Thoughts on Kihon by Stephan Phelan

In the Bujinkan, as in any martial art, or almost any other endeavour, it would seem that the best way to learn is by doing. But the only way to do is to see a demonstration first. Jock Brocas, who is nominally the sensei of the Shinshin Ichijo Dojo but prefers not to use that honorific, ran through several of the eight basic techniques that constitute the Kihon Happo – the physical fundaments of taijutsu – in order to remind his students, and myself, that the range of variations is infinite. Eight, indeed, is a number similar to zero when written as a figure, having no beginning and no end. "You can never go over the basics too many times," says John Knowles, a serving soldier who only began training in the art a few months ago, but is already so dedicated and adept that he is called on to play the part of the "attacker" in most of these demonstrations. Better him than me – Brocas uses a bare minimum of force to run through ichimonji, for example, but Knowles is still effectively knocked flat by the first and simplest variation, a sidestepping block followed by a strike to the neck. Later a jo-staff is used to show how the same basic movement – disabling the attacking arm before counter-attacking – can be adapted according to weapons and circumstances. We move on to locks and throws, and in each case the simple steps and actions involved open up a series of possibilities for what to do next, each one logical, and natural. Again and again, using wooden practice swords and knives, and at one point a length of rope (a substitute for the length of chain that might have been used in battles and melees of the past), it occurs to me that even the most subtle changes and variations in form have markedly different effects and outcomes. After several hours, we come full circle to ichimonji again, albeit with knives, and I am satisfied when the technique begins to feel natural. I am the opposite of bored – I want to go over it until it becomes instinct. Brocas warns against this. The Bujinkan does not rely on muscle memory. Techniques that become rote become set in stone, he explains. The point, it would seem – and maybe the real trick to survival – is to think and act in the present moment.

, and a range of variations, in showing me the physical fundamentals of ninjutsu. There are eight