Japanese Culture Center

Time for Sushi!

JCC Admin — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:41:14 +0000

It’s almost summer and time for sushi! Join the YPC, the AIF and others in a sushi wrapping extravaganza at the Japanese Culture Center. Whether this is your first time rolling or you wrap sushi or California rolls daily, this event is for you. Every person will have enough seaweed to roll at least 3 full sheets (about 15 pieces). Ingredients include: sushi grade salmon, tuna, crab meat, cucumbers, bamboo, carrots, avocados and more. The only ingredient missing is you!

Date: Sunday June 7th 230pm – 5pm
Where: Japanese Culture Center
1016 W Belmont Ave
1 block west of the Red Line Belmont stop
Cost: $12
http://japaneseculturecenter.wordpress.com/

Please RSVP to Genea at japanese.culture.center@gmail.com by Friday June 5th so we can have enough ingredients for everyone.

Pre-payment is appreciated and can be made at the JCC or over the phone to the JCC at 773.525.3141

Sponsors:
*Japan America Society of Chicago (JASC) Young Professionals Committee (YPC)
http://www.jaschicago.org

Join the Young Professionals Committee (YPC) of the Japan Society of Chicago Facebook group.

* Aikido International Foundation (AIF)http://www.aikidoaif.org/ Join the AIF Facebook group.

*Japanese Culture Center http://japaneseculturecenter.wordpress.com/

* Association of Asian American Yale Alumni (AAAYA)http://aaaya.org/?tag=chicago

Jujutsu

JCC Admin — Sun, 17 May 2009 01:25:17 +0000

Beginning Course in Miyama Ryu Combat Ju Jutsu

Shihan Donald Koz is offering a 15 week course in Miyama Ryu Combat Ju Jutsu, a classical Japanese martial art that originates from the Samurai of feudal Japan. This class is designed for the beginner. No prior martial arts experience is necessary. This non-competitive system is suitable for men and women. You will learn joint locks, throws, wrist locks, pressure points, blocks, punches and the critical thinking you need to defend yourself from real world attacks on our streets.

Miyama Ryu Combat Ju Jutsu is a street oriented self-defense program that is currently used by various law enforcement agencies including the U.S. Treasury Department, Criminal Division and the U.S, Military, specifically the Marines and Army.

Shihan Donald Koz has over 32 years experience in this system and is a retired Federal Law Enforcement Special Agent from the U.S. Treasury Department. He was the developer of their self defense program and was the Use of Force training coordinator. He has been teaching this program at the College of DuPage for 20 years and currently teaches the Defensive Techniques program at Harper College. He is also the Vice-Chairman of the International Miyama Ryu Combat Ju Jutsu Federation.

This program is being offered through the Japanese Cultural Center, 37 East Northwest Highway, Palatine, Illinois in the Palatine Centre. Classes will be held on Wednesday nights from 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Cost is $150.00 for 15 weeks Uniform and book are additional and are required.

Space is limited. If you have any questions or would like to speak with him, you may contact Shihan Koz at 630 550-1384 or at Donald.koz@sbcglobal.net

Play Go! Sunday, 5.31.2009

JCC Admin — Wed, 13 May 2009 07:30:29 +0000

Join the Lakeview Go Club at the Japanese Culture Center in practicing Go. Also known as igo (Japanese), weiqi (Chinese) or baduk (Korean) this board game is over 2,500 years old. All levels are welcome. Whether you are a closet Go strategist or would love to learn how to be one, this event is for you. Some of the Lakeview Go Club will be there to help instruct those who wish to learn. Or improve your game through practice. The rules are simple but the possiblities and the fun are endless!

Date: Sunday May 31st 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Where: Japanese Culture Center

1016 W Belmont Ave

1 block west of the Red Line Belmont stop

Cost: FREE

http://japaneseculturecenter.com

Please RSVP to Genea at gtevent@yahoo.com by Friday May 29th so we can plan the space accordingly.

Sponsors:

*The Lakeview Go Club meets Tuesday nights at Intelligentsia Coffeehouse at 3123 N. Broadway St. from 6pm-10pm. The Lakeview Go Club also has a Facebook group.

*Japan America Society of Chicago Young Professionals Committee

http://www.jaschicago.org Join the Young Professionals Committee (YPC) of the Japan Society of Chicago Facebook group.

*Japanese Culture Center http://japaneseculturecenter.com

AAA Instructor Seminar Photos

JCC Admin — Wed, 13 May 2009 07:15:16 +0000

The Aikido Association of America hosted there National Instructor Seminar at the Japanese Culture Center (Tenshinkan dojo in Lakeview) this year.

For more Instructor Seminar photos click here.

Koshinage

JCC Admin — Wed, 13 May 2009 07:00:50 +0000

S. Toyoda Sensei throws P. Ogbac

Self Defense

JCC Admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:29:36 +0000

Tactical Aikido for Self Defense

Our Self Defense training course offers real-world applications of Aikido. Whether your needs are empty-hand tactics or weapon defense, we can help you with effective training to manage force situations under real-world conditions. Our course addresses the most complex legal and physical challenges in the most dangerous and uncertain situations, resulting in improved skill performance.

Aikido is a very effective martial art for self defense not only because it teaches one how to defend against a variety of attacks, but because it trains one’s state of mind and physical condition. Improved posture and breathing helps one to fit better into their body; a positive state of mind affects how one moves in the world and how they are perceived by others.

This ability to maintain physical center and mental calm assists one in meeting stressful situations or in resolving conflict in a variety of situations – in the dojo, on the street, at school, in a business meeting, or at home. Most martial arts can help us improve physical things like balance, timing, and reaction. One of the purposes of repeated training is to move these things from conscious processing to automatic reflex. Aikido also helps us develop our spirit, sense of well-being, awareness and compassion. The multi-faceted approach to Aikido training makes us stronger and more complete human beings, better able to diffuse or defend against negative situations.

Getting the most from your Aikido training involves understanding its martial application. Our tactical training seminars are a great place to begin. You will learn new applications of Aikido technique. You will learn the tactical, legal, medical, and psychological foundation of defensive tactics. Contact us today for more information on taking a class or hosting a tactical training seminar and offering such a training opportunity to your local police, correction, and security agencies.

Weapons Training (Buki Waza)

JCC Admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:05:02 +0000

Buki waza is weapons technique, in this case using traditional weapons: the jo (4 foot staff), the ken (sword). Traditional Aikido weapons training includes the tanto (knife).

The skills learned through weapons practice are timing and distance, dynamic movement, kime (focus), intensity and energy extension. These can be invaluable to empty hand technique. As one trains one will see the close relationship between weapons and empty hand training. The benefits of weapons training benefits are beyond measure, and it is part of our Aikido tradition.

Weapons training must always stress safety; a wooden training weapon can injure or kill as easily as a live blade. Always treat training weapons as if they were real, and take pains to observe proper etiquette of handling and use. This will also help you to develop an attitude of seriousness and purpose in your training.

Weapons training will include:

Jo:

Stances and methods of holding

Suburi: solo striking practice

Kata: prearranged forms

Kumijo: paired forms, jo against jo

Jo against Bokken paired forms

Ken (usually using Bokken, wooden sword)

Stances and methods of holding

Suburi: solo striking practice

Tanren uchi: solo striking practice against a target

Kata: prearranged forms

Kumitachi: paired forms, bokken against bokken

Bokken against Jo paired forms

Internal Training

JCC Admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 21:44:51 +0000

“Internal training” refers to the practice of ki (energy) tests, breathing exercises (kokyuho) and meditation (meiso-ho), as well as the practice called kokyu dosa. These training methods are meant to cultivate the psycho-physcial attributes that are necessary for the capacity to experience life in the present or to live in the martial way.

Ki Tests are methods of testing your postural and mental stability, degree of tension and relaxation, and understanding of basic Aikido technical principles.

Kokyu-ho:

Okinaga: the breathing practice which involves deep, prolonged exhalations from the hara (abdomen) through the mouth, and controlled inhalations through the nose.

Kiai: the practice which involves explosive exhalations from the hara with vocalization, usually using the syllables “Ei!” and “Toh!”.

Ibuki: the practice which involves explosive exhalations from the hara without vocalization.

Meiso-ho is a practice of meditation through which the student develops kiai (energy) and joriki, the power of focused concentration, through the cultivation of samadhi, a state of relaxed concentration transcending subject/object dualism. This method may initially involve the counting of breaths, or mindfulness techniques for developing a deeper awareness of mental processes. There are many types of meditation, but in order to have an application to budo, the method you use must stress wakeful awareness of yourself and your surroundings, rather than the development of trances or sleep-like states. The type of meditation stressed by Toyoda Shihan, and described here, is that of the Zen school, in keeping with his training history.

Kokyu-dosa is an exercise in which you will sit seiza facing your partner, and extend your arms. Your partner will grasp them, and attempt to resist your efforts to unbalance him or her. This exercise calls for the proper use of the hara and breathing, and will also help develop this proper use of the body, breath and energy. Another variation of this is renzoku kokyu-dosa, which involves continuos movement.

Capoeira

JCC Admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:56:42 +0000

What is Capoeira?

Developed in the 1500′s by African slaves in Brasil, Capoeira, the thrilling Afro-Brasilian martial art concealed as dance, was introduced to the United States almost twenty-five years ago. Capoeira has become one of Brasil’s top national sports (second only to soccer) and it has become firmly established in the U.S. Performed with a joy fully improvised spontaneity, Capoeira combines floor movements resembling breakdancing with agile acrobatic movements and kicks of grace and beauty. The “Soul of Capoeira” is the trance-like music of the berimbau, the musical bow of African origin.

Grupo Capoeira Brasil

On January 14th, 1989 in Rio de Janeiro, Grupo Capoeira Brasil was founded by Mestres Boneco, Paulao, and Paulinho Sabia. The inauguration, sponsored by a council of legendary mestres from various organizations, began an amazing capoeira dynasty, which today is one of the largest in the world. The “padrinhos,” or godfathers of Grupo Capoeira Brasil include Mestres Suassuna, Itapoan, Peixinho, and the late Ezekiel. Since its founding, Grupo Capoeira Brasil has grown internationally with centers and academies in New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Antonio, St. Louis, Gainesville, Boston, Amsterdam, Sydney, Paris, Marseille, and all over Brazil.

Founders of Grupo Capoeira Brasil:

Mestre Boneco (Rio/Los Angeles)
Mestre Paulao (Ceara/Amsterdam)
Mestre Paulinho Sabia (Niteroi/Paris)

Cord System:
Students develop differently over the years. Promotions are not only based on the amount of time a student spends in class, but also on the skill level of that student. So, two students who have trained for the same amount of time may not receive the same corda, or cord, at a Batizado. This is why there are overlaps in the number of years it takes to receive a cord in the following table.

White Cord		Beginner level: Up to 1 year of training Students begin their Capoeira training at this level. The phrase Corda Cruda, translated as Raw Cord, signifies that rather than being seen as inexperienced, = students are seen as being full of potential for growth.
Yellow-White Cord		Intermediate level: 1 to 2 years of training Transitional cord.
Yellow Cord		Intermediate level: 1 to 3 years of training Students begin to demonstrate an understanding of the Capoeira game, and have a basic knowledge of the movements, such as kicks and ground techniques, as well as music. Students know the choruses to many songs and can play a few instruments.
Orange-White Cord		Intermediate/Advanced level: 2 to 4 years of training Transitional cord.
Orange Cord		Intermediate/Advanced level: 2 to 5 years of training Students have a much deeper understanding of the Capoeira game. They now begin utilizing many different kicks and acrobatic movements. At this level, students are also capable of singing solos during a roda and playing many different instruments.
Blue-Red Cord		Monitor - Advanced level: 3 to 6 years of training Students earn the title of Monitor at this level. Monitors study class from an outside perspective as they themselves begin learning how to teach, and may even be able to teach under the supervision of their instructor. They also aid any lower-ranked students in need of assistance. As Capoeiristas, students at this level now fully incorporate a large variety of kicks and acrobatic movements, have a large repertoire of songs, and can play= any instrument.
Once Blue/Red Cord status has been reached, student assessments made by their instructors are still based on their skill level and the time they spend in class, but these now become secondary to their devotion to the group, as well as their ability to help other students and teach class. For this reason, it is difficult to surmise the amount of time it will take Capoeirist as to move from one level to the next.
Blue Cord		Graduado or Instrutor At this level, students earn the title of Graduado, which means “Graduated”. In a sense, this is a new beginning for students, a new “Corda Cruda”, because, as mentioned before, assessments are based more on teaching ability, which is a new step for students. They must learn to share their own knowledge with other students. It is for this reason that students at this level are encouraged to begin teaching a class of their own. A Graduado who begins teaching class earns the title and respect of an Instrutor (Instructor).
Green Cord		Instrutor At this level, Capoeiristas continue to= improve on their skills overall, which now includes the ability to teach. They are very strong in the roda, and are equally as strong when teaching a class. Their strength comes from their ability to incorporate Malicia, or deviousness, into their game. It’s malicia that gives Capoeirist as their ability to surprise and confuse their opponents.
Purple Cord		Professor To reach this level, Capoeiristas must not only have proven themselves to be skilled martial artists, but also proficient teachers. Professors are regarded very highly, as they have come very far and have devoted their lives to being part of Capoeira. Their malicia skills continue to increase, since they now have the ability to apply the knowledge they’ve gained within the roda to their dealings in the outside world, and vice-versa.
Brown Cord		Contramestre Contramestres are not only some of the most important figures of their group, but in the world of Capoeira itself. They are the right hand of the Mestres within their group, and are so esteemed and honored that, even at this level, they are respected as Mestres. Formidable players in the roda, Contramestres can seemlessly combine all of their skills into a fierce and relentless game.
Black Cord		Mestre This is the apex for students of Capoeira; the highest and hardest level to achieve. This cord has the right and responsibility to oversee and supervise the on-goings of the group they lead. Mestres are legendary for their skill, wisdom, and tact both inside and out of the roda. They have mastered their Capoeira by forging all of the physical skills, training, cunning, and experience into their very presence. Mestres comprise the top echelon of all Capoeira groups.

About the Instructors

Caxias (Alex Filadelfo) has been playing capoeira for over twenty years. As a youngster, he played capoeira in the streets of Rio de Janeiro well before beginning an eight-year period of formal training with Mestre Bodinho. In 1988 Caxias traveled to Puerto Rico to perform with the Plataforma Company. Five years later, he begain training with Mestre Boneco of Grupo Capoeira Brasil. In just six years, his original classes of three have expanded to nearly one hundred students. As he built the group in New York, Caxias also started other Capoeira Brasil groups in several U.S. cities. Currently Caxias devotes his time to teaching and performing around the world.

Monitor Brucutu (Jarvis Broom) has been playing capoeira for seven years under the supervision of Mestre Caxias. He started Grupo Capoeira Brasil at the UNC-Chapel Hill/Duke University Capoeira Club. Today he resides in Chicago, IL where he leads the capoeira classes at the Japanese Culture Center and Lincoln Park Athletic Kids Club.

Japanese Language (Nihongo)

JCC Admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:02:31 +0000

Japanese Language Classes

The Japanese Culture Center offers three levels of Japanese language instruction. Pre-requisite for the second and third courses are completion of the previous courses or approval from the instructor. All classes are 6-week sessions which meet once per week. We are pleased to now offer this class at all three locations.

Introductory Japanese

Students will learn basic vocabulary, speaking skills, grammar, and the two writing systems of Japan (hiragana and katakana.)

Ongoing Beginners Japanese

Further study of grammar, vocabulary, speaking, and writing the japanese language.

Advanced Continuing Japanese

Students pursue more in-depth study of written and conversational Japanese.