Seigo Okamoto Sensei’s “No-Shi” Daitō-ryū
The shapes used in Daitō-ryū Jūjutsu are known as No and Shi , circle and wave/ flow : circle = En , flow = Ryu . Kai =association
円 流 会 の し(会 )
No = En = circle …. Shi = Ryu = flow
No-Shi / en ryu, circle flow, aiki age, aikisage, aikizeme ect. The interlocking or horns or tales are the ways to lock the body of uke, in many way’s, Okamoto Sensei use to say en円about a circle, and said the kanji ryu ,流 was like a river or stream flowing , Nagare/Nageru like yawara- soft
The kanji 流 is also stream/ current and style, school, like in Daitoryu´s Ryu 流.More about The shape No Shi – の し / En Ryu – 円 流. Circle and flow .
In Chinese Kung Fu and Okinawan Karate one practice in most styles a long form, in Okinawa in Japanese called a Kata, a prearrange form consist of kick’s, strike’s, block’s, lock’s, throw’s, and more. Most of these techniques are practiced separately, and when two person’s do them together as attack and defends it called Bunkai, that way (Bunkai) is very similar to what most Japanese old style’s (Ryu /Ha ) is doing in their daily practice (they also do single form’s with and without weapons).
This way is called Kata, 2 Man sparing/ practicing a form, 1 attack 1 defends, in Daito-ryu it is the same, very few solo form, mostly in basic (Jujutsu ) Kata 1 attack 1 defends in Aiki-jūjutsu waza/technique, where one unbalance/ Kuzushi, the attacker/ Uke with Aiki then use Jujutsu to finish off (there are many ways) when ones Aiki waza/technique become better ,and one thrown/ defends, locks ect by aiki waza alone it is called Aiki no Jutsu = Aiki technique, most often these technique is done on a row, it gets more flow and less time to think. Here the Defender uses technique, and that technique has form, within that form there is the shape No-Shi ( if you divide – the Aiki no Jutsu into levels ) the lower level one mostly talk about No-Shi shape of the hand/arms , end up with No-Shi shape as a hole, the body, the breath, the arm, the hand, the mind, the steps as one unit.
Many of Okamoto Sensei’s older students worldwide, has learned more or less the same. Regarding the breath, I personally do not think we all do the same way, but it is difficult to see/watch as one also needs to feel it.
Regarding the feet/ Ashi Sabaki foot movement which includes tai Sabaki, body movement but especially foot movement Ashi Sabaki. Most branches do them a bit differently and others have nearly none. In my 28 1/2 years, I have always seen Okamoto sensei do footwork, and some do similar stuff, but nowhere near the degree Okamoto Sensei taught us. Since I cannot walk, I have extensively studied his footwork/Ashisabaki. Especially, after receiving my teachers license in 2002. I had was curious to understand the footwork and its connection to the No-Shi shapes.
Having dissected all the videos from various branches and especially from one seminar where we got a 25 min special instructions exclusively from Okamoto Sensei on Ashi Sabaki, it wasn’t until 5 years ago that I really got everything to work cohesively and started to understand it. That’s why the No-Shi – の し / En Ryu – 円 流. Circle and flow is important to us and hence our name, Enryukai is a precious lesson I take from Okamoto senseis teachings.
Others may have their ways and understandings of Okamoto sensei’s teachings, which is great. We are all different persons with different understandings/ thinking/ personalities. Students must uncover these secrets/ wisdom through their daily practice. I hope these basic explanations of No-Shi will help you better understand their importance in Daitō-ryū applications.
Amitoufo!
