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The word uke in Japanese translates as “to receive” which is at odds with many people’s assumption that taking ukemi primarily involves acting out the losing role of an attacker. “Receiving the technique” evokes a more active and collaborative role for uke.

In the mid-1990s Sensei Coyle was asked to give a lecture demonstration at Glasgow University during The Samurai & Japanese Culture week. The audience was made up of students interested in Japanese culture, a great number of whom were martial artists from the numerous clubs in the University.

Often I shall take up a bokuto adopt siegen or jodan kamae and ask that uke attack me empty handed. However spirited he may be there is always a pause, an uncertainty in facing the sword unarmed.And indeed should he attempt to close with me he is cut.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the passing of our Master Saito sensei. RIP sensei sadly missed きょうは斎藤先生死去20周年 Kyō wa Saitō sensei shikyo 20-shūnen 本日は、斉藤先生がお亡くなりになって、20回忌です。 どうか安らかにお眠りください。私は先生に永遠に感謝申し上げます。 Honjits wa Saito sensei ga onakunarini natte nijukkaiki desu. Doka yasurakani onemuri kudasai. Watashi wa sensei ni eien ni kansha moshiagemasu.