Ellis Amdur and Martial Arts

Ellis Amdur has pursued the study of East Asian martial traditions since the late 1960s. This commitment has a direct influence on the workshops, training and counseling that he offers through Edgework, and also presents its own intrinsic benefits.

Classical Japanese Martial Traditions

Ellis Amdur is a licensed instructor in two koryu (classical Japanese martial traditions), the Araki-ryu Torite-Kogusoku and the Toda-ha Buko-ryu. Amdur has included considerable detail about these two schools, as well as a number of others, in his book, Old School: Essays on Japanese Martial Traditions.

The Araki-ryu is a rugged system that specializes in close combat. It could be termed, “grappling with weapons.” The body dynamics of Araki-ryu are identical to that of body-to-body wrestling, and requires the same kind of fluid adaptability to rapidly changing force. Therefore, skill at some kind of grappling is a requirement for entry into the ryu. Details about this school, including dojo locations and entry requirements can be found at the Araki-ryu Torite-Kogusoku website.

The Toda-ha Buko-ryu specializes in the use of the naginata, a long pole-arm with a curved blade against a variety of weapons. Details about this school, including dojo locations and entry requirements can be found at the Toda-ha Buko-ryu website.

Ellis Amdur has trained in a number of other martial systems over the years, most notably Aikido with Terry Dobson, Yoshio Kuroiwa and Yasunori Kuwamori; Kodokan judo at Tokai University's Fifth Branch High School; Muay Thai at Koei Gym in Tokyo; Chen Taiji chu'an, and Gao Bagua ch'uan. For many years, a primary focus of his training has been Xingyi chu'an, first with Su Dong Chen and with Chris Bates, and most recently, with Zhang Yun.

For a number of years, Ellis Amdur was the technical advisor to the Itten Dojo in Central Pennsylvania. The Itten Dojo requested that he assist them in "retooling" a system of so-called aikijutsu that they had previously practiced. The dojo has incorporated Amdur's concept that all aikido techniques can be placed on five essential vectors of movement. This concept radically shortens the amount of time in which people can learn aikido techniques, counters, atemi (striking methods) and extending the same concepts into groundwork. The Itten Dojo is fully certified to teach Amdur's method of aikido training. It is currently the only dojo incorporating Amdur's concepts regarding aikido practice.

Recorded in 2008, this Interview primarily focuses on Amdur's thoughts on aikido

Martial Arts Study with Ellis Amdur