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Thanks to numerous martial arts and sports originated in Japan (called BUDO and BUJUTSU Martial Arts and sports), Japanese language and terminology became common in today's budo world. We are using it to name the techniques, in sport judging, in ceremonial performances and to name the equipment we are using in training. Clubs and organizations from around the world often hold Japanese names, even though their styles aren't originally from Japan. So, we have "Brazilian Jujutsu", "American Kempo Karate", Chanbara, Toshindo and many other “new” styles. All of them are communicating through Budo terminology. Since this way of addressing and communication became the unwritten rule and generally accepted standard, we – The Niji Ryu- did not want to make an exception to the rule. Therefore, we owe a short explanation for those who do not understand Japanese. “Niji” means “Rainbow”, and ”Ryu” means "Style" (school, method, path). Literally translated, "Niji Ryu" means the "Rainbow Style", but it also has the meaning of The Rainbow Path, which is important for the background of the Niji Ryu creation .
There are 144 basic elements or techniques in Niji Ryu. Combining those elements gives you a full specter of different techniques and opens a space for further practice and improvement within the Niji Ryu. Besides, wide spectrum of Niji Ryu techniques makes a solid foundation for latter training of many other Martial Arts, such as Aikido, Jujutsu, Judo and Karate. If you practice any of Arts previously mentioned, you may find Niji Ryu very interesting, as you will employ all your previous experiences for the benefit of faster advancement and easier mastering of the art.
Niji Ryu organizes tournaments with combat contests and kata-performances. Combats are quick, sharp and attractive. Kata-performance consist of self-defense demonstration against previously selected attacks. What we insist on is a knightly contest, with goals above the loss or victory, aiming to evaluate the level of our knowledge and skills. So, all our contests are sporty and friendly. Contestants are expected to have the sense of self-control during the fight, to prevent and avoid all injuries.
Niji Ryu has emerged as an isolated fighting style from the foundations explained in the book “The Rainbow Path” by M. Milojevic. Using the principles from this book and applying them in combat, a specific style of Aikijujutsu was developed. Niji Ryu Aikijujutsu has its uniqueness which reflexes in special philosophical concepts, incorporated in the essence of the Art.
It is not our intention to say that this is the only correct or the best way of observing things. Actually, we think that there is no best way at all, as there is no best Martial Art. It is always a matter of taste, affection and physical and mental predisposition. There are many Budo arts and sports, many styles and teachings, and Niji Ryu is only one of them. As we have already mentioned the tastes, our attitude matches with the message of the old Latin proverb “Don't argue over tastes”.
Niji Ryu Aikijujutsu (NRA) is one of practical realizations of The Rainbow Path theory. For better understanding of Niji Ryu Aikijujutsu it is crucial to have some additional knowledge of The Rainbow Path. In short, The Rainbow Path is a doctrine based on twelve elements, which are representing neither Eastern nor Western traditional concepts, and have no connection to Zodiac symbols. Combining those 12 elements produces 144 combinations, which makes a round system. In terms of Budo, we formed twelve groups of techniques (waza), and within each of these groups there are twelve elements.
Example: first NRA group of techniques (waza) is tai sabaki waza. Its symbol is the River, the Spate. River is the first symbol in NRA. One of the first things we must learn in our life is walking, moving around. That is exactly what we teach our students at the beginning. All further steps depend on this first phase of journey. There are twelve basic ways of body moving that can be combined to give a total of 144 combinations. In advanced levels of training we combine and connect these basic movements. Many of those combinations are being studied within concrete techniques, and are related to specific situations. Thus, tai sabaki waza is not studied only separately, but closely related to combat and self-defense.
The second symbol in NRA is a Sword. Solidity, penetration and sharpness are virtues symbolized by the Sword. In terms of practical combat, we are reaching the second level of training (teaching), and that involves hand strikes and punches. Within this group of techniques (ude ate waza) we study hand positions and striking areas: Tsuki waza, Uchi waza… As in previous waza, there are twelve basic hand strikes, upgraded afterwards into many variations and combinations.
In rest ten NRA waza teaching compiles of: 3. Postures (shizei, dachi waza), 4. Falls (Ukemi waza), 5. Leg techniques (Ashi waza), 6. Holds (Osae komi waza), 7. Blocks (Uge waza, Nagashi waza), 8. Takedowns (Otoshi waza), 9. Kicks (Ashi ate waza, Geri waza), 10. Throws (Nage waza), 11. Locks (Kansetsu waza), 12. Ground techniques (Ne waza, Suwari waza).
Undoubtedly, someone may say that there are even
more different kinds of techniques in Budo Arts. That is correct, but they
can be lined up in some of these twelve groups. Further analysis would
surely bring us to a conclusion that, after all, structure of each Art
presents an individual choice, a matter of affinity and combat specialization
of each master. In any case, we have chosen this particular way of practice,
we use it to get our
system structured, and that is Niji Ryu. It is probably structure
and the choice of techniques that make our system
original and comprehensive.
And what is to be said at the end? Niji Ryu Aikijujutsu is
distinguished by good systematization, wide spectrum of
techniques, and more than enough space for each one (master or student)
to advance in any suitable field of this art. We are not aiming to create
cloned instructors or contestants without creativity, who can only copy
teachings of their sensei. Our ultimate goal is to use the Niji Ryu frames
in development of such masters who will have own styles,
their own arts marked with their individual seal, accompanied with true
understanding of the essence of Budo.
Sensei M. Milojevic Founder of Niji Ryu