It was my great privilege to learn Daito Ryu Akijujutsu from Howard Popkin Sensei in the UK this year. Popkin Sensei was a student of Okamoto Seigo Sensei (who in turn was a student of Horikawa Kodo, who was a student of Takeda Sokaku. Takeda Sokaku also taught Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido).
Please take this explanation with a grain of salt as this was my first exposure to Okamoto-style Daito Ryu: It seems that the core of the art consisted of how to maximally off balance and compromise the structure of the opponent through minimal movement while maintaining one’s own balance and structure. I was surprised to learn from Popkin Sensei that his teacher Okamoto Sensei was a chemist and that the techniques he taught were thus based in a scientific rationality of thought and not mysticism.
I was happy that Popkin Sensei encouraged me to vigorously test the techniques, including grabbing both his wrists while he was sitting and putting my full body weight on them in a push up position to attempt to prevent them from moving (which would be crucial in days of old to stop someone from drawing their sword, for instance). Time after time, and in situation after situation, Popkin Sensei was able to move freely how he wanted while compromising my balance and structure. While those that can do often cannot teach, this wasn’t the case with Popkin Sensei. After these technique tests, he very clearly would then explain in paint-by-numbers fashion how he did what he did and helped me do the same. A former serious judoka himself, he also incorporated advice about how I could utilize his off balancing tactics with judo throws.
As far as personality, Popkin Sensei was a diamond in the rough amongst martial arts teachers – cordial, welcoming, funny, and engaging. I definitely would love to continue my study of Okamoto-style Daito-Ryu under Popkin Sensei and am glad that I have finally after many years of wanting to connect, begun the journey!
