Jujitsu (Jujutsu, Jiu-Jitsu)
"Jū" means "gentle, soft, supple, flexible, pliable, or yielding" and "jitsu" means "art" or "technique". Jujitsu is therefore, the art of evading an opponent's force and manipulating it against himself, rather than confronting him head-on. Jujitsu developed among the samurai of feudal Japan as a method for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon, or only a short weapon. Because jujitsu relies on surprise, balance, leverage, and momentum, rather than brute force, it can be successfully used against larger, stronger opponents.
Henry S. Okazaki and the Development of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu
“Henry” Seishiro Okazaki, was born in Japan on January 28, 1890. In 1906 he moved to Hawaii and, in 1909 at the age of 16, was diagnosed with an incurable condition that was most likely tuberculosis. In desperation Henry Okazaki went to Master Yoshimatsu Tanaka, who taught Yoshin-Ryu jujitsu, and trained "in earnest and in defiance of death". Through his hard training Henry Okazaki recovered completely and developed a “strong iron-like body”. Believing he owed his life to jujitsu he dedicated his life to teaching and propagating this martial art.
During the 1920s, Henry Okazaki began to develop an integrated martial arts system, which he called Danzan Ryu jujitsu, meaning “Sandalwood Mountain” or Hawaiian jujitsu. Danzan Ryu is a synthesis of several older styles of jujitsu (specifically Yoshin-Ryu, Iwaga-Ryu and Kosogabe-Ryu), Kodokan Judo, Hawaiian Lua, Okinawan karate, Chinese kung-fu, Filipino knife fighting, and western boxing and wrestling. During this period, Henry Okazaki traveled to Japan, where he visited more than 50 dojo, mastered hundreds of jujitsu techniques, and was awarded black belt rank in Kodokan Judo. "Professor" (master) Okazaki was a well known martial artist during his lifetime. He was among the first people to teach Japanese martial arts to westerners and had a high profile in Hawaii due to winning a “challenge match” against western boxing champion Carl “Kayo” Morris. Henry Okazaki was also famous for his phenomenal skill with Japanese healing arts (restorative massage and adjustment). He was sought out as a healer by Hawaiian locals and visitors alike, including President Franklin Roosevelt.
Danzan Ryu at Jobu Shin Kan
Danzan Ryu is primarily taught in lists (or “boards”) that are organized to methodically and safely develop students' physical skill and mindset. Lists taught below black belt include Yawara (basic escapes and joint locks), Nage No Kata (basic throwing arts), Shime No Kata (grappling arts), Goshin Jitsu (self-defense arts), Oku No Kata (advanced combination arts), portions of Kiai No Maki (e.g., defense against gun and knife), Kappo (resuscitation techniques), and restorative massage. Students at Jobu Shin Kan also learn stances, footwork, blocks, punches, kicks, and other strikes early in their training. Sensei also teaches techniques based on his extensive knowledge of modern police tactics.
A typical class at Jobu Shin Kan begins with exercises designed to increase strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, proper breathing, and focus. Students then practice rolls and falls that further develop these attributes and which allow them to safely receive throws. After this, students work in pairs or groups to practice jujitsu techniques appropriate to their level of experience.
Danzan Ryu is a kata-based martial art, meaning that it primarily emphasizes perfecting the techniques and mental state of combat in a precise, controlled fashion. Kata are fundamental to most traditional martial arts and are aimed at building muscle memory needed to apply technique without thought. Kata also allow for safe practice of otherwise dangerous techniques. Unlike sport variants of jujitsu, much of Danzan Ryu cannot be safely used in a sportive or full-contact sparring environment. However, opportunities for more free-form application of Danzan Ryu (e.g., “free-style”, randori, ne waza) are available at Jobu Shin Kan once the student develops sufficient ability to protect themself and their training partners from injury.
"Jū" means "gentle, soft, supple, flexible, pliable, or yielding" and "jitsu" means "art" or "technique". Jujitsu is therefore, the art of evading an opponent's force and manipulating it against himself, rather than confronting him head-on. Jujitsu developed among the samurai of feudal Japan as a method for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon, or only a short weapon. Because jujitsu relies on surprise, balance, leverage, and momentum, rather than brute force, it can be successfully used against larger, stronger opponents.
Henry S. Okazaki and the Development of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu
“Henry” Seishiro Okazaki, was born in Japan on January 28, 1890. In 1906 he moved to Hawaii and, in 1909 at the age of 16, was diagnosed with an incurable condition that was most likely tuberculosis. In desperation Henry Okazaki went to Master Yoshimatsu Tanaka, who taught Yoshin-Ryu jujitsu, and trained "in earnest and in defiance of death". Through his hard training Henry Okazaki recovered completely and developed a “strong iron-like body”. Believing he owed his life to jujitsu he dedicated his life to teaching and propagating this martial art.
During the 1920s, Henry Okazaki began to develop an integrated martial arts system, which he called Danzan Ryu jujitsu, meaning “Sandalwood Mountain” or Hawaiian jujitsu. Danzan Ryu is a synthesis of several older styles of jujitsu (specifically Yoshin-Ryu, Iwaga-Ryu and Kosogabe-Ryu), Kodokan Judo, Hawaiian Lua, Okinawan karate, Chinese kung-fu, Filipino knife fighting, and western boxing and wrestling. During this period, Henry Okazaki traveled to Japan, where he visited more than 50 dojo, mastered hundreds of jujitsu techniques, and was awarded black belt rank in Kodokan Judo. "Professor" (master) Okazaki was a well known martial artist during his lifetime. He was among the first people to teach Japanese martial arts to westerners and had a high profile in Hawaii due to winning a “challenge match” against western boxing champion Carl “Kayo” Morris. Henry Okazaki was also famous for his phenomenal skill with Japanese healing arts (restorative massage and adjustment). He was sought out as a healer by Hawaiian locals and visitors alike, including President Franklin Roosevelt.
Danzan Ryu at Jobu Shin Kan
Danzan Ryu is primarily taught in lists (or “boards”) that are organized to methodically and safely develop students' physical skill and mindset. Lists taught below black belt include Yawara (basic escapes and joint locks), Nage No Kata (basic throwing arts), Shime No Kata (grappling arts), Goshin Jitsu (self-defense arts), Oku No Kata (advanced combination arts), portions of Kiai No Maki (e.g., defense against gun and knife), Kappo (resuscitation techniques), and restorative massage. Students at Jobu Shin Kan also learn stances, footwork, blocks, punches, kicks, and other strikes early in their training. Sensei also teaches techniques based on his extensive knowledge of modern police tactics.
A typical class at Jobu Shin Kan begins with exercises designed to increase strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, proper breathing, and focus. Students then practice rolls and falls that further develop these attributes and which allow them to safely receive throws. After this, students work in pairs or groups to practice jujitsu techniques appropriate to their level of experience.
Danzan Ryu is a kata-based martial art, meaning that it primarily emphasizes perfecting the techniques and mental state of combat in a precise, controlled fashion. Kata are fundamental to most traditional martial arts and are aimed at building muscle memory needed to apply technique without thought. Kata also allow for safe practice of otherwise dangerous techniques. Unlike sport variants of jujitsu, much of Danzan Ryu cannot be safely used in a sportive or full-contact sparring environment. However, opportunities for more free-form application of Danzan Ryu (e.g., “free-style”, randori, ne waza) are available at Jobu Shin Kan once the student develops sufficient ability to protect themself and their training partners from injury.