These are the second set of illustrations from the: ‘ Otsuka Kyōju-sho Sappō, Katsu-hō, Kenpō Mondō Teikoku Shōbu-kai’ (乙種科教授書　殺法、活法、拳法問答　帝国尚武会) (Otsuka teachers book - sappō (killing method), katsu-hō (or Kappō - revival), kenpō (fist art) questions and answers esteemed imperial martial association) - Published 1910 They show the Kyūsho (急所) points on the rear of the […]

From the document: 乙種科教授書　殺法、活法、拳法問答　帝国尚武会　Otsuka Kyōju-sho Sappō, Kappō, Kenpō Mondō Teikoku Shōbu-kai (Otsuka teachers book - sappō (killing method), katsu-hō (or Kappō - revival), kenpō (fist art) questions and answers esteemed imperial martial association) Published 1910

Following on from the Ryōi Shintō-ryū (良移心当流 Sekiguchi-ryū (関口流 柔術) connection. Here are some more illustrations from the: 'Jūjutsu Gokuhi Shinden' (柔術極秘真傳 - The Ultimate Secret of Jūjutsu) written by Hisamatsu Tokinosuke (久松時之助)(First published 1900 (Meiji 33) - reprinted by BABジャパン January 1, 1980). The pictures show basic Sekiguchi-ryū - Kyūsho (急所) points on the […]

There is an interesting article by Koryū practitioner and researcher - Ellis Amdur entitle 'How Many Generations Does It Take To Create A Ryūha' (see link below), in which he examines the history of the Yōshin-ryū Jūjutsu (楊心流柔術) and suggests that its founder - Akiyama Shirobei Yoshitoki (秋山四朗兵衛義時) may not have existed. However, an Oe […]

In Ko-ryū (古流 - old school) martial arts, the movement of and through the feet is absolutely crucial. The feet and toes are both the beginning and end of movement. This is true when we use the force of gravity in dropping our weight (centre of gravity), or pushing off of the ground in active […]