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 […]

Further to my previous post about Kusarigama (鎖鎌 - chain-sickle):Although there are theories suggesting that the kusarigama was originally a farming implement, it seems probable that the kusarigama (鎖鎌 - chain-sickle) evolved from the large battlefield 'jingama ' (陣鎌 - battle camp sickle). The 'Bugei Ryūha Daijiten' by Watatani and Yamada (1978) records the Kitō-ryū […]

The picture above shows a 'kusarigama' ( 鎖鎌 - chain and sickle), which has a very similar configuration to the Ryōi Shintō-ryū (良移心当流) kusarigama (also see badge above). Many other designs would have had either no hand-guard, or a hand-guard at the bottom end of the handle.This similarity is interesting, not least because this Kusarigama […]

As with Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsu (良移心当流 柔術), there is also Iai (居合 sword drawing) in Sekiguchi-ryū Jūjutsu (関口流 柔術). Further illustrations from the: Jūjutsu Gokuhi Shinden (柔術極秘真傳 - The Ultimate Secret of Jūjutsu) by Hisamatsu Tokinosuke (久松時之助) First published 1900 (Meiji 33)(Reprinted by BABジャパン January 1, 1980).

Further to my previous posts of 8th & 20th December 2020, regarding the connection between Sekiguchi-ryū Jūjutsu (関口流 柔術) and Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsu (良移心当流 柔術). Here are some more illustrations of Sekiguchi-ryū Jūjutsu from the: Jūjutsu Gokuhi Shinden (柔術極秘真傳 - The Ultimate Secret of Jūjutsu) by Hisamatsu Tokinosuke (久松時之助) First published 1900 (Meiji 33)(Reprinted by […]

Further Kyūsho (急所 - vital points). This time on the groin, leg and arm from Fujita Seiko's 1958 book entitled:'Kenpō Gokui Atemi Sappô Kappō Meikai' together with his suggestions as to how they can be attacked with various body weapons.

Following on from my post of 8th December 2020, regarding the connection between Sekiguchi-ryū Jūjutsu (関口流 柔術) and Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsu (良移心当流 柔術), I recently obtained a copy of the Sekiguchi-ryū book: Jūjutsu Gokuhi Shinden (柔術極秘真傳 - The Ultimate Secret of Jūjutsu) by Hisamatsu Tokinosuke (久松時之助) First published 1900 (Meiji 33) (Reprinted by BABジャパン January […]

Some Kappō (活法), or Kassei-hō (活性法 - life activation method, i.e. resuscitation / revival) techniques from Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsu (良移心当流 柔術).These would have been taught together with Shime waza (絞技) chokes & strangles and also with Kenpō (拳法 - fist art), kyūsho-jutsu (急所術 - vital point method) techniques. I can remember being choked unconscious and […]

More Kyūsho (急所 - vital points). This time on the abdomen. These are from Fujita Seiko's 1958 book entitled: 'Kenpō Gokui Atemi Sappô Kappō Meikai' together with Fujita's suggestions as to how they can be attacked with various body weapons.

Another excellent sequence showing Shortt Sensei demonstrating a defence against 'Kata mune dori' (片胸捕 - one sided lapel grab) from Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsu (良移心当流柔術 ) to bodyguard students in Hong Kong.

The Ryōi Shintō-ryū entry in the Bugei Ryūha Daijiten (武芸流派大事典) by Watatani Kiyoshi (綿谷 雪) and Yamada Tadashi (山田 忠史) (1963) mentions that: "In the [‘Tōkashū’]; written in 1729 by Terada Ichiemon Masakiyo, it says that various styles were formed after Fukuno’s son and it lists the following ........Sekiguchi Yazaemon (vassal of Kii Dainagon)..." Sekiguchi […]

More Kyūsho (急所 - vital points). This time on the throat, neck and upper chest.These are from Fujita Seiko's 1958 book entitled: 'Kenpō Gokui Atemi Sappô Kappō Meikai' together with Fujita's suggestions as to how they can be attacked with various body weapons.

I am honoured and humbled to have been awarded the United States Ju-jitsu Federation’s highest level of instructor and examiner certification. I am also very grateful to USJJF President - Bruce Bethers for kindly granting me this distinction. This is a testament to the high level of Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsu (良移心当流 柔術) and to the […]

Kyūsho (急所 - vital points) on the head that are also common to Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsu (良移心当流 柔術 ). Taken from Fujita Seiko's (藤田 西湖)1958 book entitled: 'Kenpō Gokui Atemi Sappô Kappō Meikai' (拳法極意當身殺活法明解), together with Fujita's suggestions as to how they can be attacked with various body weapons.

On of the great pleasures of maintaining 'Shoshin' (初心 the beginner's mind) is that one can find great pleasure in seeing the knowledge and skills of one's teachers. Pictures shows my teacher James Shortt Sensei demonstrating 'Kata mune dori' (片胸捕 - one lapel grab) from Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsu (良移心当流柔術 ) in Hong Kong.

Striking weapons of the Human Body - Part 3. From Fujita Seiko's (藤田 西湖) 1958 book:'Kenpō gokui atemi sappō kappō meikai' 拳法極意當身殺法活法明解 (Kenpō secrets of striking, lethal method, revival method clear explanation).Chapter entitled:'Atemi ni shiyō suru jintei bui' 當身に使用する人體部位(Parts of the human body used for atemi)