What is Danzan Ryu Jujitsu?
Jujitsu is the Japanese philosophy of self-defense, relying on skill and technique rather than strength and speed. Judo is the practice of the “Way” of Jujitsu. It’s the elevation of one’s total self through precise effort. Master Okazaki referred to his style of Jujitsu as "Judo" because he believed it was also a path to greater self-awareness.
Classical Jujitsu includes Escapes, Holds, Chokes, Throws, Strikes, Kicks, and Rolling and Falling Techniques - in short, everything that is commonly necessary and used in self defense. The Japanese word Jujitsu can be translated as the “arts of suppleness” - the principle of Yin and Yang that allow the weak to overcome the strong. In the hands of the well trained practitioner Jujitsu is an extremely effective system of self-defense.
Danzan Ryu was founded by Master Okazaki in the 1920’s in the Hawaiian Islands, and is one of the most comprehensive and most widely taught styles of Jujitsu in the United States. Revered for its comprehensive and well thought out training curriculum, it includes not only all the pertinent elements of an effective self-defense system, but also a complete system of resuscitation, bodywork, and healing arts.
There are few reasons to fight, but there are many reasons to know how to fight. Jujitsu is not a sport, but a highly evolved form of self-defense, demanding well conditioned reflexes and a physically and emotionally balanced personality. By its very nature this demands systematic, slow, and purposeful practice, seeking the necessary control, balance, and suppleness.
Jujitsu can be learned by men, women and children of all ages. Danzan Ryu lends itself not only as an art of self defense, but more so as a means of personal growth. Following the ancient principles, a key prerequisite for proficiency in these arts is character development. The training requires self-control, honesty, and a sincere concern for the well-being of others. To attain true victory over others, one needs to first achieve victory over one's self - seeing the behavior of others as a mirror of one’s own behavior.
If you practice this art diligently it will change you positively - your outlook on life, your self-esteem - your character. Character can be seen as those subtle qualities that distinguish one person from another, or as moral and ethical strength arising from conscience and mindfulness. Character provides a way to become your true better self - to refrain from ‘wearing a mask’.
There is little sense transmitting self-defense skills to someone who lacks self-discipline and personal integrity, or a person who has little concern for the well-being of others. These self-defense skills should never be used to provoke a fight, and one should strive to become helpful, considerate and tolerant in one’s attitude toward others. It is about balancing mind, body and spirit to replace old fears with greater awareness and self-confidence. To strive to always practice moderation in all things. To master oneself and to help others learn to do the same. Learn more about Professor Okazaki’s fundamental principles here.