About the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation

AJJF Seal	Logo

Benefits of AJJF Registration

The American Judo and Jujitsu Federation (AJJF) is a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation represented by Jujitsu, Judo and other martial arts schools across the nation, and the world. Most individual registrants of the AJJF are associated with AJJF schools, although this is not a requirement. Registration in the AJJF is non-discriminatory. The AJJF promotes the Danzan Ryu system of Jujitsu, an effective system of self-defense that incorporates physical and mental training within a philosophy of ethical and moral development. As a registrant of the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation, you become part of a national organization that provides the many benefits described below.

National Black Belt Ranks

The AJJF tests and certifies Danzan Ryu Jujitsu Black Belt ranks. High standards of skill, knowledge, proficiency and ethical conduct are required for a nationally recognized AJJF Danzan Ryu Jujitsu Black Belt rank. Hundreds of men and women currently hold AJJF Black Belt ranks.

Kiai Echo

All AJJF registrants receive the AJJF’s Kiai Echo free of charge. This quarterly magazine features articles about the instructors and students of the AJJF; the history of martial arts, Danzan Ryu and the AJJF; as well as general subjects of interest. The Kiai Echo announces coming events and contains minutes of organizational meetings.

Clinics

The AJJF sponsors many clinics during the year, usually on a regional basis. In-depth classes encourage the exchange of information between AJJF schools and individual registrants and teach the basic techniques and philosophy of the Danzan Ryu system. Black Belt conventions, Brown Belt weekend and summer camps (in northern California and the Midwest) are some of the many exciting offerings. There are structured clinics in areas as diverse as athletic taping, restorative massage, self-defense applications, and police training.

National Convention

Hundreds of Jujitsu students from all over the world attend the AJJF’s annual National Convention. AJJF registrants, visitors from other martial arts systems, and guest instructors gather for a long weekend of intensive study and fellowship. Convention is a great opportunity to meet and study with the high-ranking professors of the AJJF.

Tournaments

The AJJF sponsors tournaments and competitions under the Jujitsu Rules bringing martial artists together in the pure spirit of cooperation and competition. Freestyle Contests are unrehearsed self-defense demonstrations performed during three one-minute rounds. Kata Contests are formal demonstrations of the fundamental techniques of the Danzan Ryu Jujitsu system. Some AJJF schools host Judo Competitions, featuring the international sport of Judo, which originated from Jujitsu.

Danzan Ryu Restorative Therapy Program

Danzan Ryu founder Professor Henry Okazaki was well-known as a massage therapist and healer. His Long-Life Restorative Massage is the core of the AJJF’s National Healing Arts Program which offers programs in what is now called Danzan Ryu Restorative Therapy. Courses are open to anyone who has a desire to learn and gain proficiency in Professor Okazaki’s Healing Arts. The Danzan Ryu Technician Program requires 150 hours of study. The Danzan Ryu Practitioner Program is an additional 150 hours of study, including some his Seifukujitsu Treatments.

Master Henry Seishiro Okazaki

Henry S. Okazaki was born in Japan on January 28, 1890. He moved to Hawaii as a teenager and, at the age of 16, learned he had tuberculosis. Through hard training in the martial arts, Okazaki recovered completely and vowed to dedicate his life to propagating Jujitsu and Judo.

  During the years 1927-28 Okazaki developed a complete, integrated martial arts system:Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. A synthesis of several older styles of Jujitsu, Okazaki included in the system elements of his studies of Okinawan Karate, Chinese Kung-Fu, Hawaiian Lua, Filipino Knife Fighting (Escrima), Boxing and Wrestling, as well as traditional Japanese Restorative Massage and Healing Techniques (Seifukujitsu).

Kodenkan and Kokua


The Kodenkan was the name of Master Okazaki’s school (dojo) in Hawaii. The name Kodenkan may be translated as “The School of the Ancient Tradition” or as “The School in Which Senior Students Transmit the Tradition”. Both translations are accurate. The method of instruction requires senior students to teach less advanced students in the spirit that Master Okazaki declared was inherent in the Hawaiian word Kokua: “to mutually help one another”. This spirit of Kokua is the foundation & philosophy of the AJJF. AJJF Established in 1958 The American Judo and Jijitsu Federation (AJJF) traces its history from Master Okazaki. Several of his students came to the mainland in the late 1930’s established schools and began teaching the techniques of Danzan Ryu. Four of Master Okazaki’s students, founders John Cahill, Bud Estes, Ray Law, and Richard Rickerts wished to help fulfill Master Okazaki’s dream of having a Danzan Ryu Jujitsu school, in every state of the union. They founded the AJJF, which was incorporated as a non-profit State of California corporation on May 21, 1958.

Danzan Ryu Curriculum


Danzan Ryu Jujitsu training begins with basic stretching and strengthening exercises. Next, students learn rolls and falls that allow them to be thrown safely. The system is arranged into eleven lists of techniques, which teach the basics of balance, leverage and inertia. The first five lists are taught below Black Belt level; Yawara (basic holds and escapes), Nage No Kata (basic throwing arts), Shime No Kata (grappling arts), Oku No Kata (advanced combination arts) andGoshin Jitsu (self-defense arts). The remaining six lists, which are primarily taught to advanced students and Black belts, include advanced combination techniques; defenses against gun, knife, staff and sword; demonstration arts; iron fan and yawara stick arts, kicks; strikes and a system of resuscitation and restorative massage techniques.

School and Registration Application Information

If you have any questions about the AJJF or Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, or you would like to register your School as an AJJF or Allied School, please contact the Central Office by E-mail at: gro.fjja@oc or send a note via US Mail to