Facilitating the first-ever virtual AJJF National Convention was no small feat. In the face of some technical issues, a new format for classes, and over 200 attendees, the facilitator team remained calm, even through “Hell under the upraised...

3/20/2021 Aloha AJJF Ohana: The AJJF Board of Directors meets quarterly to handle the legal and financial responsibilities of the AJJF. It has recently come to my attention that we have not been sending out our Board of Directors meeting minutes to...

Think about things that have surprised you. Surprise happens when something is unexpected.  There are big surprises, like when your cat pounces on you in the middle of the night (you moved!). Or when a giant tree limb falls to the ground for no...

Welcome to Danzan Ryu Origin Stories. In movies, television, books, especially comic books, we often get to learn the character's backstory to find out why they are the way they are - like how a superhero got their superpower. Knowing their "origin...

The Japanese sword is a marvel of centuries old craftsmanship.  In its time, the composition and quality of the sword were second to none.  Despite the age of these truly historical pieces, to this day the sword is still capable of holding a razor...

Welcome to Danzan Ryu Origin Stories. In movies, television, books, especially comic books, we often get to learn the character's backstory to find out why they are the way they are - like how a superhero got their superpower. Knowing their "origin...

The Basic Submission Arts Strangulation techniques are an integral part of judo and jujitsu training. The objective of shime waza (constriction technique) is to effect a comatose state upon one’s opponent. Technically it is to apply gentle pressure...

The phrase “What’s in a name?” gets bandied about, usually in regard with ancestry or history, if you will.  Does the surname Smith indicate that somewhere in your family tree there was a blacksmith – undoubtedly toiling under a spreading chestnut...