Yoshitsune Jujutsu Kai / Curriculum

History

Our Jujutsu legacy starts with Junji Saito, Menkyo Kaiden of Hakko Ryu Jujutsu. He was a childhood friend of Ryuho Okuyama, the founder of Hakko Ryu Jujutsu of Omiya, Japan. The founder was a student of Sokaku Takeda, the modern reviver of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu. Many techniques of Hakko Ryu are very similar to those of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu. The influence of oriental medicine is one of the distinguishing characteristics of Hakko Ryu and can be seen in the system's emphasis on using pressure points and manipulation of the opponent's body through both the skeletal structure and the body's meridians.

Hakko Ryu comes from the Japanese language meaning "The style of the Eighth Light." In the color spectrum, violet is the eighth light, or the weakest color of light. It was said by Okuyama that the pathway of least resistance would always overcome strength. Therefore, schools of Hakko Ryu Jujutsu exercise strategies that avoid conflict as much as possible, and employ techniques that do not use strength, but instead use techniques that work against the body's natural motions and movements to take down the opponent.

Saito Sensei moved to the United States and became the first international representative of Hakko Ryu Jujutsu. My teacher Michael DePasquale, Sr. met him for the first time in January of 1960. At the time DePasquale Sensei was employed as a railroad police officer and already held rank in different styles of Jujutsu. DePasquale Sensei became a student of Saito for over 26 years and was commissioned Shihan, master of Hakko Ryu Jujutsu by the founder of Hakko Ryu, Ryuho Okuyama.

Saito and DePasquale eventually formulated the Yoshitsune system of jujutsu to account for the physical differences of people in the United States. DePasquale Sensei continued his training and teaching in the Martial Arts for over 50 years before his passing in September 2006. His son Michael DePasquale Jr. continues his father's legacy today at the Yoshitsune Hombu Dojo in River Vale, NJ.

Jujutsu

We practice Japanese Jujutsu, an armed or unarmed fighting system that can be applied against armed or unarmed aggressors and dates back to the early history of Japan. It is a no-holds barred type of fighting method where win at any costs is the rule. Its methods include kicking, striking, throwing, choking, joint locking, use of weapons, as well as holding and tying an enemy. Atemi, the method of assaulting the weak points is an important part of this method.

Generally speaking, Jujutsu is not a major offensive tactic. However, it does include offensive and defensive methods of fighting. It is naive to restrict techniques to defensive tactics alone because a strong offense is at times your best defense.

Combat Jujutsu was always secondary to the Japanese samurai. It was something to compliment his sword technique. Kenjutsu had close-in empty-hand techniques before this method became known as Jujutsu. It was from these Kenjutsu techniques that Jujutsu came when the carrying of the sword became extinct.

Our main focus is Hakko Ryu Jujutsu and the Yoshitsune Waza as formulated by Junji Saito and Michael DePasquale Sr. We concern ourselves with teaching and training in the fundamentals of these styles and spend considerable time in drilling the practical self defense aspects of these techniques. Students also train in TaizanRyu Taiho Jitsu which is a specific form of Jujutsu. This system is designed to be street applicable, and was created for law enforcement, military personnel and for practical self defense purposes.

Swordsmanship

We practice Ryushin Jigen Ryu, a small ancient style originally from Kyushu. Training involves solo kata, partner kata and various kihon waza affiliated with the style. RJR is unusual in its use of a smaller, lighter-weight sword and many one-handed techniques. Current Headmaster Kunikazu Yahagi of the Seiseikan Dojo in Tokyo guides our training in this style. This is a formal Koryu that dates back to the Edo period and associated with the traditions of the Samurai.

These kata are associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard. While new students may start learning with a wooden sword (bokken), many use an unsharpened sword. Advanced practitioners use a sharpened metal sword (shinken).

Because of the use of actual metal weaponry, it is almost entirely based on solo forms. It does not include direct competition or sparring of any kind. Because of this non-competitive aspect, and its emphasis on precise, controlled, fluid motion, it is sometimes referred to as "moving Zen."

Kumitachi (Partner Forms) - In addition to the solo forms, members also do pre-arranged partner forms, which teach timing and distance (maai), courage and calmness of mind. Students begin to practice these forms slowly, gaining in speed and intensity over time. As in many traditional dojo, senior members of the dojo have an obligation to teach newer members proper technique, and reckless behavior is never tolerated.

Tameshigiri (Test Cutting) - We believe that good concentration and a meditative mindset cannot be fully realized without proper technique, so members practice cutting paper and grass mat targets periodically. The emphasis of this training is to check technique, rather than as a potential form of competition.

Shiatsu

Japanese from shi, meaning finger, and atsu, meaning pressure, is a traditional Japanese hands-on therapy based on anatomical and physiological theory. It incorporates aspects of Japanese massage traditions, Chinese Medicine practice, and "Western" anatomy and physiology. We practice TaizanRyu Shiatsu as part of our practice to assist healing and the promotion of our physical well being.

Kyusho/Atemi

The study of the human body's vital and pressure points are part of our training. These points are used to incapacitate or control an opponent. Its theory is based upon the study of the weaknesses of the human anatomy and the specific energy pathways called meridians found on the body. Pressing, seizing or striking certain acupressure points or combination of points at certain angles can result in weakening an opponent, deadening a limb, causing great pain or even a knocking a person out

Testing and Rank

The Jujutsu Kai follows a dan/kyu system like that used for many other modern martial art forms. The Yoshitsune Jujutsu Kai is an independent dojo, and the awarding of rank reflects progress in our curriculum. A student who attends class regularly can expect to test for shodan (first-degree black belt) in three to five years.

 

Jujutsu Throw

Sword Class

Jujutsu Lock

Jujutsu Defense

Sword Practice

Jujutusu Lock

Jujutsu Pinning