Japanese Jujutsu Training
We practice Japanese Jujutsu, a fighting system that can be applied against armed or unarmed aggressors and dates back to the early history of Japan. Regular training includes physical conditioning, evasive movements, striking, throwing and immobilizations (joint locks and other methods of restraint). The training employs a systematic approach to self-defense that effectively develops speed, balance and power through graduated exercises.
Japanese Jujutsu is a highly effective self defense system which is why Jujutsu techniques have been used in Law Enforcement and in U.S. Military Combat training for many years. Perhaps the most famous of these specialized police systems is the Taiho Jutsu (arresting art) System formulated and employed by the Tokyo Police Department.
In fact, there are many modern martial arts styles that are derived from and heavily influenced by Japanese Jujutsu because of its combative techniques & effectiveness. A couple of examples are:
Judo: Jigoro Kano took jujutsu techniques & concepts and modified them to the extent that they could become a sport in Japan and worldwide. That sport was named judo.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Helio Gracie of Brazil took the Jujitsu/Judo techniques & concepts he learned from Mitsuyo Maeda, a Jujutsu/Judo Instructor and founded an art with a very heavy ground fighting emphasis which is derived from Judo's ground grappling techniques.
Aikido: Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido was a licensed Instructor in Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu and originally taught this style of Jujutsu before he formulated the Aikido style. Aikido is essentially a modified form of Daito Ryu that employs large flowing movements in an attempt to harmonize with the attackers energy to defeat him.
Training at our dojo includes three distinct styles of Japanese Jujutsu from the same lineage: Hakko Ryu Jujutsu, Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu and Yoshitsune Jujutsu as described below.
Hakko Ryu Jujutsu
Hakko Ryu Jujutsu is a system that uses the body’s meridian system to create varying amounts of pain to control an attacker without necessarily causing serious injury.
Japanese and traditional Oriental medicine teaches us that “Ki”, one of the non-physical aspects of life, flows through the meridian system in the body. Certain Tsubo (special points) along the meridians are sensitive to touching or striking and cause sharp distracting pain, but do not necessarily damage bones, joints, or other body tissue. These are the focal points of Hakko Ryu techniques that a trained exponent uses to distract, dispatch or arrest an attacker.
Jerry Tardi, a Shihan, Menkyo Kaiden (Master Teacher with License of Full Transmission) of Hakko Ryu Jujutsu leads all training in Hakko Ryu Jujutsu. He is Licensed to Teach by the current Headmaster, Tashio Okuyama of Omiya, Japan.
Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu
Daito Ryu is an ancient system of self-defense handed down by Japanese warriors through the ages and perfected in the nineteenth century by martial arts master Sokaku Takeda.
Like other forms of Japanese Jujutsu, it emphasizes throwing techniques and joint manipulations to effectively subdue or injure an attacker. Of particular importance is the timing of a defensive technique either to blend or to neutralize an attack's effectiveness and to use the force of the attacker's movement against him. Daito Ryu is characterized by ample use of atemi, or the striking of vital areas, to set up joint locking or throwing tactics.
Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu is important to our school since it is the parent art of our Hakko Ryu Jujutsu. Although many of the techniques are similar to Hakko Ryu, in many ways it has key distinguishing characteristics. Among the key characteristics are its powerful/distructive self-defense techniques. Much of this power is derived from applying “aiki,” an ancient Japanese way of using subtle body movements and mechanics to gain and maintain combative advantage.
Katsuyuki Kondo Sensei, the current Headmaster of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu, Mainline Tradition, received his Menkyo Kaiden (License of Full Transmission) directly from Tokimune Takeda Sensei in 1988. Fred Bernier is one of Kondo Sensei's USA Black Belts with formal permission to teach Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu.
Yoshitsune Jujutsu
Yoshitsune Jujutsu is an Americanized version of Hakko Ryu Jujutsu that emphasizes self-defense. It utilizes the combative aspects of the various blocks, strikes, throws and techniques against common self defense scenarios to provide a comprehensive system of self protection.
Fred Bernier, a Shihan (Master Teacher) of Yoshitsune Jujutsu leads all training in Yoshitsune Jujutsu. He received his Shihan License in 1992 and is authorized to teach this system.
Kyusho/Atemi (Striking)
The study of the human body's vital areas and pressure points are part of our Jujutsu 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 knocking a person out. This part of the curriculum is led by Fred Bernier, a licensed Acupuncturist that is well versed in the human anatomy.
Special Note Concerning our Jujutsu Classes
At their core, all three of these systems of Jujutsu use similar techniques and tactics with specific differences in details and emphasis. This is not surprising since they are all have the same Japanese lineage starting with Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu dating back to 1100 AD.
Here at the Yoshitsune Jujutsu Kai we pride ourselves on staying true to these Jujutsu systems and teach them exactly as they were taught to us. We concern ourselves with teaching and training in the fundamentals of these three styles and spend considerable time in drilling the practical self-defense aspects of these techniques.
Safety" is a paramount concern and all activities are closely monitored. Deliberate or excessive force during practice is not tolerated and will result in expulsion from the school. This is a well established school based upon mutual respect, hard work and martial camaraderie. It is operated and taught by authentic senior black belt instructors who always have your best interest in mind.
Visitors
Visitors are always welcome to watch or participate in a class, at no charge. Call us on 201-725-9019 to make an appointment for a visit.
Jujutsu Class Schedule
Tuesday
7:30pm
Thursday
7:30pm
Saturday
10:30am
We train adults only and we require no prior martial arts experience. Check out the testimonials page to see what others are saying about us.
Warmest Regards,
Fred Bernier
Chief Instructor
1055 Broadway
Bayonne, NJ 07002
201-725-9019