Okuiri 奥 A Publication of the American JuJitsu Association American Eclecticism And 入 Th e Comeback Of Jujutsu

by: BEN HARYO

Ancient Elect icism superior Bojutsu (stick techniques) while What is Eclecticism? According to the Takagi’s Yoshin-ryu has superior Taijutsu Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia, 2002 (empty hand techniques). Afterwards, edition, Eclecticism (Greek eklegein, “to they adopted each other’s techniques. To Fall 2007 pick out”), in philosophy and art, is the this day, the Taijutsu of Takagi is taught formulation of systems of thought by choosing as part of Kukishin-ryu, while Ohkuni’s In this issue... from the doctrines of other, already developed Bojutsu is taught as part of Takagi Yoshin- American Eclecticism 1 systems. Eclectic thinkers combine what ryu. Kyōhan 2 they regard as the most valid doctrines. In the year 1934, a Yoshin-ryu master by Events 6 In the world of the Japanese martial arts, the name of Otsuka Hironori decided Letters 6 Eclecticism was the order of to merge the best parts of Upcoming Events 7 the day. Ancient Japanese Ancient Japanese his Yoshin-ryu with the best parts of Okinawan Profile 9warriors were not corrupted warriors were not by the illusion of “supreme Kenpo which he had learned Book Review 10 corrupted by the ultimate martial art”. Th at from Funakoshi (Shotokan Tournament Results 11 is, they did not consider any illusion of “supreme founder), Mabuni (Shito- martial art to be the most ultimate martial art”. ryu founder) and Motobu superior. Rather, they sought (Okinawan Kenpo master) to out existing systems and tried form the new martial arts of to synthesize new systems based on the Wado-ryu Karatejutsu (now Karatedo) and relative strengths of those older systems. Wado-ryu Jujutsu Kenpo. Th e art Otsuka Here are a few examples. created, Wado-ryu, is now more known as one of the major, Government-recog- At the t century, Kukishin-ryu master nized Karate styles in mainland Japan Ohkuni Onihei and Takagi Yoshin- but, in the beginning, it was registered ryu master Takagi Hideshige fought to the Japanese government in 1938 as the each other into a draw. Th ey concluded Jujutsu style Shinshu Wado-ryu Karate that their systems had comparative Jujutsu. advantages. Ohkuni’s Kukishin-ryu has

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Kyōhan

Nothing Is Carved In Stone

by: GEORGE KIRBY

othing is carved in stone. I learned the an invitation to Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Yudansha to meaning of that phrase many years ago as I entered participate in a complete rewriting of the Black Belt N Handbook. Starting in January, 2006 I began solic- the teaching profession. I would write up lesson and instructions for my students that I thought were iting input from Yudansha. I asked them what was perfectly clear. Much to my chagrin I learned that missing. I asked them what needed to be rewritten what I thought was clear and what my students or explained better. We held meetings almost every thought was clear were two entirely diff erent galaxies. month or communicated by e-mail. I got lots of Rather than being obstinate and insisting my kids feedback and there were constant modifi cations. By were just dense, or several watts shy of a working June, 2007, we came up with an 80 page handbook light bulb, I worked with them to redo instructions that seemed to cover all the bases. Fifteen Budoshin so that they would understand what they were to do Ju-Jitsu Yudansha, from throughout the U.S. and in and I would get the kind of quality work I wanted. I Canada, worked very hard to help me to produce the learned that while there is only one way to screw in a 3rd edition. light bulb, there are many kinds of light bulbs. What’s diff erent in the rd edition? In one word: In order to start teaching ju-jitsu in my junior high detail. A lot of processes are described more carefully school, I had to come up with in a more user-friendly manner. Th ere are also some If you have not course requirements, expec- additional requirements for Yudansha: looked at your belt tations, goals, and all that • Enhanced kata and waza require- “professional” stuff . Th e fi rst ments for Shodan and Nidan rank requirements Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Student • Th e addition of specifi c additional Handbook was a result of that for the past 10+ kata for Nidan through Godan years you really eff ort. Over the past 30 years it went through many major • More specifi c instructions for need to do so. and minor revisions, with a Instructor Certifi cation great deal of student input, to • Establishment of Seminar Instructor and become the t edition in use today. It is more user- Master Seminar Instructor Certifi cation friendly than ever before. • Establishment of seminar requirements In the late 1980’s, a confl ict I had with one of my for Yudansha in the areas of technical black belts established a real need for a Black Belt skills and dojo management Handbook. Th e fi rst edition was fairly crude and the • More specifi c guidelines for second edition (early 1990’s) was not much better. Rokudan through Judan. By 2004 it became obvious that it was out of date and not meeting the needs of my black belts. I issued ...continued on page 8 E-mail: [email protected] Autumn 2007 page 3

Ancient Eclect icism ...continued from page 1 Hakko-ryu was perhaps the fi rst In the year 1942 a student of Takeda Sokaku (Daito- Judo, Kendo and Aikido. Some still ryu founder) by the name of Okuyama Ryuho decided practice Jujutsu, but their numbers truly “nonviolent” to combine the Aiki Jujutsu of Daito-ryu with the are eclipsed by those who practice martial art. techniques of Shiatsu (fi nger pressure massage) to form sport martial arts. Th erefore, the Hakko-ryu Jujutsu. Unlike other arts which focuses on development of Jujutsu became nearly stagnated in its killing or disabling the opponent, Hakko-ryu was perhaps own birthplace. amongst the fi rst truly “nonviolent” On the other hand, Jujutsu fl ourished in USA. Th ere Ancient Japa- martial art, because it contains were Jujutsu schools in America before WWII, the most the doctrines of “no challenging nese warriors did famous was Prof. Okazaki Seishiro’s Kodenkan Danzan- others, no injurying the opponent, not consider any ryu in Hawaii. After WWII many U.S citizens, mostly no excess strength in execution”. soldiers, were exposed to the methods of Jujutsu during martial art to be Aikido founder Uyeshiba Morihei, their stay in Japan as part of the Allied Occupational another student of Takeda, also the most superior. Forces. Th ese people returned to the U.S and became stressed the same pacifi sm approach pioneers of Jujutsu. And guess what? Eclecticism was when he was older (after WWII). their strongest characteristic. Here are a few examples. Th at is why many observers noticed that the earlier form of Aikido (“prewar Aikido”) is very diff erent from the Antonio Pereira studied old (Prewar) Judo with Mifune modern form of Aikido (“Aikikai Aikido”). Th e former Kyuzo, Sosuishi-ryu Jujutsu with Prof. Shitama and stresses practical self-defense, and the latter stresses a Aikido with Uyeshiba Kisshomaru. He combined those more pacifi st approach to self-defense. traditional arts with Karate and military hand-to-hand combat training. Th e result was Miyama-ryu Jujutsu, one Th erefore, it is safe to conclude that Eclecticism was the of the fi nest example of eclectic Jujutsu founded by non- order of the day when Japanese martial artists decided to Japanese. modernize their ancestral arts to become more relevant to the situations of early 20th century. Adriano Emperado created a new, Jujutsu-based martial art called Kajukenbo, which is a combination of KArate, Modern Eclect icism JUjutsu, KENpo and However, the second half of the t century, after the BOxing. Th is style was “no challenging others, WWII, showed us that innovation in Japan had slowed one of the fi rst examples down to a crawl. Th e younger generation of Japanese of “Made in America” no injurying the opponent, were raised in a “business competition” environment. martial art. no excess st rength Th ey were taught to become successful businesspersons. in execution”. Th is contributed to the meteoric rise of Japan amongst Edmund Parker trans- the most successful industrial countries in the world, formed the Kenpo Jiujitsu arising from a nuclear wasteland into a colossus of of Mitose Masayoshi and Kenpo Karate of William technology and wealth. Th is shift of focus to become Chow into a new eclectic blend called American Kenpo “modern person” has its victims as well. One of them Karate, perhaps one of the fi rst true methods of American is Jujutsu. Most young Japanese are not interested in Karate. their own Jujutsu arts while those remaining few who Prof. Wally Jay modifi ed the Danzan-ryu techniques practice martial arts prefer to practice the modern arts of he learned from Prof. Okazaki by introducing his own

E-mail: [email protected] ...continued on page 4 page 4 Okuiri

Modern Eclect icism ...continued from page 3

“Small Circle Th eory”, which he formed after he studied some of the areas where the Americans modifi ed (for other martial arts such as Judo, Kung Fu, Aikido and better or for the worse, depending on your point of view) many more. He called his new art Small Circle Jujutsu, the traditional systems. American entrepreneurships perhaps one of the fi rst true methods of American encourages competition, a strong factor to increase enroll- Jujutsu. ments in martial arts schools. It also encourages serious business handling. Gone are the days where youngsters Jujutsu was able Prof. Harold Brosious combined joined a Dojo and the master simply taught for the sake his Jujutsu training during his service to escape extinc- of preserving the arts, without regards to fi nancial profi ts in the US Navy with his experi- (and without regards to the wishes of the students, for tion and become ence during his service as a police a master in a traditional Dojo is a “dictator” whose a living art, a offi cer to create American Ketsugo authority is unquestioned). Many of today’s dojo are Jujutsu, one of the most unique martial art which professional training centers where students pay serious Jujutsu systems today. Th e Ketsugo amounts of money to receive high-quality martial arts is st ill relevant to Jujutsu addresses many self-defense training. Devices from the business world such as adver- any era it enters. situations which are not present tisements, written contracts and payment plans became a in original Japanese Jujutsu such staple in many professional Dojo. It is safe to assume that as attacked while inside a bathtub, evicting a drunken the proliferation of business-oriented Dojo in America visitor at the bar (without injuring the individual!), and (and the fact that more people practice Japanese martial numerous child-abduction scenarios. Ketsugo Jujutsu is arts in USA than in Japan!) can be attributed to the a “scenario-based” style, the techniques are designed to strong business sense of American teachers. be able to escape from many situations, another refl ec- tion of American Eclecticism. Th ose very same factors were the key factors which Th anks to these people, and many other innovators from contributed to the rebirth of Jujutsu in the latter part other countries, Jujutsu was able to escape extinction and of the t century. One of the most important people become a living art, a martial art which is still relevant in the rise of t century Jujutsu was Rorion Gracie. to any era it enters. Some people might argue that the He was a Brazilian who immigrated to More people new styles of Jujutsu created by Americans are not “True the U.S, fi rst to become a movie star Jujutsu” per se. But, if we look at the most popular and later to become one of the most pract ice Japa- Koryu (old-style) Jujutsu organizations in Japan today, successful martial arts businessmen in nese martial we can see that a percentage of the new students are the world. Brazil has known Jujutsu arts in USA foreigners, and many of them are Americans. So, even since the 1920s, where a Jujutsu master today, Americans still training in the Japanese martial named Maeda settled there and taught than in Japan! arts and preserving them for generations to come. the art to the Gracie brothers. But the Extreme Eclect icism world outside Brazil did not even know the existence of Jujutsu in Brazil until Rorion Gracie American Eclecticism did not simply stop at creating promoted the fi rst Ultimate Fighting Championship new, “Americanized” styles or new techniques based on (ufc) in 1993. Th e plan was to use the UFC to promote American realities. Americans also modifi ed the way they teach their techniques, to better spread the arts amongst the superiority of Brazilian Jujutsu – and superior they the masses. Marketing, Promotion and Management are were. Th e fi rst few ufcs saw a small, skinny Brazilian ...continued on page 5 Autumn 2007 page 5

Extreme Eclect icism ...continued from page 4

Jujutsu artist by the name of Royce Gracie (Rorion’s discarded as being “ nonsense”. Now the focus of training kid brother) dominate all of his opponents and become has achanged into “how to destroy your opponent in the the winner in ufc 1, 2 and 4. Another Gracie brother, most convenient way possible”. Rickson, was victorious at Japan’s Vale Tudo and pride Ancient Japanese Jujutsu practitioners knew that there is events, while Renzo, a Gracie cousin, were successful in no superior style, only superior people. But many modern World Combat Championship and pride as well. Brazilian Jiujitsu practitioners believe that their system is Th e successes of the Gracie gave birth to Mixed Martial the most powerful, most ultimate system on planet Earth Arts (mma) (also known as Extreme Fighting) events, while non-Brazilian Jujutsu systems are inferior useless perhaps the most signifi cant evolution in the trash not worth learning. martial arts today. It was basically a mixture Ancient Non-commercial instructors with limited between martial arts techniques, Professional Japanese fi nancial means became eclipsed by commer- Wrestling sex-appeal, Gladiatorial Combat cial Dojos. Teaching quality became inferior Jujutsu roughness and Hollywood excitement. Good- to the physical qualities of the Dojo, like the looking, muscular athletes like Ken Shamrock, pract itioners size of the Dojo, equipment, trophies won in Rickson, Bas Rutten, Tito Ortiz, Victor knew that competitions and other marketing devices. Th e Belfort and Renzo Gracie became almost as ufc/mma competitions became a “yardstick” to there is no famous as movie stars. Th e quality of fi ghters “assess” the “worthiness” of a Dojo. So, a tradi- competing at the events is getting better because superior st yle, tional Dojo which does not prepare for mma they are the ultimate eclecticists. Th ey combine only superior competitions is considered “bogus”, “worthless techniques from any martial arts as long as they trash”, while “cool guys go to mma-oriented people. work in the mma ring. mma also has a certain gyms”. touch of drama in it. In the early mma events, In sum, modern eclecticism is good when we witnessed a skinny, small Royce defeate big, applied properly. But it can also be a device to nurture strong, muscular (some say steroid-enhanced) athletes. the ego. It is contrary to the original goal of the martial Th at was like the movie “Rocky” (where the underdog arts which is to defeat the ego so that we will become wins) but done in real life. Th e successes of mma brought humbler, more tolerant and kinder human beings. back interest in the martial arts. It has now become part of Sports Entertainment, but without the “storylines” of I personally favor eclecticism because traditions without Professional Wrestling where the winners and losers of innovation will come to stagnation — and eventually the matches are predetermined. extinction. But I will not approve of eclecticism if it is Conclusion destroying the noble traditions such as the concept of personality-improvements through martial arts training After reading this article so far, it is now time for the and the defeating of our own ego. So, is Eclecticism good or conclusion. Is Eclecticism good or bad? For the most bad? Your choice. Good luck in any road you choose! part, it gave birth to the systems we practice today. It also helps to keep the Jujutsu arts relevant to any era it Ben Haryo is a lecturer of Psychology, Sociology enters. Th e spirit of Jujutsu as an art of self-preservation is and Urban Anthropology at the Faculty of being kept forever. However, there are also some negative Engineering, Universitas Indonusa Esa Unggul, side eff ects. Th e core concept of Japanese Martial Arts Jakarta, Indonesia. Ben Haryo teaches Jujutsu – that is, that training must improve the personality and Karate for Goshinbudo Jujutsu Indonesia of the person to make him a better human beings – is and the Zen-Indonesia Jujutsu Kyokai/JUSINDO. page 6 Okuiri

Event Report

Northern Regional Shiai Clinic July 14, 2007 Towson, Maryland defender could always make up distance but the response must be focused and determined as tori can never makeup Th e fi rst seminar was by Wade Susie, working with the time. Stockey also explained that there are no blocks in Kubotan®, a type of yawara. First were several nikkyo karate, that if a block were done it was always with the type techniques against a lapel grab, a front choke, and a back hand — the lead hand was for striking. wrist grab. Susie followed this with striking techniques as defenses against chokes, punches and grabs. Susie’s seminar Finally, Dennis McCurdy worked the students through a ended with using the stick to help secure a shoulder lock. submit drill after taking the attacker to the ground with Ō Soto Gari. Working step by step, students rolled their uke Dave Patton was the next instructor with defense against a over onto their face, then transitioned to an arm-bar, Wake gun threat. Patton emphasized that, while this is a deadly Gatame, and from that to a scissor choke and to trapping situation, the defender still has options and that every step the opponent’s arm with the tori’s leg. Each transition of distance increases the chances of survival. Patton also became the logical response to uke’s attempt to defeat the emphasized that the defender must be fully committed hold. and fl exible in technique as it will be a fl uid, dynamic situation. All the seminars were hands on with Susie and Patton providing practice weapons for their individual seminars. Th e third seminar was by William Stockey with a Karate After a full morning of training participants enthusiasti- view into self-defense. Stockey emphasized movement cally thanked the instructors for sharing their time and over technique showing how proper movement would insights. often become the technique. With proper movement the Letters

To The Editor: • Be cautious of the “World Champion” claim.

I really like the points made in the article, Points • Be suspicious of training claims, such as “trained U.S. to consider in your search for a legitimate Martial Marines”, “trainer of the FBI”, etc. As one who has Arts Instructor [by Gene Roos; on the AJA Web Site, actually trained at the U.S. Marine Corps, as a guest Commentary section: http://www.AmericanJujitsuA instructor, a former Marine and retired Federal Law ssociation.Org/Articles/Checking20Instructor.pdf] Enforcement Offi cer (not the FBI), I know many of especially point 1. the claims are fl imsy, at best.

I would off er the following as additions: I received a copy of the article from Scott Anderson, my Sombo instructor for many years, and a member • Be careful of the certifi cates handed out by a school. of the USJA. If they contain an organization, other than that school, verify that the school, and instructor, are, Thanks much, in fact, certifi ed by the organization. Example: Bill D’Urso Joe Smiths Karate – Certifi ed School of the ABC Shihan International Organization. International Federation of JuJutsuans Autumn 2007 page 7

Upcoming Events

AJA Western Region Freestyle Kata Competition November 3, 2007, 9:30am – 3:00pm Valencia High School 27801 N. Dickason Drive Valencia, California 91355 , Register at the AJA website: http://www.AmericanJujitsuAssociation.Org e-mail: Tony Damigo Sensei[email protected] phone: 760 223-6765 George Kirby Seminar March 22, 2008 Salem, Illinois e-mail: Ed Daniels George Kirby Seminar [email protected] November 3, 2007, 9:00am – 1:00pm website: www.Budoshin.Com Arlington YMCA Vol. XXIX, Issue 2 3422 North 13th Street Okuiri welcomes submissions of articles and proposals. We prefer plain Arlington, Virginia text (.txt) in electronic format. You may also send articles for consideration e-mail: Th omas Salander through the US Postal Service or via fax. Th [email protected] Back issues are available. phone: 703-525-5420 Copyright 2007 American Ju-Jitsu George Kirby Seminar Association. All rights reserved. Nothing herein contained may be April, 2008 reproduced in any form or by any means without written permission of the American Ju-Jitsu Association. Rapid City, South Dakota AJA Northern Region To contact us: Freestyle Kata Competition e-mail: Doug Langworthy email: Th [email protected] [email protected] November 3, 2007, 2:00pm voice: 703-243-0206 website: www.Budoshin.Com fax: 703-243-0204 Arlington YMCA AJA Newsletter 3422 North 13th Street c/o Th omas Salander P.O. Box 5213 Arlington, Virginia Arlington, Virginia 22205 e-mail: Th omas Salander Submission deadline for the next issue is December 15, 2007. Th [email protected] phone: 703-525-5420 page 8 Okuiri

Stone Carvings

...continued from page 2

s this the last word for Budoshin as a refl ection of your character. If you both have a Ju-Jitsu Yudansha? Is the new Budoshin Ju-Jitsu common goal then success is inevitable. Yes, it may I be self-interest, but it works both ways. Yudanshakai Black Belt Handbook to be carved in stone, to be unchanged forever in the future? It sure I know a lot of professional schoolteachers who refuse would be nice, but nothing to accept “instructional input” from their students. You owe it to is carved in stone. I have Both teachers and students are constantly butting your st udents and no doubt that there will be their heads against opposite sides of the same stone future modifi cations as the wall. Learning becomes unproductive for all. Th at is yourself to keep need arises. not what education is about. I think that is a sad way your inst ruct ional If you are a sensei or student to run a classroom. As a sensei you cannot aff ord to materials up-to- of another ryu you might be be in a diff erent galaxy from your students — not if you want the force/ki/fl ow to be with you. date and as user- asking, “Why bring up an exclusively Budoshin Ju-Jitsu As a sensei you should be looking friendly as possible. matter in the AJA newsletter? at your instructional materials You have to be Other ryu do not necessarily every 3–4 years to fi nd ways to responsive to your need Budoshin Ju-Jitsu specifi c information.” improve your instruction and st udents and not Although I agree with you from this perspective, help your students’ progress it is not why I presented all this information. Th e better. You can try new ideas see weaknesses method to the madness is that nothing is permanent — whether they be your own or as a refl ect ion of based on student input — to see and that change is inevitable. If you have not looked your charact er. at your belt rank requirements for the past 10+ years if they work. If they work, great! you really need to do so. You need to get input from If they don’t then at least you tried your Mudansha and Yudansha for insight into what something diff erent. You owe it to your students is working and what is not. As a public school teacher and yourself to keep your instructional materials up- I got some of my best teaching ideas from my kids. to-date and as user-friendly as possible. Remember, If your students feel secure with you as their sensei nothing is carved in stone. Th e truth is out there. they will be honest with you — sometimes brutally honest. However, they are this way because they George Kirby, Judan seriously want to help you become a better sensei Chairman, Board of Directors so that you can better help them progress. You have American Ju-Jitsu Association to be responsive to them and not see weaknesses # Autumn 2007 page 9

Profi le

Steve Pendergrass Most memorable training moment… Western Region Watching one of his daughters take her last test. Steven Outstanding Student proudly insists that despite her young age she “showed Kern Valley Defensive Arts skill and competence that only a seasoned student would Woff ord Heights, California be expected to have.” Steven is lucky that his family shares Sensei: Tony Damigo his passion for the martial arts. Th ey actively participate How it all started… in the dojo life: His wife Toni runs the dojo and his daughters Dani, 13, and Cali, 11, train there. Steven and Steven Pendergrass fi rst began studying martial arts in Toni also have an 8-month old son, Gavin, who is still just 2002. Ever since he was a child, he had always wanted to a bit too young to train. practice martial arts, but his family was not able to aff ord it. In 2002, Steve fi rst started training at another dojo Off the Mat… but sustained an injury shortly thereafter. He decided Steven is a Fire Captain-Paramedic for the Kern County to try out the Kern Valley Defensive Arts dojo under Fire Department. He is a hazardous materials specialist, a Sensei Tony Damigo, who greatly impressed him with rescue technician and a retired K9 search specialist from his skill as a teacher. In addition, the friendly and open catf2 (the Los Angeles County Fire Department). He atmosphere of a dojo where safety is of primary concern recently completed the California Fire Training’s Master really appealed to Steven because of his prior experience. Instructor Program and has begun co-writing an instruc- He immediately enrolled. Now Steve’s wife Toni and tor’s training manual for martial artists. Steven is a deeply he own the Budoshin School of Defensive Arts in Lake religious man and very active in the local community as Isabella under Domigo Sensei, Steve’s “instructor, mentor a deacon in the local church and a chaplain for the fi re and dear friend.” department. Steve also describes himself as really funny Biggest motivation to continue practice… off the mat. He shares that he often “cracks himself up.” Th e atmosphere at his dojo. Lasting friendships have Favorite martial arts movie or book… developed between students as most of them are learning Enter the Dragon. Steve admits that he knows it is now and growing together. Steven also appreciates the larger considered “corny”, but back when it fi rst came out, this Budoshin network that exists throughout the country. movie is what “started the fi re in [him] and probably He maintains that we are all “a family, even if we haven’t several thousand others”. As he recently re-watched it, he met yet, [and] we share a common bond: the arts.” found himself full of nostalgia.

To spend your whole life pursuing your dream, to spend your whole life st udying your art — there is no greater joy. Refi ne and perfect yourself through your art. —Kensho Furuya page 10 Okuiri Book Review Th e Book of Martial Power by Steven Pearlman 詞

Review by: ROBERT L. ROGERS

Over the years, I’ve read probably the combative situation.” Th is that grounds philosophical more than two shelves worth of is helped by effi ciency (where principles in physical application. martial arts books. Th e Book of Martial every technique should hold the Th is is a great book for more advanced Power (2006) by Steven Pearlman is potential to end a confrontation students, but it may not be as useful among the best. I am not the only instantaneously and eff ortlessly), to beginners. If students are learning one impressed. George Kirby wrote positive ratios between energy to roll, lecturing them about mushin in February that the book “blew my and eff ect, simplicity, natural and and triangulation points may prove mind” and that Pearlman was “almost refl exive actions, and training more frustrating than helpful. And on the same page” for how we want to fi ght. Th e goal of the the reader, as with almost all martial- as Kirby was in • Physiokinetic principles involve the arts books, faces the challenge of how martial arts is writing his latest mechanical working of the body. to get the principles off the page and maintaining con- book. In credible martial arts, Pearlman into one’s techniques. (After reading trol over ourselves Pearlman divides argues, “technique emerges from this book, however, I quickly found his book into four and is limited by how the body myself focusing on triangle guard no matter how sections, each works.” Th ese principles of biome- and the center- adverse the com- dealing with a chanics include proper breathing line, so some If st udents are bative situation. diff erent category (deeply, not just from the top of the of its principles learning to roll, lec- lungs), good posture, a structurally can be applied of martial-arts turing them about principles. He sound triangle guard, control of the easily.) centerline, relaxation, triangulation mushin and trian- says, though, that the entire book In essence, this points, and use of peripheral vision. could fall under three of the four book provides a gulation points may sections and that ultimately all princi- • Principles of technique involve unifi ed theory prove more frust rat- ples matter equally. interactions with an opponent of the martial ing than helpful. • Principles of theory refers to such as movement, timing, arts: What is constants that govern and defi ne and footwork. Discussed here the goal, how the idea of martial arts — what are a combined off ense and do we reach it, and how do we recog- they hope to achieve and why. defense, economical motion, nize when we have wandered off the According to Pearlman, the “pure proper angling, leading control, path? Incorporating sound martial- objective” of the martial arts is a timing, and rhythm. arts principles into techniques is a victory that is both instantaneous • Principles of philosophy addresses lifetime of work, but Pearlman’s book and eff ortless. But this is not mushin (“no-mind”), kime is a helpful guide for the journey. primarily about the opponent (focus), yin and yang, and zanshin Robert L. Rogers, a D.C. but about ourselves. Th e goal (“total attention to the moment”). journalist, is a student in the is “maintaining control over Pearlman describes the martial arts Arlington Budoshin Jujitsu Dojo. ourselves no matter how adverse as a sort of “physio-philosophy” E-mail: [email protected] Autumn 2007 page 11

Northern Region Tournament July 14, 2007

YOUTH GEDAN ADULT GEDAN

st Andrew Levin st Michael Green

ⁿd Autumn Th omas ⁿd Matt Levin

rd Catherine Burk rd Stephen Condouns

t Erik Whitelaw

ADULT CHUDAN

YOUTH CHUDAN st Th oman Dineen

st Tyler Schirf ⁿd Steven Bowman

ⁿd Ian Stuckert rd Scott Finley

rd Tim Bender

t Wyatt Jordan ADULT JODAN st Adam Stuckert

YOUTH JODAN ⁿd Mark Mangano

st Shane Connelly rd Peter Bagnell

ⁿd Collin Bender

rd Brittany Racine YUDANSHIA

t Jessica Racine st Joni Peebles ⁿd Mario Harold

JUDGES rd Ryan Levin

Donna Mathews David Boese

Mark Smith Karen Curley TIMERS

Will Harris Dave Potter Derek Chan George Boden

Mark Burton Scott Anderson MAT REFEREES

Paul Klara Wade Susie

Arlington, Virginia 22205 Virginia Arlington,

P.O. Box 5213 Box P.O.

/o Thomas Salander Thomas /o

c Okuiri

Th e American JuJitsu Association (AJA) was founded in 1976 and is an internationally recognized govern- ing body for the martial art of JuJitsu in the United States. Th e AJA is registered with the U.S. government as American JuJitsu a 501[c][3] amateur athletic association and is governed by a national board of directors (BOD) according to its Association Constitution and Bylaws. Th e AJA is conprised of many

Okuiri diff erent styles of the “Gentle Art” (at least four repre- c/o Thomas Salander P.O. Box 5213 sented on the BOD), each with its own uniqueness, and Arlington, Virginia 22205 each providing a positive infl uence on the martial arts Phone: 703-243-0206 Fax: 703-243-0204 community as a whole. e-mail: [email protected]

For more information about membership in the AJA, contact the membership chairman, Mark Jordan at Find us on the web: P.O. Box 4261, Burbank, California 91503-4261 www. AmericanJujitsuAssociation.org (e-mail [email protected]) or go to our website.