Jujutsu – The flexible art
In contrast to predominantly striking systems like karate and taekwondo, jujutsu focuses on using the opponent’s energy against them, thereby stopping an attack with minimal effort. A jujutsu practitioner uses throws, joint manipulation and immobilisation techniques to subdue an attacker, thus a skilled practitioner is able to defeat a much stronger or bigger attacker.
The style we practice is Yamanaka-Ha Shindo-Ryu Jujutsu. It is a modern style, built on traditional techniques and taught in a traditional way. Our system employs ground (ne waza), kneeling (suwari waza) and stand up (tachi waza) techniques.
History
The history of Yamanaka-ha Shindo-ryu can be traced to through the Yoshin-ryu jujutsu line, a jujutsu style dating as far back as 1632AD. There have been many significant Sensei’s that have influenced our line of jujutsu since 1632, each bringing their own adaptation to the style. Sensei Ron Yamanaka (Kyoshi, 9th degree black belt in Shindo-ryu jujutsu) founder of our federation the YKKF (1978), studied Shindo-ryu jujutsu directly under Sensei Masaru Shintani (1927-2000), who learned Shindo-ryu jujutsu from Sensei Hironori Ohtsuka (1892-1982). Sensei Yamanaka’s right hand men, Sensei Steven Chapman (8th degree black belt in Shindo-ryu) and Sensei Darren Smith (9th degree black belt in Shindo-ryu) also studied under Sensei Shintani and various other jujutsu teachers bringing together an in-depth and versatile jujutsu style.