The Origins of Hakko ryu Ju Jutsu
Okuyama Yoshiji (Shodai Soke Ryuho Okuyama – Founder of Hakko-ryu Ju Jutsu. 1901-1987) studied under Sokaku Takeda and eventually received the techniques of the secret art of Daito Ryu. Mr. Okuyama studied traditional oriental medicines such as Chinese Yin/Yang theory, acupuncture, acupressure, massage and diet. One of the more exotic remedies that Okuyama studied was “western” style medicine. Mr. Okuyama also studied martial arts including sword drawing, sword techniques, stick techniques, sickle chain techniques, spear techniques and throwing weapons. In 1936, Mr. Okuyama received an instructor’s certificate in Daito-Ryu and began to study the secret techniques of the school from Sokaku. After two more years of study, Mr. Okuyama finished his studies of the secret techniques of Daito-Ryu and then focused on the creation of Hakko-ryu.
On June 1, 1941 at the Shiba Tenso Jinja, Okuyama held the Hakko-ryu Kaiso Hokokusai (A ceremony proclaiming to the Shinto Deities the Birth of Hakko-ryu Ju Jutsu). Mr. Okuyama practiced and taught this art to the elite of Japan from 1941 until his death in 1987. In 1945, Mr. Okuyama fled Tokyo to avoid the bombings and went to the region of Yamagata. Eventually, after the war, Mr. Okuyama settled in Omiya City and established the Honbu Dojo or headquarters of Hakko-ryu Ju Jutsu where it exists today and is taught by his son. Before his death, Mr. Okuyama personally supervised the training in the secret arts of Hakko-ryu Ju Jutsu to all the master practitioners of the world. Once a year the Okuyama family gave a demonstration of their art for the general public.
Hakko Denshin Ryu and the KoKoDo Renmei
On August 5, 1997 at a meeting of shihans in Akron, Ohio, a new organization was formed. The KoKoDo Renmei, or The Organization of the Imperial Light Way, consists of shihans from around the world, mainly of previous practitioners of Hakko-ryu Ju Jutsu. The organization appointed three directors, Shihan Yasuhiro Irie for Asia, Shihan Michael J. LaMonica for North and South America, and Shihan Antonio Garcia for Europe. Permission was immediately granted for Shihan LaMonica and Shihan Garcia to form their own schools of Ju Jutsu. In a spirit of cooperation, they have chosen to call their new style by the name of Hakko Denshin Ryu, or The heart of the Eighth Light School. It shares many stylistic elements with the art of Hakko-ryu, going back to the origins of that art in Okuyama Yoshiharu.
Mr. LaMonica is the Director and Chief Instructor of the Hakko Denshin Ryu Ju Jutsu Federation for North and South America and continues to teach Hakko Denshin Ryu at his dojo in Copley, Ohio. He has promoted Hakko Denshin Ryu and the martial arts, bringing information about this unique art to students locally and around the world. Shihan Garcia and Shihan Yasuhiro also continue to teach at their respective dojos.
Okuyama Yoshiji, Founder of Hakko-ryu Ju Jutsu
The Origins of Hakko Ryu Jujitsu
Okuyama Yoshiji (Shodai Soke Ryuho Okuyama – Founder of Hakko-ryu Jujitsu. 1901-1987) studied under Sokaku Takeda and eventually received the techniques of the secret art of Daito Ryu.
Mr. Okuyama studied traditional oriental medicines such as Chinese Yin/Yang theory, acupuncture, acupressure, massage and diet. One of the more exotic remedies that Okuyama studied was “western” style medicine. Mr. Okuyama also studied martial arts including sword drawing, sword techniques, stick techniques, sickle chain techniques, spear techniques and throwing weapons. In 1936, Mr. Okuyama received an instructor’s certificate in Daito-Ryu and began to study the secret techniques of the school from Sokaku. After two more years of study, Mr. Okuyama finished his studies of the secret techniques of Daito-Ryu and then focused on the creation of Hakko-ryu.
On June 1, 1941 at the Shiba Tenso Jinja, Okuyama held the Hakko-ryu Kaiso Hokokusai (A ceremony proclaiming to the Shinto Deities the Birth of Hakko-ryu Jujitsu). Mr. Okuyama practiced and taught this art to the elite of Japan from 1941 until his death in 1987. In 1945, Mr. Okuyama fled Tokyo to avoid the bombings and went to the region of Yamagata. Eventually, after the war, Mr. Okuyama settled in Omiya City and established the Honbu Dojo or headquarters of Hakko-ryu Jujitsu where it exists today and is taught by his son. Before his death, Mr. Okuyama personally supervised the training in the secret arts of Hakko-ryu Jujitsu to all the master practitioners of the world. Once a year the Okuyama family gave a demonstration of their art for the general public.
Sensei Yasuhiro Irie, Founder of KoKoDo Jujitsu
KoKoDo Jujitsu and Sensei Irie
Sensei Yasuhiro Irie is the founder of the KoKoDo Jujitsu. Soke Irie Yasuhiro started his training in the Martial Arts in the Hakko-ryu Ju Jutsu under Shodai Soke Ryuho Okuyama the founder of the Hakko-ryu.
Soke Irie studied the physical skills of the Hakko-ryu system. In 1971 Soke Irie received the Shihan title and he taught many students at the Hakko-ryu Honbu Dojo. Yasuhiro Irie was such an excellent student that he was the head teacher under Okuyama Ryuho in the Hakko-ryu Honbu Dojo for several years.
In 1977 Irie Sensei received the highest rank in the Hakko-Ryu Jujitsu. At that same year he received the honour title of “Jodai” from Soke Ryuho Okuyama (Jodai is an old Japanese term that means Castle value). Only the most technically proficient and trustworthy Shihan were awarded this title. Irie Sensei was head-instructor at the Hakko Ryu Honbu dojo till 1993. In 1990 Soke Irie opened his KoKoDo Clinic where he teaches and practices the acupuncture, bone setting, moxa and shiatsu.
In 1995 Soke Irie Yasuhiro started his own KoKoDo Jujitsu.
Sensei Irie is the first (Shodai) Soke of the KoKoDo Jujitsu.
KoKoDo Jujitsu is a traditional martial art, specialized in wrist locks and pressure points, the origin of this art can be found in the old or Feudal Japan. These systems were studied and practiced by the Samurai. KoKoDo Jujitsu is a traditional martial art which emphasizes a series of prearranged techniques (kata), similar to Daito Ryu. These are model attacks and defenses in which each student knows what action the other will take and no major alterations are made.
There are 6 levels which are taught to the students in this system.
The first four are black belt levels: Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan. The last levels: Shihan, Kaiden Shihan can only be given and authorized by the founder in the Honbu Dojo in Saitama Omiya Japan. The belt color for the last levels are purple, in KoKoDo Ju Jutsu government the highest belt. This color also stands for faithful and honor in Japan.
Shihan Michael Seamark
Sensei Michael Seamark has been training Japanese Budo since 1981. He is fortunate to be a direct student of Soke Yasuhiro Irie, Founder of KoKoDo JuJutsu. Soke Irie awarded Michael Seamark the title and rank of Jikimon Kaiden Shihan, Rokudan. This title and rank is awarded to only a handful of Soke Irie’s technically proficient and dedicated deshi (students). Seamark’s main goal is to preserve and disseminate KoKoDo JuJutsu under the guidance of Soke Irie and as such strives to offer KoKoDo JuJutsu and Shiatsu as taught in the KoKoDo So Honbu Dojo in Omiya Japan. As such KoKoDo JuJutsu is the only martial art Seamark Sensei offers at Sadohana Dojo.
In 2010 Seamark was presented the Mokuroku for Shihan and Kaiden Shihan, KoKoDo JuJutsu by Soke Irie Yasuhiro during his visit to Honbu for the 2010 KoKoDo JuJutsu Sekai Taikai.
Sensei Seamark is also a Use of Force Options Specialist and certified Handcuffing Instructor for the Justice Institute of British Columbia Police Academy. He is also a Close Protection Specialist and a managing partner of a prominent executive protection security services company.
what if any is the relation between kokodo ryu and dentokan jujutsu?
Hello Tony,
If I understand correctly, Dentokan Jujutsu was founded in the UK by an American who was ranked Shihan (master) in Hakko-Ryu Jujitsu.
Kokodo Ryu is essentially another name for Hakko Denshin Ryu, which was founded by three shihans of Hakko Ryu after the death of the founder. Their names are Yasuhiro Irie, Michael LaMonica and Antonio Garcia.
So my guess would be that Dentokan and Kokodo would look almost identical in practice.
Wael
(green belt, Kokodo Jujitsu)