Ju-jutsu at KSKD

What is Ju-jutsu?

Ju-jutsu is the Japanese Art of Grappling.  This includes throws, locks, and strikes.  This Art was developed for the purpose of self-defense and combat as it was used by Samurai. Ju-Do was developed as a  the sport from Ju-jutsu.  

What is the difference between Ju-jutsu and Jui-jitsu or Jiu-Jitsu?

Jui-jitsu is the popular name of the grappling Art typically associated with Brazil.  The most famous being the Gracie Jiu jitsu System.  Jui-jitsu/Jiu-Jitsu is the name given to the Arts which came from Ju-jutsu.

Every culture has developed a system of self-defense, and as such can give the name they deem appropriate.

KSKD is very fortunate to be able to offer traditional and authentic Martial Arts.  The Art of Ju-jutsu practiced here comes from the system of Hontai Yoshin Ryu and is taught by Matthew Hawthorne.  This is a koryu (traditional) jujutsu system with its home Dojo (Honbu) in Nishinomiya, Japan.

Our Dojo is a satellite school to the Hontai Yoshin Ryu American branch headquarters, also located in Louisville, KY, and led by the American branch head, Dr. Brian Barnes.

Dr. Brian Barnes (in blue) is the American Branch Head of Hontai Yoshin Ryu. Sensei Matthew Hawthorne is the instructor at KSKD.

About Hontai Yoshin Ryu

Hontai Yoshin Ryu (HYR) is a comprehensive martial art founded in Japan in the 17th century. It’s primary curriculum focuses on unarmed grappling, including a variety of throws, locks, and strikes, but it also includes short sword (kodachi), short staff (hanbo), and long staff (bo) kata, all done against the sword. Unarmed defenses against the tanto (knife) and the sword are also studied at higher levels.

Study of this art and its associated weapons begins with a variety of basics, including ukemi (receiving) ways to fall and roll safely without injury, necessary to take the throws on a consistent basis.

Hontai Yoshin Ryu also includes its own set of sword kata, contained within three (3) sets of 5, 6, and 8 kata.

Hontai Yoshin Ryu is an international school, with the majority of students found in Europe. Interaction with both the Honbu and those European densho (students) is encouraged.  Students have the opportunity to make trips to the taikai (group training) held in Europe. Rank in the international school can only be awarded by the Soke (head instructor) of the system, and is usually tested for at those tai kai, once approval is obtained. For the history and lineage of Hontai Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu, please see the American school website, here:http://www.hyrusa.com/ and the website of the Honbu in Japan here: http://www.hontaiyoshinryu.com/
Our school of Hontai Yoshin Ryu does not currently include intermittent belt ranks. Advancement is left to instructor discretion, based on the perception of certain base level understandings of kihon and preceding kata. Class tends to be both lighthearted and intense, as appropriate. Questions and discussion are encouraged, and outside resources are readily available for additional reading.  For example, see the HYR section of koryu.com, found here: https://www.koryu.com/guide/hontai.html

Participation in this class is subject to teacher discretion and is for those 16 years of age and older.

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