I've been practicing the art of Danzan Ryu since 2002. I took a break in 2006 and picked it up again in 2008 when I moved to Hawaii. Currently, I hold the rank of ikkyu in the art.
Throughout my practice of this art, black belts and professors have described the art as Japanese Jujutsu. I've always felt that this wasn't a totally accurate description of the art, because the founder, Henry Okazaki, drew from a number of sources to form our lists.
As the story goes, Okazaki moved to Hawaii around the turn of the last century and began to study various martial arts in Hawaii. He learned Japanese jujutsu, he learned Okinawan Karate, he learned some Filipino Martial Arts, and he was able to learn Hawaiian Lua. All of these were the source material from which he composed the art that I practice today. They just so happen to be transmitted with kata and lists after the Japanese fashion of teaching.
Therefore, I think it could be argued that we are practicing Hawaiian jujutsu. As this island chain is one of the most diverse melting pots on earth, the art actually reflects this by drawing many of the martial traditions that came to the islands.
Besides, if the Brazilians can have their own form of Jujutsu, why can't Hawaii? I think if I ever teach this art, I will probably call it Hawaiian Jujutsu.
Thoughts?
Throughout my practice of this art, black belts and professors have described the art as Japanese Jujutsu. I've always felt that this wasn't a totally accurate description of the art, because the founder, Henry Okazaki, drew from a number of sources to form our lists.
As the story goes, Okazaki moved to Hawaii around the turn of the last century and began to study various martial arts in Hawaii. He learned Japanese jujutsu, he learned Okinawan Karate, he learned some Filipino Martial Arts, and he was able to learn Hawaiian Lua. All of these were the source material from which he composed the art that I practice today. They just so happen to be transmitted with kata and lists after the Japanese fashion of teaching.
Therefore, I think it could be argued that we are practicing Hawaiian jujutsu. As this island chain is one of the most diverse melting pots on earth, the art actually reflects this by drawing many of the martial traditions that came to the islands.
Besides, if the Brazilians can have their own form of Jujutsu, why can't Hawaii? I think if I ever teach this art, I will probably call it Hawaiian Jujutsu.
Thoughts?