In Japan, the art of Jiujitsu was founded along with other martial arts such as Iaijitsu, Yabusami, Kobujitsu to name a few to facilitate the multiple skill sets of the warrior class which may be needed on the battle field.. The island of Japan, not quite as large as the State of California, many years ago was divided into a number of territories some being private land known as “Myoden” which generally were located in identified Prefectures . Cases where a Daimyo ruled a particular land mass or territory it was common to employ Samurai or Bushi to serve in his territory. In Okinawa the arts of attachment known as Tegumi were practiced among Karateka. There were some dojos in Okinawa where this was required training to make the student better versed in grappling, trapping, and attaching.
During this same period of time, the people of the island of Japan were divided into four classes which were: (1) warriors – Bushi, (2) the Peasant – Nonin, (3) the Technician – Gijitsu-sha, and (4) The Merchant- Shonin, with the Technician being one of the most highly respected. In this class were those who specialized in the martial arts and were much sought after by the various Daimyos to be instructors for their armies. At various times these Daimyos warred against each other and a good instructor was worth his weight in gold to his Daimyo, for once the army had taken to the field, the fighting technique of the individual Samurai was a reflection of that of his instructor. So, in a way, battles became a contest of various techniques taught by these Technicians, or instructors. It is for this reason that even today these techniques are known as the Martial Arts, i.e., pertaining to, or adapted for, wars and / or military use.
During the Tokugawa Era, the Samurai warriors faced each other with their skills honed to a keen edge in sword fighting, spear technique, and the like. A warrior-instructor of this time was a man named Yarukuemon Ujimune Sekiguchi, who founded his own style (or technique) of fighting. His method became known as: Sekiguchi – ryu or the Sekiguchi System. Throughout the island various instructors taught Samurai warriors their individual styles of in-fighting and consequently each of these systems came to bear the name of their founder.
In 1862, during the time of the Takugawa Shogunate martial contest as a sport became common practice in Edo around the castle of the Shogun. Today, Tokyo’s Imperial Palace is the home of the Emperor of Japan which currently sits on the old site of the Shogun. The Old castle of Edo was burned down in 1873, and during the fire bombing of WWII the site suffered further substantial damage. Contestants were drawn from all parts of the Island of Japan with representatives of each system being present, and each contestant being eager to prove his system to be the very best form of martial arts, such as Iai, Kyudo, Yabusami, and Sumo provided sporting entertainment both in Edo and other locations in Japan
Approximately 150 years ago, Samurai warriors were still equipped with swords and other such weapons. With the passing of the Tokugawa Era and the selection of a single ruling emperor, Japan became united and Edo became known as Tokyo. With the coming of the Meiji Era, the status of the Samurai warrior was reduced to that of a common citizen and carrying his once famous sword became forbidden.
In place of this most awesome and feared weapon, men turned to various martial arts to include Jiujitsu, a martial art that until the end of the feudal era had been taught for use with swords and other weapons in the Samurai’s arsenal.
It was critical for a warrior when becoming attached in combat and could not deploy a weapon, these methods of personal defense were taught to dispatch the enemy quickly on the battlefield. Jiujitsu during the past 300 years of peaceful contests has produced students of various systems of this Budo based art which has become widespread both in Japan and around the globe. These martial arts are taught and practiced in a placed called a dojo, which translated means: “Place of cultural technique and spiritual character.” It was given this name due to the fact that the people of the time believed that it was only when a person could master the unity of the spirit and the mind could they become proficient in the martial arts.
Jiujitsu has been explained to some degree in the Kojiki (The record of ancient Matters) and also in the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan). When, during the Edo period from 1615 to 1868, many of the masters founded schools devoted to the teaching of their own style, great numbers of men turned to them with zest. Consequently, approximately 50 different systems of combat were developed. Even today, as a result of being handed down through the ages these systems are still changing in style and technique and will probably never stop changing. There are some systems of Budo which still exist that continue to instruct the original methods and continue to remain martial in this day of age.
The art of true Jiujitsu is still practiced by many who retain the warrior spirit. A number of old systems having been kept alive continue pass down from generation to generation with authenticity. Jiujitsu is flourishing with a popularity in this world of new technology that has never been seen.
Shinto Yoshin Kai Jiujitsu is one of the oldest systems of combat Jiujitsu that has been passed down from the warrior class, and maintains the same methods, tactics, techniques, and principles which were taught to the Samurai of Feudal Japan. Shinto Yoshin-Ryu, (also spelled Shindo Yoshin-Ryu) was founded in 1864 by Matsuoka Katsunosuke a Samurai and a member of the Kuroda Clan. Katsunosuke was a personal body guard for the Tokugawa Shogun serving in this position for several years. Running a famous dojo in Japan called Matsuoka Shindokan; Katsunosuke gained a very wide popularity. Katsunosuke continued to train and run the dojo until his death in 1898. After his passing the two senior instructors split and each began to teach the system in their vision of the founder.
Our Shinto Yoshin line follows the path of Motokichi Inose (name expressed for the western reader) who during his tenure experienced the close of the classical period of the Samurai under the Tokugawa Era and the transformation of Japan during the Meiji Era. This era found a resurgence and desire for the average person to train in the martial arts which was once only available to the warrior class. Jigoro Kano the founder of Judo and the Kodokan had modified some of the dangerous techniques found in Jiujitsu and modified for a more safer application and was able to apply these methods into a competitive format which has stood the test of time and are now a major event in the Olympics. During this era, to make money, the student had to be kept healthy and motivated to return to training. Some of the techniques in Shinto Yoshin-Ryu for beginning students were modified for safety reasons and good business to keep the training halls full of students to earn a living. As the student became more adept earning their way, the true or inner techniques of Shinto Yoshin Ryu were revealed to the students who were able mentally and physically to train utilizing the dangerous techniques of Shinto Yoshin-Ryu Jiujitsu. Motokichi continued to teach and touch some of the lives of prominent Budoka and Japanese people. Motokichi produced a student who became a senior Yudansha under Motokichi by the name of Tatsusaburo Nakayama.
Tokujiro Otsuka trained in Shinto Yoshin -Ryu in the Ibaraki Prefecture Japan and as his young son Hirinori Otsuka came to the age of 6 in 1898 at, Tokujiro began to teach him Shinto Yoshin-Ryu Jiujitsu. In 1905 Otsuka along with 35 other students to include Uke Takeski trained under Nakayama. In 1921 Otsuka received a full license from Nakayama in Shinto Yoshin-Ryu Jiujitsu. Otsuka continued to train and eventually years later founded Wado Ryu Karate. Nakayama and then finally Otsuka elevated Uke Takeski to a fully licensed instructor. Uke Takeski moved to the United States in the early 1940′s and was living in Las Vegas Nevada. Takeski was training selected servicemen one being Douglas Grose. This training continued towards the end of WW II when Grose was deployed to Europe. Upon his return to the States he had learned that Takeski was moved to a Japanese internment camp and the two were never reunited. In 1945 following in the steps of Robert A Trias the founder of Karate in America, Grose founded the American Jiujitsu Karate Association. With the loss of Master Takeski, Grose contacted Hirinori Otsuka and a new relationship began. Grose received instructors in Shinto Yoshin Ryu from Japan to continue his training. Hirinori Otsuka in time along with Shujiro Hatta presented Douglas L. Grose with the Menkyo Kaiden of Shinto Yoshin Ryu Jiujitsu. Shortly after the Vietnam War a gentleman by the name of Dennis Hill had been training in Japan in Jiujitsu and was very familiar with Shinto Yoshin Ryu and even trained in the style. Upon his return from Japan, Dennis Hill met Steve Roensch who was a senior black belt in Shuri-Ryu Karate under the “Father of Karate in Florida” John Pachivas. Steve Roensch while training with Dennis Hill was introduced to Master Grose and a new relationship began for many years. Master Grose awarded Steve Roensch as the senior Chief Instructor of Shinto Yoshin Ryu Jiujitsu. This position was held until shortly before the passing of Master Grose. In a formal ceremony before senior Yudanshakai of Shinto Yoshin Ryu Jiujitsu, Master Grose awarded the Menkyo Kaiden to Steve Roensch. Master Grose passed away shortly afterwards in October of 2006. Shortly after, Hanshi Roensch founded the American Budokai International, and also founded Shinto Yoshin Kai Jiujitsu which has enhanced the original combative methods of the founder Matsuoka Katsunosuke.