Samurai Arts

05/06/2026

The future of Samurai-Arts lies with our newcomers.
And with dedication like that shown by Anna, and technical support such as that provided by John, the future is looking bright

01/06/2026

Walking Stick Defences:
Same as last post - just a couple of titles updated.
In January 2026 a hip replacement was received. A walking stick wasn't needed but was on hand "just in case".
The walking stick is perfectly legal to carry with you and provides an excellent instrument of combat.
This video presents a series of about 20 Walking Stick techniques which may discourage a would-be attacker.
Much of this martial arts information has been sourced over the years from bone-fide individuals and organisations with a strong history of authentic Jujutsu and Kobudo.
The YKKF (Yudansha Kobujutsu Karate Doh Federation), founded by Ron Yamanaka Hanshi is one of these. Some of the techniques shown came from training done in the YKKF Dojo in Toronto. This was a rare occasion when a video camera was carried.
Small segments were recorded of a Kobudo training session done with expert instruction from Yamanaka Hanshi, an authority on Japanese Karate and Kobudo.
Picture quality of that section was below par because it was analogue technology, now converted to digital and is included as an addendum at the end of the instruction video.

31/05/2026

Walking Stick Defences:
In January 2026 a hip replacement was received. A walking stick wasn't needed but was on hand "just in case".
The walking stick is perfectly legal to carry with you and provides an excellent instrument of combat.
This video presents a series of about 20 Walking Stick techniques which may discourage a would-be attacker.
Much of this martial arts information has been sourced over the years from bone-fide individuals and organisations with a strong history of authentic Jujutsu and Kobudo.
The YKKF (Yudansha Kobujutsu Karate Doh Federation), founded by Ron Yamanaka Hanshi is one of these. Some of the techniques shown came from training done in the YKKF Dojo in Toronto. This was a rare occasion when a video camera was carried.
Small segments were recorded of a Kobudo training session done with expert instruction from Yamanaka Hanshi, an authority on Japanese Karate and Kobudo.
Picture quality of that section was below par because it was analogue technology, now converted to digital and is included as an addendum at the end of the instruction video.

16/05/2026

This post relates to both Jujutsu and to Karate. But not just any style of Karate - Wado Ryu Karate, and for good reason.
Hironori Otsuka, the founder of Wado Ryu was a very senior Master of Jujutsu before he became a Master of Karate. He was certainly impressed with what he learned in Karate but according to this historical account Otsuka sensei retained the principles of Jujutsu and fused those he thought applicable into his karate.
Also of interest is that the Soke of Hokutoryu Jujutsu and the World Federation of Ju-Jitsu, Auvo Niiniketo studied this style of Karate for many years, becoming Go-Dan and Karate champion of Finland. So Wado Ryu has some common ground with our activities at Samurai-Arts. The video provides good backgound information.

Of the four major karate styles, only one was founded by a jujutsu master — and that man may have done more to shape modern karate than anyone realizes.Hiron...

08/05/2026

Jujutsu is a lot of fun. It benefits your health and you get to train with some wonderful devoted people.
Here are 15 techniques chosen to show that a single attack with the same initial entry can provide options for many techniques - they are in fact limitless. Take your art and explore the possibilities.
Thank you to those who participated in this short video

03/05/2026

3 common Jujutsu techniques demonstrated by Murray Kelly and Paul Mes.

23/04/2026

last evening at training before looking at the syllabus our students did a few drills. here are some of them repeating, repeating, repeating.

22/04/2026

At Samurai-Arts we consider one of the most important concepts for martial arts is Tai-Sabaki, or body movement. Closely related to body movement is foot movement or Ashi-Sabaki. One enables the other.
This 15 minute video is primarily for our Samurai-Arts membership who are required to have an understanding of body-movement, feet movement and how these contribute to balance and power during the application of technique. The video also explains where our Kamai (stance) originates and how this transfers from Kenjutsu.
The ranks attributed to Ron Yamanaka Sensei were accurate at the time training was completed with him in Toronto. He is now a Hanshi, still 8th Dan Karate and 8th Dan Kung Fu but his Jujutsu rank has increased to RokkuDan. We remain in touch with him to this day.

12/04/2026

And do it with sincerity.
One facet of training 15 years under the tutorship of Toshishiro Obata sensei is that on each of the many thousands of Za-rei and Ritsu-rei that he performed prior to, during and after training, each was done with absolute sincerity as though it was a key part of the training rather than just a meaningless formality.

🥋 RITSU REI (立礼) - The Standing Bow 🙏
More than a bow, it's the soul of Judo.

📜 HISTORY:
• Buddhist origin over 500 years ago
• Formalized by samurai in the 12th century
• Jigoro Kano integrated it into modern Judo

🎯 MEANING:
Ritsu (立) = "Standing"
Rei (礼) = "Respect"

💡 PHILOSOPHY:
It's not just a physical gesture. It's:
✅ Respect for your partner
✅ Gratitude for the learning
✅ Humility before the martial art
✅ Discipline and tradition

"Technique is empty without respect" 🙏
Every time you perform Ritsu Rei, you honor:
Your sensei
Your partner
The dojo
Centuries of samurai tradition

OSS! 🙏

02/04/2026

The end sequence of armlocks is not intended to suggest they should all be joined together in this pattern. The aim is to open the mind and to identify opportunities to move from "A" to "B" to "C" should the need arise.
Training martial arts should not be a simple linear experience. Martial arts has many dimensions that need to be thoroughly explored and need not be a demonstration of explosive firepower.
Training more than just the obvious is valuable. Enjoy what you do.