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Sekiguchi Ryu (Official
name is Sekiguchi Shin Shin Ryu) is traced back some 400 years from
now to the beginning of Edo period. The martial arts of that time
(now revered to as Koryu or Old School) were not like specialty
schools like Judo or Kendo of today. They had to study all the aspects
that would come into play on the battle field. Starting with long
range weapons like the spear or naginata. When the tip broke, they
used it as a staff. When the staff broke they had their various
length swords. After their weapons were spent, they would start
with long range open hand striking arts and grapple when the distance
closed further.
Though Sekiguchi Ryu was Bugei Ju Happon and included all the aspects
of weapons and strategy, it was especially famous for its empty
hand Jujutsu. Sekiguchi Ryu is counted among the larger three Koryu
schools of Japan. The word "Yawara" which is often used
in Japan to mean Judo, and the Ukeme or break fall now used in arts
like Judo, are believed by some to have been originally used in
Sekiguchi Ryu before any other arts.
A bit of History
The founder of Sekiguchi ryu was 'Sekiguchi Ya roku ue mon Ujimune/Yarokuzaimon
Ujimune. He is also known as Sekiguchi Jushin. Some historians argue
whether or not the historical figure, Sekiguchi Hachi Ro Zai Mon
was Jushin's eldest son or just another name for Jushin himself.
Hachi Ro Zaimon or Uji Nari, is said to be the influence of the
sword aspect within Sekiguchi Ryu.
Jushin was part of the famous Sei Wa Gen Ji Imagawa family (Sengoku
Period) and his aunt was given in marriage to Tokugawa Iyasu. The
Sekiguchi family was part of the Imagawa family which was from once
powerful Seiwa Genji. But when the Imagawa family fell to Oda Nobunaga,
Jushin decided to dedicate his life to martial arts training. He
left the castle for the Atago Mountains where he underwent intense
physical and spiritual training.
The result of that training became known as Sekiguchi ShinShin Ryu,
and rumors of the wonders of the art rang throughout the country.
At that time there was a lord who was known for his love of martial
arts. His name was Tokugawa Yorinobu, head of the Kishu Han (now
Wakayama Prefecture). Yorinobu heard about Jushin and called for
an appearance. Thrilled with what he saw, he asked Jushin to be
a permanent guest of the Han at Wakayama castle and teach Sekiguchi
Ryu. From there the art spread all the way to Edo Tokugawa. 8th
Tokugawa Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune was a practitioner and menkyo
kaiden of Sekiguchi Shin Shin Ryu.
After the Meiji Rebellion, the Han were dissolved, most castles
destroyed and the Samurai lost their status and employment. This
also led to the disappearance of many ryu ha. At this time, the
soke of Sekiguchi ryu was 10th generation Sekiguchi Ujitane. He
didn't want the art to disappear so to promote martial arts and
the continuation of his family's art, he actively participated in
the largest martial arts organization in Japan, The Dai Nippon Butoku
Kai. Because of his work, he receive the highest honor, Han Shi
and other gifts from the Butoku Kai. After that, the 11th Soke,
Manpei and then the 12th Soke, Yoshitaro, continued to run the art.
However, after the Second World War, the US didn't permit Japanese
to train in martial arts. At this time even more arts disappeared.
It was all the 12th Soke, Yoshitaro could do just to feed his family
and there was a 15 year blank in his training. To make things worse,
many of the DENSHO or Manuals, were lost in fires from Allied bombing.
However, Yoshitaro, with the help of head student Fujimura Shigeru
were able to restore the art and pass it on to the present soke,
13th generation, Sekiguchi Yoshio.
At Present
At present, Yoshio sensei is teaching KodoKan Judo and Traditional
Sekiguchi Ryu Jujutsu. He is affiliated with the NIPPON KOBUDO KYOUKAI,
as well as NIPPON KOBUDO SHINKOU KYOUKAI and participates in Enbu
Taikai or demonstrations at the Nippon Budo Kan in Tokyo.
Techniques of Sekiguchi Shin Shin Ryu.
Though Sekiguchi Ryu is a Jujutsu, because it is a Koryu, it also
includes Kenjutsu, and Iai Jutsu.
The first technique of Sekiguchi Ryu is Youryu. This is the most
basic technique and at the same time, the GOKUI or secret technique
of the ryu.
In the Gokui Ka or Secret Song of the art, it says
Yawara to ha teki no chikara wo ware ni shite
EFurishi yanagi no kokoro narikeri.
Yawara is to make the strength of your enemy, your own
and make your heart as a waving Willow.E/p>
All Sekiguchi Ryu techniques are based on the use
of Soft strength.
The Jujutsu kata are broken down as below.
Tetsu Zuki 20, Katame 7, Tachi Ai 6, Kumi Ai 10, Jiko No Ayamari
7, Kogusoku 20, a total of 70 techniques.
Iai is broken up into Omote 6, Chudan 5, Tachiai 5, a total of 16.
Kenjutsu 3.
A total of 89 techniques are still practiced today.
In today's practice, we start with the TetsuZuki waza of Yawara.
In the next level of training Katame and TachiAi are studied.
Up to the next level, Jiko No Ayamari, no weapons are used.
In the Kogusoku training, we use a short sword bamboo shinai with
a leather cover is used.
Because this was an important weapon to the samurai of Edo period,
these techniques are treasured.
The iai is trained at close quarters. We use the enemy's position
to our advantage and use a technique particular to Sekiguchi ryu,
called Tobi Chigai.
The kenjutsu techniques retain tradition from the Sengoku or Warring
States Period, and attack the weak points of armor warn in that
period.
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