Self Defense and Grappling

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What Is Self Defense?

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How do you know that you are learning self defense?  Are there characteristics of a dojo, a teching methodology, a curriculum that can tell you whether or not you are practicing...

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Featured

History of Jujitsu

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ANCIENT JAPAN Grappling styles have existed for eons.  Early Egyptian and Greek art show the grappling arts in tombs, on pottery and in statuary.  Grappling was known as far back...

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Blackbelts

Shihan Russ St. Hilaire

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Shihan Russ St. Hilaire – Menkyo Kaiden – began his Jujitsu training in 1980 under Shihan Daniel Ustie of  ZenBudo-Ryu Jujitsu at the Aiki Budokai dojo. He received his...

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In the Dojo

The Traditional Dojo

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What is a Traditional Dojo?  What should one expect when entering a traditional dojo? Does attending a Traditional Dojo mean you will learn old and outdated techniques that wont...

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Recent Posts

New! Video Curriculum

New!  Video Curriculum

Kobukai Jujitsu now offers a membership-based Video Curriculum.  Please click the Video Curriculum from the top navigation.  You will be taken to a page which will give you a free sample video.  There you can sign up for a free membership which will give you access to several more free curriculum videos.  You will then have the option to purchase a Beginner,...

Pioneers of American JuJitsu

Pioneers of American JuJitsu

Most American Jujitsu practitioners don’t know that Jujitsu came to America in 1900, brought by a caucasian.  Most Americans dont know that Jujitsu played a major role in the development of Military Combatives, politics, the women’s sufferage movement, sports, physical fitness and personal self defense.  Many people assume this martial art became...

The Essence of Budo

The Essence of Budo

Hanshi Duke Moore said it best in the introduction to the original manuscript for the Fighting Spirit of Zen – which was “Survival is everything, all else is trivial”. I want to speak briefly on the essence of Budo. In order to do that – lets start with what Bujutsu is. Bujutsu are the tactics, techniques, and methods of using your body...

Jujitsu and Newaza

Jujitsu and Newaza

As a Jujitsu instructor I get alot of questions from students and friends about what is the difference between Judo, Jujitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  There is a long and intertwined history of these three closely related arts.  So closely related that the unitiated might explain the difference the best.  They are all relatively the same.  One has more focus...

Dojo Etiquette

Dojo Etiquette

What is so damn important about dojo etiquette?  Why do I have to bow?  I don’t bow to anyone! What is the difference if I act a certain way or not, am quiet or not, am respectful or not?  Does it mean I can’t defend myself?  If I don’t bow lower than my senior – does that mean I won’t be able to kick his ass anyway? And, why do...

History of Belts and Ranks

History of Belts and Ranks

I am a 5th Dan Blackbelt. Question: What the heck does that mean? Answer: Oh, I know, it means you are better than a 4th Dan Blackbelt and worse than a 6th Dan Blackbelt. Right? Well – yes and no. How did all this belt ranking get started? The answer is simple, it is a modern invention. It is a result of a Gendai-Ryu (modern ryu), namely Kano-Ryu Jujutsu –...

Being Sempai

Being Sempai

What does it mean to be a Sempai.  The simple meaning is to understand the definition. Sempai translates as “Senior” and can be applied in any situation where someone is senior to you.  The Japanese term is used in school, business, the arts, and of course the martial ways.  But the meaning for those in a traditionally run martial art group is far...

History of Jujitsu

History of Jujitsu

ANCIENT JAPAN Grappling styles have existed for eons.  Early Egyptian and Greek art show the grappling arts in tombs, on pottery and in statuary.  Grappling was known as far back as 2300 B.C. Over the centuries the grappling martial arts spread throughout the world, eventually coming to Japan. Though the exact origin of Jujutsu is unknown, it is agreed that...

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