The Secrets of Hakkoryu Jujutsu - Shodan Tactics

Author: Dennis G. Palumbo
Pub: 1987 by Paladin Press
Pages: 136
Ranking:
In Print:

This book, and it's companion, Secret Nidan Techniques of Hakkoryu Jujutsu, form a good introduction to Hakkoryu Jujutsu. Although there are plenty of B/W photos, these two books won't be the place to learn any techniques... these two books are far better as an introduction than as a reference book. I must admit surprise and disagreement with one statement that fairly leaped out: There has been criticism that some professional martial artists do not know how to teach. In defense of my competent colleagues in the arts, I must point out that many students don't know how to learn. (pg. 3)

           Contents

 Introduction
 Chapter One    What is Hakkoryu Jujutsu? ... 5
 Chapter Two    The Theory of Training ..... 15
 Chapter Three  Training Methods ........... 19
 Chapter Four   The Way of Learning ........ 41
 Chapter Five   Walking Exercises .......... 45
 Chapter Six    Shodan Techniques .......... 73
 Appendix A     Glossary .................. 129
 Appendix B     Hakkoryu Martial Arts
                     Federation Logo ...... 135

Foreword

Jujutsu has increased in popularity throughout the martial arts world during the past decade. Progressive masters of Jujutsu have demonstrated the realities of jujutsu which have elevated the image of this art to its highest level in 200 years. There is an ever-increasing number of students of Jujutsu with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, seeking authentic books on Jujutsu. There could not be a more appropriate time than the present. This book on Hakkoryu Jujutsu is an informative book on a great system of jujutsu which has proven itself.

I personally recommend this book, not only because it is an authentic system, but because the author is Professor Dennis G. Palumbo. He has dedicated his life to Hakkoryu Jujutsu and is a master technician and a true Master of the art. It is a study of a system which includes history, training theory, techniques, application, glossary, and more. It is very well written and informative.

I recommend this book to all martial artists, and it should definitely be included in their own martial arts library.

Professor Wally Jay, 9th Dan
Grandmaster, Jujutsu America
International Head of Jujutsu
Dai Nippon Butoku-Kai

Introduction

The writing of this book has been a long time in the decision-making stage. For more than the past seven years, both my peers and students have requested that a book be written on the techniques of traditional Hakkoryu Jujutsu as presented at the Honbu, in Omiya, Japan. Especially since the initial efforts of Mr. Bruce Lee, and more recent efforts of Shidoshi Stephen Hayes of Togakureryu ninjutsu, interest and curiosity concerning the martial arts in the United States have grown vigorously.

There has been much time and effort given by publishers to present informative books and literature on different forms of karate, various forms of kung fu, weaponry, aikido, and judo. For the most part, these books have been a welcome addition to the martial artist's understanding, library, and general knowledge of the arts. Unfortunately, there have been relatively few books written on the arts of Jujutsu, which in many cases have been the basis for the formulation of many of the Japanese and Okinawan styles of self-defense. Although many recognized and accepted forms of self-defense have been given due exposure, a vast majority of the public and martial artists are still unaware of the practicality, effectiveness and value of the modern Jujutsu systems and principles. Therefore, I have endeavored to write this book not only to explain the practicality of Ju-jutsu, but to introduce one of the most widely known and practiced styles of modern Budo-Hakkoryu Jujutsu.

The techniques presented in this book stress the simplicity of the techniques, relaxation, the principle involved, and its effectiveness against the aggressor.

Since Hakkoryu Jujutsu was developed to be a humane form of self-protection, many of the techniques illustrated at this level might seem as if they could not be as effective as we claim. Do not let this misconception affect your study. You may rest assured that as you begin the practice of Hakkoryu, you will realize the techniques demonstrated can be, and are, extremely painful. The main difference between Hakkoryu and other forms of self-defense is that Hakkoryu does not emphasize the breaking of bones and the dislocation of joints. The pain inflicted through the use of Hakkoryu principles and techniques can be excruciating; however, no permanent damage is done to the attacker-intentionally!

Simplicity, relaxation, concentration, and the economy of time and effort have always been the distinguishing features of the masters of the arts. In most encounters between untrained persons, the individual with the most strength or possibly innate athletic ability will have little or no trouble overcoming an individual of equal or lesser size and strength. However, when factors such as strength and athletic ability are relatively equal or when the defender is of lesser strength or ability, that which makes the difference between success or failure becomes the instinctive application of technique and the spontaneity of one's actions.

Possibly you have been made a victim of the great delusion or misconception in the martial arts that the answers to the secrets lie in tricks rather than the mastery of basics and principles of self-defense. I will have no part in catering to that fond and fantastic dream of the gullible. This book is a textbook and, as such, requires intelligent study if the reader is going to pass the examination in the real world. It is a book to be studied with a partner so you can pause while you are reading, and work out the point or principle the text is covering. Instead of being in my dojo or class, you are reading my book. That puts me at a disadvantage in my endeavor to teach you the best Jujutsu within my capabilities and yours. The most effective instruction obviously calls for partnership of pupil and tutor that is best achieved by close personal work and association. But I think I've come pretty close to providing you with the next best thing, this text. The rest is up to you!

There has been criticism that some professional martial artists do not know how to teach. In defense of my competent colleagues in the arts, I must point out that many students don't know how to learn.

You won't be able to finish reading this book and go out and defend yourself the next time an unfavorable situation occurs. But if you've understood the principles and practiced them, the next time a situation arises you will know some things you must do to protect yourself. This book re-quires that the reader use some brains. My contributions to the progress of students have been made primarily on the policy of sound simplicity. This gives results. Complexity in the arena of self-defense is a stumbling block to success. It clouds the mind, restricts free movement, compounds the difficulty of the situation, and generally defeats the purpose of the action.

By using this book as a textbook, in conjunction with your partner, you can translate the words and photographs into a language your mind and muscles can read and remember. Only in that way can you coordinate thought and action under circumstances that let the points sink in deep enough to stay with you. Otherwise, when you next get on the mat, you will have your attention split between your eagerness to respond, your possible fear of the situation, and your effort to remember these techniques. This is when your muscles and mind should be helping you to remember instructions and techniques. The mind must be able to over-come the body spontaneously. But if you haven't given yourself a chance to study as you read, your mind and body will not be of much assistance to you.