A Brief History of Yamanaka-Ha Shindo-Ryu Jujutsu
Yamanaka-Ha Shindo-Ryu Jujutsu is a very old Japanese fighting system. The Samurai would 
use jujutsu when fighting without weapons on the battle field. This jujutsu system employs both ground(ne waza), kneeling (suwari waza) and stand up (tachi waza) techniques. Yamanaka-ha Shindo-ryu uses the opponent’s energy against them, thereby stopping an attack with minimal effort. This jujutsu style uses pressure point striking, joint manipulation, throws, take downs and grappling to quickly neutralize the attacker. In a defense application our style focuses on controlling the opponent to the ground while keeping yourself ready for possible multiple attackers.
The history of Yamanaka-ha Shindo-ryu can be traced to through the Yoshin-ryu jujutsu line, a jujutsu style dating as far back as 1632AD. There have been many significant Sensei’s that have influenced our line of jujutsu since 1632, each bringing their own adaptation to the style. Ron Yamanaka Sensei (9th degree black belt, Kyoshi in Shindo-ryu jujutsu), founder of our federation the YKKF (1978), studied Shindo-ryu jujutsu directly under Masaru Shintani Sensei (1927-2000), who learned Shindo-ryu jujutsu from Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei (1892-1982). Yamanaka Sensei’s rights hand men, Steven Chapman Sensei (8th degree black belt in Shindo-ryu) and Darren Smith Sensei (9th degree black belt in Shindo-ryu) also studied under Shintani Sensei and various other jujutsu teachers bringing together an in-depth and versatile jujutsu style.
A Brief History of Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Do
Okinawan Goju-ryu is a unique combination of Chinese Kung-fu and ancient Okinawan Te. Its founder Chojun Miyagi Sensei (1888-1953) took the martial art he had learned from his Sensei, Kanryo Higaonna Sensei (1853-1915) adjusting it to better fit the Okinawan people. Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate has many added health benefits from its conditioning training and ancient breathing exercises. It is a style that utilizes sound biomechanical principles, employing strong and subtle, hard and soft movements. The practice of Kata (a sequence of pre-arranged movements) polishes the mind and body. Developing strong bodied, clear minded students. Ron Yamanaka Sensei studied directly under Ei’ichi Miyazato Sensei (1922-1998) himself, Chojun Miyagi Sensei’s top student. Yamanaka Sensei (8th degree black belt, Kyoshi in Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate) proudly represents true Okinawan Goju-ryu in Canada being honoured with the title of Shibucho (head of family), by Ei’ichi Miyazato Sensei.
