Nippon Goshin Aiki Jujutsu no Koryu is an organization of martial artists teaching and practicing the
Japanese art of aikijujutsu.
What is aiki jujutsu? Aiki jujutsu is the martial art or bugei that was used by the samurai on
the battlefields. The principles and techniques are very much applicable in today's world.
Our link to the Daito Ryu. The samurai clan of the Minamoto/Takeda developed
the unarmed combative art known as Daito ryu. History tells us that General Shinra Saburo Minamoto Yoshimitsu had
the bodies of fallen enemy soldiers disected for the purpose of learning the movements of limbs and their effects on
the whole body. It is also said that the principles of aiki came from watching a spider capturing his prey in his web.
The art continued to be handed down, family member to family member, until, with the direction
of his uncle Tanomo Saigo, Sokaku Takeda took on the mantle of Headmaster. Fearing that the art would end up going to
the grave like so many other family arts, Tanomo Saigo urged Sokaku to teach people outside of the family so that the knowledge
would continue to flourish.
Sokaku sensei was the last of the sword wielding samurai. He had mastered many bugei arts including
the sword and spear, as well as Daito's oshikiuchi. In his younger days, he was known as the Aizu Devil.
He was relentless in his search for martial knowledge.
Sokaku travelled far teaching many and being careful to teach only prominent citizens which included
high ranking government officials, military and police officers. Teachers were also part of the group of people he taught.
One such person was Kodo Horikawa. Horikawa carried on the teaching of Sokaku sensei and taught many. After his
death, two of his students went on to form their own organizations - Seigo Okamoto formed Roppokai and Katsumi Yonezawa the
Bokuyokan.
Prior to forming the Bokuyokan, Yonezawa sensei instructed John Denora, a retired U.S. Marine
officer and attorney, awarding him Kyoju Dairi with a special certificate. Denora sensei is a very dedicated martial
artist. With his knowledge of the art as well as it's history, Denora sensei continues to spread the art. He formed
the Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu United States of America. Denora sensei is President of the Daito Ryu Budo
Association and Daito Ryu USA for the promulgation and dessemination of Daito Ryu in the USA. Being respected
in the martial art community, Denora sensei was promoted to 9th dan in Jujutsu by the International Jujitsu Association.
He was also appointed to the Martial Arts Hall of Fame (Master's Group) for 2003.
It is through him that we have our link to the Daito ryu. As a student of aikijujutsu, Balanay
sensei learned his art well, demonstrating great knowledge of the principles of aiki. As a leader, he assisted
in promoting the Daito Ryu United States of America organization. Though we are no longer part of that organization,
we are greatly indebted to Denora sensei. We continue to train traditionally and welcome you to join us.
