Yoshin Dojo

10/02/2026

Kani Basami ("Crab Scissors") 蟹挟

An illegal technique for various grappling competitions due to a high percentage of injury to the receiver's knees. There are various versions of this technique and it can be applied as a jumping attack to scissor the legs or as a defensive attack from a prone position.

The two versions given are similar. One if from a document often associated with the original Karate, the Bubishi while the other is from a Jujutsu Manual by Sato Kinbei sensei. Another Jujutsu manual showing the attack.

#蟹挟

Here is an excellent video from the Kodokan showing the attack. You can see the lateral pressure placed on the receiver's knee from the jumping attack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR-HGHnarYc

10/01/2026

TOYAMA RYU KISO IAI SANBONME HIDARI (Number 3, Left)

#戸山流

This video is based upon the Yamaguchi Branch of Toyama Ryu. This is the 3rd kata of 8 from the set called Kiso Iai. Toyama Ryu Iaido is used by many schools as a way to start learning basic use of the Japanese sword. Since it was created for the military, the system is very basic without much of the ritual etc. The system usually includes basic practice cutting against various targets as well (tameshigiri) so also tests the effectiveness of ones basics.

Video:
https://youtu.be/E-b2-jwn6lw

09/30/2026

Asayama Ichiden Ryu Hishigi Bo (Crushing Stick)

In several lines of Asayama Ichiden Ryu/AIR (浅山一伝流) the art of the tanbo (short stick) is also taught. Usually referred to as the Hishigi. Used to complement the unarmed techniques of the school by causing immense pain on the joints, nerves and skeletal system. As shown in the images below, the hishigi can actually be of varying lengths. Although each level can correspond to different lengths, each length can be used freely between levels.

Although the concepts of Hishigi are taught within the Taijutsu (unarmed) section of AIR, the complete system of Hishigi is taught after completion of all the Taijutsu kata.

In many lines stemming from Ueno Takashi, the AIR Hishigi were taught as part of his family system known as Tenshin Koryu (天心古流). Some lines teaching the Hishigi break them down into different levels with some teaching straight through with the final Kaiden level (full transmission) being taught separately.

The breakdown in some schools is as follows:
Sho Mokuroku 10 Waza
Chu Mokuroku 10 Waza
Jo Mokuroku 10 Waza
Okuden 10 Waza

Kaiden 32 Waza

As mentioned, some lines teach the entire first part of the curriculum as 1 set using a shorter stick while the second, final portion, is taught with another length. I've have seen some lines that also offer a scroll and/or densho for each set as a milestone while others record the entire system into a single scroll with densho (teaching booklets).

Within these basic kata are various other teachings sprinkled about. Various ways to grip the tool, carry it, how to apply it to weak spots within the waza etc. Of course the history and lineage of the system is also passed along.

Interestingly, many schools in Japan use AIR as a gateway to learn other Koryu (classical systems). Not everyone is a good match for some Koryu so they use another system as a selection tool while also providing solid self defense and martial arts. This could also support the schools as well. Some dojo use Judo, Kendo, Karate while others use arts such as AIR.

You can learn the full art of AIR along with it's secret Hishigi art at yoshindojo.com

09/29/2026

Yamaguchi Ha Toyama Ryu Iaido

1st kata of 8 within the set called Kiso Iai.

09/28/2026

Good article on Hojojutsu (the art of binding).

Text by Robert R. Gray Photos by Paul RichardsonHistoryHojojutsu (also read torinawa-jutsu) is a traditional Japanese martial art of restraining, capturing, and transporting prisoners with rope. Considered one of the classical bugei juhappan—the eighteen mar……

09/25/2026

Another great night of training!

Small youth class but a bit of work put in with keeping back position and preventing escape.

The adults started with several perspectives of straight arm locks. We looked at side position as well as someone trying to "build the house" and get back to their feet and how we can break their position and attack.

We finished the night up with some Bojutsu Kihon. The main part of our public curriculum is from Kukishin Ryu even though we also do other styles. The basic movements are crucial for building a more advanced understanding of the tool.

Congratulations to David Z on his well earned promotion!

The question was asked as to why Bojutsu (staff art), being a simple tool without a blade, would be such an important part of so many koryu (classical traditions)? During a time of armored opponents brandishing various bladed weapons...why Bojutsu? I'm placing it here as it would be interesting to see other's thoughts outside of our school as well.

#棒術 #九鬼神流 #侍 #甲冑

09/24/2026

Classes are on for tonight and once you get home yearning for more...Free on YouTube

The UFC BJJ event is this evening!

09/23/2026

Great to train with everyone last night!

Congratulations to Natalie and Scott on their promotions! Both have been putting in the work for quite some time so it's great to see them advance. Natalie is one of our youth and her grades from school are also looking solid!

In the adult classes we started with some basic movements which progressed into various throws and ended with pins. Afterward the opponent pulled us to the ground and we looked at some advanced concepts to control and apply chokes.

高木流柔術
Unbeknownst to many, one of the throws we did is from Takagi Ryu Jujutsu and is called Ryo Sode (both sleeves).

九鬼神流剣術
We ended the evening with some sword work as well. We briefly covered some basics and then reviewed 2 kata from Kukishin Ryu.

It's interesting to compare 2 different lines of this Kenjutsu/Kenpo.

2 kata from one line under Takamatsu are called Kiri Age and Kiri Sage (cut up and cut down). The concepts of these kata are very simple. In another line that some of our students practice we have two kata called Hidari Kata Te Nagi (Left 1 handed Mowing cut) and Karame Nagi (Wrap and Mowing Cut).

What's interesting about the 2 lines is that these kata have very similar movements and concepts. When comparing the Oyo waza (applications) aka Ura Waza (Inner techniques) we can clearly see the relationship in these sets although taught in different lines.

09/22/2026

Just received approval for my latest translation being published at Amazon.

YAMATO BUDŌ HIDEN JAPANESE MARTIAL ARTS SECRET TRANSMISSION

09/18/2026

More fun with forgotten characters!

緘 Karami/Kan as used in Ude Garami
腕緘 Ude Garami aka Arm Entangle/Arm Lock/Hammer Lock/Americana in BJJ

Usually written as 絡み with same meaning.
Sometimes as 搦 as in to tie/bind/wrap up.

These old characters are sometimes like puzzles trying to figure out what they are and eventually what they mean. Sometimes you have to also battle with poor hand writing and/or poor photo copies of the small characters in the target text.

#漢字 #緘