Having recently returned from Osaka, Japan, I was able to research Prof. Kenji Tomiki's work in Judo, Aikido and the development of Competitive Aikido called often: Tomiki Aikido, Competition Aikido or Shodokan Aikido. Osaka today is home to the headquarters of the Shodokan Aikido Federation. This is the main dojo that Prof. Tomiki started before his death in 1979. Firstly, it must be pointed out that Tomiki was a unique practitioner of Budo as he was deeply knowledgeable in both Judo and Aikido. Prof Tomiki was a University teacher and Judo coach in Tokyo. Let me present his ranks in Martial Arts.

 Prof. Kenji Tomiki, 8th dan in Judo under founder Dr. Jigoro Kano and 8th dan in Aikido under founder O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. 

In addition, while working at Waseda University,  Tomiki was able to organize Aikido as a recognized club.  He was the first person to do this in Japan by developing a competitive form of Aikido that Waseda University wanted to see to be...

Gunji Taiho Jutsu (GTJ) | Military Arresting Technique is a system of taiho jutsu that is a progressive way to teach Military or Law Enforcement personnel many of the traditional and contemporary jujutsu techniques of control and arrest while at the same time keeping mindful of secondary weapon systems during training and complementing all of the current and evolving Military Combatives programs in place for the different branches of the Military.  One aspect of GTJ that is complementary to many Combatives systems is the concept of finding central common themes.  The GTJ system will take this strategy or technique and expand on it.  In other words, challenge and test the technique under pressure.  A universal technique found in reality-based training, combatives, and arresting technique circles is the two on one arm-control position.  In Gunji University, this type of position is governed by the PCS 2 principles that are unique to GTJ.  PCS 2 stands for...

Training in a weapon-based environment requires new skillsets and mindsets.  What can be applied in Martial Arts and Combatives without having a weapon in the struggle gives much more freedom although still presents many challenges.  A great drill to practice in Combatives training is to begin sparring with one person having a hidden weapon.  When the instructor gives the cue, one of the training partners will pull the weapon out.  This will quickly change the dynamic of the drill.  The weapon is an equalizer for the person that does not have the skills in hand-to-hand Combatives.

When it came time to develop the Gunji Taiho Jutsu's (GTJ) weaponry curriculum, we went for the structure of building off the foundations of Military Combatives and what is explore in Military Basic Training.  This includes self-defense movements against weapons, offensive attacks with the long gun, and how to survive.  With this in mind,...

It is easy to make the statement that Military and Law Enforcement communities need to train in Martial Arts and Combatives.  More specifically many will say that they need training in Grappling and Jiu-Jitsu.  Everything here is not wrong.  By practicing Martial Arts and grappling-based Combatives, Military personnel will gain many more benefits other than learning defensive and offensive moves.  There are lists of benefits that can be written on the value of training and receiving better confidence in yourself and the confidence to do your job. 

When it came time to develop the Gunji Taiho Jutsu's (GTJ) grappling curriculum, we went for the context of Grappling Survival and the core positions in arresting arts.  This includes grappling-base self-defense movements, stand up grappling, and ground survival.  With this in mind, GTJ's grappling survival core needed to follow principles and try not to be so "Brazilian...

The Dinosaur Gooseneck Wristlock

You will be surprised how many instructors that teach "Defensive Tactics", "Law Enforcement Tactics" or "Taiho Jutsu" show the front gooseneck wristlock.  This type of compression lock is often taught in the context of what is called a come-along strategy. "Use this come-along to move the suspect where you want," is what the instructor will show the group.  I am here to let you know that in Gunji Taiho Jutsu (GTJ) and in Gunji University's curriculums we do not teach the front gooseneck come-along compression wristlock.

No students never ask the question to the "Defensive Tactics" instructor, what if the suspect uses his free hand to punch or to control his wrist?  The answer is the suspect will in real life punch your face or break up the position with his free hand.  This type of goose-neck hand positioning is very old, continues to be taught, and is not effective one-on-one when tested.  The front gooseneck is...

If you are into the Gunji University curriculums so far as a student or as an instructor in the ICT program, you will start to see that for Gunji Taiho Jutsu I am a major fan of the getting to the outside line, outside position and/or even the back position while standing up.  This is, of course, gaining the outside line while also using the Gunji Taiho Jutsu PCS 1, PCS 2 and PCS 3 strategical structures/framework.  If you have not gotten to the Gunji Taiho Jutsu PSCing strategies, they are coming during your 12-week curriculum.  

At any rate, this weekend I put the white belt back on and attended a progressive Aikido seminar with the famous Bruce Bookman Sensei.  Bruce has a dynamic background in Martial Arts.  This weekend marks his 50th year in Aikido, so this was a special weekend.  Sensei Bookman is a 6th-degree black belt in Aikido.  In addition, he has extensive cross-training in boxing, tae kwon do, judo, iaido, and is a black belt...

The term 'Taiho Jutsu' 逮捕術 was first used during the latter years of feudal Japan. "Jutsu, or Jitsu, roughly translated as 'Fighting System' and 'Taiho' for 'Arresting'. Together, Taiho Jitsu, could be translated as Arresting System, as a thread of the JuJitsu fighting family. 

Originally used by Street Police of feudal Japanese Cities. Police who would need these techniques during encounters with thugs and criminals. A major difference between the Taiho Jitsu techniques and other JuJitsu concepts was found in the fact that Street Police were not permitted to use lethal force or force that caused serious injury to their detainees. The majority of techniques were unarmed and aimed to restrain, pin & arrest instead of a strike or submit.  As times & cultures evolved, so did basic Law Enforcement and street defense tactics. The need for an unarmed Street Fighting Martial Art used by Police began to become a thing of the past. As did many other Martial Arts of feudal...