DANZAN RYU JUJITSU
DANZAN RYU Jujitsu was founded by the late Professor H. Seishiro Okazaki after extensively studying various Jujitsu styles in Japan. In 1906, he relocated to the territory of Hawaii. Professor Okazaki is credited for being one of the first Asian born instructors to break from tradition and teach Japanese martial arts to the non-Japanese. In fact, it is reported that in 1922, Professor Okazaki taught two non Japanese students, Dr. Baldwin of Hilo, and Chief Fatoio of Samoa. For this he was severely reprimanded by his instructors.

Prior to this, it was taught exclusively only to those of the Oriental race. Because of his dedication to making Jujitsu available to all persons, regardless of ethnic origin, handicap and/or gender. Professor Okazaki was looked down upon by some of his martial arts colleagues for this.

The origin of Jujitsu is shrouded in antiquity: historians have traced it back as far as 23 B.C., when Nomi no Sukune grappled with a man named Atema Kerihaya and defeated him. Generally speaking, however, it came into prominence around 700 A.D. It was only taught to the elite Samurai class, in the event they lost their weaponry in battle and had to engage an armed opponent.

The Takecuchi school of Jujitsu was founded in the first year of Tenmon, 1532 A.D. during the age of civil wars. During the Keicho period (three hundred forty years ago), Chinese kenpo was introduced to Japan by Chinese emigrants, followed by Cheng Yuan-Ping of Ming China who taught techniques of arresting fugitives during the Shoho period (three hundred years ago). These Chinese techniques were then combined with the traditional Jujitsu techniques of Japan.

The golden years for Jujitsu were from the late 17th century to the mid-19th century. There were over 700 Jujitsu systems in Japan between 1600 A.D. and 1650 A.D. The art of Jujitsu is battlefield-expedient and only the very best survived to teach, and pass down, their arts.

Literally, Jujitsu is the art (jitsu) of suppleness, flexibility and gentleness. The vital issue in battlefield Jujitsu was its combat effectiveness. Methods were tested in duels and public competitions among members of various schools. These encounters were frequently lethal. Such testing not only improved weapons and ways of employing them, but also established the reputation of the survivors.

Danzan Ryu Jujitsu is comprised of a well-rounded balance of techniques consisting of Ukemi (falls), Yawara (hand arts), Nage No Kata (throwing forms), Shime No Kata (mat arts), Oku No Kata (combination arts/deep arts), Kiai No Maki (scroll of the kiai), Fujin Goshin No Maki (women’s self defense scrolls), Keisatsu (police arts), Shinnin No Maki (spirit man scroll), Shinyo No Maki (yang spirit scroll), Shingen No Maki (original spirit scroll), Kappo (resuscitation techniques) and Seifukujutsu (adjustment and restoration techniques).

LINK BETWEEN SHAOLIN KEMPO KARATE & JOE HOLCK KA
Instructor P.Y.Y. Choo contributed Korean Tang Soo Do
JU: Instructor Joe Holck contributed Japanese Kodokan Judo and Hawaiian Danzan Ryu Jiu jitsu
Instructor Frank Ordonez contributed Japanese Se Kieno Jiu jitsu
KEN: Professor Adriano Emperado contributed Japanese Kenpo, Chinese Chuan Fa, and Okinawan Karate
BO: Professor C. Chang contributed Chinese Sil Lum Pai Gung Fu

Joe Holck- of Japanese decent had background in Dan zan ryu Kodenkan Jujitsu and Kodokan Judo under Prof. Okazaki. He was fortunate to train under the great Kosen Judo master Kimura. Kimura is the Judo master that went to Brazil on a challenge match from Helio Gracie (Gracie Juijitsu) and won by Helio’s side throwing in the towel, but not till after Kimura broke his arm. The Kosen style is where Brazilian Juijitsu comes from with emphasis on Newaza or ground grappling. He was the main influence in the JU part of Kajukenbo. With emphasis on throws, holds, joint locks, spine locks, and chokes as well as both standing and on the ground. He was the one to name the art KAJUKENBO. Prof. Holck joined the service and was transferred to Korea during the Korean War in 1950. Status- Prof. Holck lives in Arizona and still active in the Judo/Juijitsu circle. His son Vincent Holck teaches their brand of Judo/Juijitsu and Kajukenbo with Choo/Holck’s method of influence.

Adriano Emperado- of Filipino decent was the driving force behind the group. He had a background at the time of Judo, Boxing, Escrima stick fighting, and Kenpo Karate from his instructor Prof. William Chow (Kara ho Kenpo). Sijo was the KEN part of KAJUKENBO. He was already feared as a fierce street fighter and loved the hard contact. In 1950 he received his 5th degree black belt from Prof. Chow and Prof. James Mitose (Kosh-Ryu Kenpo). Sijo felt there was something missing in his training with Prof. Mitose. Mitose taught a lot of Makiwara board training for that one punch kill mentality. Prof. Chow took what he learned from Mitose and added the takedowns from his Judo training and put in his ground fighting. Sijo thought, if the attacker does not go down after one punch, then what. He knew that people in the west fought differently then they do in Japan. Boxing was what you were going to see more often on the street with combinations–not just one punch attack / block / and counter punch. He looked to add, where his art fell short. Not to mention putting in more realistic weaponry attacks and defenses from the Filipino martial arts that he learned from his stepfather, Alexander Peralta, who was trained in a combination of Ilocano, Visayan, and Tagalog martial arts. Mr. Peralta was a famous Civic Auditorium fighter that had won many Escrima fighting matches in Hawaii. This was back when there was no safety gear but real sticks, which sometimes resulted in permanent disfigurement or death. Status-Lives in CA and is head of the KAJUKENBO SELF DEFENSE INSTITUTE INC. Founder of Kajukenbo

KODOKAN JUDO HISTORY & DANZAN RYU JUJITSU HISTORY
Joe Holck- of Japanese decent had background in Dan zan ryu Kodenkan Jujitsu and Kodokan Judo under Prof. Okazaki. He was fortunate to train under the great Kosen Judo master Kimura. Kimura is the Judo master that went to Brazil on a challenge match from Helio Gracie (Gracie Juijitsu) and won by Helio’s side throwing in the towel, but not till after Kimura broke his arm. The Kosen style is where Brazilian Juijitsu comes from with emphasis on Newaza or ground grappling. He was the main influence in the JU part of Kajukenbo. With emphasis on throws, holds, joint locks, spine locks, and chokes–both standing and on the ground. He was the one to name the art KAJUKENBO. Prof. Holck joined the service and was transferred to Korea during the Korean War in 1950. Status- Prof. Holck lives in Arizona and still active in the Judo/Juijitsu circle. His son Vincent Holck teaches their brand of Judo/Juijitsu and Kajukenbo with Choo/Holck’s method of influence.

Joichi Matsuno, JUDAN (10th Degree Black Belt) changed his name to Joseph Holck due to World War II, Pearl Harbor, anti-Japanese feelings against any American citizen of Japanese heritage.

Holck, Shihan, began training in Danzan-Ryu Jujitsu in 1938 at the KODENKAN under Professor H. Seishiro Okazaki. He later received instruction under instructors Bing Fai Lau and Sig Kufferath at both the Kodenkan and Kaheka Lane dojos on the territory of Hawaii. Hawaii had not yet become a state at that time.oichi Matsuno, JUDAN (10th Degree Black Belt) changed his name to Joseph Holck due to World War II, Pearl Harbor, anti-Japanese feelings against any American citizen of Japanese heritage.

In 1944, he volunteered for the U. S. Army and underwent Basic Training in Texas. Due to his martial arts background, he was designated the hand-to-hand combat instructor of his basic training unit. Following World War II, Joe Holck, Shihan, was stationed in Germany during the European Occupation. He was assigned as hand-to-hand combat instructor for the 9th Infantry Division Non-Commissioned Officers’ Academy.

In 1947, Holck, Shihan, returned to Hawaii and continued training in Danzan-Ryu Jujitsu under Kufferath, Sensei. He received his Kaidensho Moku Roku (instructor’s scrolls) from Professor Okazaki in 1949.

Between 1947 and 1949, Holck, Shihan was also one of five co-founders of an eclectic Hawaiian bred martial arts system known as KAJUKENBO, along with Adriano Emperado, Peter Choo, Frank Ordonez and Clarence Chang.

About this same time (1948), Holck, Shihan, began Kodokan judo training under the great Professor T. Inouye, Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt), and former All-Japan Collegiate Champion. In 1951, Joe Holck, Shihan, received his Shodan in judo from the KODOKAN.

Holck, Shihan, continued teaching martial arts in Hawaii until 1964, and then moved to Tucson, Arizona. That same year, he received his Godan (5th Degree Black Belt) from the American Jujitsu Institute.

Shortly after his settling in Arizona, Holck, Shihan, took over as chief instructor of the KODENKAN of Tucson dojo, started by his younger brother, Roy A. V. Holck, Sensei in 1962.

Later that year, he received training in the Hakkoryu style of Jujitsu under John Graves, Sensei, Yodan (4th Degree Black Belt). Holck, Shihan, received his Shodan rank a year later.

The original KODENKAN of Tucson dojo grew into an organization founded by Holck, Shihan and his family in 1967, known as the KODENKAN YUDANSHAKAI, “School of the Ancient Traditions Black Belt Society”.

Since that time, Joe Holck, Shihan, has been intensely involved in his organization, KODENKAN Yudanshakai, which teaches not only Danzan-Ryu Jujitsu, but also Shorin-Ryu Karate, Wado Kai Karate Do, Matsuno-Ryu Goshin-Jitsu and Kajukenbo.

Danzan Ryu as translated and interpreted by Holck, Shihan, means in a deeper sense, “steps to greater heights”, and alludes to the climbing of a mountain. The Danzan Ryu system teaches the student to think beyond the achievement of higher ranks in the martial arts. Instead the student learns to develop and grow throughout the steps in life itself.

In 1989, after a very long and extremely distinguished career in the martial arts, Joe Holck, Shihan, was elevated to the rank of JUDAN (10th Degree Black Belt).

In the past 60 plus years, Holck, Shihan, has been recognized for his contribution to the martial arts from all sectors of our society. These are too numerous to mention in this short biography. He has actively encouraged Jujitsu randori competition and has cultivated an interest in competitive Jujitsu Kata and Jujitsu Freestyle.

** Note all students studying Shu Ha Ri JuJitsu must join the “American JuJitsu Institute” the countries oldest Martial Arts Organization. Master Todd has the Registration forms for the AJI.