The Sennin Foundation Center presents instruction in Saigo Ryu aiki-jujutsu, a traditional and non-competitive martial art. While many people in the West use “jujutsu” to describe their art of self-defense, most of these methods bear little resemblance to the original Japanese systems of jujutsu, Japan’s oldest martial art. Both aikido and judo stem from jujutsu, and our dojo is one of few in the USA to present classes in authentic Japanese jujutsu.
Our classes feature a wide variety of effective throwing, pinning, and grappling techniques stemming from older methods originating in the Aizu-Wakamatsu area of present day Japan. However, Saigo Ryu is a sogo bujutsu, an “integrated martial system,” and it also features advanced training in the martial arts of the sword, spear, staff, short stick, iron fan, and others. While training is vigorous, and while the practiced techniques are effective, the emphasis is on subduing an opponent without unneeded injury. Students improve their health while learning martial arts as moving meditation, which helps them to stay calm in action and under pressure.
H. E. Davey Sensei is the author of Unlocking the Secrets of Aiki-jujutsu (McGraw-Hill), and he began studying this art at just five years old. He received the rank/title of Nihon Jujutsu Kyoshi from the Kokusai Budoin, which defines Kyoshi as a “Master’s certificate and equal to modern ranks of 6th to 8th degree black belt.” Kokusai Budoin was founded over 50 years ago in Japan, where it is affiliated with the Japanese Imperial Family, and where it functions as an international federation for most martial arts. In 1995, he and his students became the first Westerners permitted to give their own demonstration of aiki-jujutsu at the Kokusai Budoin’s annual All-Japan Martial Arts Exhibition. Davey Sensei is also on the Board of Directors of the Shudokan Martial Arts Association (http://www.smaa-hq.com/), which has given him a 7th degree black belt and a Shihan teaching license.
