Hiraido Jujitsu

Hiraido Jujitsu means “The Art of the Open Way.” It is a mixed martial art composed of submission grappling, throws and takedowns, and kickboxing techniques. This art was compiled from several different arts and inspired by the modern no rules fighting tournaments, which clearly demonstrate that a balanced set of skills is essential to survival in a confrontation. Although meant to be a contemporary fighting art that is always adapting and changing, Hiraido Jujitsu maintains the traditional martial arts values that teach us that the main reason one practices any martial art is to improve one’s character. Therefore, anyone seeking to acquire these skills must come to train diligently, humbly, and always with care for the safety of one’s partners.

There are five main arts that make up Hiraido Jujitsu; Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, Brazilian Jujitsu, Judo, Matsuno Ryu Goshinjitsu, and Daido Juku Karate. The three founders of Hiraido Jujitsu have collectively over 60 years of experience in these arts, but maintain that the constant study and pursuit of new knowledge is critical to continued improvement.

The first art contributing to Hiraido is Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, a traditional jujitsu founded by Professor Seishiro H. Okazaki, who also founded the Kodenkan (School of the Ancient Arts) in Hawaii in the 1930’s. Professor Okazaki himself had taken carious arts of jujitsu, added them together with the healing arts and formed an extremely effective school of jujitsu that is still widely practiced today. Many throws and submissions from Danzan Ryu have been adopted into a mixed fighting format used in Hiraido Jujitsu. The major source of grappling and submission techniques in Hiraido Jujitsu is Brazilian Jujitsu. Many fundamental positions, locks, and strangles have been adopted from what is widely recognized as the most dangerous grappling art in the world. Several throwing techniques and self-defense techniques made their way into Hiraido. Jujitsu from Judo (the Gentle Way), and Matsuno Ryu Goshinjitsu (a self-defense art). These arts also contributed rolling and falling techniques. Lastly, Daido Juku Karate from Japan and Kajukenbo from Hawaii are the two main sources of striking techniques found in Hiraido Jujitsu. Virtually all of the kickboxing combinations and fundamentals come from these two arts. These two schools also inspired the use of the proper safety gear, which allows us to train in all three fighting ranges safely.

The three people who have worked together to formulate Hiraido Jujitsu are; Mark Cann, Sensei, John D. McGraugh, O’Sensei and Elliot Lyle, Sensei. We would like to welcome you to practice this dynamic and exciting art with us, and enjoy the experiences and growth that one can have through the practice of the martial arts.

KODENKAN YUDANSHAKAI