Koryu Aikijutsu/ Yokota Satoshi

[Shinobi]

What do some of you think of this art? Its claims and structure?

http://www.acay.com.au/~sky-view/kufuweb/classes.htm

[Daniel Lee]

Eric,

If you are interested in the background to the martial artist who taught the group, one S. Yokota of Sydney, Australia, please email me privately.

Sincerely,

[Paul Steadman]

Hi Eric and Daniel,

I speak with some authority on this matter as I am aquainted with the instructor of the so-called 'koryu aikijutsu,' school in question. I am also a jiki-deshi of Yokota Satoshi-Sensei (and a former Shinhan-dai of Yoshin Ryu Nakamura-ha Jujutsu/Kobujutsu for western region New South Wales- Australia).

Quote "If you are interested in the background to the martial artist who taught the group, one S. Yokota of Sydney, Australia, please email me privately." D. Lee.

First of all I must state that Yokota-Sensei was not the teacher of this group! Grant South is not a member of Yoshin Ryu Yokota-ha and Yokota-Sensei has never graded Mr. South to Menkyo Inka in Yoshin Ryu Yokota-ha or awarded Mr. South a Mokouroku of Yoshin Ryu Yokota-ha or any other Japanese Jujutsu system.

In 1999 Yokota-Sensei did conduct some weekend (one-day) seminars for Mr. Souths' martial arts school, covering generic Tanto-dori [knife defence], Hojojutsu [arresting cord] and Tanto-jutsu [Knife techniques] etc which were very general in nature and not representative of any particular ryu, as witnessed by myself and several others.

In contrast to the web-site in question and other third-hand sources, Yokota-Sensei is not and has never claimed to be a member of or graded in mainline Yoshin Ryu, Gyokushin Ryu, Shibukawa Ryu, Sasai Ryu etc. Yokota-Sensei studied and trained as an Uchi-deshi of Nakayama Kimiyoshi-Shihan for four and half years in Yoshin Ryu Nakayama-ha Jujutsu/Kobujutsu. Yokota-Sensei is currently a student of Sekiguchi Komei-Sensei of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Komei-juku Iai-jutsu, and currently assists with instruction and technical advice at the Sydney Shibu dojo, Australia.

The only grade/certification that Mr. South recieved from Yokota-Sensei was in a generic 'Modern Street Combat Jujutsu,' system developed by Yokota-Sensei for Security Guards and the general public in response to requests for a simple and effective self-defence method. This goshin-jutsu system was taught under the name of Hyosui Ryu Koppo.

The information contained in the web-site in question is obviously full of historical and factual mistakes or ommissions. I could go on, but I will restrain myself for now. I would be interested to hear what others have to say. If anyone would like further information or details, please e-mail me at pbs@globalfreeway.com.au or post your questions or concerns. All the best.

Regards,

Paul Steadman

[Daniel Lee]

Paul,

Interesting post. Perhaps you might be able assist us by addressing the issue of Mr. Yokota?fs instructors names and contact details, as well as documentable licencing he has.

Sincerely,

[Paul Steadman]

Hi Daniel,

I think it would be more appropriate for you to address any questions you may have concerning Yokota-Sensei, the name of his instructor's and their contact details etc direct to Yokota-Sensei himself. You have met Yokota-Sensei, did you address your questions to him then. When you return to Australia, you should talk with Yokota-Sensei in person.

In the mean time, while you’re in Japan, you might direct your enquiries concerning Mr. Yokotas' current Iai-jutsu instructor, one Sekiguchi Komei-Sensei (21st Headmaster of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Komei-juku) and their respective registration/membership status with the Nippon Budokan etc to:

Komei Juku Hombu
Nishi-Kamata Royal Heights No. 802
7-50-2 Nishi-Kamata, Otaku, Tokyo
T114, JAPAN

Failing this (the above contact details may not be current) you should contact The President of the Koryu Bujutsukan- Sydney by e-mail to: PFlood@bentine-gems.com.au, he is in constant communications with Sekiguchi-Sensei having recently trained at the hombu in Japan.

It is not my place to discuss details, I may have already over-stepped the bounds by offering the above. Take care, all the best.

Regards,

Paul Steadman

[Daniel Lee]

Paul,

Thanks for the response. I'm still lost as to the contact details for Mr. Yokota?fs instructor of Yoshin Ryu, Mr. Nakayama Kimiyoshi, though. I don't think anyone has ever even seen his picture before. Could you help me out on this one?

Sincerely,

Daniel Lee

[Paul Steadman]

Hi Again,

This is getting off the thread, but as I said you should contact Yokota-Sensei directly. I'll see what general info I can find in my files concerning Yoshin-ryu Nakayama-ha and I'll e-mail it to you privately.

Shinobi originally posted the question: "What do some of you think of this art? Its claims and structure?

http://www.acay.com.au/~sky-view/kufuweb/classes.htm "

So, what do some of you think of this art? Its claims and structure?

I think web-sites like this lead to confusion and miss-inform the general public as to what the koryu arts are all about.

There seems to be a growing number of modern martial arts instructors out there who want to jump on the koryu band-wagon by writing literature sprinkled with famous names (D. Draeger etc), terminology gleamed from koryu 'Coffee-Table Books,' and the ever present "....koryu bujutsu, are those arts that existed prior to 1868 (pre-Meiji era)...," type of sentences! Not to mention the the totally fabricated histories, lineages (or lack there of), strange curriculums/syllabus/techniques etc. Oh, and don't forget the photographs of said instructors standing (or knealing) next to well-known koryu instructors from Japan (usually at a seminar).

Regards,

Paul Steadman

[Daniel Lee]

Paul,

Since I'm not associated with your group I'll end here. In my opinion, Mr. Yokota is a good martial artist, but the question remains "is what he doing what he says it is?". I guess it's true that you deserve the teacher you get - "Caveat Emptor"




[Edited by Daniel Lee on 09-15-2000 at 08:10 PM]

[George Kohler]

Originally posted by Daniel Lee
Paul,

Help me out here - I'll start another thread in the koryu jujutsu forum about Mr. Yokota.



Hey Daniel,

what ever happened to the YSGR thread you were going to start :)

[Daniel Lee]

Hey George,

How?fs things? Basically Daiwado and KJJR's YSR lineage is legit, although not mainstream (ie. no connection with K. Hoshi-Soke). I think some martial artists have discussed Mr. Sato's track record and performance of YSR.

Personally, I?fve only seen KJJR?fs omotekajo being practiced by Mr. Tanemura on the Samurai Jujutsu video, and J. Wright working on the YSR in the genbukan honbu – world-class, and very fluid, although very different from mainstream. Recently I visited the Futen Dojo site; Is M. Coleman learning it from Mr. Tanemura also?

Cheers, and enjoy the Olympics!

[Paul Steadman]

Hi Again Daniel,

Your absolutely right, one does deserve the teacher one gets! And I think Mr. Yokotas' current Iaijutsu instructor is right up there. Sekiguchi Komei-Sensei is the best swordsman I've ever seen! It's due to sensei such as Sekiguchi-Sensei [Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Komei-Juku], Kenji Shimazu-Sensei [Yagyu Shingan-ryu Chikuosha] and Inoue Tsuyoshi Munetoshi-Soke [Hontai Yoshin Ryu](all of whom I've had the honour and priviledge of meeting and briefly training with in Australia) and their respective Australian Shibucho, that I ceased my involvement in gendai-budo and become interested in koryu bujutsu.

Unfortunately for us (in Dubbo & western region NSW) Yokota-Sensei has cut back on Jujutsu instruction and is now concentrating on Iaijutsu, not that we mind though.

Regards,

Paul Steadman



[Edited by Paul Steadman on 09-16-2000 at 06:46 AM]

[Paul Steadman]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daniel Lee
Paul,

Help me out here - I'll start another thread in the koryu jujutsu forum about Mr. Yokota.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


G'day Mate,

How can I be of assistance this time? You seem to be very interested in Mr. Yokotas' background.

Regards,

Paul Steadman

[Daniel Lee]

Thanks for the reply Paul,

As I said in my edited message, After consideration, I think this is probably best left "in house" in the hands of people like yourself, who are associated with Mr. Yokota.

With sincere best wishes,