Kokushi-Ryu Jujutsu

Rating:
Summary: Kokushi-ryu Jujitsu
Review: I found this book to be rehashed Aikido/Judo moves done in the older form appearing to look like the original jujitsu waza. But the arts are not necessarily the original jujitsu combat forms, particularly the ukemi.

It appears that many high ranks in Judo and Aikido are trying to get back into the older arts of jujitsu to round out what may have been missing in their specialty training in current years, but are injecting too many of the modern sport moves in to their own homegrown systems to actually be combat authentic. Simply taking a jujitsu test in judo to become qualified in jujitsu does not seem to work out very well.

The Gracies may just as well written the book, their background is similar to the Authors from the looks of it.

Rating:
Summary: A vital reference for Kokushi-ryu Jujutsu practitioners
Review: This book is indispensible for practitioners of Kokushi-ryu Jujutsu as they advance through the ranks. Soke (founder) Higashi outlines the history and philosophy of Kokushi-ryu Jujutsu, with a clear explanation of the principles driving his development of the style. The basics of breakfalls (ukemi), stances, strikes, kicks, throws, chokes, joint techniques, and more are clearly illustrated with instructive photographs and precise text.

As with all martial arts texts, this book should not be used without the supervision of a qualified instructor. This is particularly the case with Kokushi-ryu Jujutsu, as most of the techniques require a practice partner in order to safely learn and adequately understand the principles involved. Perhaps more importantly, the guidance and discipline of an approved dojo's environment is one of the crucial aspects of the style; the social values expressed within the dojo are key to the goal of Jujutsu as human education.