Shu-Ho Jujitsu History and Philosophy

Shu-Ho Jujitsu Renmei was founded in 1979, and is derived from Juko Ryu jujitsu. The name Shu-Ho means "Superior Peak" or "Mountain". This name was given to the head of Shu-Ho Jujitsu, Sensei Colin Elgie, by his own Sensei, Soke Hajime Hayabuchi. Soke Hayabuchi is headmaster of Arakimuninsai Ryu of the Dai Nippon Keitensha Dojo - based in Kobe, Japan. Soke Hayabuchi's own interpretation of Shu-Ho is that students should train hard and strive to rise up from the sea of students to become like a mountain. That is to raise our technique and understanding ever higher. This principle is evident in our training where students are always encouraged to produce their best and then to improve on this with demonstrations and guidance from the instructors. Jujitsu is the name of the martial art we practice. Ju means pliable - to use any necessary means to overcome our attacker, seen or unseen. Jitsu may be translated as warlike art or science. The combination of Ju and Jitsu is formidable with it being possible to meet an attack with any type of defence from traditional martial arts kicks and strikes, throws, chokes, locks or takedowns. The defence would be applied to key weak points on the attacker including eyes, head, major organs of the body and joints. The effectiveness of these techniques mean that it is not possible to practice jujitsu as a sport and during training the techniques must be performed with care and control to ensure that no injuries are inflicted. Renmei means association, federation or group. Anyone can practice jujitsu regardless of their physical abilities. Strength is not a major factor in jujitsu, rather, skill, balance, leverage and speed are needed for then the available strength can be used to its greatest advantage. The application of these abilities also requires determination and spirit and both the physical and the mental aspects of the martial art are developed. Practice, and lots of it is essential. To become an expert in jujitsu requires years of training. Beginners pass through various Kyu grades denoted by different coloured belts. At the kyu grade stage of training the form or shape of the technique must be mastered. As well as teaching the mechanics of various throws, locks and strikes in a static situation students are required to start practicing in more freestyle situations. This also developes the ability to attack strongly but still control their own aggression. At the early dan grade stage of training the basic form is broken into infinite applications and applied in all situations. This involves a great deal of freestyle training and experimentation with techniques that the student thinks they already know fairly well. Students are expected to develop and combine these techniques to suit their own personal attributes and temperament. The higher dan grades should forget all forms and execute technique with no conscious thought. At the very highest level no one can trace your movements or capture your technique, but sadly very few of us will ever come near to this.