The origins of Jujitsu date back as early as 772 B.C. when the empty hand
techniques were used in the Choon Chu era of China, with many of today's arts such
as judo, aikido, hapkido, etc., taken from jujitsu. In 230 B.C. the
wrestling way of chikura kurabe developed in Japan, and was integrated into
jujitsu training. There is also mention of the development of wrestling and
related techniques that served as the base of jujitsu. On or around 1650
known as the Tokugawa era which is said to be the golden age of
jujitsu. During this time there were some 725 schools of jujitsu,
with the most popular being Takencochi-ryu, Jikishin-ryu, Yoshin-ryu,
Sekiguchi-ryu, Kito-ryu, and Tenshin-shin'yo-ryu. Most of the credit
for the formalization of jujitsu training is owed to Hisamori Teninuchi,
who formed a school of jujitsu in 1532 in Japan. The basic premise
of Jujitsu (gentle art) is to avoid or give way before an opponent's
superior weight and strength in order to overcome him by using his weight and
strength against him.
The system of Dan Zan Ryu Jujitsu was founded by Henry Seishiro Okazaki. Okazaki studied under various masters in Hilo, Hawaii where he mastered the Yoshin, Iwaga, and Kosogabe schools of jujitsu by practicing diligently 6 nights a week. In addition, he studied Okinawan Karate, Chinese Kung-fu, Hawaiian Lua, and Fillipino Knife Play, as well as American Boxing and Wrestling. In 1924, he toured Japan, making an exhaustive study of the Shibukawa-Ryu, Yoshin-Ryu and Namba-Shoshin Ryu, as well as well as attaining the rank of sandan (3rd degree) under Jigoro Kano in Kodokan Judo. During his tour of Japan, he visited more than 50 dojos and acquired 675 different techniques or forms.
Gradually Professor Okazaki evolved a system of jujitsu comprising courses for men, women, and children, including defense against knife, sword, club, gun and bayonet. In this system, Okazaki stressed the ancient systems of philosophical and moral training while retaining the best of the arts of self-defense and of restoration together with the system of physical culture and mental cultivation now known as sport judo. Thus he achieved a true synthesis of ancient and modern elements, a complete system of judo and jujitsu. Professor Okazaki called his system Dan Zan Ryu (Cedar Mountain Style); "Cedar Mountains" was the Chinese term for Hawaii, and Professor Okazaki chose this name out of respect for his Chinese martial arts instructor.
Through the teachings of Professor Okazaki the system of Dan Zan Ryu Jujitsu was brought to the United States through his students, Willie Cahill, Bud Estes, Ray Law and Dick Rickerts. It was these students that founded the American Judo & Jujitsu Federation, which is the largest organization of Jujitsu in North America with associated dojos nationally and internationally as well.
High Sierra Jujitsu practices and trains in the art of Dan Zan Ryu developed by Henry S. Okazaki and is a member of the American Judo & Jujitsu Federation. We at High Sierra Jujitsu teach his principles, philosophical and moral codes, but furthermore we believe that techniques and ethics can be learned and adapted from all of the martial arts to make Dan Zan Ryu Jujitsu even more effective. It is adapting techniques and principles that help us evolve and grow as martial artists as well as people.