Danzan Ryu Training Structure

Yawara can be translated many different ways, but its primary translation is "soft." Yawara was also an older name for Jujitsu.

 

Our Yawara list consists of twenty techniques using principles of pry, leverage, fulcrum; and more esoteric applications such as circular motion, blending into aggression, etc.

 

This list has its roots in a style of Aikijitsu known as Daito Ryu Aikijitsu. Today it stands alone as a list because Okazaki took these original types of techniques and organized then into his own particular progression and corresponding meaning.

 

It is said that Jujitsu begins and ends with Yawara. Well, this is very true, and for a lot of reasons. One of the more obvious is that it teaches you anatomical knowledge which is an absolute must in Jujitsu. Yawara also proves that knowledge or technique will win out against strength. Knowing how to apply a lock and also to release that hold again is an absolute must in Jujitsu.

 

Yawara, as it is given to you, is just a fundamental list. The variations thereof are somewhere in the thousands. Aikido is also a system of completely composed of Yawara.

 

If you can master the list of Yawara, you've mastered half of DanZan Ryu Jujitsu. The other half consists of Nage No Kata; and in combining the two lists, you actually have a complete system of Jujitsu.

 

As for "Ki", this list bears out the theory that internal strength is superior and that proper application of natural motion will release the energy that exists inside of you. Therefore, we can say that Yawara develops Ki.