Hakkoryu Jujutsu
"The three major characteristics of Hakkoryu are: no challenge, no resistance, no injury.With Hakkoryu, for the first time, the eyes of the dragon are drawn."
Shodai Soke Okuyama Ryuho
On June 1, 1941 he held the "Hakkoryu Kaiso Hokokusai" (Ceremony Proclaiming to the Kami (Gods) the Founding of Hakkoryu). Hakkoryu was born on this date. The name "Hakkoryu" is based on a philosophical Japanese view of the color spectrum as being divided into eight bands of light. The eighth shade is infrared, which is invisible to the naked eye but extremely powerful, as are Hakkoryu techniques. The number eight in Japan also has associated with it numerous philosophical and religious meanings that are beyond the scope of this brief introduction.
Hakkoryu is a Jujutsu system which uses the body's Keiraku (meridian system) to create varying amounts of pain to control an attacker without necessarily causing serious injury. Japanese and traditional Oriental medicine teaches that "Ki", one of the non-physical aspects of life, flows through Keiraku in the body. Certain Tsubo (special points) along the Keiraku are sensitive to touching or striking and cause sharp distracting pain, but do not necessarily damage bones, joints, or other body tissue. These are the focal points of Hakkoryu techniques that a trained exponent uses to distract, dispatch, or arrest an attacker. Because of the non-injurious potential of these techniques, Hakkoryu is said to be humanitarian in nature.
Constant throughout Hakkoryu training is the concept of abandoning force. Muscular strength is not required in Hakkoryu. Instead, the techniques rely mainly on an understanding of anatomy and physiology, both the exponent's and his/her attacker.
Training from white belt through Yondan on a step-by-step basis may be compared to the forging and tempering process that gives body and strength to a Japanese sword blade. The Higi and Okuden of advanced training impart the sharpening and polishing processes that endows a blade with the razor edge and mystical elegance of this most prized weapon. Should a disciple complete the Shihan Jikiden, he/she is given the certificate of Shihan training- the Menkyo (teaching license)- and is awarded a Hakkoryu purple belt, the Imperial color of Japan.
Beyond Shihan Jikiden are the even more advanced teachings of Kaiden Shihan (Master Instructor of the Deepest Mysteries) and Kaiden Shihan Sandaikichu (Master Instructor of the Deepest Mysteries and the Three Great Foundation Pillars).
Along with Hakkoryu, Shodai Soke maintained an original and distinct school of traditional medical therapy called Koho Shiatsu (Imperial Method of Finger Pressure Therapy). Using the same Keiraku utilized in Hakkoryu to control an attacker, Koho Shiatsu defends against attacks of disease and sickness from within and outside the body. Varying degrees, directions, and kinds of pressure on Keiraku applied by a trained therapist can assist in balancing irregular and incorrect accumulations or deficiencies of Ki in a patient, allowing the patient to heal himself.
Following Shodai Soke's retirement in 1986, his son, Okuyama Toshio assumed the responsibilities of the Ryu. At that time, Waka Sensei, as Okuyama Toshio was then known, took his father's pen name "Ryuho", and with it, the title Nidai Soke (Second Generation Head). Nidai Soke Okuyama Ryuho now directs and has total authority over all Japanese Hakkoryu dojos as well as branch organizations in several countries. Shodai Soke passed away in November of 1987.
Dennis G. Palumbo
Mr. Dennis G. Palumbo Kaiden Shihan Sandaikichu, is the founder and director of the Hakkoryu Martial Arts Federation (HMAF). Mr. Palumbo began his formal training in the martial arts in 1958 in Yanagi Ryu Aiki Jujutsu. He entered the Air Force and upon his first overseas assignment to Japan, began his study of Hakkoryu Jujutsu with Shihan Hideo B. Abukawa, eventually attaining the rank and title of Shihan in November 1963 making him at that time only the 5th American to be awarded this title. He traveled back and forth between the US and Japan for many years, continuing to study Hakkoryu, Shotokan, Shudokan, Goju-Ryu Karate. In 1970 Mr. Palumbo was requested by Soke Okuyama to return to the Hombu for advanced training but was unable to attend because of Air Force duties until almost 10 years later. He formed the Hakkoryu Martial Arts Federation in 1974 while stationed in San Angelo, TX. In June of 1980 Mr. Palumbo returned to Japan to undergo training and testing by Soke Okuyama . He was awarded the titles and ranks of Renshi and then Menkyo Kaiden. In the summer of 1986 he was awarded the title of San Dai Kichu, the highest possible ranking in Hakkoryu Jujutsu.
Mr. Palumbo holds the following ranks and titles:
Kaiden Shihan San Dai Kichu Hakkoryu Jujutsu
Yondan (4th degree black belt) Shotokan Karate
Yondan (4th degree black belt) Taiho-Jutsu (Arrest & Control Police Tactics)
Nidan (2nd degree black belt) Goju-Ryu Karate
Shodan (1st degree black belt) Shudokan Karate