In ancient times the phrase bugei jûhappan, "eighteen kinds of Martial Arts", was used: it was an idiomatic expression to mean "all Martial Arts", that were not, obviously, only eighteen, being that number fictious and indicationg all what the human intelligence could conceive in the art of fighting. A samurai’s study did not include only one Martial Art, on the contrary, the warrior did not have to forget that a lot of different techniques existed: in doing various kinds of Martial Arts he followed the purpose to protect himself from danger in any situation. This is the mentality by which the Martial Art study should be met.

Mochizuki Shihan learnt various Martial Arts, however his basis were Jûdô and Aikidô. Budô Yoseikan is the method he created and contains the essence of different Martial Arts: apart from Jûdô and Aikidô, Katori Shintoryû (Kenjitsu, Bôjitsu, Iaijitsu, etc.); by following his program all this knowledge can be automatically acquired. In his teaching method he took into great account the Jûdô system, so that it is also based on randori (free attack and defense), which is not, however, so free as in Jûdô: while the defending part can use various techniques, with no limits, the attack is previously established. In randori it is very difficult anyway to reach a conclusion because the opponent may forecast the defence; to reach a conclusion it is then necessary to apply the sutemi-waza (sacrifice techniques). In Mochizuki Shihan’s opinion the sutemi are by far the most efficacious techniques and they are peculiar to his system.

The Master’s teaching includes sword techniques too, from omote-waza (techniques to show and therefore ineffective) to ura-waza (real techniques, secret in the past, and handed down to particular pupils only). Being constantly inclined to realism, even in the hand-to-hand fighting techniques, he explains the renraku-henka-waza (combined techniques and counter-attacks); indeed the Hyôri no kata was created to teach some techniques in succession.

If the people who decide to approach this discipline, ranging over a lot of Martial Arts, already master an art like Jûdô, Aikidô or Karatedô, they can easily add to it different techniques. Mochizuki Shihan states that, while it is important to turn to various Martial Arts, it is not necessary (and it would be impossible) to deepen all of them.

In my opinion the Martial Art researcher cannot leave Jûjitsu, or Jûdô, its modern form, aside. Since ancient times Jûjitsu has been considered the mother of all Martial Arts. The shifting techniques of Jûjitsu/Jûdô help to create a strong body and make the hand-to-hand fighting techniques natural: without such a basis it may be difficult to understand Martial Arts in general. In Jûdô, however, the sense of distance is missing: in doing Budô Yoseikan you can acquire it, for example through the Kobudô exercises. Of course, anybody having already practiced a discipline as Karatedô or Kendô, where distance fighting is usual, will have to complete his/her preparation by studying the throwing techniques, that is to say the hand-to-hand fighting.

Another remarkable study is the one concerning the application of some Aikidô techniques to Jûdô, which is quite difficult but possible and consistent with Mochizuki Shihan’s ultimate project: the evolution of Kano Shihan’s Jûdô as a token of gratitude for the teaching he received. Terefore in Budô Yoseikan the great Jûdô founder’s spirit would continue to live ever and ever renewed. The program of Budô Yoseikan starts with some hand-to-hand techniques of te-waza (hand/arm techniques) and jikitai-waza (body techniques); then the body movement is connected to the ken (sword) through the Kentai icchi no kata; later the hyôri no waza (techniques in succession) are taught; eventually hand-to-hand fighting reaches its top with the sutemi-waza. Of course the knowledge of grappling fighting is needed to apply the sutemi-waza. To learn mawai (distance) one should practice Kobudô (ken, sword, bô, long cane, iai, sword extraction) and in randori one should try the armless defence from an armed opponent.

The mental attitude in Budô Yoseikan training is a basic element. In an ancient book about fighting strategy they state that by knowing yourself and your opponent you can win any battle, this means that, in facing your opponent, you must get aware of your own capabilities as well as being able to evaluate his strength. Another ancient proverb says: "After a victory fighting starts", indeed the secret to win is learning to understand your opponent’s weak point to prevent him from reacting, then fighting begins; in other words, if a strategy is ready and everything has been calculated you can start your battle.

One more voice of ancient wisdom says that a victory got without fighting is the noblest: winning by your technique is not considered a great victory, on the contrary, if you are able to beat your opponent by a mistake that he himself has made, or by using convincing words or a particular attitude, your victory is complete.

Since ancient times ten rules to study Martial Arts have reached us:

1. use your eyes to see and evaluate the situation;

2. wait for the right moment to move and keep ready to do it;

3. have courage and composure;

4. have physical strength;

5. have fighting spirit;

6. use strategy;

7. have mental flexibility;

8. be correct and use good sense;

9. follow logic and rationality;

10. train adequately.

Such rules, though drawn up like that, form a whole and also supply the definition of the right mental attitude towards defence.

At present, under the "large roof" of Budô Yoseikan, many Martial Arts are being studied: Aikijûjitsu, Jûdô, Katori Shintoryû, Yoseikan Budô (the discipline "invented" by Mochizuki Minoru Shihan’s son, Master Mochizuki Hiroo), etc.

I am trying to promote in particular Yoseikan Aikijûjitsu inside the organisation I.F.N.B. (International Federation of Nippon Budô).

In Italy I have been working for that aim thanks to the cultural associations I.F.N.B.I. (International Federation of Nippon Budo Italy) and I.B.Y.I. (International Budo Yoseikan Italy), the only organizations legally authorized to promote Budo Yoseikan and the activities of I.F.N.B. in Italy. The headquarters are at:

Dojo Sugiyama Torino - Via Martiniana, 13 - 10141 Torino - Italy.

We organise a number of stages every year; three of them, for black belt members, are free.

If you are interested in Minoru Mochizuki Shihan’s teaching and would

a message to this fax number: +39.11.8225700.

Master Shôji Sugiyama