What is Jiu Jitsu?
Jiu-jitsu is one of the oldest forms of Japanese martial arts. It has been called the mother art of various other Japanese martial arts such as Judo, Aikido, and many styles of Karate. It consists of blocks, kicks, punches and other forms of strikes, joint locks, joint manipulation, throwing and take-down techniques, chokes, pressure points and some ground defence techniques. Unlike Karate, Jiu-jitsu practitioners do not learn kata’s (prearranged fight movements) but work hands-on in partners learning various skills. Jiu-jitsu (or any martial art) is great for instilling discipline, self-respect and respect for others, and also boosts self-confidence and awareness. Like most clubs, there are rules which must be followed and a club creed which our junior members will have to memorize.
About the Instructor
Shihan Scott Blandford is a Sergeant and 14 year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces Military Police. He has been training in Martial Arts for over 36 years, and is a 6th degree black belt in Daito Ryu Jiu Jitsu. He also holds a black belt in Shotokan Karate, and has trained in numerous other styles which include Judo, Aikido, Hakko Ryu Jiu-jitsu, Chokushin Aiki-Jiujitsu, Kumo Jiu-jitsu, Juko Ryu Jiu-Jitsu, Taekwondo, and various styles of Karate. Shihan Blandford is an official member and Regional Director of the World Elite Black Belt Society (WEBBS).
Jiu-jitsu is one of the oldest forms of Japanese martial arts. It has been called the mother art of various other Japanese martial arts such as Judo, Aikido, and many styles of Karate. It consists of blocks, kicks, punches and other forms of strikes, joint locks, joint manipulation, throwing and take-down techniques, chokes, pressure points and some ground defence techniques. Unlike Karate, Jiu-jitsu practitioners do not learn kata’s (prearranged fight movements) but work hands-on in partners learning various skills. Jiu-jitsu (or any martial art) is great for instilling discipline, self-respect and respect for others, and also boosts self-confidence and awareness. Like most clubs, there are rules which must be followed and a club creed which our junior members will have to memorize.
About the Instructor
Shihan Scott Blandford is a Sergeant and 14 year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces Military Police. He has been training in Martial Arts for over 36 years, and is a 6th degree black belt in Daito Ryu Jiu Jitsu. He also holds a black belt in Shotokan Karate, and has trained in numerous other styles which include Judo, Aikido, Hakko Ryu Jiu-jitsu, Chokushin Aiki-Jiujitsu, Kumo Jiu-jitsu, Juko Ryu Jiu-Jitsu, Taekwondo, and various styles of Karate. Shihan Blandford is an official member and Regional Director of the World Elite Black Belt Society (WEBBS).
About Our Style
Daito Ryu Jiu Jitsu is an updated Japanese style which covers every aspect of combat as a well rounded martial art should. Students learn kicks, punches, strikes, blocks, throwing and takedown techniques, clinch fighting, armbar and locking techniques, joint manipulation, chokes and ground defence. This style is not to be mistaken for it’s mother art, Daito Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu, which is the much older samuri sword wielding art. Mixed in with this style are techniques found in Aikido, Chokushin Aiki-Jiujitsu, and, because most Jiu Jitsu styles are not well know for hard hitting strikes (or have no strikes at all), the strikes and blocks of Shotokan Karate have also been incorporated (no katas involved). The throwing techniques, which add up to over 40 different throws and variations, are taught a little differently than most Jiu-Jitsu styles and lean very closely to the Judo approach (this is the style where Judo originates from). With this, students focus on 5 key factors for being able to successfully throw an opponent. These factors are: Momentum; Balance; Center of Gravity; Body Positioning; and Leverage. These are also key factors in the locks and joint manipulation techniques found in this style as well.
Japanese Ranking System
Kyu belt ranking system
Kyu belts are those below the rank of black belt. These ranking orders vary between styles and/or clubs, with some having more or less coloured belts than others. These are our Kyu belts:
Rokkyu - 6th grade, white belt
Gokyu - 5th grade, yellow belt
Yonkyu - 4th grade orange belt
Sankyu - 3rd grade, green belt
Nikyu - 2nd grade, blue belt
Ikkyu - 1st grade, brown belt
In between each Kyu belt are Stripe belts which help show student progression and gives recognition between ranks.
Japanese Jujitsu uses one to ten Dan ranks:
Shodan: first degree black belt
Nidan: second degree black belt
Sandan: third degree black belt
Yodan: fourth degree black belt
Godan: fifth degree black belt
Rokudan: sixth degree black belt
Shichidan: seventh degree black belt
Hachidan: eighth degree black belt
Kudan: ninth degree black belt
Judan: tenth degree black belt
Traditional Japanese Black Belt Grading Requirements:
1st Dan: Minimum requirement open, dependent on student commitment and grades through the ranking system of that particular Group usually at Least 4 years plus training. Daito Ryu will usually take 8-10 years. The applicant must be over 16 years of age.
2nd Dan: Minimum requirement, 2 years between 1st and 2nd Dan. The applicant must be over 18 years of age.
3rd Dan: Minimum requirement, 3 years between 2nd and 3rd Dan. The applicant must be over 21 years of age.
4th Dan: Minimum requirement, 4 years between 3rd and 4th Dan. The applicant must be over 25 years.
5th Dan: Minimum requirement, 5 years between 4th and 5th Dan. The applicant must be over 30 years of age.
6th Dan: Applicant must have 6 years between the grades of 5th to 6th Dan. The Dan grade must be from either a group or individual. The applicant must be over 36 years of age.
7th Dan: Applicant must have 7 years between the grades of 6th to 7th Dan. The Dan grade must be from either a group or individual. The applicant must be over 43 years of age.
8th Dan: Applicant must have 8 years between the grades of 7th to 8th Dan. The Dan grade must be from either a group or individual. The applicant must be over 51 years of age.
9th Dan: Applicant must have 9 years between the grades of 7th to 8th Dan. The Dan grade must be from either a group or individual. The applicant must be over 60 years of age.
10th Dan: Awarded only by the founder or Technical Committee 5 years after the award of 9th Dan.
Japanese Jujitsu title ranks:
Sempai: A term for a senior student, usually blue or brown belt, and often used only when the student is assisting the sensei, or leading a class in his stead.
Sensei: A sensei is simply a “teacher,” literally “one who has gone before,” i.e. is older or has taken the same path as the student but is now farther along.
Renshi: Honourable title awarded to 4th or 5th dan black belts, although there have been cases when an instructor, who has shown great skill in both the art and teaching, who have received this title at 3rd Dan. Renshi literally means a “polished expert.” Fifth dan is considered equivalent to a Master’s Degree. Renshi’s have the privilege of wearing the red and black coloured panel belt.
Shihan: A “teacher of teachers” responsible for the structure and standards of the style. Shihan’s have a rank of sixth dan or above, and preside over their own style, or at least over a group of schools each under a sensei. The title of shihan carries with it the privilege of wearing the red and white panel belt. The title of shihan is considered equivalent to a Ph.D. or Professorship.
Kyoshi: Honourable title sometimes awarded to 7th or 8th dan. It literally means “expert instructor.”
Hanshi: Honourable title sometimes awarded to 9th or 10th dan. It translates to “exemplary teacher,” and usually the master of a system or style. The title indicates spiritual and organizational responsibility for an entire discipline. This is the highest position attainable in Japanese martial arts. It was once translated as “grandmaster,” but that term is considered to be too ostentatious by some
Soke: Honourable title used to indicate the Head of a style/Ryu. In any Ryu there is only one soke. It is inherited not awarded. Those inheriting the Soke title are the highest authority for the style. Contrary to popular belief, the Soke title does not mean that the new Soke is instantly a 10th dan. In fact the Soke may inherit the title at any rank. Although the Soke holds a belt rank he is considered to be “beyond the rank system”. As such the Soke can award any rank to anyone even if the rank he awards is higher than his own. Usually when someone becomes Soke he is not the oldest or most experienced student of the Ryu. He may continue to train from the most senior students in the ryu. Those students are still under the Sokes authority regardless. The traditional martial arts styles look out for each other. If a new Soke is worthy of promotion Soke from other organizations/styles may get together and issue credentials awarding the new Soke a higher rank. In this way the rank system of traditional martial arts is preserved.
Kyu belts are those below the rank of black belt. These ranking orders vary between styles and/or clubs, with some having more or less coloured belts than others. These are our Kyu belts:
Rokkyu - 6th grade, white belt
Gokyu - 5th grade, yellow belt
Yonkyu - 4th grade orange belt
Sankyu - 3rd grade, green belt
Nikyu - 2nd grade, blue belt
Ikkyu - 1st grade, brown belt
In between each Kyu belt are Stripe belts which help show student progression and gives recognition between ranks.
Japanese Jujitsu uses one to ten Dan ranks:
Shodan: first degree black belt
Nidan: second degree black belt
Sandan: third degree black belt
Yodan: fourth degree black belt
Godan: fifth degree black belt
Rokudan: sixth degree black belt
Shichidan: seventh degree black belt
Hachidan: eighth degree black belt
Kudan: ninth degree black belt
Judan: tenth degree black belt
Traditional Japanese Black Belt Grading Requirements:
1st Dan: Minimum requirement open, dependent on student commitment and grades through the ranking system of that particular Group usually at Least 4 years plus training. Daito Ryu will usually take 8-10 years. The applicant must be over 16 years of age.
2nd Dan: Minimum requirement, 2 years between 1st and 2nd Dan. The applicant must be over 18 years of age.
3rd Dan: Minimum requirement, 3 years between 2nd and 3rd Dan. The applicant must be over 21 years of age.
4th Dan: Minimum requirement, 4 years between 3rd and 4th Dan. The applicant must be over 25 years.
5th Dan: Minimum requirement, 5 years between 4th and 5th Dan. The applicant must be over 30 years of age.
6th Dan: Applicant must have 6 years between the grades of 5th to 6th Dan. The Dan grade must be from either a group or individual. The applicant must be over 36 years of age.
7th Dan: Applicant must have 7 years between the grades of 6th to 7th Dan. The Dan grade must be from either a group or individual. The applicant must be over 43 years of age.
8th Dan: Applicant must have 8 years between the grades of 7th to 8th Dan. The Dan grade must be from either a group or individual. The applicant must be over 51 years of age.
9th Dan: Applicant must have 9 years between the grades of 7th to 8th Dan. The Dan grade must be from either a group or individual. The applicant must be over 60 years of age.
10th Dan: Awarded only by the founder or Technical Committee 5 years after the award of 9th Dan.
Japanese Jujitsu title ranks:
Sempai: A term for a senior student, usually blue or brown belt, and often used only when the student is assisting the sensei, or leading a class in his stead.
Sensei: A sensei is simply a “teacher,” literally “one who has gone before,” i.e. is older or has taken the same path as the student but is now farther along.
Renshi: Honourable title awarded to 4th or 5th dan black belts, although there have been cases when an instructor, who has shown great skill in both the art and teaching, who have received this title at 3rd Dan. Renshi literally means a “polished expert.” Fifth dan is considered equivalent to a Master’s Degree. Renshi’s have the privilege of wearing the red and black coloured panel belt.
Shihan: A “teacher of teachers” responsible for the structure and standards of the style. Shihan’s have a rank of sixth dan or above, and preside over their own style, or at least over a group of schools each under a sensei. The title of shihan carries with it the privilege of wearing the red and white panel belt. The title of shihan is considered equivalent to a Ph.D. or Professorship.
Kyoshi: Honourable title sometimes awarded to 7th or 8th dan. It literally means “expert instructor.”
Hanshi: Honourable title sometimes awarded to 9th or 10th dan. It translates to “exemplary teacher,” and usually the master of a system or style. The title indicates spiritual and organizational responsibility for an entire discipline. This is the highest position attainable in Japanese martial arts. It was once translated as “grandmaster,” but that term is considered to be too ostentatious by some
Soke: Honourable title used to indicate the Head of a style/Ryu. In any Ryu there is only one soke. It is inherited not awarded. Those inheriting the Soke title are the highest authority for the style. Contrary to popular belief, the Soke title does not mean that the new Soke is instantly a 10th dan. In fact the Soke may inherit the title at any rank. Although the Soke holds a belt rank he is considered to be “beyond the rank system”. As such the Soke can award any rank to anyone even if the rank he awards is higher than his own. Usually when someone becomes Soke he is not the oldest or most experienced student of the Ryu. He may continue to train from the most senior students in the ryu. Those students are still under the Sokes authority regardless. The traditional martial arts styles look out for each other. If a new Soke is worthy of promotion Soke from other organizations/styles may get together and issue credentials awarding the new Soke a higher rank. In this way the rank system of traditional martial arts is preserved.
