The basic theory of The Daitoryu Aiki Jujutsu (Seminar date Jan.17th - 19th 2020 in San Mateo)

© 2019Makoto Okamoto/Kei Kurotani/Aya Matsuba

The basic theory of the Nihonden Daitoryu Aiki Jujutsu.

There are many people who practice martial arts and rely mostly on strength and speed.

Those who utilize the techniques to the maximum usually become the winner or come out on top.

That means, an individual who is young, has a strong arm, a quicker speed, a large body person, etc…becomes advantageous. It also means that a strong individual who possesses these characteristics usually would prevail.

A person who does not possess these qualities may win through sheer luck.

However, in the true world of martial arts, it is a fact that there are people who are said to be masters even those who are physically small, or those who are old in age.

Unfortunately, their skills which are acquired through decades of experiences, are considered to be a secret. Or, they have been lost, and mistranslated by an individual who misunderstood the true theory of martial arts.

In many Asian martial arts schools, the classes are comprised of learning ‘kata’ (forms) and then these forms are used during sparring sessions. Perhaps, many do not understand the meaning of ‘kata’, so they depend on their muscle power and speed.

Only few people grasp the importance and meaning of the traditional ‘kata’.

In Daitoryu, there is the locking technique, the throwing technique, and the striking technique, same as in other martial arts.

However, we should first practice and understand the basics before applying the appropriate techniques and ‘kata’.

What are our basics? This means practicing body manipulation.

Once we understand body manipulation, we can attain a skill level which cannot be influenced by speed, power, or even having a larger muscle size.


Our basic ‘keiko’ (lesson) begins with delicately using the following the parts of our body.

1.Tenouchi (aponeurosis palmaris/Dendons in a palm)
2.Outer layer muscle group
3.Inner layer muscle group

In addition, learning the control of the centroid and axis of each part of our body and psychological approach, enables the physical operation of our practice.

Details about above 1.2.3.

1.Tenouchi (aponeurosis palmaris/Dendons in a palm)
Use Guinomi-no-te (Sake cup hand: details per the seminar day.) To keep the wrist and fingers as soft of possible. At the same time we use the tendons in the palm to link with the opponent. Then we can attack or gain control without it being sensed by the opponent.

2.Outer layer muscle group (trapezius muscle, rhomboideus m., pectoral m., serratus anterior m., abdominal m., latissimus dorsi m.)
We mainly use these 6 muscles to affect the opponent without arm power.


3.Inner layer muscle group (So called Iliopsoas muscle group: Iliac muscle and psoas major muscle)

These are the muscles we use for bowing. we use this force when we are about to bow or when we stop bowing. We allow this force to connect to those- one or more- of the outer layer muscle group, then we link to the ‘Tenouchi’ to affect the opponent.

We then realize that we used zero arm power.
This means, in Daitoryu, we do not use any arm power.
If we use the power of the arms, elbows, or wrists, the resultant force of above 1.2.3. can be stopped by the strength of another arm.

In a physical confrontation, we mainly use our own arm power to attack and defend.

Therefore, as long as we use and rely on muscle strength, we can read and guess the opponent’s movement. Then, no matter if the individual has stronger power, faster speed, or a larger body, he/she will invariably be the winner.

However, the resulting force of the muscle group above 1.2.3. is beyond strength.
The arm power, even with very strong muscles, has no way to match the resultant force of them.

Abandon the arm power all together, and instead, use it as an antennae which transmits the force from the body, and keep the wrist soft and flexible, using the tendons in the palm to link with the opponent. Then, use the above resultant force 1.2.3.

Using this kind of force without any arm power, may appear to the eye as the same movement. When an individual feels this abnormal force, he/she will not be able to understand its source, and the opponent’s whole body will stiffen due to their protective reaction.

As a result, such a phenomenon will occur:

1. A part of the opponent’s body will latch to the person’s hand and his/her full body power will fall under the person’s control.
2. The opponent will be thrown back by one single finger .
3. The opponent will feel the strange force from the hand deep inside his/her body and become immobile.

When we use these techniques, we do not have the feeling of transferring power to the opponent. In Daitoryu, this is called Aiki-force and Jujitu-force.

We link energy with the opponent, and transfer our internal force to him/her. When doing so, we should not grip strongly onto the opponent’s arm, or make a strong fist. In doing so, the internal force will be halted at the fist and the invisible force will not occur.

Once you’ve mastered the above body manipulation, it can be applied to any type of martial arts.

Related Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=daitoryu+makoto+okamoto

© 2019Makoto Okamoto/Kei Kurotani/Aya Matsuba

About the seminar, Please contact;
Kei Kurotani, Ph.D
650-697-3123
japanesemedicine@gmail.com