With The Sekiryukan

By Michael Calandra

March 14th

As we approached the Sekiryukan we were greeted by Shusaku Shitama, Shitama Sensei’s 15 year old son and future headmaster of Sosuishitsu-Ryu. He invited us into the dojo and went to get his father. we were greeted warmly by Shitama Sensei and invited to change into our dogi so we could keiko (train). We began by performing all of the Jujutsu kata of Sosuishitsu-Ryu. Each of my students took turns demonstrating each of the kata. Shitama Sensei observed and took notes. After two hours we broke for lunch, with Shitama Sensei and two of his students taking us to a very nice restaurant.

When we returned to the dojo, we were met by members of the Tokyo Branch of Sosuishitsu-Ryu, led by Usuki Sensei, who has been practicing Sosuishitsu-Ryu Koshi-no-mawari for over 30 years. With him was Sunao Fujii. Fujii Sensei originally trained in Portland, Oregon with Burgess Sensei. I first met him back in 1992 when I was invited to teach in Portland. Fujii Sensei speaks excellent English and acted as our interpreter.

We began the afternoon session with Shitama Sensei correcting us on six of the 40 Jujutsu kata. Shitama Sensei then asked me how I teach Sosuishitsu-Ryu. I explained and demonstrated that we practice the kata seriously.The kata must be practiced with real attacks. Obviously, beginners must practice slowly. More senior students, however, must attack for real. Only in this way will the techniques of Sosuishitsu-Ryu stay strong. I also demonstrated Nage waza (throwing tech.). I explained that we only perform the throws against attacks, and never from the basic Judo grip. Jujutsu is for self-defense and I have never heard of someone attacking anyone in this manner. I also demonstrated a series of kata I made for Police Officers. Shitama Sensei was surprised to see many of the Sosuishitsu-Ryu techniques in these kata.

After this we had a meeting where we discussed the future of Sosuishitsu-Ryu. Shitama Sensei informed me that as of April 1, 1998 he would be Kancho (headmaster) of the Sekiryukan. He said it would now be possible for our members to join his dojo directly. He also said that from April 1st there would be scheduled Jujutsu classes taught every week at the Sekiryukan along with Judo and Aikido. This was great news!

Shitama Sensei then asked me what I thought he should do regarding my ongoing problems with Dennis Fink. I told Shitama Sensei that as the Headmaster of Sosuishitsu-Ryu he is like the head of a large family. Sometimes not all family members get along. I suggested that he should deal with both Mr. Fink and I separately. Let Mr. Fink do what he feels is best for Sosuishitsu-Ryu and let me do what I feel is best. Those that choose to follow Mr. Fink, fine. Those that choose to follow me, fine. This is how Shimabuku Sensei of Isshin-Ryu Karate handles the situation.

Shitama Sensei also informed me that a letter appearing on Mr. Fink’s web page and signed by him, is false. He told me he was unaware of what was in the letter as he does not read or speak English. Shitama Sensei regrets having signed the letter and informed me that he has told Mr. Fink to remove it, as it is a bad reflection on himself and Sosuishitsu-Ryu.

After our meeting students from both my group and the Tokyo group performed Sosuishitsu-Ryu Koshi no Mawari (Iaijutsu). Shitama Sensei made corrections and explained some of the bunkai (analysis) of the kata. Usuki Sensei performed all of the sword kata. It was interesting to see the slight differences between the way Shitama Sensei had taught me the kata and how Usuki Sensei had learned them from Koku Kitajima in Tokyo. Sadly, Kitajima Sensei passed away on April 1st. The Tokyo branch of Sosuishitsu-Ryu was started by Matsui Sensei, a contemporary of Ayogi Sensei. For 100 years, there was no contact between the Hombu in Fukuoka and the Tokyo branch. Sometime around World War II the Jujutsu aspect of Sosuishitsu-Ryu stopped being practiced by the Tokyo branch. Now Sunao Fujii has begun teaching the Jujutsu kata at Usuki Sensei’s dojo. Once again, Sosuishitsu-Ryu is being taught as a complete system in Tokyo. We hope to publish a more complete history of the Tokyo branch in a future Newsletter.

We finished class about 6pm. Shitama Sensei then cooked a delicious dinner for the whole group. We all discussed the future of Sosuishitsu-Ryu and vowed to work together for a stronger Sosuishitsu-Ryu. We returned to our hotel for a much needed night’s rest. The next day my students would be testing.

March 15th

We began class at 9am. First warm-ups and then testing. Shitama Sensei informed me that I could decide who would be uke for each of my students testing.

Usuki Sensei’s student Mao Sasaki tested first for Shomokuroku in Koshi-no-Mawari. His kata was very good.

My first student to test was Joseph Myers. Mr. Myers is my "uchideshi" so I asked Shitama Sensei if I could be his uke. He agreed and we performed the Tai Kodachi kata. Next, Ramon Santiago performed the Idori kata with Joseph Myers. Then Andrew Jashyn and Ramon Santiago performed Tai Toshu kata. Afterward Douglas O’Connor performed the Yotsu Gumi kata with Joseph Myers. Lastly, Tim Lynch performed Tai Toshu kata with Douglas O’Connor.

After the testing was completed. Myself, Shitama Sensei, Usuki Sensei and Fujii Sensei had a meeting while my students practiced with Shitama Sensei and Usuki Sensei’s students.

We finished the day with some photos and a nice lunch prepared by Shitama Sensei’s mother. Shitama Sensei also informed us that in the year 2003 he is planning a big celebration for the 350th anniversary of Sosuishitsu-Ryu. We told him we will be there. Shitama Sensei then told us his mother would accompany us to the Shofukuji temple. The Shofukuji temple is one of the oldest Zen temples in Japan, dating back to 1190. It is also the final resting place of Shusaku Shitama, 15th Headmaster of Sosuishitsu-Ryu.

We bid farewell to Shitama Sensei and preceded to the temple. Mama Shitama explained many points of interest on the temple grounds. We also went inside the temple where we paid our respects to Shusaku Sensei and enjoyed tea with the abbot’s daughter.

After our visit, we said good-bye to Mama Shitama and I took the group over to Kushida shrine, a Shinto shrine located very close to the Sekiryukan.

The next day, we boarded the Shinkansen or bullet train for Tokyo. We were going to train with Matsumura sensei of the Kobukan dojo in preparation for testing at the Tokyo Budokan. While in Tokyo Fujii Sensei invited me to come teach and train at the Fukuhara Sports center where there class meets. It was the first time some of the Tokyo members had seen some of the Jujutsu kata.

After class, we went to Usuki Sensei’s house. Usuki Sensei is a sword polisher by profession and was kind enough to allow us to watch him at work. He also gave me some documents on Sosuishitsu-Ryu. While in Tokyo, I also visited the Kodokan’s research division and found more information on Sosuishitsu-Ryu. Which is, presently being translated.

The trip was a great success for me personally and for Sosuishitsu-Ryu. I look forward to my next visit.