Yoseikan Budo

Yoseikan Budo is a comprehensive Japanese martial art founded by Master Minoru Mochizuki in 1931 and improved by his son, Hiroo Mochizuki. Some of the hallmarks of Yoseikan Budo are sacrifice techniques (sutemi) and groundwork (ne waza). Yoseikan is widely practiced in Japan and Europe. It is relatively obscure but growing in the US. Master Hiroo Mochizuki of France has inherited the leadership of Yoseikan Budo from his father in 1999 and now heads the Yoseikan World Federation.

Contents
1 Meaning
2 Evolution
3 Rank System
4 Competition
5 References

Meaning

"Budo" means, literally, "the way of stopping the fight". It is often more loosely interpreted as "martial way." Budo means any fighting system whose principles extend beyond strict combat into other areas of life. It is contrasted with "Bujutsu," where the suffix "-jutsu" means "art" or "technique," which connotes a more narrow, immediate focus - usually the most direct means of defeating an opponent on a battlefield. "Yoseikan" means "the place where what is right is taught." The intent of this superficially grandiose name is not to claim some exclusive truth about martial art. Rather, it describes how the comprehensive nature of yoseikan training allows an individual to find his own "right" path by studying a large set of martial techniques, principles, and experiences.

Evolution

Yoseikan Budo has gone through decades of changes, modernization and improvement. Minoru Sensei never wanted to "freeze" budo in an academic form and pursued a search for constant evolution and improvement, well represented by his own words, "Never teach only what you have been taught".

Master Hiroo improved on his father's system by adding a common link to all of the martial arts Yoseikan Budo utilizes. This is the "vibration" or "undulation" produced by the tanden - and called qi by the Chinese - that are used in every technique (atemis, throws, locks, weapons, etc.) while allowing the user to increase his power tremendously while remaining very lithe and supple in all situations.

It is now at the same time a very traditional martial art and a modern sport all rolled into one. The belt system has all students wearing the same blue and white belt without any distinctive rank marks.

Rank System

Yoseikan Budo used colored belts to signify progression in skill, but now all budoka wear a blue keikogi with a blue and white belt. There are two major tiers of rank, the mudansha and the yudansha. The mudansha, or "kyu" ranks, are those beginning ranks below black belt ranks. They used to be signified by colored belts (obi) of generally darker colors as you ascend in rank. The numerical titles for the kyu ranks decrease as you ascend as well.

The progression from least to most skilled kyu rank is as follows:

The yudansha, or dan ranks, are all indicated by a black belt. All dan ranks wear a blue and white belt, just as lower ranks. The progression from least to most skilled dan rank is as follows:

Competition

The standard competition involves three kinds of sparring:

The rules for this form of randori include only very few prohibitions, but it is practiced with complete protective equipment to avoid injuries. Almost all techniques are used. (The forbidden techniques are basically kicks to the knees, head grab or twist, and joint locks).

Additionally, there are also some specialized competitions:

The Kyoe Randori involves all techniques (atemis/aiki/jujitsu) and no protective gear, but combatants must keep perfect control over all the techniques.

References

See also: Yoseikan Budo, Atemi, Bajutsu, Black belt, Budo, Bujutsu, Combat, Competition, Dan, France