Christian
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Christian Jujitsu Association
Maintaining the True and Ancient Tradition of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu
In 1924 he returned to Japan, studying at over 50 dojos, and mastering 675 different techniques. Among the JuJitsu styles he studied in Japan were Shibukawa-ryu, Yoshin-ryu, and Namba Yoshin-ryu. He studied at Jigoro Kano's Kodokan, and was awarded a Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) there.He continued his study of healing arts, mastering Kappo and Seifukujitsu (Oriental restoration / Okazaki Restorative Therapy). He developed a unique healing form or kata known as the Okazaki Restorative Therapy, or Okazaki Long Life Therapy. This treatment followed the established Chinese theory (of meridians, chi, shen, etc.), and could be considered a variant of ancient Chinese Tuina and Anmo. It incorporated Sekkotsu (bone setting) and Kansetsu Dakkyu (joint relocation). He also developed a special Okazaki Restorative Therapy oil (Satsuzai) which had healing qualities.
In 1922 a British heavy weight boxer known as Carl `K.O.' Morris came to Hawaii and challenged all fighters to a match. He was known to have especially belittled Oriental style fighters. The Japanese community in Hawaii was especially offended by Morris' remarks, and asked Okazaki to defend their honor. Okazaki refused, but another Japanese Black Belt named Takahashi took up the challenge. Morris readily knocked him out in the 1st round. This time when approached by the Japanese community leaders, Okazaki relented, and agreed to the bout. He studied "American" style boxing, looking for weaknesses. He discovered that boxers had little experience punching in a downward direction, and conceived of a low fighting crouch. The fight was scheduled for May 19, 1922, and was to consist of six, three minute rounds. Despite his caution, Okazaki got his nose broken in the first round. In the second round, Okazaki watched Morris' jab, which Morris left out a little too long. Okazaki drove under Morris' arm and threw him, injuring Morris' arm so that he was unable to continue the fight.
Okazaki became instantly famous, as news of the fight went all the way to Japan. The headlines in the Hilo Daily Tribune screamed "Morris Has No Chance Against JuJitsu Expert". The article went on to say:
"Five minutes after the start of the mixed bout and during which time Okazaki threw Morris and himself over the ropes into the audience upon two occasions (sic), Okazaki threw his opponent to the mat and with an arm lock which wrenched the muscles of Morris' right arm and forced him to (figuratively speaking) throw up the sponge. At first sight, it looked as if Morris' arm was broken, but after an examination by Dr. S.R. Brown, who was present in the audience, it was found that the muscles were merely badly wrenched."
As an indication of the character of Okazaki, it was said that he visited Morris on several occasions in the hospital, massaging his arm and becoming his friend. A later group picture of Morris at Okazaki's dojo lends credence to this. Okazaki's step-daughter Ester recalled a few additional fights after the Morris bout in which Okazaki was billed as the "Oriental Tiger". She remembered one fight when he fought the "Russian Lion". She said he won most of his bouts. Yet we were told that this public fighting was not looked keenly upon by Okazaki, as it demeaned the martial art, and whatever the reason, he did not continue in this activity.
Historical Perspectives