Christian
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Christian Jujitsu Association
Maintaining the True and Ancient Tradition of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu
Okazaki and his family were severely ostracized by the Japanese community. The only time the Japanese community supported him was when he defeated Carl Morris, and then they presented Okazaki with an engraved gold watch. He was ostracized because he refused to follow the "old ways", especially in relation to teaching other races the secret martial arts. They ostracized him by failing to invite him to events, walking to the other side of the street when they saw him coming, failing to return greetings, etc.In one confrontation regarding teaching Haoles (whites), Okazaki asked his tormentors in what country they were living. When they replied the Territory of Hawaii, he reminded them that this was a part of the United States of America. He told them that he lived in America, and that he taught Americans. They walked away without speaking, humiliated by the Master.
Thousands of people of all races, creeds, and colors studied under Okazaki. He accepted all as students who had "good hearts". There were occasions when a new student would deliberately slam his partner to the mat, using excessive force. Okazaki would warn him never to do it again. The next time it happened, Okazaki threw him out. Sometimes a big bruiser would come to the dojo to learn, and Okazaki would tell him something to the effect, "You already too strong. You no need JuJitsu. Go Away." Yet a weak, small person would often get the red carpet treatment.
His early students, like Dick Rickerts, Curly Friedman, and Bud Estes started classes at places like the Army Navy YMCA in Honolulu. Literally thousands of U.S. servicemen were trained in hand to hand combatives at these classes. For example, examine the class attendance figures for the years indicated: 1936, 1,866; 1937, 2,217; 1938, 4,255; 1939, 5,600; 1940, 6,832. Okazaki would often visit these classes to guide and help his students teach these large groups. Just a casual perusal of the Basic Field Manual: Unarmed Defense for the American Soldier (1942) would demonstrate the influence of Okazaki JuJitsu. The entire manual was filled with Okazaki techniques and variations. Of course pictures and references to Okazaki in the manual were not tolerated due to the War with Japan.
As a side note, Bud Estes picture and name were left out of almost every picture and article during the 1930's. Yet he was the most prominent of Okazaki's students. He was the only one of Okazaki's students to receive a title: Kyoshi. This ancient title signifies that the bearer is a teacher of teachers, ranked "Hanshi" (or Shihan) or higher, and most often the one to become "Soke-Dai" (Heir apparent to the system). He was the only one of Okazaki's students to perform the miracles done by the master himself, and in fact he even far surpassed Okazaki's spiritual talents. Interviews with other Shihan indicated that none of them could do or even saw others perform the miraculous feats hinted at in the true list of Shinyo No Maki. So why was Bud Estes not included in pictures and accompanying texts. The answer was actually very simple. Prof. Estes was working as an undercover agent for what was then called the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in Hawaii. He played an important role in some very big drug busts in the thirties. His identity had to be hidden to protect his life.
Historical Perspectives