Christian
Jujitsu
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Christian Jujitsu Association
Maintaining the True and Ancient Tradition of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu
On January 28, 1890 the fourth son in a samurai clan was born in Fukashima-ken (prefecture), on the Island of Honshu, Japan. His name was Seishiro Okazaki, later to become one of the most famous Oriental martial art and healing masters in the world. Near the time of his birth significant changes were taking place in Japan. The Emperor Meiji brought about the great modernization of Japan, and as part of this, the old caste system was abolished. The Samurai were no longer allowed to wear or use swords. The last Tokugawa Shogun, Yoshinobu Tokugawa, was forced to hand the administration of the government back to the Emperor in 1867 (this later became the Imperial Government). Furthermore, Seishiro's father, Hanuemon Okazaki, was unable to adapt as a businessman, and due to poor luck or bad business practices, essentially lost the family fortune.
Another factor which may have led the young Okazaki to immigrate to Hawaii in 1906, was the successful resolution of the U.S. Civil War in favor of the North in 1865. It sent the world the message that people of all colors, races, and nationalities were to be free in the United States. At this time there was much immigration from Japan to Hawaii, a "land of opportunity". Thus sometime in late August 1906, Seishiro Okazaki, signed indenture papers (to work for his passage), traveled overland to Yokohama, and departed on September 1, 1906, on the S.S. China bound for Hawaii.
He became a laborer in the sugar cane for the Ewa Plantation in Oahu, after arrival. Following this he worked at Hoffschlager Co. from 1910 through 1920 in varying capacities: laborer, porter, & salesman. He was employed by Hoffschlager's in Hilo as a salesman in 1917. He was also working at Love's Bakery in Hilo so he could earn extra cash to attend school in the evenings and learn English. And at this time, at the age of 19, weak, emaciated, and in poor health, a doctor told him that he had a lung disease: "consumption" (what is today called tuberculosis). However it may have been asthma or some smiler condition. In any case he ignored the doctor's advice to rest, and sought a cure from a Japanese martial artist and healer, Kichimatsu Tanaka. Following oriental healing treatments, Tanaka ordered Okazaki to take up his JuJitsu classes at his Shinyu-Kai Dojo. Okazaki worked out seriously six days a week. Almost miraculously, Okazaki overcame his lung condition, and gained in strength. By his own words, he had developed a "body of iron". Reports indicated he stood 5'4" tall, weighed 190 pounds, and was "very muscular". Historical data indicate he earned a Black Belt in Yoshin-ryu JuJitsu in 1922.
From 1917 through 1925 Sieshiro lived at Hilo, practicing Okazaki Restorative Therapy and jujitsu. His knowledge and experience increased greatly during these years. He studied and mastered the Yoshin, Iwaga, and Kosogabe schools of JuJitsu, learned Ryukyuan Boxing (Karate) from a Japanese from Okinawa Prefecture, Filippino knife fighting from a Filippino, how to throw and fight with a dagger from a Spaniard, the deadly art of Lua from the Hawaiians, and Kung Fu from the 78 year old Chinese Master, Wo Chong, from Kohala. Okazaki had an intense desire to learn all martial styles, studying foot fighting from a Frenchman, and American style boxing and wrestling from professional boxers and wrestlers.
Historical Perspectives