Hello P.A.L. The history of Kosho Ryu is a long and very interesting one. It began around the year 1235. A priest, whom Mitose Sensei called his first ancestor, was a martial arts master and a Buddhist priest studying at the Shaka-In Temple. The priest found it difficult to reconcile his religion, which taught him pacifism, and his martial arts that taught him destruction. He decided to meditate on the contradiction under an old pine tree on the temple grounds. After meditating there for a long time, he finally, "with the help of god", had an epiphany concerning the understanding of natural law resulting in a perfect method of defense and escape. Kosho means "old pine tree" The following site can explain the ancient and modern history of Kosho Ryu --> http://www.collectivesociety.com/skski/ancient.html As you can see, Kosho Ryu is very Japanese. The word "ken po" means "fist law" in Japanese. I will investigate your question about the jutsu. In November 2004, I went to Shaka-in in Izumi-Mura, outside of Kumamoto City in Kyushu province, and attempted to climb the 3333 steps to the temple located at the top. I took pictures and movies of my climb. It was quite an experience -- physical and mental, but I'm glad I did it. With respect to some of the katas we study: Neko Buto Kata - came into the Kai through Robert Trias (a close friend and teacher of Juchnik Sensei) who learned these forms from Professor James Mitose. These forms were developed by Mitose Sensei not just to establish a wide base stance, but more of a quick movement like a cat would move. The katas were actually named after the late Gogen Yamaguchi, the founder of Japanese Goju Ryu. Ennogyo Katas - also called the Monkey Playing Forms - developed by Juchnik Sensei in order to understand and appreciate one of Professor Mitose's favorite movements...that of the Saru or monkey. Monkey movement is established through the teaching of the system of Ba Gua. Miyama No Kata - also developed by Juchnik Sensei to exemplify every aspect of movement and motion performed in Kosho Ryu. This includes swordsmanship, use of the Bo staff, Jo staff, escaping arts, nage arts, and the atemi arts. The main emphasis is utilizing all the different angles and triangulation of movement that one can do. A beautiful kata! Watching Juchnik Sensei demonstrate the kata will take your breath away. Juni Ippo Kata - established through Chosin Chibana between the 1920s and 1930s as an attempt to unify several different martial arts ryus at the time. Pinon Katas - came into the Kai from Anko Itosu to Gichin Funakoshi to Mas Oyama to Bobby Lowe and finally to Thomas S. H. Young (a close friend and teacher of Juchnik Sensei) who asked Professor Mitose for permission to perform these katas. We now do these forms in the ryu, however, with the mindset of a Kosho Ryu practitioner. Naihanshi Kata - made famous by Choki Motobu who supposedly did these forms 500 times a day. Came into Kosho Ryu again through Gichin Funakoshi to Mas Oyama to Bobby Lowe and finally to Thomas S. H. Young. Passai and Kusanku Katas - deal with intent of the Ottoko-no utilizing power, alignment, and penetration. Passai means to "Penetrate the Fortress" and deals with triangulation and fluidity, which in turn deals with impact. Kusanku contains the same intent and is named for a Chinese military attache to Okinawa. Gankaku Kata - "Crane of the Rock" is a form that was taken from a form called Chinto, the white crane kata. Empi Kata - means Flying Swallow; however, the first name used for this form was Wansu Kata. Wansu was made famous by the late Tatsuo Shimabuku, the founder of Isshin Ryu. It is also called the "little boy dumping form" because it utilizes the fireman's carry and the body slam. Shudoso Kata - brought into the Ryu through Robert Trias. This form uses a breathing technique also seen in Tensho and Sanchin katas combined with quick responsive movement as seen in Dan Enn Sho kata which is largely based on Hsing Yi Gung Fu. Many people believe this form is called the "Monk Form", but it is Juchnik Sensei's belief that this form belonged to the late Robert Trias. More information is available in Juchnik Sensei's books including Kata No Michi. I will investigate your question more thoroughly, and if I find out anything more, I will write to you here. Juchnik Sensei has encouraged that we study the Filipono arts as well. Kosho Ryu practitioners must also learn swordsmanship, use of the Bo staff, Jo staff, naginata, yari, tanto, tanjo, yubibo, escaping arts, nage arts, atemi arts, shodo (traditional brush painting), the healing arts, martial arts history, Japanese language and culture. My instructor is very traditional and requires that we perfect our stances, breathing, and movement. We study the Taikyoko katas -- very old katas but very useful for learning breathing, mobility, and stances. There is No Belt Of The Month Club in his dojo. His exams take you to the limit of endurance. Two mistakes and you fail. Perhaps you can come to The Gathering. This year, it will be held in Reno, Nevada on October 1 & 2. For more information, check out --> http://www.collectivesociety.com/gathering.jsp
