User:Jordi Jitsu

This is where I'm developing the history and general information regarding Nyojitsu Combat. All constructive advice on formatting etc most welcome!

Nyojitsu Combat
An eclectic and expansive martial art that is both traditional and progressive. Nyojitsu Combat, whilst formulated on the strong foundations of Tenjin-Shinyo-Ryu and Goshin Jujitsu, also utilises more modern teaching techniques and traits within its system. Students encounter a wide range of potentially devastating techniques moving from entirely benign and passive to positively aggressive. Incorporating and developing such skills found in Jujitsu, Judo, Escrima and other close combat systems and with further use of pressure testing, students come to understand and differentiate the reality between moves structured “for the art” and learning progression [within a compliant training environment] to those designed to restrain, incapacitate or otherwise remove the threat of aggression and attack(s). Additionally, students are not merely told how to do something – they are taught how to teach. This is in contradiction to most schools of thought. A large majority of martial arts schools rely on “monkey see, monkey do” repetition practice, a proven formula allowing many students to do the same thing at the same time giving the instructor complete overview and control. This works well for those styles and schools, yet in Nyojitsu Combat it was found that pure instruction - “telling” them - was never enough. When dealing with pressurised reality concepts students need an understanding of why as well as how – coupled to a progressive building block of “what ifs” they develop an instinctive feel and/or reaction to situational stress. .. Furthermore the factor of “when” is also incorporated. In understanding this additional concept, students are frequently asked “How many combat ranges are there?” ...and on average three answers reply. Nyojitsu Combat views the answer as Two. Your either fighting (in combat range), or you’re not. In his typical fashion, Dave Turton (9th Dan) of the Self Defence Federation (UK)expands on this:- ''“...if you’re in a bear hug and you kick his shins, which “range” are you in? Grappling or kicking..and whose? If he kicks out and you grab his foot, is this kicking range or grappling range? ..again – whose? It’s neither – it’s Combat range ”''

Nyojitsu and the philosophical concept of Nyo.

As the reader may begin to understand, Nyojitsu Combat was developed with reality in mind. Be that within the term “reality combat”, the reality of martial learning or actual reality – as in life. However there is a much deeper significance to the labelling of this martial art and nyo, the prefix term within the compound nyojitsu is the key word here, a philosophical opinion on the meaning of which can be found within the following extract from a paper entitled The Philosophy of Nyozai or Thusness.“ ”


 * 1. Nyo or tathatā is translated' thusness' (cf. shinnyo in note 2 below).
 * 2. Nyuzai –thusness.
 * Nyojitsu -reality- cf. shinnyo below.
 * Nyoze -has a variety of meanings:-(a) usually the first word occurring in a sutra; (b) indicates that one believes conforming to truth without error; (c) indicates the absence of any doubt.
 * Ichinyo -the one tathatā (shinnyo), the adjective 'on~' indicating the indivisibility and absolute unity of the tathatā.
 * Shinnyo -thusness or suchness, the true form of things, reality. Primarily a Mahāyanā term. In general it indicates the absolute reality which transcends the multitude of forms in the phenomenal world. It is regarded, on the one hand, as real existence (jitsu-u); and on the other hand as a form of nothingness known as sūnyatā or kū ~.

''These translations are all taken from Japanese-English Buddhist Dictionary, Tokyo 1965.''

''It is often said that nyojitsu and shinnyo are the same. Shinnyo has been translated as 'thusness' or 'suchness,' and has been explained [above] as 'the true form of things, reality.' However, such an explanation does not clarify the true meaning of the nyo in the word shinnyo. The essential meaning of shinnyo does become somewhat clearer in the explanation that shinnyo is of Mahayana usage and is taken to mean on the one hand the jitsu-u or real existence, and on the other hand the kit or śūnyatā which in Oriental philosophy conveys a 'nothingness' which has positive aspects. The Japanese-English Buddhist Dictionary states on page 284 : In general Mahayana usage tathatā indicates the absolute reality which transcends the multitude of forms in the phenomenal world. It is regarded as being identical with hosshin and can’t be expressed in words or contemplated by the unenlightened man. It is regarded, on the one hand, as real existence (jitsu-u); and on the other hand as śūnyatā (kū). Tathatā is the underlying reality upon which all phenomenal existence depends. With the aid of this explanation something of an outline of nyojitsu or shinnyo can be seen. Shinnyo on the one hand is real existence (jitsu-u), and yet at the same time it implies the concept of kū or śūnyatā. The true meaning of 'nyo' in nyojitsu or shinnyo is found as an intermediate between real existence and nothingness (kū). Thus nyo has a definite special meaning and its origin is found in the Mahāyanā doctrine. ''

Summary.

Nyojitsu Combat is a functional "reality combat" martial system. It recognises the many elements that differentiate "martial" from "art" allowing a student to be taught to teach. It contains deep insights to human psyche and philosophy utilising our natural actions and reactions. As a martial art, it is progressive, adaptive and effective yet still traditional.

references:- [1]Combat range. A frequent discussion and comment by Dave Turton, head of the Self Defence Federation (UK) but can also be found in a recorded interview between Dave Turton/Michael Rosenbaum of Iain Abernethy's online Jissen magazine [issue 6] [2]Extract of paper THE PHILOSOPHY OF NYOZAI OR THUSNESS by Kaname Ishizawa, Professor Gumma University