This editorial first appeared in George Kirby's Kokoro in December 2010. Although I have many positive memories of Sensei Seki, there is one negative memory that does not sit well with me. I tell it here only because I feel it is appropriate. There was a middle-aged lady who joined Seki’s jujitsu class at Valley … Continue reading Teachable Moment! Being Honest — And Positive With Students by George Kirby
The following editorial was submitted by George Kirby. It originally appeared in the August 2005 issue of his monthly newsletter, Kokoro. Finding and retaining uke can be a serious problem for everyone who really wants to learn a martial art. Regardless of art you ultimately need a workout partner. Getting an uke, especially on a … Continue reading Finding an Uke: It’s Not What You Do, But How You Do by It? by George Kirby
The following editorial was submitted by George Kirby. It originally appeared in the January 2015 issue of his monthly newsletter, Kokoro. When a jujitsu student becomes a black belt, it means that they are a “sensei,” a teacher. That is one of the main reasons I will promote a student to shodan: because I feel … Continue reading The Sensei Conundrum: Shodan to Nidan by George Kirby
The following article is from Budoshin Jujitsu founder George Kriby. In it, he provides a biography of his jujitsu instructor Jack Seki. This article originally appeared on the Budoshin Jujitsu website. All images provided by George Kirby. Sanzo Jack Seki. Professor Sanzo Jack M. Seki, whose legal name was changed to Jack M. Haywood in … Continue reading Sanzo Jack Seki Biography by George Kirby
Kirby, George. Jujitsu: Toward One Technique. California: Black Belt Publishing, 2019. In his most recent release, American jujitsu pioneer George Kirby discusses the journey to achieve one technique. This “one technique” is not the single or only technique a jujitsuka must or should learn – it is more than that. The “one technique” Kirby discusses … Continue reading Reflecting on Jujitsu Pioneer George Kirby’s Towards One Technique
Kirby, George. Jujitsu: Advanced Techniques for Redirecting an Opponent’s Energy. California: Black Belt Books, 2015. From the title, it sounds like George Kirby and his jujitsu borrowed some pointers from aikido. Aikido techniques are derived from jujitsu, so are some of its concepts. Aikido may be characterized as soft and jujitsu as hard, but these … Continue reading Reflecting on Jujitsu Pioneer George Kirby’s Advanced Techniques for Redirecting an Opponent’s Energy
Currently holding the rank of nanadan in Yoshinkan Aikido and teaching at the Kadokan Dojo, Sam Combes began his aikido journey in 1963, in Hawaii, studying under Yukio Noguchi. After moving to Norwalk, California in 1967, he began his own school and has stayed within the Los Angeles area for more than thirty years. In … Continue reading Interview with Sam Combes: Yoshinkan Aikido in Southern California Part II
This is the transcript of an interview with American jujitsu pioneer George Kirby Sensei in the summer of 2017 for the research of my upcoming American aikido history book. In it, we discussed the American public view of the martial arts during the 1960s and 70s, his personal journey through jujitsu, and his organizational endeavors. … Continue reading Interview with American Jujitsu Pioneer George Kirby
Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 