Literally when translated meaning “Sandalwood Mountain System” is a North American form of martial art known as Danzan-Rhu. This “jujutsu” form of martial art is said to have originated in Hawaii located in the United States of America. This form of combat was developed by Henry Seishiro Okazaki, a Japan born American martial artist. Furthermore, this martial art form is extremely popular in the USA especially on the west coast.

a. History/origin of the Danzan-Rhu:

The founder of Danzan-Rhu, Henry Seishiro Okazaki (a martial artist) was born in a region called Fukushima Prefecture located in Japan in the year 1890. However, it was in the year 1906 that he migrated to Hawaii. It was on the island of Hawaii that he was diagnosed with a serious pulmonary condition. Furthermore, it was under the direction of Yoshimatso Tanaka that he began studying jujutsu. He then soon realized that studying martial arts has had a significant effect on his pulmonary condition, and hence decided to dedicate his life to studying and teaching jujutsu. It was over a period time that he then began to fuse elements belonging to martial art form such as Hawaiian Lua, Okinawan karate, Eskrima, Kung Fu, boxing, and wrestling to create an “eclectic” form of martial art known as Danzan-Rhu.

b. Weapon used in the Danzan-Rhu:

A combination of “kicks and punches” is essentially used as a weapon in this martial art form. In other words, the hands and legs are used frequently as observed in many other martial art forms.

c. Technique involved in the Danzan-Rhu and training availability:

In terms of technique, a fighter in this form combat mainly uses moves such as foot sweep, throws, chokes, joint locks, kick, and punches. In addition, the Danzan-Rhu is similar to Japanese jujutsu and also involves moves such as throws, sweeps, chokes, and locks. As for training centers/schools, there are many available around the world especially in the United States of America for those interested in learning this “eclectic” martial art form.

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