By Martin E. Hansen, Member until 2018

Expectations but also curiosity were high on a late summer day in September – jujutsu 2 was on the program. Admittedly, the sun was low, but spirits were high when the approximately 50 registered Shindenkaners showed up with morning hair and to-go coffee in hand, to gain an experience in the martial art richer. As usual, a good amount of preparatory work had been done before the course, and the first volunteers had been at work from 0600, collecting mats and planning the day's course. Therefore, it was also a satisfied Shinhan-kai staff that held the morning briefing at 8.30, where Kimu Sensei as course leader and the Honbu Dojo's top instructor informed the chief instructors about the day's packed program, which was to last until 12.00.

Exactly at At 9.00 an always happy Kimu Sensei welcomed the gathering of Shindenkan students and was happy that so many had turned up, as it was both the first and last time that he would be in charge of this course, as it had to be delegated to other Honbu instructors, thus resource use was optimal.

Close to 80 % of the students who could participate in the course had turned up, where the minimum degree required to be able to participate is 7th kyu. (Ed. At least 2 years training experience). At the same time, it was a testimony that confirms the commitment to Shindenkan and one of the fundamental values that we strive for perfection.

Therefore, as a student, you want to learn the material from an international grandmaster and a bujutsu capacity unmatched in Europe and Denmark, a chance you don't want to let pass.

In addition to optimizing knowledge, we also optimize resources, which is the reason for the delegation of certain courses, which also serve as instructor and leadership training for the higher graded black belts in Shindenkan. This has already worked for a while with e.g. instructor course package 1 and JuJutsu 1, and this delegation is also a sub-goal in Shindenkan's strategic plan 2005-2010.

The projector was switched on and Kimu Sensei began the course with a powerpoint presentation, which partly aimed to explain the course structure in Shindenkan, but also to inform the participants where Jujutsu had its origin and development and in what form it is part of Shindenkan's extensive competence course programme.

Everyone actively listened to the material, which in certain areas was familiar, but at the same time it was new for many to experience why the structure was the way it was and why precisely Jujutsu was offered at this time. The essence of the presentation, however, was to explain how high a level the courses are in Shindenkan and that the jujutsu we had to practice afterwards in the dojo was the "real" thing.

But what is jujutsu? To illustrate this, Kimu Sensei had very carefully selected 4 videos.

The first black and white video showed a true martial art grandmaster Kyuzo Mifune performing jujutus randori with a student back in the late 50s, which was very very graceful to watch.

The next video showed Judo "ippons" from the world championships, i.e. decisive scores.

The third video showed modern ju-jutsu duo-games, which almost seemed like a Hollywood movie, very nice and judged by judges, where, as in other sports, you get a grade after finishing the performance. All the participants enjoyed themselves by watching the great videos and could well see the point that it might not be so realistic, but they were skilled, under controlled conditions.

The smiles turned to slight discomfort for many when the last video came on – MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) with a collection of knock-outs from 2009. This video showed decidedly street fighting and floor fighting with knock-outs in the form of punches, kicks, strangulations and locks. Judging by the facial expressions, grimaces, etc. of those who lost, it was reality and something that really challenged the comfort zones of the course participants.

Kimu Sensei observed the reaction of the participants and added "it's jujutsu - for the group from 10.kyu-3.dan!"- although it's very bestial and not pretty, it's effective.

Over the years, many have doubted whether there is freestyle wrestling in the Shindenkan and in what form it is. Kimu Sensei said "In the end, all the head instructors in Shindenkan have been through it every year..." A few students, who by chance have attended an instructor's camp in shock, had to admit that it was the truth. The stage was set for part 2 of the course, which was to take place in the dojo.

The practical part began with a joint warm-up, which was extended with a short ukemi training to get the body "ready" for the subsequent training, which was mainly to consist of throws. The principle of today's training should be throwing techniques jodan, chudan and gedan. Jodan was laid out and Seio-nage was thrown in a kneeling version, which can be translated into something like a high shoulder throw.

100% emphasis was placed on technique and minimal use of force, which is why fast Tai Chi tempo was the starting point. The reason for the slow pace was that you had to feel the technique all the way and the different "stages" that are common to all throws. First one must gain control over the opponent, create a common center of gravity through contact, break the balance via tipping point, execute the throw and finally finish.

It sounds very simple, which it is, if you master it of course. The intensity was high and so was the success rate, which the very well-structured form of learning helped to create.

The subsequent throws: Shiho-nage, O-goshi-nage, Uki-Goshi-nage, O-soto-gari-nage were based on the same procedure and demonstrated that if you know the principles of one throw, then you also know all the other throws .

At the end of the course, the participants were allowed to sniff Kansetsu-waza, which means joint-locking techniques. Here, Kimu Sensei had selected a wrist/elbow lock, which should show the principle behind locking techniques and the control you can get over your opponent by inflicting controlled pain. A very disgusting but also effective way of controlling your opponent, as you will instinctively try to avoid pain and joint damage, which results in you following in the direction that the opponent wants, and typically an unlucky one.

All too quickly it was 12.00 and the course ended with a stretch, and despite the slow pace, all participants were very sweaty. Disappointment radiated from everyone because it was over, now that you had just gotten off to such a good start.

You can read much more about the individual experiences of the Jujutsu course in the many articles that will be published here on the website under the wheel and the deep plate. Enjoy.