SHUHO KEMPO TOIDEJUTSU

The final empty hand principle is Shuho, the principle of taking.  This principle was the emphasis of the Okinawan royal families, who practiced under the name of Toide, which is pronounced Torite in Japanese.  While this art is seen primarily as a grappling skill, in reality it is much more.

 

The Okinawan royal families were the rulers, military, and police of their country.  Their skills had to be capable of gently arresting the fisherman or farmer who had too much Saki, while being capable of meeting the lethal attack of marauding pirates.  Their skills were exceptionally effective and helped keep them in power all during their independence.

 

Once Japan took over Okinawa the Okinawans kept their martial arts a secret, not allowing their invaders to know about their skill.  When the Japanese discovered the existence of Karate in the twentieth century the Okinawans allowed them to learn children Karate and kept the real art a secret until the later part of the twentieth century.

 

There are nine interpretations of Shuho and these are best taught to advanced students in a Dojo setting.  In Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Bugei the art of taking is known as Shuho Kempo Toidejutsu.  Shuho is considered in Kiyojute Ryu the ultimate principle that teaches the highest level of martial arts development, save for one, which will be mentioned shortly.

 

Essentially you can think of Shuho as the ability to take whatever life, or an attacker, gives you and turn it to your advantage.  Thus Shu helps you achieve peace in life, knowing that in all situations there is a way to focus on the positive.