Byakko Ryu Jujutsu, or White Tiger System of Yielding, is a blend of concepts from the Bok Fu style of Kung Fu (as taught by Mister Yoshida to Michael Leib Cerpok in the early 1980's) and DanZan Ryu Jujutsu (as taught by Professor Jennings to Michael Leib Cerpok in the early 1990's).
Utilizing diagonal, vertical, and horizontal circles as it's primary tool for self defense, Byakko Ryu is geared toward use by a smaller practitioner. Although some of the techniques are borrowed directly from their original styles, most have been modified. This is not to imply that the techniques were flawed as they were, but rather that often times different techniques work differently when performed by different people.
Out of respect for tradition, as it was passed down from Mister Yoshida, ( who would not allow potential students to even view a class until accepted into the school ) we will not go into great detail in regard to movements or application of movements. Suffice it to say that Byakko Ryu is set up with mokuroku (lists of techniques), Kata (forms), and drills. The style incorporates striking with the hands and feet, escaping, throwing, sweeping, joint locking, and grappling. It is certainly a soft style, by definition.
Beginners wear a white belt, and are awarded colored tabs as they move through the mokuroku. After approximately four years (average), the student will have reached an intermediate level and test for their brown belt. It is usually another two to three years before the average student is invited to test for their advanced rank, or black belt. Osensei Cerpok often says that repetitions are a better measure of understanding than years trained. Therefore, a student of Byakko Ryu can use as a guide; one thousand repetitions to know a movement, ten thousand repetitions to understand a movement, and one hundred thousand repetitions to master a movement. Being that there are more than one hundred and sixty movements to be mastered in the Byakko Ryu, a student wishing to use the attainment of their black belt as their goal should begin their training only after careful consideration of the task ahead.
Byakko Ryu also contains, within the Kata, a breathing discipline to assist the student in focus, calm, and deeper awareness. There are additional requirements in the healing arts as well. Students of the adult class may also be required to participate in philosophy classes, geared towards helping them understand their own philosophy rather than trying to convince them of another. However, the Eight Principles of the Byakko Ryu are often used as a starting point in these discussions. In the end, students of the Byakko Ryu will come away with a greater awareness of themselves on a physical, mental, and emotional level. |
