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INTERVIEW WITH


DENTOKAN FOUNDER

 

Mr. ROY HOBBS

 

 

We are in the 21st century now, and the martial arts world has gone from the exclusivism of the days gone by into the new era of eclecticism, where the trend is to "..use whatever works". People are taking apart old styles, rejecting the techniques deemed "not effective", then retaining and polishing those which are considered "effective". New styles emerged every year, which claims to "contains only the best techniques for fighting". Welcome to the era of "Mixed Martial Arts", where Muy Thai's roundhouse kicks, boxing's jabs, crosses and uppercuts, Wrestling takedowns, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's ground controls and a host of assorted stuff from other styles lives side-by-side in perfect harmony. Some of us the so-called "traditional martial artists" called this phenomenon "Mix n Match Approach", and we are certain this trend will continue for some time until it is replaced with another trend.

 

However, long before the word "Mixed Martial Arts" itself becomes trendy, many martial artists has decided for themselves that no style is perfect, and that training in the martial arts has no end. These special breed of people took the "take the whole thing and face the consequences" approach instead of the "Mix n Match" approach taken by today's eclectic martial artists. These people actually put in the time and efforts to learn several traditional martial arts styles simultaneously and becomes reasonably good in them, good enough to earn teaching licenses. Instead of taking bits and pieces of several arts and abandon the rest, they took everything several arts has to offer, and, in the process, preserve them all for the future generations.

 

Mr. Roy Hobbs is one of the people who was not afraid to immerse himself into several martial art traditions. Exercising his discipline, talents and enthusiasm into its fullest extent, Hobbs sensei used his time when he was stationed in Japan (as a US Military Officer) to train with their native masters of martial arts. For his dilligence, Hobbs sensei received teaching licenses and/or advanced black belts in several martial arts tradition, such as: Hakko-ryu Jujutsu, Kokodo-ryu Aiki Jujutsu, Ryoi Shinto-ryu Jujutsu, Aikido, Goju-ryu Karatedo, Shorin-ryu Karatedo, Toide and Kobudo (weapons arts). Even before he set foot in Japan, Hobbs sensei already learned Japanese martial arts in the USA, most notably under Shogo Kuniba sensei's Seishinkai organization. Upon his return to the United States, Hobbs sensei founded the Dentokan organization, where he teach all those arts in its entirety, in contrasts with the "Mix n Match" approach taken by so many modern stylists of today.

 

We from the GBI Club is very proud to present an interview with Roy Hobbs sensei, done by our Chief Instructor, Ben Haryo. I hope our visitors enjoy this interview as much as we do. Onwards!

 

1. Mr. Hobbs, your resume are incredible. You are acknowledged as an expert instructor in several martial arts, amongst them are Okinawan Goju-ryu, Shorin-ryu and Japanese Jujutsu. Most people will readily tell us that it will take a lifetime just to master one style. But you managed to train in all of them and received teaching licenses. What are the secrets behind your success? And what motivated you to train in the Japanese martial arts at the first place?

 

I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to train in a number of traditional martial arts.  It is largely the result of having grown up in a military family, and having had a long military career myself.  The U.S. involvement in the Asia-Pacific Region made it possible for me to have trained under a number of notable teachers both in the U.S. and Japan.  Some were Americans who had served in that region, and some were Japanese teachers in both the U.S. and Japan.  One should always remember that when ability (largely born of training) intersects with opportunity, then success occurs.  I sometimes think this is what we think of when we refer to "luck".  I was lucky.

 

2. Nowadays, martial artists are concerned in "cross-training" in several martial arts, something you obviously did long ago before the word "cross-training" has become famous. We have come into a realization that there is no "perfect martial art", and that no art has all the answers for every situations. Do you have any advice for young martial artists who aspired to be a successful cross-trainer like yourself?

 

My early training was with Shogo Kuniba's Seishinkai.  Within the Seishinkai was taught Shito-Ryu Karate, Goshin Budo* (Jujutsu), Kobudo, and Iaido.  So to me, and others within the Seishinkai, it was quite natural to study several martial arts at the same time.  One thing I found invaluable was the ability to compartmentalize when studying each of the arts.  One needs to separate in their mind the different arts, because each is unique unto itself.  But, at the same time, one must be able to think compositely when applying one's knowledge in a real world self defense situation.  I would encourage everyone, who really wants to reach a full and rich understanding of the martial arts, to study a striking art, a grappling art, and a weapons art.  Each provides a unique understanding of combative methodologies.

 

3. You are a Menkyokaiden holder in Kokodo-ryu and a Shihan Menkyo holder in Hakko-ryu. Could you please tell us a bit about these terms "Menkyokaiden" and "Shihan Menkyo". What are they?

 

Kaiden literally means "complete transmission" or "all passed".  It denotes someone who has learned all of a particular art.  Shihan is a term that represents someone as being a licensed instructor from the headquarters school.

 

4. I am sure it is a great honor for non-Japanese to receive such licenses as "Menkyokaiden" and "Shihan Menkyo". How many non-Japanese has received these Menkyokaiden and Shihan Menkyo licenses before you? Were you the first?

 

I was not the first and I am not sure how many others were before me.

 

5. Hakko-ryu and Kokodo-ryu were derived ultimately from Daito-ryu, the martial art of Takeda family. From our previous conversation, I remember you mentioned me that you have seen Daito-ryu in Japan. What are your thoughts about Daito-ryu in general and about its similarities with Hakko/Kokodo-ryu in particular?

 

They are obviously from the same root.  When one observes them, it is obvious.

 

6. There is an anecdote amongst Jujutsu people that Hakko-ryu and Daito-ryu are more famous outside Japan than inside (having more practitioners outside Japan than inside). Is this true? If yes, according to your expert opinion, what have caused this interesting phenomena?

 

I cannot speak about Daito-Ryu.  But, I believe Hakko-Ryu is not as popular as Aikido (for example) because it is a rather closed group with very expensive grading fees.  On the other hand Aikido is very open, with reasonable membership and grading fees.  I also believe that many Japanese look upon the martial arts as a way of personal enlightenment and recreation.  Whereas Non-Japanese tend to look upon the martial arts as a fighting methodology.  Jujutsu is more for fighting, unlike arts like Aikido which are more for personal enlightenment and recreation.

 

7. In addition to Jujutsu and Karate, you have a teaching license in "Toide", which could be roughly considered as "Okinawan grappling" or even "Okinawan Jujutsu". Could you please tell us a bit about "Toide", especially its differences and similarities with Jujutsu?

 

Okinawan Toide, as I learned it, is essentially Okinawan Jujutsu.  However, I found it to be a bit cruder and less refined than Japanese Jujutsu.  It isn't as defined from a sequential teaching and learning methodology.  Effective, but not as defined and catalogued. 

 

8.  You have an extensive knowledge of Kata and its history. What are your favorite Katas, both from the Goju and Shorin styles?

 

My favorite Gojuryu kata is probably Seisan, and my favorite Shorinryu kata is Chinto.

 

9. From your previous experiences in several sword arts, you have designed your own syllabus for sword practice in the Dentokan. Could you please tell us a bit about this Dentokan Iai-Jutsu, such as its history, the training methods, and the persons who first inspired you to explore the Japanese sword arts?

 

I have studied more than one Japanese sword ryu/ha; Mugai-Ryu, Toyama-Ryu, and Itto-Ryu.  If you look at my website (http://www.dentokanhombu.com) you can find a complete history of my sword training and experience.  My first sword inspiration was Shogo Kuniba.

 

10. I practiced some sword techniques of Kukishin-ryu, but that's mostly because it was part of the Jujutsu training I do with KJJR Indonesia branch. I'd like know, do you think the Japanese sword arts are still relevant in today's society? The era of swordmanship and sword duels has passed, they are long gone. Why many martial artists, including yourself, still insists on picking up the sword and practice?

 

The study of the Japanese sword is intertwined with the study of Japanese Jujutsu (and Aikido).  One cannot develop a full understanding of Japanese Jujutsu without a basic understanding of Japanese sword.  Much of the technique and movement in Japanese Jujutsu is based upon the technique and movement contained within Japanese Kenjutsu and Iaijutsu.

 

11. Many martial artists in my country was exposed to the Koryu styles from their experiences in Aikido and/or Ninjutsu. Those two arts have some following in Indonesia, particularly the Aikikai style Aikido and Genbukan Ninpo. Have you practiced those arts or observed their demonstrations? What are your thoughts about Aikido and Ninjutsu?

 

I studied Aikido while posted in Japan.  I studied at an Aikikai affiliated dojo in Akashima (Tokyo metropolitan area), and earned my Shodan in less than two years.  Evenly I went on to earning my Yondan in Aikido with the All Japan Seibukan.  Aikido has much in common with Hakko-Ryu/KoKoDo and Kenjutsu/Iaijutsu; they are somewhat similar.  While I have not formally studied Ninpo, I have friends who are quite accomplished at it.  The art of Ninpo has much in common with traditional Jujutsu.

 

12. Do you have any advice for people who practiced Dentokan Aiki Jujutsu? Especially for people from GBI CLUB Indonesia who are currently practicing the Shodan Kata from your syllabus?

 

It takes many hours of diligent practice to become proficient at any art.  So, practice, practice, practice....  Also, concentrate on relaxing, and executing each technique with a high degree of precession.  It is perfection of technique, not strength, that will make for success in practical application.  There is always someone stronger, but few are technically proficient.

 

13. Last question Mr. Hobbs. Please tell us a bit about your future plans for the Dentokan organization.

 

My desire is to continue to teach and spread the teachings contained within the Dentokan.  Our objective is to build all-around martial artists.  Please join us in our endeavor.

 

Thank you Hobbs sensei for this enlightening interview! Our readers who wishes to know more about Mr. Hobbs and his Dentokan organization are encouraged to visit his website: www.dentokanhombu.com

 

 

* GBI Club does not claim to have descended from Kuniba sensei's Goshinbudo Jujutsu. The similarities between GBI's Budo Seishin philosophy and the Seishinkai Goshin Budo name is just a coincidence.