Fusen Ryu: Defense and Adaptability in Feudal Japan

Fusen Ryu It is an old school of jujutsu Japanese martial arts that specialized in hand-to-hand combat techniques and became famous for its focus on the ground, a unique feature in traditional Japanese martial arts. Founded by Mataemon Tanabe In the 18th century, Fusen Ryu was known for its methods of holding and controlling opponents on the ground, differentiating itself from other schools that favored stand-up combat. Fusen Ryu technique and strategy developed into an advanced system that emphasized adaptability and endurance, qualities that allowed practitioners to overcome opponents of greater size or strength.

Throughout its history, Fusen Ryu has left a profound influence on the development of other combat disciplines, such as judo, and continues to be respected for its technical approach and its philosophy of harnessing the opponent's energy.

Mataemon Tanabe, the founder of Fusen Ryu, was a samurai master with a deep understanding of ground combat. During a time when most jujutsu schools focused on stand-up combat and throwing techniques, Tanabe developed a system that emphasized control and defense on the ground, allowing practitioners to neutralize their opponents through grappling and submission techniques.

Tanabe introduced Fusen Ryu at a time when the ability to adapt to different combat situations was essential, especially in feudal Japan, where fights could take place in close quarters and on uneven surfaces. His system revolutionized the approach to traditional jujutsu and demonstrated that through technique, strategy and endurance, a samurai could defeat an opponent without relying solely on strength.

Fusen Ryu's approach to ground combat is based on several key principles:

• Opponent Control: Fusen Ryu teaches practitioners to neutralize the opponent through holding and control techniques, using the opponent's weight against him and limiting his movements.

• Adaptability: One of the fundamental principles of Fusen Ryu is the ability to adapt to the terrain and the opponent. Practitioners learn to analyze the opponent's position and intentions, adjusting their techniques according to the situation.

• Using the Adversary's Energy: Like other jujutsu schools, Fusen Ryu teaches how to take advantage of the opponent's strength to execute control and submission techniques, allowing smaller practitioners to defeat stronger opponents.

Fusen Ryu is especially known for its focus on the ne-waza or ground fighting techniques, an aspect that sets it apart from other traditional schools. Rather than simply throwing or striking the opponent, Fusen Ryu practitioners seek to take the fight to the ground, where they can apply control, immobilization and submission techniques. This approach made Fusen Ryu especially effective in real combat situations, where the practitioner could dominate his adversary even on difficult terrain or in tight spaces.

Fusen Ryu's ne-waza includes a wide variety of techniques, such as:

• Kansetsu waza: Joint control techniques that allow the practitioner to subdue the opponent by means of levers on the elbows, wrists and shoulders.

• Shime-waza: Strangulation techniques that neutralize the opponent by controlling his breathing. These techniques are used to incapacitate the opponent quickly and effectively.

• Osae Waza: Immobilization techniques that allow the practitioner to keep the opponent on the ground without being able to move or get up, giving the practitioner total control of the situation.

Fusen Ryu's success in jujutsu fighting attracted the attention of other practitioners and contributed to the evolution of other disciplines. Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo, was impressed by the effectiveness of Fusen Ryu's ne-waza and decided to incorporate ground techniques into his own judo system. This decision resulted in a significant development of judo, which is known today for its combination of throwing and ground fighting techniques, many of which are derived from Fusen Ryu.

Kano recognized that mastery of ground combat was an essential advantage in judo and promoted the training of these techniques among his students. This incorporation of ne-waza allowed judo to develop a more complete combat aspect, and many judo practitioners acknowledge the impact of Fusen Ryu in the formation of their discipline.

Fusen Ryu promotes a philosophical approach to defense and adaptation which aligns with the principles of Japanese budo. Fusen Ryu practitioners are taught to value adaptability and to remain calm in combat situations, taking advantage of every opportunity to subdue the opponent without causing unnecessary harm. This defensive approach emphasizes preserving one's own safety and that of others, allowing the practitioner to control a situation efficiently and without resorting to excessive violence.

The principle of "yield to win" is central to Fusen Ryu, and teaches practitioners to use the opponent's energy and movement to execute restraint and submission techniques. This philosophy allows Fusen Ryu to be accessible to people of all physical builds, as it does not rely solely on physical strength.

Fusen Ryu emphasizes the resistance and patience as essential qualities in combat. Unlike other schools that seek to resolve the confrontation quickly, Fusen Ryu teaches practitioners to take the necessary time to wear down the opponent and wait for the right moment to apply a submission technique. This strategy of waiting and control allows Fusen Ryu practitioners to gain the advantage even in situations of physical or numerical disadvantage.

In the Fusen Ryu system, joint techniques (kansetsu-waza) play a fundamental role, as they allow the practitioner to control the opponent without the need to inflict direct damage. These techniques, based on the use of leverage and twists, aim to immobilize the opponent or force him to submit by controlling his limbs.

Strangulation techniques are another important pillar in Fusen Ryu. Known as shime-wazaThese techniques seek to limit the flow of blood or air to the opponent, leaving him incapacitated quickly and effectively. Mastery of these techniques requires precise knowledge of anatomy and absolute control of the force and pressure applied, reflecting the high technical level that Fusen Ryu demands of its practitioners.

Pinning techniques are essential in Fusen Ryu and allow the practitioner to keep the opponent under control on the ground, ensuring that they cannot break free or launch a counterattack. These techniques are especially useful in self-defense contexts and allow a Fusen Ryu practitioner to subdue their opponent without causing significant damage.

Fusen Ryu's impact on Japanese martial arts is significant, especially in the evolution of judo and the ground combat approach developed by other schools. Despite its origins in classical jujutsu, Fusen Ryu is notable for its unique focus on ground defense and control, qualities that make it an effective combat system in a variety of situations.

The legacy of Fusen Ryu lives on in modern martial arts, and its philosophy of defense and adaptability continues to inspire practitioners around the world. The school remains a model of efficiency and control, fundamental values ​​in the practice of Japanese budo.