THE BODY AS A SWORD

Yawara is an ancient martial art that traces its history through the Japanese Bushi to the Shaolin Temple of ancient China.

Yawara is characterized by simple direct techniques that usually incapacitate an opponent in one simple powerful movement.
Yawara attacks the fundamental structure of the body, so Yawara techniques are very difficult to counter. Yawara was brought to America in 1903 by Frank Matsuyama. Matsuyama invented the Yawara stick in 1948 and instructed thousands of police officers nationwide in its use. Denver police officer Frank Goody studied with Matsuyama until the laters' death in 1956. Frank Goody taught Yawara at his school, the American Budo College, until his death.

This rare martial art is revealed to a world wide audience for the first time. Through these pages you will learn some of the principles of movement that allow the use of various weapons and open hands with equal ease. You will learn the basic principles of energy activation and balancing. Finally, instructional resources are offered for those who wish to continue their training in Yawara.