Budoshin Jujitsu Testimonials

Below are unsolicited product reviews and comments about Budoshin Ju-Jitsu & the instructional materials:

I so hope you remember me and that this e mail puts a smile on your face if you do.

I believe it was in 1977 that I won a western US regional championship under your tutelage, whilst at Olive Vista Jr High. I think I also earned a few other trophies in my short career with you in addition to 1977.

But, having finally decided to look you up online, I am very happy to tell you that you have always remained in my memory fondly.

I recently read your latest two texts, the theory book and the figure four book. I just wanted to send a quick note to praise you for both of them. There is so much mixed-up martial arts stuff (MMA--my teacher's joke, not mine :) ), finding books on real martial arts for those of us who train for self defense and self-actualization is a real challenge. Both of your books were greatly appreciated. RP 2/10

I just received my 8 DVD set and watched the first two volumes. I am completely impressed with the quality of your instruction and the DVD's. The slow motion photography is exactly what I had hoped for to break down the techniques for better understanding. I was also impressed by your mastery of Jujitsu and how relaxed and fluid your movements are. I have been viewing your 8 DVD instruction set every day this week since I got it. I am definitely absorbing and integrating the techniques as I watch them and look forward to each dojo practice. Not only is the slow motion photography great, you repeat your techniques several repetitions and from different camera angles. In addition you do the techniques real time slow and real time fast. My enthusiasm for Jujitsu is on the increase by watching these DVD's. Thank you and your staff for making these movies. ...RS 11/09

I hope this finds you and finds you well. My name is Paul Hall [name used with permission]. You taught my brother and I Ju-Jitsu. At John Muir Junior High School through the Burbank YMCA around 1971. I was 12 years old and I still have my (gi) and green belt.

I was speaking to a new client yesterday. And your name rolled off my tongue. When a name comes to me that easily. I have to say thank you to that person. You taught me self-defense. But, I can see now it really was defense from my self. Respect for all those who had something to teach me. The ability to take a fall. Whether it be physical or emotional. Tuck, get the air out (yell), roll, slap the mat to help break the fall, protect yourself, spring back up, then Fight or Flee, but always in control of myself. My choice Fight or Flee. You have touched so many life's.

I want to thank you for everything you taught me, to help shape my life. Its amazing how many people you have helped through people like me. Now helping others. Only God knows all the life's that you have touched. I know how good LIFE is. Thank you. ...PH 11/08

I have studied several martial arts in my lifetime, my purpose being to acquire the knowledge to defend myself and go home at night. I have over the years blended Aikido, wing chun, jeet kune do, sambo, and some of the Filipino arts into what i believe to be an effective system. I would like you to know that i will incorporate a very large portion of your 8dvd home study course into my system, especially your street defense tactics. I work a lot on entering techniques which i believe to be the key to any combat system, one has to be able to enter safely and take control immediately, but from living on the streets a good part of my life I know that the techniques in your dvds are very realistic for street defense and I would recommend them to anyone that is serious about their safety..I think my purchase of your dvds was well worth the money i spent on the purchase. JV 3/08

I have received the DVDs. My senpai and I spent the evening with Disk 1. We were very pleased with it. In addition to broadening our view of basic techniques, there were two small techniques on the disk that solved long-standing mysteries for us. As far as I am concerned, that was worth the price of admission, and I still have seven disks to go! Thanks again for going to the effort to create this reference. BC 2/08

This is the first time I have taken a martial arts course this way. It has its challenges, but it has already made me a better instructor in many ways. LJ 4/07

I believe that I was one of your students many years ago (1978-9) at Olive Vista Jr. High in Sylmar. I'm thrilled to see that your are still teaching and involved in Jujitsu. I did not continue in the art past Jr. high but have always remembered fondly the time I spent in your class. You provided guidance, discipline and skills that have stayed with me to this day. When I saw your name I just wanted to take the time to say hello. TC 2/07

Advanced Jujitsu, The Science Behind The Gentle Art takes us into the mind of a tenth degree black belt in jujitsu who shares with us the physics behind martial arts, the thought processes of a master, and the most efficient way to practice and execute techniques. This great book offers the serious martial artist extremely valuable concepts and insights that are the result of four decades of experience. It explains anatomy and kinesiology as they relate to all martial arts.
I expected a straightforward presentation of the next level of techniques in jujitsu. I got all that, and so much more. Advanced Jujitsu is a gift to the martial arts community. Thank you for sharing your wisdom Mr. Kirby! DC 2/07

Advanced Jujitsu is a great book for "advanced thinkers" and practitioners of Ju-Jitsu, or any martial art. As stated in book's description and subtitle, it covers the SCIENCE Behind the art. It is not a visual "how to" book. It is a book of disclosure. Put simply, if you know how to accomplish a kick, a throw, or joint lock, etc... this tells you why it works. By exposing the physics of technique, the author helps us to deepen our understanding of "cause and effect" in relation to our movements. TD 2/07

Jujitsu: Intermediate Techniques rocks!! This is the 2d in a Series of books on the topic by Mr Kirby , it picks up where the 1st left off. This is unabashedly a how to book and does it's job clearly and succinctly . Mr Kirby shows the finer points of the art to the student (while not all the techniques are street applicable they demonstrate concepts that are vital to an understanding of the workings of Jujitsu).Mr Kirby also discusses tactics techniques and strategy for use of jj in real situations. The work is excellent and would be complimented by the DVD series Mr Kirby did on the subject. Well Done . DP 2/07

I will be teaching Mang Ho Self Defense at the University of South Florida. I will be using your book Jujitsu Nerve Techniques as one of my required books. GMJ

I am a High School Science Teacher and Wrestling coach. I have taught several of your lower and intermediate level Ju-Jitsu techniques to my wrestlers and have attained great success with these techniques. EB

I studied Aikido for two years and was always disappointed that the books on the subject never showed the details you have in your nerve book. Good work. MH

I am not sure that you remember me. You were my instructor in 1977 at Olive Vista Jr High. I have thought of you often over the years with fondness and Respect. You have been an inspiration to me in many ways. I just want to thank you for caring about us and the art, to instill in me a desire to be the best me I could be. I am better for having known you. SS

Thank you sir, thanks for what you do for me personally, the art and the association. I feel very disjointed here in Wyoming, but you always make me feel like I am in the loop and not completely forgotten. Merry Christmas... AJ

Review of Tape #1: [for complete review go to http://home.att.net/~erik.mann/gkbjl1.htm ]

In this, the first of 8 volumes by Mr. Kirby on Ju-Jitsu, one is shown how to use this art from a street effective, self-defense perspective. In our opinion, Mr. Kirby has created an excellent video that's fairly easy to learn. The first few minutes of the video go through correct posture, stretches, some exercises, break falls, and blocks. Following this, the heart of the program takes one through 12 self-defense techniques using some moves seen in judo, others in Japanese Jujitsu. Most of the 12 had extensions/sub-components, that combined, could almost give one 24 Ju-Jitsu techniques total to practice. Not bad for a short 40 minute video! This could keep the average beginner busy for many hours, learning how to perform the techniques. If most just spent one hour, on each of the twelve techniques shown, including their sub-components, the beginner, in our opinion, would have a great base from which to build on. I felt the real beauty of this tape was the way Mr. Kirby used striking techniques to close the distance and distract the opponent, so one could set up the techniques. Well done Mr. Kirby, can't wait to see the next one.

Review of Tape #4: [for complete review go to http://home.att.net/~erik.mann/gkbjl4.htm ]

. . . in this tape, you get over 50 techniques (counting extensions and the freestyle section)! This could keep the average student easily busy for 50-100 hours as Mr. Kirby suggested. I felt the real beauty of this tape was once again the way Mr. Kirby used strikes on some of the techniques to close the distance and distract the opponent, so one could set up the techniques. But in addition to that, from #13 on, one is shown counters and knife defense too. And just when you think you'd seen it all, the "icing on the cake" comes at the end where one gets to see a couple of minutes of "Freestyle" in which Mr. Kirby defends himself against 2 Uke's, that are constantly coming at him randomly in every way imaginable. This series, titled "Self Defense Ju-Jitsu", I felt really showed how to use the art from a realistic street mindset, versus many of the Ju-Jitsu tapes I've seen that show sport techniques, or techniques that make one wonder "Why would a person hold still for that?" Once again, well done Mr. Kirby.

ur ideas in the gentle-art-books have been a row of good and helpful hints on my own way. but ur newest book, i just read it, was really a new dimension. i reached 6.dan in aiki jujutsu, just got 5.dan nihon jujutsu bei sato hanshi, but i found many new skills for me and my pupils. despite of being member of EMT - the human body suddenly is full of new attacking points. for days my pupils are crying - page for page i study ur guide, with much effort! receiving newest information i just wanted to tell u this, and i want to thank u for ur work - the distance between CA and good old europe is too big
to tell u this on the tatami. ...AB

Have bought the tapes and they are excellent . The techniques for the most part are simple and direct , (this is the highest compliment), they would be applicable in self-defense ! situations . I have incorporated many of them into the self-defense portion of my taekwon do classes . I enjoy the BJJ philosophy of always trying to help ones attacker (was a boy scout once) and letting him do the work of the technique ie pull you up so you can make the strike , set the lock etc.....The site is a wealth of useful information. ...DP [2nd dan TaeKwonDo

The Budoshin JuJitsu tapes are excellent! I purchased my full set about 7years ago, and I still use them as a reference tool today.The instruction is very clear, the use of slow motion helmentioned, there is more than enough material and variations to take you all the way to Nidan... and beyond.
The more you watch the tapes, the more you pick up, the more you learn to blend and borrow when you get to higher rank levels. These tapes (and your books) have provided a link between me in Toronto Canada, and you in California that would never have been possible otherwise. As a long distance learner, your tapes have been an outstanding opportunity for me tolearn, practice, and now as a Nidan/Instructor, to teach Budoshin JuJitsu Many thanks to you for all your hard work and support. Make sure everyone purchases your books and DVDs as well. Your books are used in every one of my classes as reference tools for my students, and they love them! ...GC

Sensei, I have read a couple of your books and the website will visit often. ...WR

I picked up your book at the local martial arts supply store when we were buying our gi's not knowing you association with O'Sensei. Thank you for writing it as I find myself thumbing through the text often in between practices. ...ERC

How have you been? I hope this finds you in good health and good spirits. I do not believe I have ever thanked you properly before. So I just wanted you to know that Ju-Jitsu has been one of the most influential experiences on my life. I believe it has helped me be the person that I am today. Thank you for your support, effort and guidance. Sorry for not keeping in touch, but you have to understand how hard it was to quit. Thanks again. ...MS