Saturday, December 06, 2025 by C. Michial Jones
On December 5th, I traveled to Legacy Martial Arts in Fort Wayne to conduct a seminar on Japanese Taiho-jutsu. I was still in the thick of my radiation treatments, feeling far from my usual self. However, I wasn’t alone. My son, Curtis, accompanied me to assist with the instruction. Watching him move and teach, I realized he has evolved into an excellent instructor in his own right. There is no greater pride for a father and a sensei than seeing the next generation handle the “heavy lifting” with such technical poise.
The Tactical Pedigree
Taiho-jutsu is not a sport; it is a system of survival and control developed specifically for the Japanese police force. My journey into Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics (DT) began in 2005, and since becoming an instructor in 2007, I have sought out the most effective systems available.
Twice, I have had the rare opportunity to be certified by the Japanese Police Force and have been ranked as a Hanshi in the formal Japanese Taiho-jutsu method. This system represents the perfect intersection of my life as a Police Chief and my life as a Martial Artist.
Principles Over Power
During the seminar, we focused on the three critical phases of an encounter:
- Standing Control: Utilizing joint manipulation and off-balancing (Kuzushi) to move an aggressor into a position of disadvantage.
- Wall Work: Managing the “vertical grapple”—learning how to utilize the environment as a weapon or a shield when pinned.
- Ground Restraint: Transitioning from a fight to a “cuffing” position, prioritizing officer safety and the humane control of the subject.
Teaching through the Fog
Teaching this seminar while battling the side effects of radiation was a lesson in economy of motion. Taiho-jutsu relies on the “Arresting Hand”—techniques that use the smallest amount of effort to achieve the maximum amount of control. Because I was “puny,” as I’ve called it, I couldn’t rely on strength. I had to rely on the years of understanding: the angles, the leverage, and the timing.
Curtis provided the physical demonstration of these high-level principles, bridging the gap between my technical direction and the students’ visual learning. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and the owner of Legacy Martial Arts has already requested our return.
Conclusion: The Complete Warrior
Whether it is the “Hard” of Goju-Ryu, the “Flow” of BJJ, or the “Restraint” of Taiho-jutsu, the goal is the same: the preservation of life. This seminar was a reminder that even when the body is fighting an internal war against cancer, the knowledge gained over decades remains a valuable asset to others.
I am a Law Enforcement Master Instructor, an 8th Dan Hanshi, and a Stage 3C survivor. But on December 5th, I was simply a father teaching with his son, passing on the “Arresting Hand” to the next generation. The fire is still burning.
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