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Hepi Ryu means snake or serpent school. The snake or serpent is symbolic of the school’s techniques. Using the weapons of the Ryu to entangle and entrap the attacker many times with multiple locks to various parts of the body. In the advanced levels of training the practitioner uses a unique style of Jujutsu (unarmed combat), which is inspired by their Bojutsu training.

There are traditionally six major types of Ryu in Japan. One of which is called Soryu (Inherited School). This kind of school was taught and passed from father to son. If there was no family heir to continue the bloodline, the current Soke could then go outside of the family. Junji Saito’s family was a Samurai family and he was authorized to wear the top knot, which was a sign of a legitimate Samurai. Junji Saito was the last remaining member of his family and head of its secret Hepi Ryu Bojutsu tradition. As he had no family member to inherit his teachings he passed them on to his top student, Mike DePasquale Sr.

The Weapons of Hepi Ryu

The weapons training in Hepi Ryu consists of a Hanbo (3 foot stick), Cane, Tanbo (Nightsticks), and Yubi Bo (finger sticks). Training begins with Hanbojutsu and leads into the Cane. After one is proficient in the unique striking, blocking and grappling methods associated with these weapons one moves into the smaller weapons of the Ryu, the Tanbo and Yubi Bo. There are five levels of training from Shodan to Godan in this system. Each Dan grade has its associated weapon and fundamentals to be mastered. The Cane is a specialty of the Ryu that is only introduced at the Godan level of training, and is not taught to everyone.

(Hepi Ryu On-Guard Postures)

Hepi Ryu Bo Kata
Shodan Bo Kata	Introduction to fundamental striking methods
Nidan Bo Kata	Introduction to fundamental grappling methods
Sandan Bo Kata	Introduction to power swinging striking methods
Yondan Bo Kata	Introduction to close quarter striking methods
Godan Bo Kata	Introduction to the Cane and secret methods of the Ryu
Bo Kumite	Bo on Bo sparring methods, one per Dan grade
Tanbo Kata	Methods for the use of the Nightstick and Tong
Yubi Bo Kata	Methods for the use of hand held sticks
Hepi Ryu Jujutsu	Natural application of Jujutsu based on Bojutsu