Through the wisdom and martial expertise of Renshi Stewart Cook, a philosophy was born and codified. He named it Rōsei Dō – “The Way of Maturity” or “The Path of Seasoned Experience”. With his permission and guidance, Steve Sensei has adopted the philosophy and principles to further embed into our already evolving Jujutsu without taking away its core, combining them to bring you Rōsei Ryū Jūjutsu – “The School of the Mature, Refined Gentle Art”.
Rōsei Dō Dōjō Tenets
1. Seek mastery of self before mastery of technique.
2. Cultivate softness in mind, body and spirit.
3. Meet conflict without becoming conflict.
4. Move with awareness, balance and purpose.
5. Respect all people, regardless of rank or ability.
6. Train sincerely and assist the progress of others.
7. Maintain humility in success and composure in adversity.
8. Let action arise from understanding rather than force.
9. Practise with gratitude and leave the dōjō better than you found it.
10. Carry the principles of Rōsei Dō into everyday life.
The Five Major Tenets of Rōsei Dō
• Shin (Spirit) – Unite spirit and action.
• Wa (Harmony) – Seek harmony rather than conflict.
• Ju (Softness) – Yield without surrendering.
• Kan (Awareness) – Observe clearly and completely.
• Makoto (Sincerity) – Train honestly and live honourably.
A concise recitation at the start or end of class could be:
We seek mastery of self.
We cultivate softness in all things.
We meet conflict without resistance.
We train with sincerity and respect.
We carry the spirit of Rōsei Dō into our daily lives.
The Principles of Rōsei Dō
“When the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art.” — Leonardo da Vinci
Rōsei Dō begins with the understanding that we cannot control a skilled opponent. Attempts to impose our will upon them lead only to conflict and limitation. Our concern must therefore be ourselves: our posture, movement, awareness, breathing and spirit. By refining these qualities, we become capable of responding naturally and effectively to any situation.
The Foundation
The primary pathways to success are:
• Posture
• Balance
• Breathing
• Relaxation
• Awareness
These are not separate qualities but aspects of a single integrated state. The more complete they become, the less effort is required and the more naturally technique emerges.
The Principle of Softness
Softness is required in all things.
Softness of mind allows clear observation without prejudice, expectation or emotional attachment. It permits us to perceive reality without revealing our own intentions.
Softness of the eyes creates complete visual awareness. Rather than focusing narrowly, cultivate soft vision that perceives the whole environment.
Softness of touch allows us to feel an opponent’s intention without communicating our own.
Softness in connection enables us to influence and manipulate an opponent without telegraphing direction, force or purpose.
Softness is not weakness. It is the absence of unnecessary tension, conflict and resistance.
No Conflict at the Point of Contact
At the moment of contact there should be no opposition. Let the point of contact be like the small dot within the Yin-Yang symbol: present, connected and balanced, yet never in conflict.
This principle extends beyond the physical. Even when threatened, do not harden your mind against an opponent. Do not become fixed upon a predetermined action or outcome. Maintain adaptability and freedom of response.
Ground, Breath and Hara
Allow the feet to feel the ground and mould themselves to it. Through this connection the entire body relaxes and becomes supported from below.
Breathe naturally and continuously through the hara. As breathing settles into the hara, the body becomes more stable, energy flows more freely and weight naturally settles to the underside.
Develop an image of your ki residing within the hara. Whatever form this image takes, cultivate it until it becomes a living reservoir of energy, spirit and presence.
Internal Connection
Internal connection is paramount.
When a finger moves, the movement should be felt throughout the body, even to the toes. No part acts independently. The body must function as a single integrated unit.
Always breathe while moving towards an opponent. Movement and breath should never be separated.
Connection Beyond Contact
Seek connection even before physical contact exists.
Develop a sense of maai (combative distance), understanding how opportunities and threats change according to range. Learn to perceive the relationship between yourself and the opponent before either person moves.
As sensitivity develops, connection becomes possible without touch, through awareness, timing and positioning.
Whole Body Movement
Manipulation of an opponent arises from whole-body movement, never from isolated use of the arms or legs.
A complete body influences a complete body.
An arm affects an arm; a body affects a body.
Power originates in posture, balance, breathing and connection, and is expressed through unified movement.
Allow Technique to Emerge
When redirecting or controlling an attack, do not concern yourself with where your limbs or the opponent’s limbs are travelling.
If the connection is correct, posture is correct and body movement is correct, then the throw, lock, strike or parry will occur naturally.
Do not chase technique.
Establish connection, maintain softness, move the body correctly and allow technique to emerge as a consequence.
Essence of Rōsei Dō
Cultivate yourself, not control over others.
Maintain softness in mind, sight, touch and movement.
Avoid conflict at the point of contact.
Breathe from the hara and move as one body.
Create connection before contact and maintain it without tension.
Trust correct principles and allow technique to arise naturally.
These are the foundations upon which all practice in Rōsei Dō rests.
Renshi Cook
