Danzan Origins

Henry Okazaki was born 1889 in Kakeda, Date County, in Fukushima Prefecture of Japan. He immigrated to Hawaii in the 39th year of the Meiji period (1906 A.D.) . When he was nineteen years old, he became ill while living in Hilo and was diagnosed by a doctor to have been suffering from incurable tuberculosis.

With the courage born out of desperation, he then knocked on the door of Mr. Yoshimatsu Tanaka who was then teaching Jujitsu at his Shinyukai Dojo in Hilo, and started to practice Jujitsu in earnest and in defiance of death. His frantic efforts and devotion to Judo not only miraculously healed his tuberculosis, but also enabled him to develop a strong, iron-like body.

Okazaki then realized that he owed his life completely to Judo, and the healing arts of his Sensei. He decided to devote the rest of his life to the teaching and promotion of what would become Danzan.

In 1929, Okazaki moved to Honolulu where he bought the Nikko (Rays of the sun) residence from Mr. Chester Alphonse Doyle, converted it into the Okazaki Seifukujitsu In, (Okazaki Adjustment and Restoration Clinic), and provided healing services to all people until his death in 1953.

The Nikko Restoration Sanitarium and the Danzan-Ryu dojo would become landmarks in Hawai'ian history. When Franklin D. Roosevelt came to the Islands in the 30's, Okazaki was called in to massage him. When John Burn's (future governor) wife developed polio in 1935, it was Okazaki who took her on as a patient. Okazaki became a renowned healer working on the likes of Charlie Chaplan, Johnny Weissmuller, George Burns and many other notible island visitors.

Okazaki named his predominately Japanese system Danzan (Chinese meaning “Hawaiian islands” ) in deference to the islands and the spirit of Aloha he believed in. Thus, the Danzan Arts came to embody aspects of Japanese, Chinese and Hawaiian cultures. Master Okazaki was also a fierce patriot of his new country, the United States of America, and espoused its freedoms.

Healing influences from China

From the Taoist beliefs of the ancient Chinese (Tao or Dao meaning Path) comes the notion that the universe is in constant change and transformation. This dynamic is represented by the two aspects of all creation: Yin and Yang. All traditional Asian sciences, including the healing arts, are based in this belief. To have harmony in nature is to have perfect health. Balance between the two extremes creates abundant “Qi” (life force energy) and is therefore critical in all things. Master Okazaki stressed moderation in all things as one of the keys to prosperity. We who follow the Danzan path constantly assess our own balance on the mat, at work, play, relationships, and all other aspects of our being.

Healing influences from Japan

From the Shinto beliefs of the ancient Japanese comes the idea that Nature is to be revered and that the spirits of our ancestors live on in its many manifestations. Master Okazaki believed that maintaining healthy relationships with your family would lead to healthy communities and nations. He believed that service to others was the highest form of expression in our attempt to understand our own true Nature. Harmony and reverence for nature helps to create abundant “Ki” (life force energy) and is critical to healthy living. We therefore practice our Arts and Ways with the utmost regard for our friends, family, teachers and environment.

Healing influences from Hawaii

From the Huna wisdom of the ancient Hawaiians comes the belief that man is composed of three selves: The conscience self, the sub conscience self and the higher conscience self. These three “Minds” are inextricably linked by “Aka” (ethereal conduit) and are energetically maintained by “Mana” (life force energy) For one to cultivate Mana (Ho’o manamana), one must live his life with “Pono” or truth. With enough Mana coursing through his body, one was able to harmonize the three minds and experience the subtle realms of reality. Master Okazaki believed that “Kokua” (helping each other with no expectation) was critical to the Path. He also believed that fostering a feeling of “Ohana” (family) towards others was “Pono” or “of the Truth.” It is held that health, happiness and satisfaction in life are derived from “Ho’o manamana” ... literally: to “empower” yourself.