In Memory of Our Bushi
November 27, 1922 - July 16, 1999
In the Martial Arts World we have lost many legendary men through the times. I speak of one of the true pioneers of the Martial Arts in America. I am referring to “THE LEGEND OF THE LOST ART”
Professor
Antonio Pereira, how he liked to be addressed, this humble man, founder of
Miyama-ryu Combat Ju-Jutsu, passed away July 17, 1999 at
the age of 76.
This
fascinating legend was born in Caguas, P.R., November 27, 1922 and arrived in
New York City at the very young age of seven.
His first exposure to Ju-Jutsu training was in 1943, as a young American
soldier; where he participated in hand to hand combat demonstrations given by
commandos. During this demonstration, he was ordered to punch one of the
demonstrators in the face, when suddenly he found himself gasping for breath
from a choke hold. So began the Ju-Jutsu career of this practitioner, one that
would span over 5 decades. During World War II, Professor Pereira learned as
much as he could about these specialized fighting methods from the commandos,
with whom he had served as a sniper for the U.S. Army.
He continued to experiment and practice with the techniques, refining
them sometimes under life and death situations.
After
the war, his quest for additional knowledge leads him to many schools in search
of martial arts prowess. In 1960
the former solder began to share his knowledge and consequently opened the
“Tremont School of Judo and Ju-Jutsu” to the public for the first time in
South Bronx, New York city. The
founder taught a rough and tumble fighting style which he called “Combato”,
meaning “The way of Combat”. The puzzle was not complete until he embarked
on a journey to Japan, with a plan to study from the source or Mecca of Japanese
Martial Arts and gain a better sense of martial principles.
On
arriving at the AIKIKAI (Aikido World
Headquarters), the realization struck that this was a similar to what he had
been doing all along, yet more refined. So
fierce was Pereira’s resolve, and so dedicated his commitment to learning,
that he was awarded a teaching certificate from Kisshomura
Ueshiba. He also trained
extensively in Judo (Kodokan).
“When I entered the Kodokan, they
asked me what rank I was. I told them that I was nothing, you tell me what I
am”, stated Pereira. At the time Professor Pereira was 39 and was practicing
with Shodan and Nidan that were 15, 16, and 17 years old.
During his six months stay, and eight hours of Martial Arts practice
daily, he lost more than 35 pounds. When the testing period arrived, Sensei Kotani,
who was in charge told him to test for Nidan
instead of Shodan; which he passed. This was true attestment Pereira’s
ability. He also received
instruction in Sosuishitsu Ryu Ju-Jutsu
from Professor Shitama Fukuoka and
was awarded a San Mokuroku in this
style of Ju-Jutsu.
Upon
returning to the United States from Japan, Pereira Sensei began to teach Aikido
at the Tremont School of Judo and Ju-Jutsu. However, Aikido was not suitable for
the residents of the Bronx, who needed more aggressive self-defense techniques.
Pereira Sensei said: “I’ve returned ready for a new beginning. Now I
know what I was doing. But being Hispanic, I had everything against me. Imagine
to “survive” with an Oriental
Art. It was almost impossible”.
Professor
Pereira began putting all of the pieces together and created a new Ju-Jutsu
system, one that would fulfill the needs of his students. He wanted a
self-defense system for the streets of the South Bronx, one for “our culture
and my people”, as he said. Pereira
said, “We think, fight, eat, and hate differently – those are the
fundamentals of our techniques”. He adapted the physical techniques of the
Orient to the mind-set of the modern urban citizen. In
effect, he created one of the few combat methods suitable for today’s streets.
The founder called his method Miyama-ryu
Combat Ju-Jutsu, which means, the School of the Three Mountains; this being
the English translation for Tremont and assumed the title of Shinan
which means originator.
“The
defining characteristic of Miyama-ryu is simplicity”, stated the Professor.
“If a technique is too complicated you will freeze under pressure,
which could be fatal”.
Miyama-ryu
Combat Ju-Jutsu revolves around the concept of the “Omaza” or complete
technique. An attack is met head on
with either an aggressive block or an evasion.
This is followed by an unbalancing technique such as a strike to the
vital area; then a major punishing technique is employed.
This could be a joint lock, wrist turn, choke hold, or a projection. Now
stunned, he is struck again on the ground.
He is then immobilized with a joint lock.
Miyama-ryu
Combat Ju-Jutsu workouts are spirited and aggressive, yet there are no injuries.
Practice sessions are conducted as safe as possible, while maintaining
realism.
For
his efforts, Professor Pereira was elected to the Ju-Jutsu America’s Black
Belt Hall of Fame in 1985, and became president of the Dai Nippon Sosuishitsu
Ryu Ju-Jutsu.
Professor
Antonio Pereira, the few who really knew you will never forget you and will
always maintain our loyalty to the Miyama-ryu Combat Ju-Jutsu system.
We will never forget your words “My
way or the highway” and “If the
technique doesn’t hurt, it’s not Miyama-ryu”
In honor of Shinan’s passing, the month of July of every year has been declared Shinan’s Month, in which every dojo will host a series of activities related to remembering the life of this pioneer in the martial arts; which is in accordance with the international executive committee in the Dominican Republic, who’s members are: Dai Shihan Duke (Director), Shihan Cordero (Sub Director), O’Sensei Echavarria (Miami Dojo), O’Sensei Sabala (Texas Dojo), O’Sensei Reyes (Beaufort Dojo), all other Dojo in the United States, Bahamas, and Mexico.
You
will be dearly missed by all of us.
It’s an honor to have been touch by you, SHINAN
O’Sensei Omar Echavarria
9600 SW 8 St. local#51 Miami, FL. 33174
Tel: 305 978-5595 / 305 244-9464