Hakkoryu Martial Arts Federation History
The HMAF was founded by Dennis Palumbo in 1974, for the purpose of promoting the teachings of Hakkoryu Jujutsu and Shotokan Karate. Over the years, the HMAF grew to include registered schools and members around the world.
The Hakkosen Dojo, Denver (Aurora), CO.
The name Hakkosen is an expansion of the term Hakko Ryu. Hakko Ryu means “School of Eight Lights”, and Hakkosen means “Eighth Ray of Light”. The Hakkosen Dojo of Denver, Colorado operated for 30+ years under the auspices of Shihan Palumbo. Shihan Palumbo has chosen to close the Hakkosen Dojo and retire from active teaching. He currently offers private instruction only to his senior students.
HMAF Today
With the closing of the Hakkosen Dojo and Shihan Palumbo’s semi-retirement, he chose to turn over the active administration of HMAF to his senior active student, Dara Masi, Shihan Menkyo Kaiden San Dai Kichu, effective September 1, 2008. Masi Shihan will continue to work closely with Palumbo Shihan (who continues as President of HMAF) on all matters regarding the Hakkoryu Martial Arts Federation.
In an effort to become more available to current and prospective members of HMAF we will be improving this website and posting information about all current events as well as membership and promotion requirements.
| View | Letter from Dai Sensei Palumbo regarding HMAF Administration |
Meaning of the Logo
"The upper circle which houses the four diamonds is the mon, or family crest, of the founder of Hakkoryu Jujutsu, Dai Soke Okuyama Ryuoho. The four diamonds represent spreading the teaching of Hakkoryu to the four corners of the world. In the early days of the ryu's formation, Soke Okuyama called his system Yotsu mei, or the four eyes system. Later it was called Shido, or way of the warrior. On 1 June 1941, however, Okuyama officially changed the name, and registered the school as the Hakkoryu (School of Eight Lights) with the Japanese government.
The lower inner circle represents the Japanese concept of duality known as in-yo. This is represented by a dark circle inside a light one. The small outer circle which is shown as light (yo), represents the universe. Within the yo circle is shown a smaller circle (in) representing the opposing forces in the universe. The two are inseparable, as one is contained within the other.
The two inner circles which are together in the larger outer circle form the figure "8", the symbol of the School of Eight Lights of Hakkoryu Jujutsu. The three Kanji ideograms on the patch say: hak ko ryu. The patch is white with purple trim (the color of royalty in Japan and the Shihan belt of Hakkoryu). The black "in" circle is colored red on the school patch to symbolize the rising sun."
- description from the book The Secrets of Hakkoryu Jujutsu by Dennis G. Palumbo
How to Contact Us
For more information about the HMAF, please write to HMAFinfo@aol.com.