TRITAC/Programs/Kobukai Jujitsu
● Kobukai Jujitsu · Cromwell, CT

Real self-defense,
Japanese-style.

Kobukai Jujitsu is a self-defense system synthesized from four Japanese and military lineages. At TRITAC, three Kobukai blackbelts teach it — embedded in every Jiu-Jitsu class, and as a dedicated class Monday + Wednesday.

— WHAT IT IS

A Japanese self-defense system, built to work.

Kobukai Jujitsu is a self-defense system founded in 1993 by Shihan Russ St. Hilaire. It is not the historical root of all grappling — it is a deliberate synthesis. Shihan St. Hilaire and his training partner Sensei Carvalko pulled the most effective techniques from four distinct systems and combined them into a single curriculum.

The toolset is broad: escapes, strikes, throws, take-downs, chokes, joint manipulations, restraints, ground fighting, and weapon defense. The training atmosphere is traditional Japanese. There are no external tournaments — every technique is measured against one bar: does it work under pressure.

“Easy to learn. Easy to remember. Easy to execute under pressure. Three rules every Kobukai technique has to pass.”
— THE FOUR LINES

Four systems, one curriculum.

Line 01

ZenBudo-Ryu Aiki Jujitsu

Founded by Hanshi Duke Moore in the 1960s. The line Shihan St. Hilaire first trained in starting 1980.

Line 02

Kodenkan Danzan-Ryu Jujitsu

Founded by Professor Seishiro Okazaki in the 1930s. The Japanese-Hawaiian jujitsu line.

Line 03

Yoshida AikiJutsu

A version of Daito-Ryu Aikijutsu trained by Yoshida Kotaro. The aiki body-mechanics line.

Line 04

Military Combatives

Shihan St. Hilaire was a Hand-to-Hand Combat and Riot Control Instructor in the U.S. Army.

— WHO TEACHES IT

Three Kobukai blackbelts on the mat.

TRITAC Cromwell carries the deepest Kobukai instructor bench outside of Shihan St. Hilaire’s own dojo. Three licensed instructors — Kaiden 5th, Kaiden 5th, and Menkyo 3rd — teach the curriculum together.

Chief Instructor, TRITAC

Matt Bryers

Kaiden 5th Degree Blackbelt (2024)

Started under Shihan St. Hilaire in 2002. Also a BJJ Black Belt. Owner and head coach at TRITAC.

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Senior Instructor, TRITAC

Ken Cotrona

Kaiden 5th Degree Blackbelt (2024)

Started under Shihan St. Hilaire in 2001. Also holds Black Belts in Hapkido, Judo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

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Senior Instructor, TRITAC

Oz Pariser

Menkyo 3rd Degree Blackbelt (2024)

Started under Shihan St. Hilaire in 2007. Also holds Black Belts in Kyokushin Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

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Ranks and lineage per kobukaijujitsu.com.

— HOW IT LIVES HERE

Two ways in. Same curriculum.

  • Embedded in every Jiu-Jitsu class. The locks, the off-balancing, the breakfalls, the controls — they are Kobukai whether we call them that or not.
  • Dedicated Kobukai class on Monday and Wednesday for students who want the pure Japanese curriculum, with the traditional structure intact.
  • Members with prior Kobukai background can go deeper in coach office hours and seminars. Beginners pick it up without needing the family tree first.
— WHERE TO TRAIN IT

Two classes where Kobukai is taught.

Jiu-JitsuKobukai locks, controls, and off-balancing are taught inside every Jiu-Jitsu class.Self-DefenseKobukai escapes, strikes, and weapon defense taught for real-world application.

Try a Kobukai class.
Free for three weeks.

The 21-Day Kickstart includes the Jiu-Jitsu class where Kobukai is taught. Six coached sessions. No card required.
Start the 21-Day KickstartSee Jiu-Jitsu Program