Icho-Ryu - A Martial Arts Created By A Police Officer

Icho-Ryu is a fusion of martial arts such as Aikido, Goju Ryu Karate, Jujutsu, Judo and Aikijujitsu. It was created by Bernie Lau to meet the needs of law enforcement officers. This martial arts is found mainly in the US, especially Washington state.

According to the Seattle School of Aikido, "Icho Ryu is the creation of Bernie Lau, a retired Seattle police officer, who felt traditional Aikido as it was practiced did not meet his needs as a police officer or serve as a self-defense system for civilians… Lau, despite his numerous years training in Aikido, came to feel that the traditional methods of training and the views of the organizations that existed were counter-productive to the needs of law enforcement officers. He resigned from Aikido to form the Washington Budokan, a private dojo, where he developed tactics and techniques more applicable to law enforcement and civilian self-defense. The result of this effort was Icho Ryu, a fusion of his training and influences in Aikido, Goju Ryu Karate, Danzan Ryu Jujutsu methods from Wally Jay, modern Judo, Aikijujutsu from the Yamate Ryu and Shidare Yanagi Ryu, and practical experiences as a uniformed patrol officer, undercover narcotics and vice detective".

Reference Sources

1. Seattle School of Aikido, About Icho-Ryu, http://www.seattleschoolofaikido.org/about_icho_ryu, Added - 07/20/16