New York, NY - Kukoshi Budo Institute -Judo

**Ming Loyalist** · Posted On: 8/06/2009 9:49am

Kokushi Budo Institute is run by Sensei Nobuyoshi Higashi, who holds an 8th Dan in Judo from the Kodokan (and also holds a 10th Dan in Jujutsu, and 7th Dan in both Tomiki Aikido, and Kokushi Karate.) Normally I would be skeptical of someone with such high Dan ranks in so many arts, but Higashi Sensei is the real deal.

Classes are very traditional, but there is a great training atmosphere and everyone makes sure that new students feel welcome (hence the 10 rating.)

I gave the school top ratings for aliveness, as they had me doing randori and newaza on my first day (although i was partnered with senior students and they were very careful not to hurt me, and to offer resistance while rewarding good technique by allowing me to throw them when the set up was more or less correct.)

Equipment got a 9 because although the mats are very nice, and the space is immaculately clean, I didn't see a crash mat, or throwing dummy, or gym equipment (free weights, kettlebells, etc.)

Gym size got an 8 because the space isn't very large (although it was perfect for the class size.) With huge locations like ATT getting a 10, I need to rate this appropriately. Bigger is not better, necessarily, but I want to give an accurate review.

With a small class, each student gets a lot of attention, and there are a lot of high ranked judoka in the class, who are happy to help. Also, Sensei's son, Higashi Shintaro, is often assisting, and he is a top level international Judo competitor. With both Higashis in the same room teaching a class of less than 10 students, that's a fantastic teacher/student ratio and well deserving of a 10.

I cannot comment on the striking instruction, and weapons instruction so I won't rate those.

The grappling instruction gets a 9, only because there are some better places to work on pure ground grappling here in NYC (because they focus 100% on ground grappling, both gi and no-gi, etc.) If I was to rate the *Judo* grappling instruction, I would give it a 10, as they produce international level competitors.

All in all, I cannot recommend this dojo enough, and I may add to this review when I have been training there longer.

**M.C.** · Posted On: 8/06/2009 10:06am

What do you think about the price? 160$ a month for only 2 classes a week, even for NYC standards this sounds a bit much.
Other than that, nice review and have fun training there.

**Tom Kagan** · Posted On: 8/06/2009 10:26am

M.C: Although expensive, the price is within the competitive range of costs for NYC.

**Ming Loyalist** · Posted On: 8/06/2009 10:48am

although it seems expensive for Judo, and there is an option for more classes/week that is more expensive (i forgot the amount and will update when i know) it really isn't bad.

as tom said, considering the price of other NYC martial arts, and considering the level of instruction, it's not expensive at all.

**default** · Posted On: 8/06/2009 1:58pm

thought standard judo aliveness was an 8

**Ming Loyalist** · Posted On: 8/06/2009 3:32pm

Originally Posted by default

thought standard judo aliveness was an 8

actually it's supposed to be from 8-9 (i should have read that guideline.)

will change to a 9 based on the fact that striking is not involved.

**Sisyphus** · Posted On: 8/06/2009 4:14pm

From their website:

Instruction:
By founder of Kokushi-ryu Jujutsu, Soke=10th Dan

Hhhmmmnnnnnnn...
I do believe with my limited knowledge of Japanese that "Judan" is equal to 10th dan and "Soke" means something very else, and Soke perhaps is the most misused honorific title in the MA world. Not just my humble opinion BTW.
:flipando:

That is, was Nobuyoshi Higashi's father the previous headmaster of Kokushi-ryu Jujutsu?

**1point2** · Posted On: 8/06/2009 4:33pm

He's got legit >5th dan ranks in judo, tomiki aikido and karate. He gets to make up a style.

Even though he made it up a few decades ago: http://judoforum.com/lofiversion/index.php/t7240.html

http://www.espytv.com/higashi.htm

He's also, I believe, Japanese, and the founder of the style, so if he wants to say soke then whatever.

**M.C.** · Posted On: 8/06/2009 4:39pm

Well, I know but consider this, I trained at Renzo for around 230$ a month with about 25classes a week available. And I think Steve offers a similar amount for around 160$ I think. (don't nail me on that one)
I know prices in NYC are high but for that you should get more than 2 classes.

**Tom Kagan** · Posted On: 8/06/2009 5:20pm

Originally Posted by M.C.

Well, I know but consider this, I trained at Renzo for around 230$ a month with about 25classes a week available. And I think Steve offers a similar amount for around 160$ I think. (don't nail me on that one)
I know prices in NYC are high but for that you should get more than 2 classes.

So fucking what?

They aren't gouging and they aren't selling garbage, and your point is noted. Now shut up.