Everything is Bigger in the Dakotas! | The Shintaro Higashi Show
Shintaro Higashi returns from a weekend seminar tour through North and South Dakota and sits down with co-host David Kim to unpack the trip, the techniques shared, and surprising lessons learned along the way.
“You almost get reverse claustrophobia — it’s too open. Nothing but fields for miles.”
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North Dakota: Right vs Right
Shintaro kicked off his trip at Red River Judo Club in Fargo, North Dakota, hosted by Steve and JD. The seminar focused on right vs right gripping strategies, with an emphasis on setting positional traps, angling the body, and initiating attacks based on shoulder positioning. These weren’t just surface-level cues either — Shintaro introduced layered sequences using grip setups, pressure-release mechanics, and entries into techniques like ouchi gari and tai otoshi.
“These guys had great foundations already, so we could go deep. Right vs right, then angling off that hand fight into real attacks.”
South Dakota: Right vs Left
After Fargo, Shintaro made his way to Dakota Budokan in Sioux Falls. This seminar was completely different — covering right vs left (kenka-yotsu) tactics. Here, the focus shifted to managing the lapel hand battle, controlling sleeve exchanges, and using fakes to set up angles for entry. One of the biggest takeaways? Encouraging attendees to adopt a left-sided stance for the day.
“I told them, ‘I don’t care if you’re on the right — today, you’re a liberal.’ Everyone had to identify as a lefty. And they loved it.”
Teaching Method: Constraints & Safety First
Rather than long lectures, Shintaro kept the seminars highly interactive. Each concept was taught in 2–3 minute bursts, followed by 3–5 minutes of live drilling. The approach was deliberate: fewer injuries, higher engagement, and better retention through movement.
He emphasized safe training structure — especially important in dojos where injuries have a real impact on retention. No full throws unless requested. Beginners weren’t being slammed, and drills emphasized positional control, footwork, and pressure-based movement.
“Most judo injuries happen because someone’s trying to hit a new technique live on someone who’s not ready. So we fix that.”
What Makes Jiu-Jitsu More Popular?
In a surprising reflection, Shintaro shared a breakthrough insight from his time in the Dakotas: visibility. Quite literally, the visual layout of jiu-jitsu training gives instructors total oversight of the room — something judo can’t always offer when people are standing and crowding space.
“In jiu-jitsu, everyone’s on the ground. The instructor can see everything — and they can be seen. That matters.”
It’s this “bird’s-eye view” that might be contributing to jiu-jitsu’s growth over judo, offering both safety and scalability that’s harder to manage in traditional judo formats.
Regional Talent & YouTube’s Influence
What impressed Shintaro most was the quality of judo in the Midwest. Brad, the instructor at Dakota Budokan, stood out for his sharp reactions and high-level understanding of movement.
Many attendees had traveled hours from nearby states like Minnesota — not just for the seminar, but because they’d been following Shintaro’s YouTube channel and Higashi Brand instructionals.
“They were already speaking my language — grip fighting terminology, strategy, dominant positions. YouTube makes that possible.”
Key Takeaways
Seminar Structure: Right vs right in Fargo, right vs left in Sioux Falls — two totally different skill sets taught in depth.
Safe Drilling: Entries and positioning emphasized over throwing to prevent injury and boost retention.
Judo vs Jiu-Jitsu Growth: Visibility and floor-based structure might give jiu-jitsu an advantage in coaching and safety.
Community: Despite being “in the middle of nowhere,” the Dakotas showcased serious talent and commitment to growing their judo programs.
“These guys are out here, putting in the work, traveling, learning, and adapting. That’s what it’s all about.”Support the Show
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