“At the end of the day, we’re all just adults who like to grapple and no other adult should tell us who we can and cannot play with”
A private - yet all-embracing, non-denominational Jiujitsu & Grappling community, playpen, bouncy castle, moonpool, and speakeasy located in the wilds of Osaka, Japan.
what the heck is this?
Like it says above, our studio is a place that was created and designed for like-minded people from all sorts of grappling schools and styles in and around Osaka to get together to learn from and play with each other. Although we tend to focus mostly on “no-gi” grappling, we don’t mind putting on the kimono from time to time.
We think those of us who train have always wished we could get more mat time at our home gym - more time to explore things we have learned or seen elsewhere with friends who might train at different gyms - more time to get to know our own game. That’s what this space is here for.
There’s more about us on the main landing page HERE.
From Everywhere For Everyone
Wrestling is ancient and has taken forms in nearly all societies throughout history. Jiujitsu as its practiced today had its start at the crossroads of Japanese and Brazilian culture. Therefore, Grappling is made for the world.
We’ve come from very far away and around the corner
We are Japanese, Puerto Rican, Basque, Dominican, Australian, Scottish, Korean, French, Chinese, Canadian, & American.
We are Men and Women.
We are intermediate and advanced grapplers.
We are friends and We are family and We are growing.
What’s With the Name?
“Deepwater Drilling Research Facility No. 550” - bit of a mouthful right?
We aren’t a school per-se and we are invitation only so we wanted to avoid having the words “Jiujitsu”or “Dojo” on our door. Think of us a jiujitsu “Speakeasy”
The term “Deepwater” of course refers to getting deep into the good stuff…the deep end of the pool so to speak in our learning, training, and sparring.
“Drilling” is…well…drilling techniques over and over…reflex development…conditioning.
We think the term “Research Facility” is more appropriate to what we are doing in the space rather than “dojo” or “school” - we like to use the term “studio” too.
No. 550 refers to the postal prefix of our hometown, Osaka - the best place in Japan.
PS: Peter (AKA “Letterboy”) is our Tokyo-based Swedish Purple Belt who is an absolute MASTER of hand-painted signs - look him up!
About the Space
Our studio is a 57sqm climate-controlled training space with 36sqm of mats of 5cm thick grappling mats located in the Horie neighbourhood in the Western Ward of Osaka, Japan.
Free WiFi, a private changing space, and individual (unlocked) storage boxes are available for your use.
House rules
By playing with us (aka using our Studio facility for any purposes) you automatically agree to all terms of use (“House Rules”) and waive and hold harmless the owners for responsibility for any injury/illness/death or property damage related to the use of the facility or taking place on the Studio Property. Likewise, you waive your training partners of any responsibility and take full responsibility for any injuries (including illness) incurred by you as a result of use of the space.
General:
1. The use of the Studio is “at will” by the Management of Horie Riki, LLP who in their sole discretion may modify the rules of use at any time and may restrict, eject, or ban from any future use anyone they may deem.
2. As of this writing, the use of the Studio is Invitation-only and at No Charge – it is expected that the invited Members participate and support the care and development of the facility in a spirit of sharing and community. Members may be asked to “chip-in” to help cover utility bills (electric/gas/water, internet), etc and the costs of cleaning materials/toilet paper etc.
3. No Drop-Ins – Any non-member Guests must be pre-approved and abide by all rules
4. A CCTV and motion detection system is in-use in the Studio at all times – by using the Studio you and your approved guests are giving your approval to being recorded and having this recording retained and potentially shared with the Police or other authorities as required.
5. Your approval to appear in the Social Media accounts of the Studio owners and your training partners is implicit – if you do not wish to appear in such posts, it is your responsibility to notify your training partners.
6. The Studio may be used for training, teaching, studying, sparring and drilling Jiujitsu, grappling, Judo, and wrestling as well as the study and practice of Yoga, Body Weight Movement Exercises (such as GMB fitness), and Massage Training
7. Training Jiujitsu, Judo or similar grappling martial arts in the Studio is restricted to those who are documented at the level of Blue Belt or above (BJJ, Judo) or demonstrated experience in wrestling, grappling, or MMA.
8. Out of consideration for our neighbors, training with full body throws etc is not permitted unless during specified hours and may require using additional mats. Additionally, training strikes, kicks, or with weapons of any kind is generally not permitted without specific authorization
9. The following techniques are specifically banned and will merit immediate expulsion and banning:
Jumping to Closed Guard
Flying Leg Scissors
Body Slamming
Bending Fingers (less than four digits)
10. Children are not permitted to train in the Studio without their parent/legal guardian present at all times.
11. Due to space constraints, those who are not actively training may be asked to leave – including “guests”/friends who are only spectating training.
12. The Studio is a shared space within a close community, noise has to be kept at a reasonable level and courtesy maintained at all times.
13. No smoking inside or directly in front of the Studio building.
14. Due to size limitations, the following limits are enforced (attendance schedule is controlled):
Only 7 pairs of training partners or a total of 14 individuals are allowed on the mats for seminars and drilling sessions.
Only 5 pairs of training partners or a total of 10 individuals are allowed on the mats for the purposes of sparring
These limits may be modified further according to the size of those training
15. Limited storage space for members’ use may be available however the management of Horie Riki, LLP is not liable for any theft/loss/damage related to use of the studio.
16. All members and guests are required to follow all general, uniform, and hygiene rules and policies at all times and to otherwise be nice.
Hygiene and General Health and Safety Rules:
1. Shoes will be removed at the door and NO shoes on the mats including wrestling shoes (toilet slippers are available)
2. No eating on the mats (drinking, however - including mat beers - is OK!)
3. Fingernails and toenails must be trimmed and clean
4. Members/users are heavily encouraged to keep their breath fresh and pleasant
5. Clean, pleasant-smelling rashguards should be worn for every session of 3 hours or more.
6. Dirty or bad smelling training gear is not permitted (yes, even if you cleaned it and it still stinks)
7. Those who are sick or appear to be ill must not train and will not be permitted to train.
8. Those with (or who appear to have) Ringworm, Staphylococcus infections or other transmittable skin diseases will not be permitted to train
9. Tap early/Tap Often - It is each individual’s responsibility to communicate/train within their own limits to include pre-existing injuries or issues.
10. Anyone can say NO to partnering/sparring with any one – No questions asked
11. If you train, you clean. Cleaning is defined as vacuuming, rolling over the mats with a lint roller, wiping down with cleaning towel, AND spraying with disinfectant – in that order (materials are provided but users may be asked to contribute to purchasing)
a. You are expected to volunteer to help take out garbage etc or anything else required to ensure the upkeep of the space.
b. NOTE: if you bleed, vomit or otherwise expel any other bodily nastiness during training, you are responsible for cleaning it up properly
· There are NO shower facilities in the Studio
· A unisex toilet is available with a Japanese-Style/”Washiki” (squatting) Toilet and two (2) urinals.
· Bring your own towel(s), body wipes, mouth guard, water bottle, and extra/spare training clothes.
· Share what you know, be open to what’s shared, love and respect your training partners and this time together. Have Fun!
