A Brief History

In 1986 there began a long period of personal study of Anatomy and Physiology to determine the actual study area of all Martial Arts, the Human body, and its functions. Martin chose to specialize in the psychology and philosophy of the arts, later to develop into a burning interest in the Esoteric Studies in which he is still deeply committed. Joe chose not to specialize but to start the creation of a Classical / Traditional based Ju-Jutsu Style based on the Old Ways. As there was none in existence in Europe at that time, Martin and Joe combined their studies and training and decided to create what had once been many, but now was non-existent, a Classical based Ju-Jutsu Ryu. They launched Kyushoshin ju-jutsu in April of 1993, and were amazed at the amount of students who chose to train in what to the must have been a foreign Budo Art, but everyone who trains seemed to enjoy it, despite the hard physical training and the home study requirements.

When the style was founded by Joe and Martin, how had, at the time, 53 years of Martial Arts training between them. Joe had studies Karate, Ninjutsu, Aiki Ju-Jutsu, Kobujutsu, Hakuda and had 12 years of training in Ju-Jutsu, under genuine Sensei, among them Prof John Hillard Palmer from Scotland, Sensei Michel Hiller, from France and Prof Fintan Holland, from London Japan Society. Martin had studies Karate, Ninjutsu and also had 12 years of Ju-Jutsu training, under Various Sensei', before studying under Joe, and together the Style was developed.

The Style we train in is a Classical format. Let us enlighten you and to the difference between modern, Traditional and Classical. Modern Ju-Jitsu (jiu-jitsu, et al) has nothing more than a vague reference to the name in common with Classical Ju-Jutsu and owes more to Judo and Karate and Western style boxing than to any Traditional Art. Traditional Ju-Jitsu uses Western style boxing punches, retains some of the old kicking and hand strikes, retains some of the old Kata and teaches weapons skills. Modern Styles have no weapons requirement. Classical Ju-Jutsu retains the old Kata, teaches the weapons relevant to the Style and also teaches an in-depth knowledge of the Jintai Kyusho (vital Points) both striking and pushing. 

From this formation, we have gone from strength to strength, and are growing steadily. Learning a Classical Martial Art is not easy as there are over 4000 techniques in the style and then there is the Seibutsu Yanagi Aiki Ju Jutsu and the Yanagi En Aiki Ju Jutsu Skills to master as well. Therefore, very few progress through the higher grades. 

We teach nine weapons skills, but only the context of the Style. Any single weapon can be a lifetime study in its own right, there are weapons seminars / courses run throughout the year and you also lean during a normal class also. The weapons are taught because it is impossible to defend against a weapon you know nothing about so you learn the strengths and weaknesses of the specified weapons. 

We also teach Kuatsu, which is a form of healing. This is a type of first aid and is mean to assist the Sensei in good health care of his/her students in Ju-Jutsu.