History of The Jitsu Foundation UK.

The style of Shorinji Kan Jiu Jitsu was originally founded by Riukiu Myura, a policeman and later chief unarmed combat instructor at the Tokyo police academy. Since a child, he had studied extensively in various jiu jitsu schools (mainly Kodokan jiu jitsu), as well as the arts of Shorinji Kempo, Judo, Kendo and Aikido. He later combined his knowledge of jiu jitsu and Shorinji Kempo and, with his police perspective on modern street fighting situations, formed his own style which he named Shorinji Kempo Jiu Jitsu.

One of his initial students, a German called Matthew Komp, took the style to Australia in the early 1950's, where he founded a school in Footscray, near Melbourne. In Australia, Jiu Jitsu was not a legal form of self-defence, so Myuara insisted his students were also graded in Judo. Komp taught Brian Graham, who emmigrated to Australia and later returned to England as a second Dan in judo as well as a fifth dan (Godan) in jujitsu. Brian Graham renamed the style Shorinji Kan Ju Jitsu and established the first Samurai Ju Jitsu club in Keighley, Yorkshire.

One of Brian's first students, Peter Farrah, expanded the style, both literally and geographically, starting his first collegiate club at Plymouth Polytechnic (now the University of Plymouth). From there Peter Farrah's students moved on and spread the style rapidly through Britain. In the early eighties to cope with the administrative and organisational demands of the growing number of clubs, an association was formed called the National Samurai Ju Jitsu Association (NSJJA). The NSJJA organised and ran successful national competitions, courses and gradings.

In 1990 the growing demands from within the organisation for further expansion of Jitsu clubs internationally, and for courses to be made available to the commercial sector, required the reorganisation of the NSJJA. The strengths and resources were consolidated into separate divisions to service the competing interests of the organisation. The Jitsu Foundation was formed to coordinate the activities of:
The Jitsu Association, promoting the art, coordinating the activities, and servicing the requirements of Jitsu Clubs.
Studio III, providing training courses, and promoting the ideals, philosophies and benefits of non-aversive behaviour management.
Research and Development, exploring the boundaries of Jitsu, and providing a fusion of skills drawn from Jitsu training and academic research.

The Jitsu Foundation was driven by its Directing Tertiary Peter Farrah, and much of its success can be attributed to his charismatic leadership and the hard work of the Tertiary Board. Sadly, Peter Farrah passed away in 1997, but the Foundation has continued to grow under the direction of Directing Tertiary Dave Walker, and now has over 90 clubs in the UK.

As well as expanding in the UK, a number of instructors have moved internationally and opened clubs. The first was Cyprus in 1989, started by Andy Wallace. Sensei Wallace left Cyprus in 1991, the club was re-opened in 1992 by Jules Robson till 1997, on Jules departure the club was forced to close. In 1993, Andy Dobie moved to Canada and opened clubs at Trent University, Peterborough, and in Ottawa and founded Jitsu Canada. Then in 1994, Mike Mallen opened his club in Spartenburg, South Carolina in the USA. More recently, clubs have also opened in Greece, Holland, Belgium, Angola, Australia and of course New Zealand.

In 1997 Matthew Komp visited the UK and conferred the grade of sixth Dan and the title Shihan to Brian Graham.

The Jitsu foundation UK 2002

History of The Jitsu Foundation Australasia.

TJF Australasia is a branch of The Jitsu Foundation UK established in May 2002 by Sensei Simon Ogden in Wellington, New Zealand, and Sensei Rowan Searle in Sydney, Australia, both formerly of UCL Jitsu Club London.

In 2003 both instructors were recently joined by Sensei Jules Robson, and Sensei Lorne Roberts, both instructors are based in Auckland, New Zealand, and Sensei Simon Crook based in Sydney. Sensei Jules has taken on the role of Chief Instructor of The Jitsu Foundation Australasia.

In 2004 the tally of instructors increased with the addition of Sensei Andy Bickerton.