Ju Jitsu - The Gentle Art.

Embark on a journey through time, tracing the evolution of our Ju Jitsu from its creation nearly 500 years ago, to the present day. The dedication, wisdom and passion of the individuals mentioned below have forged a path that we proudly follow today.

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• 1532: Hinoshita Torite Kaisan Takenouchi-ryū (日下 捕手 開山 竹内流) was founded by Takenouchi Chūnagon Daijō Nakatsukasadaiyū Hisamori, the lord of Ichinose Castle in Sakushū.

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• Circa 1560: Hōzōin-ryū (宝蔵院流) was founded. It is a traditional school (koryū) of Japanese Martial Arts that specialises in the art of spearmanship (sōjutsu). Hōzōin-ryū was founded by Hōzōin Kakuzenbō In'ei (宝蔵院 覚禅房 胤栄, 1521–1607)

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• Circa 1568: Yagyū Shinkage-ryū (柳生新陰流) was founded. It is one of the oldest Japanese schools of swordsmanship (kenjutsu). Its primary founder was Kamiizumi Nobutsuna, who called the school Shinkage-ryū.

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• Early 17th Century: Kitō-ryū (起倒流) was founded.

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• Mid 17th Century: Sekiguchi-ryū (関口流), or Sekiguchi Shin Shin-ryū (関口新心流) was founded.

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• Mid 17th Century: Yōshin-ryū (楊心流) ("The School of the Willow Heart") was founded.

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• 1811: Motsugai Taeda (1795-1867) began his training in Martial Arts at the age of 16. He was famous for his martial skills and his immense strength. He trained in eighteen styles of Martial Arts, both armed and unarmed. Some of these styles included the unarmed styles taught at Hinoshita Torite Kaisan Takenouchi-ryū, Kitō-ryū, Sekiguchi-ryū and Yōshin-ryū. He learned his armed combat from schools such as Hōzōin-ryū and Yagyū Shinkage-ryū.

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• 1830: Motsugai Takeda founded the Fusen-Ryū style of Ju Jitsu. Fusen-Ryū specialised in wrist locks and ground fighting but practiced a full syllabus including throws, strikes and weapons. These weapons included Bo, Jo, Sword and Scythe.

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• 1881: The Fusen-Ryū gained notoriety when their top master Mataemon Tanabe (1869-1942) defeated Takisaburo Tobari from Kano Ju Jitsu. As a result of this, Jigoro Kano studying the Newaza (ground fighting) of Fusen-Ryū and incorporating it into "Kano Ju Jitsu", and his subsequent establishment in 1882 of Kodokan Judo, which evolved into Olympic Judo.

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• Late 1800's: Yukio Tani (1881-1950) of Fusen-Ryū receives his Shodan (1st Dan) from the revered Jigoro Kano. This connection bridges classical Martial Arts with modern principles, contributing to the growth and diversification of Ju Jitsu, leaving an everlasting impact on our style of Ju Jitsu.​

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• 1900: Yukio Tani was invited along to London to teach at Edward William Barton-Wrights Martial Arts school; an honour only bestowed upon the very best Japanese Martial Artists.

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• 1904: Harry Hunter is first exposed to Ju Jitsu during his time in Japan while serving in the Royal Navy.

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• 1904: Yukio Tani opened his own Martial Arts school "The Japanese School of Ju Jitsu" in London which remained open for just over 2 years. Notably, two of his students here were named Jack Britten and Alf Morgan.

 

• Circa 1904: Jack Britten earned his livelihood by participating in boxing booths scattered across London. He issued a challenge to Tani for a contest, which ultimately ended in his defeat. Following his defeat at the hands of Tani, Britten recognised  the value of learning Ju Jitsu, prompting him to enrol in Tani's Ju Jitsu school. His commitment to training was remarkable, although the precise duration remains unclear. Notably, he also participated in the tumultuous period of World War I (1914-1918), engaging in close-quarters combat in the trenches, where he sustained a bayonet injury to his hand.

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• 1918: Yukio Tani converted to Kodokan Judo and became the first Judo instructor at the "London Budokwai Dojo" (The Way of Knighthood Society) (武道会) Budōkai, Society of the Martial Way).

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• 1920: Jigoro Kano visited London where Yukio Tani was and during this time Yukio Tani was awarded Nidan (2nd Dan). Before his death in 1950, Tani achieved his Yondan (4th Dan).

 

• 1924: Jack Britten moved to Liverpool and opened up a pet shop and a Dojo. "The Alpha School of Ju Jitsu" had many notable students, including Bob Clark.

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• 1939-1945 - Amid the course of World War II, James Blundell's venture into the realm of Martial Arts commenced when he embarked on a shore leave in Singapore. It was during this period that he garnered knowledge from a practitioner of Chinese origin. There is also a possibility that he acquired skills in unarmed combat techniques from W.E. Fairbairn, whose inspiration was drawn from the foundations of Kano Ju Jitsu.

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• Circa 1945: James Blundell's Martial Arts educational pursuits led to him studying under William Green, who himself received Ju Jitsu instruction from Harry Hunter.

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• 1956: In the aftermath of World War II (1939-1945), a Ju Jitsu Organisation named the "British Ju Jitsu Association" emerged in Liverpool, overseen by James Blundell (1921-1989) and his siblings.

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• 1960's: Bob Clark under the instruction of Jack Britten gained his Blue Belt and at some point in the late 1960's, left "The Alpha Ju Jitsu Club".

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• 1960's-1974: Richard Morris, student of Alf Morgan, along with Bob Clark began training with James Blundell. Together they progressed and began to develop "The British Ju Jitsu Association".

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• 1974: The hard work of Blundell, Clark and Morris finally paid off. Clark at this point was a Brown Belt and with all the work they put into developing their Ju Jitsu, "The World Ju Jitsu Federation" was born.​
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• 1989: Colin Jones assumes the role of Senior Coach within the World Ju Jitsu Federation.

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• 1993: Marking a significant milestone, Colin Jones establishes "Nippon UK".​

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• 1996: Embarking on his Martial Arts journey, Silvio La Valle commences training at "Nippon UK," guided by the expertise of Colin Jones.

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• Circa 1997: Carl Norman lays the foundation of "Kudo Academies".

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• 2002: Progressing further, Silvio La Valle's journey leads him to "Kudo Academies," where the guidance of Carl Norman and Danny Blackhall propels him to the rank of Brown Belt.​

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• 2014: Following a break, Silvio La Valle resumes training, ultimately achieving the prestigious rank of Shodan (1st Dan).

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• 2014: Silvio La Valle begins teaching Ju Jitsu at venues and schools around Preston, Chorley and Blackburn as an Instructor for Nippon UK.

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• 2016: Silvio La Valle opens up the Chorley Dojo as a Senior Instructor of Nippon UK.

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• 2016: Silvio La Valle's dedication continues to flourish as he attains the rank of Nidan (2nd Dan).

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• 2022: A testament to his commitment, Silvio La Valle advances to the rank of Sandan (3rd Dan), demonstrating his growth and proficiency.

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• 2023: Envisioning a new chapter, Silvio La Valle establishes "Shinpo Martial Arts", a testament to his journey and dedication to Martial Arts excellence and a homage to all those who have paved the path so far.