Officers
The original British Ju Jitsu Federation was founded in 1956 by Vernon Bell, a student of Harry Johnston and Seishi Teppei. This heritage is shared by the Zambian Jujutsu movement since Joe Grant Grierson studied under Harry Johnston in Capetown. The original British Ju Jutsu Federation actually came under the auspices of the "Mombasa Jujutsu Association". Therefore it is fitting that the current British Jujutsu Federation is headed as a joint venture between Jujutsu inheritors in Britain and Zambia. Simon Keegan (5th Dan) in Britain is the eighth generation of his family in the Japanese and Okinawan traditions and his great uncle's Jujutsu school was founded in 1928. Jonathan Kruger (8th Dan) in Zambia is the 5th generation inheritor of Jujutsu in Zambia. 1928 was also the year the art was introduced to Zambia. Here follows profiles of Simon Keegan and Jonathan Kruger, two westerners who have inherited Japanese traditions.
Kaicho Simon Keegan 5th Dan
Kaicho Simon Keegan has decades of experience in Jujutsu and Karate and is the inheritor of a 200 year old family martial arts tradition as well as holding several black belt grades.
A FAMILY TRADITION
Simon's family tradition began in about 1780 when the Swedish Nilsson family moved to Japan and settled in Okinawa. The patriarch of the family Nils, worked for a major shipping company, as did the Okinawan Karate master Tode Sakugawa. The Nilsson family stayed in Okinawa and ultimately integrated themselves into that culture but Nils himself returned to Kalmar, Sweden, where in 1867, the man we believe to be his great grandson, August Nilsson was born. August was a tough man and member of the Swedish Royal Navy at Karlskrona. Eventually he moved to England where he taught his sons and grandsons "boxing." One of his grandsons was Bill Nelson, who after serving in the Navy in WWII himself, studied two styles of Jujutsu reaching black belt grade which training in 1945 was a very high grade. Bill's teacher represented the Kawaishi Ryu back when Mikonosuke Kawaishi was teaching a brutal system of Jujutsu based on his studies with Yoshida Kotaro who was a master of both Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu and Yanagi Ryu Hakuda. Bill was the great uncle of Simon Keegan who today is the 8th generation inheritor of this tradition. Simon's father David Keegan first began his martial arts studies with Jujutsu in around 1959, training with Sensei Bernie Blundell 6th Dan. David later trained in Karate, Kobudo, Tai Chi, Hsing-I and the Japanese Koryu art of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu. He currently teaches Tai Chi.
TRAINING HISTORY
Simon Keegan began his martial arts training informally over 25 years ago when he was introduced to Jujutsu techniques by his father and spent many days boxing in his grandparents' back garden. He also trained with weapons from a very young age including Katana, Aikuchi, Nunchaku, Surujin, Shuriken, Bo and Chinese broadsword (Dao). He joined a fencing club, studying foil and epee, and also joined a boxing club aged 10.
As a teenager Simon joined the Bushido Academy, training with Sensei Steve Bullough where he was taught a mixture of Karate, Aikido, Judo, Jujutsu and weapons including Jo, Katana, Yari, Nunchaku and Tanto. Simon competed in national level at Karate and kickboxing and also competed in kata, specialising in the Katana (Iaido). Simon also began training in Chinese Internal Martial Arts around this time, training with a Chinese school for nine years. Simon was awarded his Bushido blackbelt in 1999 and in 2000 founded his own branch of the school which later became Bushinkai.
Simon trained with the KYR Bugei Renmei attending seminars with instructors like Joe Carslake, Jaimie Lee-Barron and George Scarrott and training in Karate Jutsu and Shotokan with the likes of Bob Carruthers and Steve Brennan. Simon graded to 2nd Dan Jujutsu with Hanshi Lee-Barron and 2nd Dan Karate with Kyoshi Carruthers. Simon would train with Kyoshi Carruthers over the next 10 years.
In 2003 while on a course with Aikjujutsu master Kondo, Simon was accepted into Tokyo's Kokusai Budoin (IMAF) organisation and his 2nd Dan grade ratified by Nihon Jujutsu master Shizuya Sato 10th Dan and by the hereditary Shogun Tokugawa Yasuhisa. He was also invited to the unveiling of the treasures of the first Tokugawa shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Simon began training with Kyoshi Reiner Parsons in Goju Ryu Karate (as well as with Reiner's teacher Tadanori Nobetsu) who graded him 3rd Dan in Shoto Ryu Karate; and in this time Simon also honed his Jujutsu and Judo with the likes of Hanshi Jack Hearn and Sensei Ray Walker. Simon was made a regional director of Kokusai Budoin (IMAF) and made International Director of IMAF GB before the federation was renamed United Kingdom Budo Federation.
To mark the launch of the United Kingdom Budo Federation and to celebrate 50 years of the British Jujutsu Federation and of Karate in Europe. The seminar included Hanshi Terry Wingrove (International Jujitsu Federation and 9th Dan Yawara Jujutsu); Hanshi Allan Tattersall (Dai Nippon Butokukai and 9th Dan Jujutsu); Shihan Alan Ruddock (student of the founder of Aikido); Jack Hearn (8th Dan Nihon Jujutsu) and many more.
In 2007 as a 4th Dan freestyle (Karate and Jujutsu), Simon formulated his Karate and Jujutsu repertoire that he had developed over two decades into a system called Hakuda Kempo Toshu Jutsu.
On 08.08.08 a course was held at the UK headquarters of Dai Nippon Butokukai to celebrate the 8th anniversary of the academy and 80 years since Kawaishi came to England in 1928. The number 8 is a lucky number in Japan. Soon afterwards Hanshi Tattersall awarded the UKBF the mandate to award shogo (imperial titles) such as Renshi, Kyoshi and Hanshi.
Now holding the title of Renshi and as Kyoju Dairi (representative headteacher) of Bushin Ryu, Simon runs the Bushinkai Academy at Van Dang Martial Arts and is backed by a strong team of senior students. He holds the grade of 5th Dan Shobukan Karate and 4th Dan Freestyle (Karate/Jujutsu) as well as 2nd Dan Nihon Jujutsu, 3rd Dan Judo and 2nd Dan Taiji.
For more information see: toshujutsu.wordpress.com
A FAMILY TRADITION
Simon's family tradition began in about 1780 when the Swedish Nilsson family moved to Japan and settled in Okinawa. The patriarch of the family Nils, worked for a major shipping company, as did the Okinawan Karate master Tode Sakugawa. The Nilsson family stayed in Okinawa and ultimately integrated themselves into that culture but Nils himself returned to Kalmar, Sweden, where in 1867, the man we believe to be his great grandson, August Nilsson was born. August was a tough man and member of the Swedish Royal Navy at Karlskrona. Eventually he moved to England where he taught his sons and grandsons "boxing." One of his grandsons was Bill Nelson, who after serving in the Navy in WWII himself, studied two styles of Jujutsu reaching black belt grade which training in 1945 was a very high grade. Bill's teacher represented the Kawaishi Ryu back when Mikonosuke Kawaishi was teaching a brutal system of Jujutsu based on his studies with Yoshida Kotaro who was a master of both Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu and Yanagi Ryu Hakuda. Bill was the great uncle of Simon Keegan who today is the 8th generation inheritor of this tradition. Simon's father David Keegan first began his martial arts studies with Jujutsu in around 1959, training with Sensei Bernie Blundell 6th Dan. David later trained in Karate, Kobudo, Tai Chi, Hsing-I and the Japanese Koryu art of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu. He currently teaches Tai Chi.
TRAINING HISTORY
Simon Keegan began his martial arts training informally over 25 years ago when he was introduced to Jujutsu techniques by his father and spent many days boxing in his grandparents' back garden. He also trained with weapons from a very young age including Katana, Aikuchi, Nunchaku, Surujin, Shuriken, Bo and Chinese broadsword (Dao). He joined a fencing club, studying foil and epee, and also joined a boxing club aged 10.
As a teenager Simon joined the Bushido Academy, training with Sensei Steve Bullough where he was taught a mixture of Karate, Aikido, Judo, Jujutsu and weapons including Jo, Katana, Yari, Nunchaku and Tanto. Simon competed in national level at Karate and kickboxing and also competed in kata, specialising in the Katana (Iaido). Simon also began training in Chinese Internal Martial Arts around this time, training with a Chinese school for nine years. Simon was awarded his Bushido blackbelt in 1999 and in 2000 founded his own branch of the school which later became Bushinkai.
Simon trained with the KYR Bugei Renmei attending seminars with instructors like Joe Carslake, Jaimie Lee-Barron and George Scarrott and training in Karate Jutsu and Shotokan with the likes of Bob Carruthers and Steve Brennan. Simon graded to 2nd Dan Jujutsu with Hanshi Lee-Barron and 2nd Dan Karate with Kyoshi Carruthers. Simon would train with Kyoshi Carruthers over the next 10 years.
In 2003 while on a course with Aikjujutsu master Kondo, Simon was accepted into Tokyo's Kokusai Budoin (IMAF) organisation and his 2nd Dan grade ratified by Nihon Jujutsu master Shizuya Sato 10th Dan and by the hereditary Shogun Tokugawa Yasuhisa. He was also invited to the unveiling of the treasures of the first Tokugawa shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Simon began training with Kyoshi Reiner Parsons in Goju Ryu Karate (as well as with Reiner's teacher Tadanori Nobetsu) who graded him 3rd Dan in Shoto Ryu Karate; and in this time Simon also honed his Jujutsu and Judo with the likes of Hanshi Jack Hearn and Sensei Ray Walker. Simon was made a regional director of Kokusai Budoin (IMAF) and made International Director of IMAF GB before the federation was renamed United Kingdom Budo Federation.
To mark the launch of the United Kingdom Budo Federation and to celebrate 50 years of the British Jujutsu Federation and of Karate in Europe. The seminar included Hanshi Terry Wingrove (International Jujitsu Federation and 9th Dan Yawara Jujutsu); Hanshi Allan Tattersall (Dai Nippon Butokukai and 9th Dan Jujutsu); Shihan Alan Ruddock (student of the founder of Aikido); Jack Hearn (8th Dan Nihon Jujutsu) and many more.
In 2007 as a 4th Dan freestyle (Karate and Jujutsu), Simon formulated his Karate and Jujutsu repertoire that he had developed over two decades into a system called Hakuda Kempo Toshu Jutsu.
On 08.08.08 a course was held at the UK headquarters of Dai Nippon Butokukai to celebrate the 8th anniversary of the academy and 80 years since Kawaishi came to England in 1928. The number 8 is a lucky number in Japan. Soon afterwards Hanshi Tattersall awarded the UKBF the mandate to award shogo (imperial titles) such as Renshi, Kyoshi and Hanshi.
Now holding the title of Renshi and as Kyoju Dairi (representative headteacher) of Bushin Ryu, Simon runs the Bushinkai Academy at Van Dang Martial Arts and is backed by a strong team of senior students. He holds the grade of 5th Dan Shobukan Karate and 4th Dan Freestyle (Karate/Jujutsu) as well as 2nd Dan Nihon Jujutsu, 3rd Dan Judo and 2nd Dan Taiji.
For more information see: toshujutsu.wordpress.com
Shihan Jonathan Kruger 8th Dan
Seishi Teppei's Jujutsu arrived in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1928, introduced by Dr Henry Johnston. Dr Johnson, and Irishman, had been a student of Seishi Teppai in Hong Kong and trained secretly with Shihan Seishi Teppei for some years .
The Kodokwan came up to Northern Rhodesia in 1954, introduced by the late Kancho Joe Grant Grierson 10th dan Jujitsu of South Africa. Kancho Joe Grant Grierson had been a student of Dr Johnston in Cape Town. Kancho Joe came up to Zambia to work on the copper mines. Kancho Joe taught Jonathan's late father, John David Kruger (6th dan in Jujitsu and 2nd dan Judo) and Steve Arniel (10th dan of the Kyokushinkai Karate in the UK) that same year, 1954, as his first students in Kitwe . The Kodokwan Judo Jujitsu club of Zambia is one of the oldest founded dojos in Southern Central Africa.
Jonathan talks about his training history:
have been involved in Traditional Kodokan Judo and Koryu Goshin Jujitsu for the last 27 years. My late father, John David Kruger, introduced me to Judo and Jujitsu in 1986 on our front lawn at home. I also trained with Father Jude Mckenna (7th dan Judo), a Catholic Priest, who works with street children in Lusaka at his Central Sports Club in Lusaka City. Father Jude has the biggest dojo in Central Africa, working with underprivileged youth and street children. This gave me a chance to represent Zambia Internationally in Judo around the world.
I have a 7th dan in Jujitsu with the European Jujitsu Union EJJU and I am their represent in Central Africa. I have just been awarded an 8th dan in Judo with the European Jujitsu Union. I have a 6th dan in Daito Ryu Aiki Jujitsu under the World Moosul Kwan Federation with Grandmaster Derman Hodge. I am the Zambia Judo Association Technical Judo Adviser and National Chairman for the Copperbelt region for Judo in Zambia.
I spent 7 years training in Osaka, Japan while working there as a Christian Missionary in Osaka and Kyoto among the Japan Youth. I worked with a Christian Youth Ministry called Youth With A Mission (YWAM). I also worked in South Korea in Inchon and Seoul City. I was a Bible smuggler into China in the early 1990’s, it was during this time that it was dangerous to smuggle Bibles into main land China and many people where caught and put in prison. I worked and ministered to the Boat People escaping from Vietnam to Hong Kong in the 1990’s as well.
In Japan I trained under Hashimoto Sensei 8th dan in Judo, one of the instructors at the Tenri University Judo club which is one of the strongest Judo clubs in Japan. I also trained under Arao Sensei, 5th dan in Tomiki Aikido and Daito Ryu Aiki Jujitsu, who was one of the instructors to Steven Seagul at the Tennoji Aikikan in down town Tennoji city in Osaka. I have represent Zambia all over Japan and won the 1993 high school Judo championships in Northern Osaka of Takatsuki city and Ibaraki city. I fought in the 1995 World Judo Championships for Zambia in the 95kg heavy weight category in Chiba, Makuhari, Japan. I won a silver medal in the Southern and Central African zone six Judo Championships in 1993.
I have trained in Seoul and Inchon city in South Korea with the coach of national Judo hero Kim Jae Yup, 1988 Seoul Olympic Judo champion, at the Seoul YMCA Judo club. During this time I studied Korean Yudo as well Hosinsul Hapkido. I have a 7th dan in Korean Hosinsul Hapkido from the Chang Moo Kwan in the USA with Grandmaster Jeff Everetts. I have also trained under Judo Grand master Keith Tiger Brown, 7th dan in the UK.
For the last 13 years I teach Judo and Jujitsu here in Kitwe, Zambia at the Kodokwan dojo mainly to the underprivileged youth and some ex street children. I have about 85 students right now. I have seen so many of them change from a life of drink and drug abuse and set free by the Holy Spirit to become strong leaders in their communities. Some of the them now represent Zambia Judo Association around Africa and the world and have come back with many Judo medals for Zambia.
Our dojo tries to raise funds to support some of them to continue their education to go to university. Some of them now have become police officers here in Zambia. One of my students has made it to the USA to study at the prestigious Minnesota University. I am very proud of all them, as they all come from poverty stricken homes. They walk 8 kilometres (5 miles) to train for two and half hours and walk back another 8 kilometres in the dark and some times in the pouring rain.
We also try to help them by getting Judo uniforms, when we can afford to buy them and mosquito sleeping nets, as malaria is a real problem for them. We receive no funding for such projects; the money only comes from well-wishers around the community.
The Kodokwan came up to Northern Rhodesia in 1954, introduced by the late Kancho Joe Grant Grierson 10th dan Jujitsu of South Africa. Kancho Joe Grant Grierson had been a student of Dr Johnston in Cape Town. Kancho Joe came up to Zambia to work on the copper mines. Kancho Joe taught Jonathan's late father, John David Kruger (6th dan in Jujitsu and 2nd dan Judo) and Steve Arniel (10th dan of the Kyokushinkai Karate in the UK) that same year, 1954, as his first students in Kitwe . The Kodokwan Judo Jujitsu club of Zambia is one of the oldest founded dojos in Southern Central Africa.
Jonathan talks about his training history:
have been involved in Traditional Kodokan Judo and Koryu Goshin Jujitsu for the last 27 years. My late father, John David Kruger, introduced me to Judo and Jujitsu in 1986 on our front lawn at home. I also trained with Father Jude Mckenna (7th dan Judo), a Catholic Priest, who works with street children in Lusaka at his Central Sports Club in Lusaka City. Father Jude has the biggest dojo in Central Africa, working with underprivileged youth and street children. This gave me a chance to represent Zambia Internationally in Judo around the world.
I have a 7th dan in Jujitsu with the European Jujitsu Union EJJU and I am their represent in Central Africa. I have just been awarded an 8th dan in Judo with the European Jujitsu Union. I have a 6th dan in Daito Ryu Aiki Jujitsu under the World Moosul Kwan Federation with Grandmaster Derman Hodge. I am the Zambia Judo Association Technical Judo Adviser and National Chairman for the Copperbelt region for Judo in Zambia.
I spent 7 years training in Osaka, Japan while working there as a Christian Missionary in Osaka and Kyoto among the Japan Youth. I worked with a Christian Youth Ministry called Youth With A Mission (YWAM). I also worked in South Korea in Inchon and Seoul City. I was a Bible smuggler into China in the early 1990’s, it was during this time that it was dangerous to smuggle Bibles into main land China and many people where caught and put in prison. I worked and ministered to the Boat People escaping from Vietnam to Hong Kong in the 1990’s as well.
In Japan I trained under Hashimoto Sensei 8th dan in Judo, one of the instructors at the Tenri University Judo club which is one of the strongest Judo clubs in Japan. I also trained under Arao Sensei, 5th dan in Tomiki Aikido and Daito Ryu Aiki Jujitsu, who was one of the instructors to Steven Seagul at the Tennoji Aikikan in down town Tennoji city in Osaka. I have represent Zambia all over Japan and won the 1993 high school Judo championships in Northern Osaka of Takatsuki city and Ibaraki city. I fought in the 1995 World Judo Championships for Zambia in the 95kg heavy weight category in Chiba, Makuhari, Japan. I won a silver medal in the Southern and Central African zone six Judo Championships in 1993.
I have trained in Seoul and Inchon city in South Korea with the coach of national Judo hero Kim Jae Yup, 1988 Seoul Olympic Judo champion, at the Seoul YMCA Judo club. During this time I studied Korean Yudo as well Hosinsul Hapkido. I have a 7th dan in Korean Hosinsul Hapkido from the Chang Moo Kwan in the USA with Grandmaster Jeff Everetts. I have also trained under Judo Grand master Keith Tiger Brown, 7th dan in the UK.
For the last 13 years I teach Judo and Jujitsu here in Kitwe, Zambia at the Kodokwan dojo mainly to the underprivileged youth and some ex street children. I have about 85 students right now. I have seen so many of them change from a life of drink and drug abuse and set free by the Holy Spirit to become strong leaders in their communities. Some of the them now represent Zambia Judo Association around Africa and the world and have come back with many Judo medals for Zambia.
Our dojo tries to raise funds to support some of them to continue their education to go to university. Some of them now have become police officers here in Zambia. One of my students has made it to the USA to study at the prestigious Minnesota University. I am very proud of all them, as they all come from poverty stricken homes. They walk 8 kilometres (5 miles) to train for two and half hours and walk back another 8 kilometres in the dark and some times in the pouring rain.
We also try to help them by getting Judo uniforms, when we can afford to buy them and mosquito sleeping nets, as malaria is a real problem for them. We receive no funding for such projects; the money only comes from well-wishers around the community.