History

History

Taiho Jutsu has its roots in Japanese history, originally known as Yawara then later as Jui Jutsu and now the special art of Taiho Jutsu.

Yawara or Jui Jitsu is thought to be of pre-Christian, Chinese origin and moved to Japan hundreds of years ago. It was one of the many ancient Japanese fighting arts.

As Japan entered into the final stages of the 19th century, in a Buddhist temple called Yeishoji, a man named Dr Jigaro Kano developed a new art from the techniques of Jui Justu. He removed the striking techniques and most of the deadly applications coming up with an art called Kano Jui Jutsu ( now known as JUDO ).

Dr Kano challenged the head instructor of the Japanese Police. This was the first contest between the old style Jui Justu and the new Kano Jui Jutsu. Dr Kano ( who was also an aiki jutsu master ) defeated the Jui Jutsu master . From then on the upper classes, royalty and Japanese government adopted the Kano Jui Jitsu style. A new era had started in Japanese martial arts, Kano Jui Jitsu was now the art of choice. .

As the art was applied in daily life goverment officers came to realize that, although Kano Jui Jutsu was very effective, it did not have the arrest or restraint techniques needed for day to day law enforcement. The training programme was re-written to include some of the hand and foot techniques of the old Jui Jutsu Ryus (styles) and the grappling and throws from Judo, this style was called TAIHO JUTSU. This art remains the backbone of many countries police or national defense Forces UDT ( Unarmed Defence Tactics ) training.

In 1973 The U.K Police ordered a review of their self defence system. Sensei Brian Eustace 9th Dan introduced the art Taiho Jutsu to the U.K from Japan where it has been used under various names for centuries by law enforcement officials.

In 1993 Andy McCormack - 6th Dan, founded the The original West Midlands Police Taiho Jutsu Club at the Tally Ho police training centre in Birmingham. He was joined by a police PTI named Phil Collins - 3rd Dan.

Over the years the art fell out of favour with the British police, taking too much time to train the officers and recruits and keep up the level of competence needed. The club moved itself from the secure setting of Tally-Ho to a council leisure centre in Kings Heath where it became one of the first sites to take on civilians and train them in the art.

It continued under the British Taiho Jutsu Association banner with Sensei Brian Eustace 9th Dan until it merged with the British Aikido Association and became part of the the B.A.A in mid 2008.

Goshin Taiho Jutsu then joined forces with MAAS (Martial Arts All Styles), the club grew and developed the Art that is Goshin Taiho Jutsu. With it's varied kicks and punches as well as joint locking techniques and judo kata's it formed a strong syllabus to enable people to feel more confident on the streets of the modern day U.K.