Students will see little difference as a result of this switch, except in the increased frequency and improved quality of the courses. Instructors with questions about this change are invited to telephone Shihan George for a chat.

This year saw another successful weekend course down at Glastonbury. Shihan Lee Barron came over from Portugal, Shihan Scarrott came down from Brentford and Shihan Biggs made it down from Bedfordshire. Other clubs that were represented were Redhill and there were representatives from other clubs from Essex and Sussex with which Kiai Yamabushi Ryu has been building relationships. Over all there were eighteen participants in the course, and this was a bonus as last year there was hardly any space to swing a cat (let alone a nunchaku!) and the training was of an excellent standard. I would go so far as to say that it was the best course that I had attended from that point of view.

There were late night training sessions, philosophical discussions and trips to the Tor. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and left on Sunday utterly exhausted. On Sunday there were some grade presentations at which J Biggs had his Shihan title and 6th Dan conferred, Adam Vile was awarded 4th Dan and the title of Renshi and Vic Lucas and Dave Corr had their 3rd Dan's and titles of Tashi Conferred. Shihan Scarrott made the point that it was only at such international courses that higher Dan grades could be officially awarded.

Overall this was an excellent course and if you missed it this year then you should try to make it next time. There will be another Glastonbury weekend course in April this year (see the enclosed timetable of courses for the year) but I understand that because of the success of this course numbers will be limited. Contact Shihan George for further information.

A Brief History of Ju-Jutsu

The first publicly recognised Ju Jitsu ryu was formed by Takenouchie Hisamori in 1532 and consisted of tecniques of sword, jo-stick and dagger as well as unarmed techniques. In 1603, Tokugawa Ieyasu brought peace to Japan by forming the Tokugawa military government. This marked the beginning of the Edo period of Japanese history (1603-1868), during which warring ceased to be a dominant feature of Japanese life. In the beginning of this period there was a general shift from weaponed forms of fighting to weaponless styles. These weaponless styles were developed from the grappling techniques of the weaponed styles and were collectively known as Ju Jitsu. During the height of the Edo period, there were more than 700 systems of Ju Jitsu. The end of the Edo period was marked by the Meiji Restoration, an abortive civil war that moved power from the Shogun back to the Emperor.

A large proportion of the Samurai class supported the Shogun during the war. Consequently, when power was restored to the Emperor, many things related to the Samurai fell into disrepute. An Imperial edict was decreed by Emperor Melse declaring it a criminal offence to practice the old style combative martial arts. During the period of the Imperial edict, Ju Jitsu was almost lost. However, some masters continued to practice their art `underground', or moved to other countries, allowing the style to continue. It was during this oppression that the first Japanese exponents of the art arrived in Britain. By the Mid twentieth century, however, the ban on Ju Jitsu had lifted, allowing the free practice of the art.

Taken from the World Jujitsu Federation WebPage.

Dates for '97

Sat 22nd February Aiki Jutsu and Aikido. Shihan Scarrott and Shihan Biggs and Renshi Vile at Brentford Dojo.

25th,26th,27th,Glastonbury. Open course in Tai-jutsu Aiki Jutsu, Bu-jutsu, Jiu Jutsu.

Sat 24th May. Ken Jutsu and Iai- Jutsu. Sensei Biggs at Sandy Dojo.

Sat·28th June. Kosu Natsu. one of the largest

multistyle courses in the U.K.

This year George, Jo, Jamie and Adam will be teaching through the week. We have arranged a special deal for Yamabushi Ryu students, so please book with Jo to take advantage of this offer.

Sat 5th July, Jiu Jutsu and Tai Jutsu. Shihan Scairott, Shihan Biggs and Renshi Vile at Brentford Dojo

13th/14th September Bo Jutsu/ Hanbo Jutsu, Tanbo Jutsu and Eda Jutsu. Shihan George,

Shihan Jo and Renshi Adam; venue: Lynmouth in north Devon.

Skeet weekend . To be arranged for October.

Instructors course and open course

Algarve 97. One week 6th Nov-13th Nov. Training course over the weekend and holiday in conjunction with Steve Grayston’s Martial Arts Magazine.

6th December one day course at Brentford Dojo with all senior instructors and with guest teachers Renshi Bob Patton, Tashi Jackie Patton and Hanshi Steve Grayston.

Watching our P's and Q's

Shihan Lee Barron

There has always only been, is now, and ever will be but one pathway up the sacred mountain of warrior enlightenment. Many forget this fact, though it is obvious, because of they confuse the one true path with the many quests that the warrior must undertake as part of her everyday life. That is to say that we all at some time will have to pass through a difficult period and that when this period has passed we will be dismayed by the little progress we have made on our climb. This is because a quest, even a perilous or emotionally disturbing one, is little more than a step in the right direction.

The life way of the Yamabushi is one of steady progress, a holy pilgrimage towards greater light, love and understanding (both of ourselves and of others); towards a deeper inner peace within the sanctuary of our new hearts. Bushido, the warriors path, should not be confused with Musha Shugyo, the warrior quests. The quest is however of vital importance to the warrior and to progress on her journey. It must be well planned and enthusiastically executed.

In contrast the journey along the one true path may not be planned, the warrior travels to wherever she is fortunate enough to be invited or summonsed. She begins each stage of the journey with uncertainty yet full of the spirit of humility, trust ands faith. It follows that P is for pilgrimage, Q is for faith and that we must always mind our P's and Q's.

Just because the tip of the mountain seems far away doesn't mean that it has moved.

"A Journey of one thousand miles begins with a single step".

Buddha