Shoto Ryu, Shotokan and Karate Jutsu
Current Head of Shoto Ryu: Ikuo Higuchi 8th Dan (IMAF)
Current Head of Shotokan: Hirokazu Kanazawa 10th Dan (IMAF)

The original Shuri Te of Bushi Matsumura contained many different facets. Matsumura drew from internal arts like Bazi Quan, Shaolin schools like White Crane, and the Japanese Koryu of Jigen Ryu, in turn derived from Hakugen Ryu.

Sokon Matsumura was born in 1792 in the Yamagawa Village, Shuri. Starting his Toshu Jutsu training at 14 with Satunushi Sakugawa, this training continued through his career also training in Chinese boxing and Jigen-ryu sword fighting. In his time working as a bodyguard and martial arts instructor, Matsumura had many opportunities to travel overseas on affairs of state.  Twice visiting the Fujian province in China he trained at several Boxing schools including the Fujian Shiaolin temple and the Satusuma clan headquarters in Kyushu where he enhanced his Jigen Ryu sword fighting skills.

Matsumura is responsible for developing many of the Kata we practice today in particular - Bassai. He was also the pioneer of using the twisting motion of the hips to generate power.

Matsumura's students included Anko Itosu (Shorin Ryu), Azato and Kentsu Yabu.

Before modern Shotokan emerged Master Gichin Funakoshi taught a system called "Ryukyu Kempo Tode Jutsu" or "Rentan Goshin Karate Jutsu". At the very first demo of this art in mainland Japan, Funakoshi (a student of Itosu, Azato and Matsumura) was assisted by Makoto Gima (a student of Yabu, Itosu and Funakoshi).

Okinawa's highest ranking Karate master Kanken Toyama (pictured above) awarded Gima the 10th Dan in Shoto Ryu Karate. Currently the highest ranking master of Funakoshi's line of Karate and is graded 10th Dan by Kokusai Budoin. Gima's representative within Kokusai Budoin is Ikuo Higuchi 9th Dan. Shihan Higuchi remained a loyal student until Gima's death at 93 years of age in 1989.

Toyama Sensei began studying Toshu Jutsu in Okinawa under master Itarashiki and also studied both Shuri Te Karate Jutsu (with Itosu and Chibana) and Naha Te (with Higaonna and Kyoda). He also travelled to Taiwan where he studied Hakuda (Taku) with Lim Tung Tang (Kempo in Taichung), and Chen T'ong Tai (Hakuda in Tai Pei). He also studied the Lion Method of Quan Fa. His students included Hideo Tsuchiya, Masanao Takamizawa (teacher of Budokan founder Chew Choo Soot), Kinjo Hiroshi and Makoto Gima, founder of Shoto Ryu Karate.

Bushinkai head Simon Keegan (Hakukigen Ryu) was awarded 2nd Dan in Shotokan and Karate Jutsu by Sensei Robert Carruthers and was graded 3rd Dan by Reiner Parsons. Carruthers Sensei was of Master Kanazawa's lineage and Parsons Sensei was graded 6th Dan by Ikuo Higuchi. In 2009 Simon, a 4th Dan since 2007 was awarded the Renshi title in Shoto Ryu Karate.  Another Shotokan master in our family lineage is Master Enoeda who pioneered Shotokan in Liverpool in the 1960s.

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Niseikai, Goju Ryu, Naha Te
Current Head of Nisseikai: Tadanori Nobetsu 9th Dan (IMAF)

Naha Te was originally pioneered in Okinawa by the Kojo family who studied in Fujian under various Chinese masters. The art was later developed by masters Aragaki, Kanryo Higaonna and Miyagi who founded Goju Ryu.

Goju Ryu was pioneered in Japan by Gogen Yamaguchi and other leading exponents including Kuniyuki Kai and Morio Higaonna.

Within the Kokusai Budoin organisation, Tadanori Nobetsu 9th Dan (pictured above) has taken mastery of Goju Ryu to a new level having also mastered Feeding Crane Kung Fu, one of the parents styles of Naha Te.

Renshi Simon has not only trained for several years with a direct student of Nobetsu, Reiner Parsons, he has also been lucky enough to train directly under Master Nobetsu.

Nihon-den Jujutsu and Jujutsu styles derived from Daito Ryu
Head of Sato Ryu Nihon Jujutsu: Shizuya Sato 10th Dan recently deceased.
Current Head of Mochizuku-ha: Hiroo Mochizuki 9th Dan

Left: Minoru Mochizuki (1907-2003) 10th Dan Aikido, 9th Dan Nihon-den Jujutsu.
Right: Shizuya Sato (1929-2011) 10th Dan Nihon Jujutsu, 9th Dan Judo

Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu was the parent school of our original family tradition of Jujutsu. Daito Ryu's 35th generation head Sokaku Takeda taught many notable students including Aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba; Yanagi Ryu master Yoshida Kotaro and Yoseikan founder Minoru Mochizuki (pictured above).

Simon's great uncle studied under a student of one of Yoshida's students and then Simon was awarded 1st Dan in the Bushido Academy which had both Ki Aikido and Yoseikan influences.

Simon was awarded 2nd Dan in Kiai Yamabushi Ryu which was derived in part from Ki Aikido and Tomiki Aikido.

He was then inducted into Kokusai Budoin's Nihon Jujutsu division, practicing both Mochizuki-ha (under various teacher's including Mochizuki's uchideshi Mitsuhiro Kondo) and Sato-ha, in which he was awarded 2nd Dan.

Mochizuki Sensei studied many different styles including Gyokushin Ryu (Koryu Jujutsu), Daito Ryu (Aikijujutsu), Aikido and old style Shotokan Karate. He later became founder of Yoseikan and was a recognised master of Aikido and Judo.  Within the Kokusai Budoin group he pioneered Nihon-den Jujutsu. His students include, Mitsuhiro Kondo, Hiroo Mochizuki, Tetsuji Murikami, Jim Alcheik, Henri Plee, Vernon Bell and Terry Wingrove. Mochizuki may have been most famous for his Aikido but he was staunch believer in old style Jujutsu.

 

Simon has also trained with two of O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba's personal students as well as various students of Mochizuki and Kenshiro Abbe.

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Metal Tiger Taiji Quan

Chinese martial arts are an understated yet important influence on the Bushinkai Academy and Hakuda Kempo Toshu Jutsu.

Simon's most significant instructor has been his father Sifu David Keegan and both have attended seminars with some of China's leading masters.

In addition to the Yang Style, they have also studied Sun Style which owes much to Hsing-I and Bagua.

Simon is currently graded 1st Dan in Taiji in addition to his 4th Dan grade in Karate.

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Bushinkai Chief Instructor Simon Keegan:

4th Dan Renshi: Shoto Ryu Karate Jutsu
3rd Dan: Niseikai Karatedo
2nd Dan: Nihon-den Jujutsu & Yamabushi Ryu
2nd Dan: Judo
2nd Dan: Taiji Quan