Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu Association
Saint Albans
What is Jiu Jitsu?
Jiu Jitsu is primarily a self defence martial art, it uses throws, locks and strikes from both standing and ground positions. We teach defence from and with weapons and you will see aspects of Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Aikido and other striking martial arts within the training as all of these have their roots in Japanese Jitsu.
Jiu Jitsu puts greater emphasis on technique, skill and knowledge rather than just strength or fitness to defeat your opponent.
Jiu Jitsu and its variant spellings is an ancient martial art originally formed in Japan. You may hear various people make claims that their style is more pure or based on the traditional teachings, however, there are very few instructors in the world who teach Jiu Jitsu even close to the way it was originally developed. This is not necessarily a bad thing; Jiu Jitsu was developed through an era when people ran around in armour with samurai swords. Jiu Jitsu has therefore evolved with a changing world and changing attitudes to combat.
We, at Aiuchi, recognise this and encourage the development, adaptation and perfection of techniques through shared practice. The best way to see what Jitsu is, and that it doesn't resemble a bad 80´s movie, is just to come along and have a go.
Jiu Jitsu is great for fitness and to meet new people. We aim to help everyone enjoy themselves regardless of their age, fitness or skill level. It can help in many aspects of life and the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.
History of Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu
The Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu Association was formally created in 1995 with the merger of two Associations which held broadly the same aims: to serve their members, and to develop their skill in jiu jitsu. They also had the goal of providing all the support that clubs require, like grading events, courses and insurance, at a minimal cost. It is still important to Aiuchi to ensure that its members are treated with respect, to build a confident and friendly environment in which to train.
The style of jiu jitsu practised within the Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu Association has been influenced by the instructors who brought it to Britain from Japan via Australia and Germany. Its lineage is confused, but there are clearly influences in style that point to its origins in Japan.
The founding members of the Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu Association began their jiu jitsu careers in the Jitsu Foundation, which was the creation of Peter Farrar. Peter began his jiu jitsu career in 1969 at the age of 9, learning from Brian Graham who brought his very individual style of jiu jitsu to Britain from Australia in 1967. Peter and Brian, had very different physiques, and very different styles of jiu jitsu. Graham's smaller stature meant that his techniques were typically short, punchy, simple and effective. While Brian had developed his own very effective style of jiu jitsu, and had run a successful dojo in Keighley for many years, it was his student Peter who had the flair and charisma to build the club into a large organisation. Sadly, Peter died in 1998.
Brian Graham began training in judo and jiu jitsu with Matthew Komp in Melbourne, Australia in 1957 and was awarded his Shodan in 1967. Komp's dojo was a centre for many martial arts, and often attracted visiting instructors from Japan and Korea. He maintained connections with Akira Miura, who taught a number of judo seminars in Australia, and was involved in judo training for the Tokyo Police. On a visit to Japan Komp's technique was likened to Shorinji Kempo. It is unclear if there was any indirect link to Shorinji Kempo (which was itself developed Aikijitsu), but the name stuck, and for many years the style of jiu jitsu in Britain was often referred to as 'Shorinji Kan'.
Matthew Komp originally learned judo, jiu jitsu, aikido, wrestling and boxing as a young man in Germany. Komp had been taught judo and jiu jitsu by his instructor in Cologne, Alfred Hasemeier, and later by another German Horst Wolfe who had trained in Japan prior to the Second World War. The style of judo taught by Mayur, and Komp was greatly influenced by Kenshiro Abbe. Abbe spent some years teaching judo and aikido in mainland Europe before being invited to Britain in 1955. Komp, who had trained as an engineer, emigrated to Australia in the 1950s, where he established his judo school in Melbourne.
It is unclear which style, or styles, of jiu jitsu Komp was taught. There seems to be a marked influence from the judo of Kenshiro Abbe, and verbal history suggests that the jiu jitsu hails from the Kodokan. However, the influences of other instructors probably have a greater effect on the style as it exists today.
The collective goal of the Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu Association fosters the ideals of learning jiu jitsu by testing, experimenting, and adapting techniques in order to improve and perfect them. It maintains the goals of developing character through the perfection of technique, and training with a partner as a way of gaining insight and compassion. These ideals seem compatible with those fostered by Jigoro Kano in the Kodokan, and by the principles espoused by Kenshiro Abbe.