On 24th November 2024, the Ryōi Shintōkai (良移心当会) was honoured to celebrate 100 years of Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsu (良移心当流 柔術) in the U.K. and Ireland with a seminar in Kemsing, Kent and were joined online by the Halifax Shibu in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsu was first brought to the U.K. in 1924 by Takeda Tatsu Sensei (竹田辰 先生), then taught by Peter Shortt Sensei, Komito Kaizō Sensei (小見戸戒三先生), the late James Shortt Sensei and now the current head teacher, Peter King.

Peter King expressed his gratitude to the previous teachers, especialy James Shortt Sensei and stressed the importance of preserving this important 402 year old tradition, that has now died out in its homeland of Japan.

He also reflected on the uniqueness of this system that arrived in the U.K. during the Taishō era (大正時代 1912 - 1926), only 56 years after the end of Japan's feudal - Edo period (江戸時代 1603-1868).

We began the training with 'Tachi Karami' (太刀搦 - sword bind / entangle) against a downward, kodachi (小太刀) cut. We continued with variations on this techique and also techniques against a straight thrust.

We then practiced waza from 'Kata Mune Dori' (片胸取 - single lapel grip) using 'Kote Gaeshi' (小手返し - wrist turn) and variations on the same.

We examined the long range striking techniques of Ate-waza (当技 - striking tecnique), or Kenpō (拳法 - fist method).

At the conclusion of the seminar the following people recieved rank, teaching and transmission promotions:

George Doyle-Bedwell - (Canada) - 4th dan (四段) & Shidō-in (指導員)
David Heslington - 4th dan (四段) & Shidō-in (指導員)
Steven Rodgers - 4th dan (四段), Shidō-in (指導員) & Sho-mokuroku (初目録)

Todd Murchie - (Canada) - 3rd Dan (参段) & Sho-mokuroku (初目録)
Nathan Craig - (Canada) - 3rd Dan (参段) & Sho-mokuroku (初目録)
Brandon Fowler - (Canada) - 3rd Dan (参段) & Sho-mokuroku (初目録)
Edward Brown - (Canada) - 3rd Dan (参段) & Sho-mokuroku (初目録)
Darren Cherry - 3rd Dan (参段) & Sho-mokuroku (初目録)
David Parker - 3rd Dan (参段) & Sho-mokuroku (初目録)
Richard Lumley - 3rd Dan (参段), Sho-mokuroku (初目録) & Fuku Shidō-in (副指導員)

Stewart Barclay - (Canada) - Nidan 2nd dan (弐段) & Fuku Shidō-in (副指導員)
Caroline Richmond (U.K.) - Nidan 2nd dan (弐段) & Fuku Shidō-in (副指導員)
Gary Osbaldeston (U.K.) - - Nidan 2nd dan (弐段) & Fuku Shidō-in (副指導員)

William Peckham - 1st dan (初段) and Okuiri (奧入)

Roy Bradford - 1st Kyu

Kim Lickers - 3rd Kyu

Vigneswaran Rajagopal - 5th Kyu
Evie Douglas - 5th Kyu
Michael Burton - 5th Kyu
David Sumner - 5th Kyu
Katherine Day -5th Kyu
Chandan Bhaskar -5th Kyu

Kaska Czeczot - 6th Kyu
Lori Everett - 6th Kyu

Ian Armstrong - 9th kyu
Taymor Armstrong - 9th kyu
Julie Girard-Dufour - 9th kyu

My sincere congratulations to all of the above.

We completed our celebrations with a meal at the 'Kinjo' Japanese Resturant in Oxted, Surrey.

(My gratitude to David Heslington for the excellent photos.)