Kris's Story
The Power Within
The Art of Goshin Jutsu began more than 30 years ago with a vision forged by training. The boxing taught by his father and the wrestling with his 3 older brothers lead to Kris joining the only local martial arts class in the area. Wado Ryu Karate was being taught at the local day centre and the pocket money Kris earned from his Sunday paper round was just enough for one class per week, and that was all that was available. The class had a Black belt instructor, a green belt and a few red belts when Kris joined. A year later and the class boasted 8 students when it was visited by a Japanese instructor, he was told that it was Tatsuo Suzuki.
Whenever Kris earned money it would be spent in the pursuit of more Martial Arts training, books and magazines. In 1977 Kris was simultaneously training in Lau Gar Kung Fu, Shorinji Kempo, Ju Jitsu, Wing Chun Kung Fu and Aikido. By 1982 Kris realised that he loved all the Arts and that he could use different aspects of each Art that was not being practised within one dojo to overcome students who only practised one Art.
The vision began and Goshin Jutsu was formed from the Arts that Kris had been learning over the last 10 years. The Martial Arts Commission granted Kris an interview and the initial syllabus was accepted. There were some stipulations; Kris was required to be accepted by another Martial Arts organisation as the Martial Arts commission only accepted clubs that had a membership 100 members or more.
Kris was devastated, but searched the Martial Arts magazines and local sports centres for a group to accept him. SEKU, The South of England Karate Union as it was then, tested him and gave a probationary term where he was required to have his students graded by them and if found worthy he and Goshin Jutsu would be accepted into their ranks.
After 3 months the first Goshin Jutsu students were ready for their first grading. They were tested for 3 hours and all 8 passed. 3 more months and grading day came again with the same result, now there were over 20 Goshin Jutsu students. After 2 years Kris was retested by SEKU and awarded 2nd Dan status.
Everything was going well for 4 years and then SEKU had a change of policy and would no longer have affiliates that were not Shotokan Karate members.
BASKA took up the challenge and once again Kris was tested, he was graded as 3rd Dan and the uniform for teachers went from white to red. The uniforms have changed many times since.
In 1987 Kris went to Japan to the newly opened Kyoto Martial Arts centre. Where the Arts of Aikido, Kyudo and Kendo were practised. He went back again in 2002, nothing much had changed!
Goshin Jutsu has undergone many changes since then and continues to evolve in line with government legislation and public demands on personal safety.
