Hi All Some years ago I trained for a while in Fuji Ryu Goshin Do in Christchurch, under Stan Taylor at Cobberkwai, and later as part of the Goju Ryu Karate Jutsu at the polytech. Does anyone know where the style actually came from? I remember something about Bonniface sensei training in Japan (Osaka maybe?) but never heard too much else. I was recently trying to find a bit more about the lineage. Also, as I've been away from Christchurch for a while, who is still teaching the style? I remember Paul Reti at Parklands and Jimmy Salter at Sockborn, in addition to Stan at Cobberkwai, and the guys at polytech, but I can't recall too much about the Bromley dojo.
hi im todd im one of paul retti shodans. well i trained with john bonniface for 4 years and to my understanding its from okinawa.john as im sure you know has passed away. stan taylor is retired, jim salter is up north working in the prison and trains the prison guards. alister tompson still runs jims club in chch. bromley dojo still train under paul stocks but have pulled away from fuji-ryu goshin-do jiu jitsu. i dont know what they call themselves these days but they are still as hard out as ever. johns karate is being carried on by renata sadlier and brent williams here in chch.
Hi Todd Thanks for the reply. I knew about John, but I didn't know Stan had retired. Does he still teach judo at Cobberkwai, or is he out altogether? I had the understanding that Paul was now head of the style in Christchurch. I can remember a few of the blackbelts in Stan's club. Ian, I think had a shaved head and a goatee, and Dave had thinning straw-coloured hair. Is Alister still teaching under the Fuji-ryu Banner? I've seen the Sakura Kan website, but there's no mention of fuji-ryu. From the pictures it looks like Ren Sadlier's teaching there. I understand Ren also has a dojo in High st, and that he has some people playing judo competitively as well.I also head he went to Japan for a while. I did'nt know Brent was still teaching, but I had heard the club was no longer based at polytech. After training at the polytech dojo for a while, I had some scheduling problem with my studies, and had to start training at Pat McGregor's dojo. Some time after I started, one of John's nidans, Bruce Bloomfield, dropped in to train for a while. I lost track of him after that. Do you know if he's teaching as well? Thanks for the info Todd.
Hi Mike, I've only just stumbled across these messages regarding Shihan Bonniface on the net so it's responsinfg three years later. I too have been tracing the lineage of the martial arts that Shihan Bonniface trained in. And as a student of Kancho (formerly Shihan) James Salter for eight years, it's been of interest to me to trace not only Sakura Kan Jiu Jitsu & Fuji Ryu Goshin Do Jiu Jitsu's lineage through Shihan Bonniface, but also the other martial arts he did. The system is originally Okinawan, hence Goju Ryu Karate Jutsu. The distinction, to the best of my knowledge, is made with it's official name of Ryu-O-Kan Karate Jutsu. As Todd said, the system is now headed by Renata Sadlier Sensei in Christchurch. Shihan Bonniface learned several martial disciplines and was, to the best of my knowledge, accepted into the Kokushikan University in Japan. This University specialised in martial arts and was exclusive to certain individuals who were taken on by invitation only. This later changed. It was there that Shihan Bonniface was introduced to Sugawara Gesshu Shihan who was the Founder of the Fuji Ryu. The Fuji Ryu was like an unbrella name for the school which taught more than one discipline. Shihan Bonniface came back to New Zealand and formed the Fuji Ryu Goshin Do Jiu Jitsu. I'm not sure if the name still exists as a right in New Zealand. It may have changed. Kancho James Salter founded Sakura Kan in 1992, which is only a change of name but the techniques are still Fuji Ryu. Kancho Salter now lives in New Plymouth and Alistair Thompson Sensei and his wife Joy Thompson Sensei still lives and teaches in Christchurch. Sakura Kan Jiu Jitsu now has other branches across the country such as Auckland and Motueka with plans of further development and growth.
Hi Irontiger. Late last year I stumbled across the Sakura Kan dojo in Auckland, run by Brad Fougere (I hope I didn't butcher his name). I trained for a few sessions, but have had to put it on hold for a while, as I'm way too rickety at present. (I was the oldest guy in the room, until Alistair Sensei was up for a visit.) As I have a lot on my plate at the moment (I train in filipino martial arts reasonably intensively) I'll have to return to it later. I was extremely impressed with the quality of the instruction though, and Brad's teaching of the judo throws was much clearer and detailed than some of the instuction I'd recieved from judo sandans and yondans. Alistair Sensei was funny, technical and gave us quite a session. I seem to remember a similar name forn John's karatejutsu , ryoyukan, so maybe I had it muddled. I think at one point (perhaps after a trip to Japan, but I'm not too sure) Ren Sensei was going under the name of Seibukan, which may be the parent organisation in Japan. (I went looking for grading certificates, but I couldn't find them...) As for the Fuji Ryu founder, I remember a picture of a Japanese man hanging at the Joseki at the Bromley dojo. Thanks for the info.
Interesting stuff There is a website that is up and running that may fill in a few blanks. www.jujutsu.co.nz It is one aspect of Fuji Ryu Goshindo. If you can't get on that link just save it and it will appear soon, its playing up a bit. The old japanese man hanging on the wall at Bromley dojo prior to the arson in 2002 was Sugawara Gesshu. That would be the same man that is on the internet advertising Fuji Ryu Aikido together with Taka Nakajima, a Professor in general Budo studies at Kokushikin University (as discussed). http://www.fujiryuaikido.org/web/en/fujiryu.html Ren Sadlier and Brent Williams are the two most notable men with information about the Karate Jutsu side of training. The Jujutsu side is less clear with several schools running Fuji Ryu Goshindo now, and all schools have placed emphasis on different aspects of the original style. Sadlier is a Sandan from the Seibukan (you can look this up), and Williams is a Nidan from Bonniface. Sadlier is also a Nidan in Fuji Ryu from Henk Fekkes. Henk, a local dutchman in ChCh who is nearly 70 yrs old, is a Sandan from Sugawara as well as a Dutch Sandan in Jujutsu. He has just been recognised by the NZ Jujitsu Federation as a pioneer in martial arts in NZ. This information will be out and about soon I am sure. You can choose for yourself which school you prefer today. The Fuji Ryu name is still being used, but it has no connection to Fuji Ryu Japan and hasn't had this connection since about 1991 (Bonniface deceased). The Crichton Cobbers dojo is connected to Japan now through the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, another big organisation that you can look up. The other Fuji Ryu dojo grade themselves now, as does Sakura Kan. Sugawara died some years earlier with his last visit to NZ around 1984. Stan Taylor and Paul Reti graded to Sandan on that trip, John Bonniface graded to Yondan. I assume Henk was graded about then as well, but this is more a guess than accurate. I could ask him though? Sakura Kan and Fuji Ryu Goshindo run different syllabus now as well. One would be correct in assuming that we are all Fuji Ryu, and to a point that would be accurate. But as I have said, different Instructors place different emphasis on various areas in training, creating very different approaches to class. Any class is the same. Some Instructors are exposed to more than others. You can still train with Ren Sadlier at the Crichton Cobbers dojo in ChCh. Today Paul Reti is 7th dan in Fuji Ryu and near enough to retired, Stan Taylor is retired at 7th dan, Jimmy Salter is 6th dan in Sakura Kan and Alistair Thompson is 4th dan, Joy Thompson is 3rd dan, both in Sakura Kan. The Sakura Kan dojo is now at the Thompson house in ChCh. The Bromley dojo is now called "Furui Ryu eda Jiu Jitsu" and the Chief there is Paul Stokes. They would like to think they are the hardest around, but they are not that much different to the rest, the Rolleston childrens class aside. That name Bromley use now is the orignial name given to the school by Jimmy Salter way back when he started it off down there. Jim Colenso is a Sandan out of Rolleston in Fuji Ryu. View the Sakura Kan website for more on them: \http://www.webinabox.tv/themes/tiledmaroon/default.asp?id=234&comid=4 Putting all pieces of Jujutsu grade paper aside, do they all still teach you how to scrap? I believe so. Some are more formal than others, some are quite narrow in their syllabus, some teach and grade students in more than one art. It's all healthy and more people should be doing it. I hope this has been helpful.
Thanks M16M203, for the comprehensive info, the Fuji Ryu website was quite informative. I see a few people in the upper photo I recognise, Stan Taylor on Bonniface Shihan's left, for one. I think I remember the tall guy with the beard, and the one next to him as yudansha from the Cobberkwai club. I think I recognise Ren Sadlier and Alistair Thompson, as well as Stan, in the lower picture. I remember someone at judo once talking about a dutchman in the North Island who was an early Jujutsu pioneer, and had always associated this man with the name Henk (may not be the same guy...)
The Dutchman The Jujutsu dutchman in the north island you are referring to could be "Hans Van Ess". He is now retired but can lay claim to training most of the north island Jujutsu men that you find on websites, whether they admit it or not. He brought out the "Kawaishi" style of Jujutsu from that part of the world, as did Henk Fekkes. Who started first? They were both around the late 50's early 60's so your guess is as good as mine. Hans was awarded a "sevice to budo" type award from the NZ Jujitsu Federation in 2005, Henk was given this same award last year. This is all outlined on the NZJJF website. The art really hasn't been here all that long. There are some very good Jujutsu men floating about now, they just don't put their hands up and are not easy to find unless you stumble across them by accident.
The photo You mentioned a photo. I am guessing that photo is the old one on the history page of the website, www.jujutsu.co.nz The back row is from left to right (to the best of my knowledge) Ken Logan (shodan), Simon Polashek (shodan), Dave Dixon (shodan), Ian Smith (shodan). The front row of three people. Stan Taylor (Sandan), John Bonniface (Yondan), Paul Reti (Sandan). The picture was taken in 1980 or 1984, even Paul Reti cannot be sure.
kiaora koutou, i am new to this group. i have some martial arts training from 1976 till a couple of years ago. then i had a wee rest. still resting and trying to get motivated enough to actually train properly again. one day i trained for 20 years with okinawa-te in christchurch under mike lee, then the club disintegrated sometime in the 90`s. after that i trained in kung-fu under dennis at the teachers college for a couple of years. i have come here to ask you all a favor. i'm after some old photos, or even better some old vhs videos of anything to do with bonniface shihan and his club for use in an upcoming segment on the history of bonniface shihan and his legacy he left behind. the shots and info will be used in a documentary which will hopefully be picked up by maori tv. the documentary is about a student and his quest to test himself in the ring. we will set out to follow him and his instructors as they prepare to get ready for something special;-) ( probably enough info for now, the internet has billions of eyes ) anyone who would be interested in swapping any anecdotes please pm me and i will endeavor to respond asap. this is a chance to showcase one of the most comprehensive fighting styles around today. thanks in advance for any information you are able to provide. naku noa Te Kehua o te Rangi ps, any information will be treated with the upmost respect and will not be posted anywhere, ( including the internet ) without the permission of the instructors charged with the preservation of the style/s.
Classes have started back for 2008 Please feel free to come along to classes at the Fuji Ryu dojo around Christchurch New Zealand. You would be more than welcome.
Thank you for this very informative thread, in particular 'M16M203'. I know its 3yrs old now however its good to get the history of the style I was involved in that has had such a positive impact. I was lucky enough to have trained and graded under Sensei Fekkes prior to his retirement at the 'Papanui martial arts academy' that he ran with Judo Practioner Sensei Frank Best. I think I was possibly one of the last to train under him. Although he was in his 70's he still had a lot to offer, the wealth of knowledge that he had to pass on was invaluable. Through him I was then lucky enough to further my training under the likes of Sensei's Sadlier, Columbus, Colenso and Geddis all extremely talented Ju jutsu practitioners. I have since relocated to Australia and had alot of trouble finding a similar quality of training that is as balanced between art and reality as the Fuji Ryu Goshindo offered in Christchurch, only recently have I found a style here that comes close. With the earthquakes happening where is the style being practiced now? Cause from what I understand Cobbers didnt survive. I am curious if 'GLK_26_9x19' got his documentary together and if it was available? Sensei Fekkes had been attempting to document the syllabus he was teaching on video when I was training with him in 2005 I'm sure those vids must be getting around somewhere.
Frank Best Sensei? He's an old family friend, he came over from the UK on the same boat as my Dad. Small world. I think he had something to do with the old International judo club, along with Bonniface Shihan and a few others, but I never knew of the Papanui group. I was distressed to hear of the old Crighton Cobbers building. I spend many hours in the dojo for judo and some jujutsu later on. It was a cool old building with lots of nooks and crannies. I think the Fuji Ryu group are training at the Can Am Ju clubrooms, or maybe at Spinks sensei's dojo and the other club (Rolleston?) may still be operating.
Crichton Cobbers Jujutsu: RIP 1972-2010 The Fuji Ryu are still practising on Saturday and Tuesday at Can Am Ju. This is Paul Reti's class and occasionally other Yudansha will take it in a different direction for some student perspective. The Crichton Cobbers class is temporarily "out of commission". The building is written off with earthquake damage. Rolleston are still training - business as usual. It is unfortunate the town location has taken such a hit. You can also grapple with Ren Sadlier and the team at his cage MMA sessions in Mairahau on a Monday and Wednesday afternoon. These will keep you honest and the focus is on MMA / grappling. From Crichton Cobbers - Geddis Sensei is fairly busy outside class time as are the other Instructors, Sadlier & Thoms. They do regularly visit other classes though. The Fuji Ryu Goshindo classes from Crichton Cobbers will resume again soon elsewhere once the wider local issues become clearer. A lot of people have lost their houses, businesses and in some cases family members in this tragedy.
And Frank Best is a very good man and still able to teach a very technical & beneficial session; regardless of your grade. A class man who has forgotten more than most people know. If you are lucky enough to get an invite from him to take your class - do not pass it up.
The year was 1972 and Sensei John Bonniface was still wearing his Aikido dogi. I was one of his Shuri-te Okinawan Goju-ryu students during the 1970's.
