Introduction

Jujitsu originated as an art forged through civil war by the samurai of old Japan, adapting with time to survive the constant changes to become what it is today. The early history of Jujitsu has been long lost as a result, though traces of its past scatter Japan’s mythology, theology and archology.
Many of the national archives of Japan were damaged by fire in 672AD during the Jushin Rebellion.
Clay figures of warriors have been uncovered in Neolithic tombs dating within the 'Haniwa' period approximately 5000 BC.
The ancient Shinto script 'Takanogawi' informs us of two gods, Kashima and Kadori that used grappling to chastise the lawless inhabitants of the eastern provinces.
More factual works, like the 'Nihon Shoki' chronicle appeared in 720AD, tells us in 230BC, the Emperor Suinjin to commemorate the completion of the seventh year of his reign held a 'Bugei Chikara Kurabe', (contest of martial prowess). It is recorded how during the contest Nomino Sukune killed his opponent Tomatetsu Hayato by throwing him to the ground and then finishing him by Atemi waza.
Its ancient traditions have transformed many martial systems within this period to form the basis of modern Judo, Hapkido, Nippon Shorinji Kempo and some systems of Karate.
There were as many as 700 Ryu (schools) that developed taking many methods of unarmed grappling within their syllabus. Jujitsu is a generic collective term used to describe the numerous systems which, when combined together, form Ju jitsu. Some of the systems were; Wajitsu, Taijitsu, Yawara ge or gi, kumiuchi, Yoro Kumiuchi, Kogusoku, hobaku, Torite, Shubaku and Koshimawari.

The Ryu (school)
The masters of Ju jitsu named their school by using various terms to differentiate between their Ju jitsu Ryu. These names came about by one of two ways. Either the techniques practised were of Chinese origin or the school simply gave the kanji or Japanese pronunciation of the synonymous Chinese calligraphy i.e. Ch'an-fa becomes Kempo. The second way was that a pure Japanese school would adopt a specific word, which would best illustrate the concept that lay behind his style of Yawara and how his would be used.

The Spelling of Jujutsu
The term JuJutsu is a romanisation of the Japanese term meaning Science of Yielding / Gentleness. As the Japanese use two alphabets, made of two different sets of symbols (Kanji and Katakana), the romanised version of the word (using the alphabet we use in the western world) cannot completely reflect how to spell the word. There is agreement that the first syllable is "Ju", pronounced "Joo", or "Jyoo" depending on where in Japan you come from. This is why in various parts of the world – the romanised spelling is either "Ju" or "Jiu". The second set of syllables is pronounced either "joots" or "jits" in some areas of Japan – or – "joots" with a barely audible "uh" sound at the end in other areas. Thus the spelling "jutsu" or "jitsu". That last "u" reflects that gutteral "uh" at the end of the word. Those who attempt to correct another in the spelling of the term in the western alphabet do so incorrectly. There is no correct spelling in our alphabet. We must all simply accept the fact that the Japanese sounds are best reflected in the alphabet created to reflect those sounds. So JuJutsu, Ju-Jitsu, Jiu-Jitsu, is the same.

My History

Before travelling through time describing various schools and events that has shaped the development and the course of Jujitsu, I believe I should start at my self. As a boy I would listen to my father speak of his time training with his father, older brother and uncles in Holland (Judo/Jujitsu). My grandfather and his brothers lived in Holland at a time when they had to learn such an art to defend themselves against others during the Second World War. Having a larger family with many boys in the family, they all would have competition wrestling and throwing each other to see who was the best.

Left: My Great Uncle Mathieu Koch (1950’s)
















I lost my father when I was a boy due to illness, but before he passed he made sure my brother and sisters and I would also be able to defend ourselves, so he enrolled us into a local jujitsu school. It was good because I was a shy child always getting picked on and bullied at school.
Here I met Mark Haseman the teacher of the school. Over twenty years have passed and I am still part of the same school.
Mark started his training in Judo and then Jujitsu in the early seventies, where the school’s syllabus was simple though the techniques and skills were of a high standard. In the early nineties Mark needed to put a name to the school, due to his growth and the influences that has affected the school’s development. The school was christened “Tohkon Ryu” meaning fighting soul school. Not just for the reason of the success Mark has had in his early days fighting, but mainly for the passion he instils in others when departing his knowledge and kind character.
Marks son Chris has had a prosperous career as a professional fighter in no hold barred events and has travelled extensively around the world. Chris would bring home many new training ideas and techniques to become part of the schools syllabus.
Left: Chris Haseman landing a Spinning axe kick on his opponent







With other martial art practitioners around the world becoming more open in supplying their knowledge to others through seminars, books and now the internet, we all are able to as a community grown and expand our training syllabi.
In Australia the late Jan de Jong (9th Dan) of Tsutsumi Hozan Ryu Jujitsu in Perth Western Australia has greatly contributed to the growth and development of Tohkon Ryu Jujitsu and Australian Jujitsu culture. Demonstrating many methods of body movement, kata, locking techniques and weaponry.
Many members of the Society were not happy with the dictatorial attitude the Australian Society of Jujitsuans (now known as the Australian Jujitsu Federation Inc) placed on its members, so many key members formed another group calling it self the Australian Jujitsu Association on the 12th May 1985. Their goal was to enhance the Art and bring as many styles together for a common purpose, that being the exchange of ideas and new techniques.

This committee of the new AJJA inc., were:
- President: Sensei Wayne Brabham (Vic),
- Vice-President: Sensei Bruce Watts (NSW),
- Secretary: Sensei Mike Jeans (Qld), and
- Director of Coaching: Shihan Jan de Jong (WA).
Other foundation members who originally formed the AJJA were Sensei Mark Haseman (Qld) and Sensei Brierley Bailey (NSW).

Shihan Jan de Jong OAM 9th Dan unfortunately passed away in April 2003.


Left: Shihan Brierley Bailey (AJJA Secretary) on the right handing a certificate and red belt to Shihan Jan de Jong OAM. Shihan de Jong was awarded 9th Dan by the Senior members of the AJJA - 1996
















Right: Shihan Mark Haseman and his teacher Sensei Mike Jeans attending the annual AJJA National Semiar in Sydney 2005.





Mark was instructed by a national wrestling champion who had a diverse background in his martial arts training, Mike Jeans Sensei (5th Dan) trained under many of the Instructors that formed what Jujitsu is today within Australia and now continues doing the same. Jeans Sensei now is in his prime, a friendly gentleman that also has this passion in sharing his skills between others. Jeans Sensei called his school of Jujitsu Aiki Ryu, mainly due to the influences that had affected him in his journey within the martial arts.

Schools that developed Tohkon Ryu Jujitsu

Many schools and disciplines of martial systems have developed the schools of all martial arts today. Not one can credit its teachings and principles to claim the foundation of any school of learning. I will attempt to outline the schools that have shaped Tohkon Ryu Jujitsu in its journey.

To see the lineage chart Click Here


Click onto the school to see some details -

- Datio Ryu (Takeda / Minamoto)
- Takenouchi Ryu
- Namba Ippo Ryu
- Fusen Ryu
- Aiki Ryu
- Jikishin Ryu
- Kito Ryu
- Kodokan Judo
- Shin no Shindo Ryu
- Yoshin Ryu
- Tsutsumi Hozan Ryu
- Futagami Ryu
- Sosuishitsu Ryu
- Sessho Hiden Ryu
- Ito Ryu
- Takagi Ryu (Now Hontai Yoshi Ryu)
- Ryoi Shinto Ryu
- Tenjin Shinyo Ryu
- Sekiguchi Ryu
- Ono Ha Itto Ryu
- Hozoin Ryu
- Fukuno Ryu
- Shaolin Kenpo

This is a list of over twenty schools; many have directly or indirectly contributed to Tohkon Ryu and other martial arts systems.
Today Tohkon Ryu Jujitsu has grown in its syllabus from approximately 150 elements in the 1970’s to approximately 850 elements. The school has a good reputation and standard among the martial arts community here in Australia and has many that visit internationally.

I thank today’s martial artists that will bring this great art to others in the future and most of all, the masters of the past that have provided us with the tradition, culture and skills that gives us our art today.

You will find that Jujitsu is still a growing and living art, because it has always been willing to change to adapt and yield in order to overcome, as its very name suggests. Flexibility!

To see the lineage chart Click Here



* More information to be placed here!! Coming Soon!

email - sensei_sam_oz1@hotmail.com