The History of Fuji Ryu Goshindo

The Fuji Ryu Goshindo System was founded by Gesshu Sugawara Soke (d 1985), a gifted senior Japanese Budo practitioner in 1962 in Miyagi Prefecture Japan with the approval of long time friend O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba (founder of modern Aikido). Sugawara Shihan was awarded a full teaching license, Menkyo Kaiden, by O’sensei and founded Fuji Ryu Goshindo (The Fuji School of Self Defence). Sugawara held teaching grades in Karate, Judo, Aikido, Goshindo and Jujutsu.

Instructors
John Bonniface Shihan with students
New Zealand born John Bonniface Shihan (d 1992) was a long term and dedicated student of Sugawara, and bought the style back to NZ in the 1960’s, where he taught Jujutsu according to Sugawara’s principles, and included his own disciplined and unique perspective.

Bonniface Shihan was also the NZ representative for the All Japan Seibukan “Hard Style” Karate organisation in NZ (Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Jutsu) and held high dan grades in Karate Jutsu, Kempo, Jujutsu, Kendo, Aikido and Judo. The original hard style Karate Jutsu is still being taught in Ashburton today through Sensei Alistair MacIntosh. 

On Shihan Bonniface’s death the Fuji Ryu Goshindo system was handed to Sensei Stan Taylor (1992), who was Chief Judo and Jujutsu Instructor at Crichton Cobbers Youth Club in Christchurch for many years.

On Stan Taylor’s retirement, the Fuji Ryu Goshindo system was handed on to Paul Reti (2000).  The Crichton Cobbers dojo is being administered by the attending Senior Instructors and Menkyo Kaiden.

Recent History

Fuji Ryu Goshindo Students and Instructors
Fuji Ryu Goshindo Students and Instructors
Crichton Cobbers Fuji Ryu Goshindo has undergone a complete transformation since it was first introduced to NZ in the 1960’s. With the lack of official ties to Japan since the death of Gesshu Sugawara and John Bonniface, new formal relationships have been forged with the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai in Japan (2005), and Allan Tattersall Hanshi of the United Kingdom Jujitsu Association International.

Syllabus and Focus of Training

The name Fuji Ryu Goshindo has also been maintained throughout these changes, in recognition of those that have studied before us, and the proud history that has been left behind. The syllabus taught at Crichton Cobbers Fuji Ryu Goshindo includes aspects of Law Enforcement and Military Tactics, Personal Protection techniques, and a complete weapons defenses programme for armed and unarmed situations.

It is a pure means of self protection and is not a sport or points orientated art. Our primary focus is the betterment of oneself through a constant striving for perfection and dedication to training. We cover a traditional Jujutsu syllabus, alongside a modern and realistic approach to assaults and control methods suitable for a wide range of people and professionals.

Certification

Crichton Cobbers is the only Jujutsu dojo in New Zealand able to recommend qualification and certification of its members to the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, Kyoto, Japan. This is an honour as titles and grades are not bestowed lightly from this historical establishment. The club crest has also been modified from other Fuji Ryu dojo in order to reflect its local independence and global position in the international martial arts community.

 

 

 

 
 
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