Nihon Goshin Kempo Ju Jutsu Kai was established in the late 1980's when it was known as Goshin Kempo Ju Jutsu Kai.

The style was founded after several years of research into traditional Okinawan and Chinese martial arts systems and later Japanese arts which stemmed from them such as Japanese Karate.

Whilst we were originally a Kempo Karate Group from the early 1980's our study of and incorporation of these other arts lead us away from the world of Karate and more deeply into the world of Budo throughout that decade. Although traditional Kempo techniques remained as an important root and formed an important part of the syllabus much emphasis was placed on practical modern day usage of martial arts techniques using the methods of Goshin Ju Jutsu with a strong emphasis on Kempo techniques as methods of initial engagement. The style therefore became a fairly comprehensive system emplying elements of Kempo, British Ju Jutsu and Japanese Ju Jutsu along with some weaponry.

In order to further develop the grappling aspect of Kempo known as Tuite we became involved with Ju Jutsu groups in Britain in order to enhance our grappling skills, this led through membership of these organisations a need to incorporate a number of modern Ju Jutsu techniques alongside some of the more traditional Okinawan and Chinese Kempo, Tuite and Japanese Ju Jutsu techniques that could be found in our syllabus. The influence of the more modern Japanese styles of Ju Jutsu (Known as Gendai) and Aikido and its impact on modern Karate and the impact of Karate on Ju Jutsu was also taken into account leading to further investigation of these specific disciplines. This led to more emphasis on the following categories of techniques:

Kansetsu Waza: Locking techniques that can be found in Kempo, Tuite, Ju Jutsu and Taiho Jutsu.

Kote Waza: Wrist techniques including all locks and throws applied to the wrist as can be found in  Tuite, Ju Jutsu, Aikido and Taiho Jutsu.

Nage Waza: Throwing techniques this includes hip throws, shoulder throws, sacrifice throws. These techniques can be found in Kempo, Tuite, Ju Jutsu and Judo. The throws in these arts can be sub- divided into Te Waza (Hand), Koshi Waza (Hip), Ashi Waza (Sweeps).

Kobu-Jutsu: The original weapons in Goshin Kempo Ju Jutsu Kai consisted of the following weapons

Japanese Weapons

Tanto (dagger),

Bokken,

Jo (4ft Stick),

Hanbo/Tanjo (3 ft Stick),

Walking stick,

Tessen/Yawara/Kubotan (Small stick about the length of a pen),

Garrott,

Rope,

Okinawan Weapons

Nunchaku

Tonfa (Rice mill handle),

Bo (Five or Six foot stick),

Kama (Scythe).

The weapons have now been divided between the two styles Nihon Go Shin Kage Ryu, which maintains the traditional Japanese weapons of: Tanto, Jo, So-Jo, Tanjo/Hanbo, Bokken & with the addition of Shoto  and Hakuda Ryu Kempo Jutsu which maintains the traditional Okinawan weapons of: Nunchaku, Tonfa and Bo with the addition of Te Bo and Tankon.

Kumite Jutsu: The art of sparring, this consists of basic Sanbon (3 step), Ippon (1 Blow) and Jiyu (Free) Kumite (Sparring), which involves striking, blocking, kicking and take down techniques. It is similar to the type of fighting seen in Karate styles. Kumite Jutsu is now part of Hakuda Ryu Kempo.

Randori: This is a form of free practice generally involving grappling and projection techniques in an exchange of techniques between two or more practitioners in a fluid way. This may be practised either with or without weapons. Randori is now part of Nihon Go Shin Kage Ryu Ju Jutsu Mutou Okuden and kaiden Practice.