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History
The History of The British Zen Judo Family Association
In an effort to preserve the philosophical and spiritual aspects of Dr Kano's art, Zen Judo was created in England in 1974. Judo had been introduced to Great Britain in the early 1900s with Sensei Yukio Tani. He was followed by Sensei Uyenishi who taught Judo to the British Army at Aldershot.
Sensei Guni Koizumi founded the most famous Judo club in the country, the Budokwai of London, where he and Tani taught for many years. The post-war period saw the organization of several major Judo Associations in Great Britain. The British Judo Association (BJA) was the largest and most influential. Not long after its creation, the British Judo Council was formed under the influence of Sensei Tani, and a third organisation, the Kyu Shin Do, was created by Sensei Kenshiro Abe. Zen Judo originated from the Kyu Shin Do.
Shihan Dominick McCarthy, the founder of Zen Judo, was trained in the Kyu Shin Do system. When the Kyu Shin Do began to empasise more Western aspects, Shihan McCarthy created a separate group to preserve the original spirit of Judo, not emphasizing tournaments and competition. In September 1974 the Zen Judo Ryu came into life at the Community Center at Love Lane, Petersfield, England.
Since its creation, Zen Judo has spread across England, there have been clubs in Germany, Canada, Cyprus, Northern Ireland and now in the United States. Zen clubs tend to attract a good following, with low membership dropout and high retention rates. Students interest in the art seems considerably greater than in the competitive styles. In an effort to preserve the traditional style of Judo pioneered by Dr Kano, Zen Judo dojo's do not participate in tournaments or competitions. As a Judo Ryu, it is devoted to technique, skill and merit rather than the athletic ability.
When Sensei McCarthy passed on, the Zen Judo Family was driven to fragmentation, many Judoka tried to take his place (unsuccessfully), and it is sad to say, that The Zen Judo Family died with Mac. Therefore in December 1999 - the British Zen Judo Family Association was formed by the senior UK Zen Judo Family grade, Andrew M Millard BEM 6th Dan, and Gordon Lawson 3rd Dan to take Zen Judo into the Millennium progressing Zen Judo to new heights with new beginnings.
Sensei
Mac McCarthy 8th Dan
Founder of the Zen Judo Family
