HISTORY OF IJJF
The style has its origins dating back to the 17th Century, A certain Shirobei Yoshitoki Akiyama (although some claim it was Yoshin Miura) travelled to China learning various methods of resuscitation called Hassei-ho (later became known as Kuatsu). It is said that he journeyed to Tibet and after a period of contemplation developed the many combat techniques that formed the basis for the school known as Yoshin-Ryu or School of the Willow.
In the early 1930’s a professional wrestler called Kam Hock Hoe travelled to Singapore and under the instruction of Professor Watanabe, where he learnt the art of Jui-Jitsu obtaining the grade of 1st Dan. Several years later, he achieved his 2nd Dan under Professor K. Yamamoto in Hong Kong. He then travelled to Kyoto (Kyoto Kokusai Jujutsu Daigakuin of Japan) to complete his training in Kuatsu and to achieve his 3rd Dan. Master Kam started teaching in Malaysia in 1935 and went on to make a dramatic impact on the Martial Arts scene in Malaysia. During his time in Malaysia, Master Kam was particularly noted for the large number of Australian service men and women he instructed at the RAAF Base Butterworth. Prior to leaving the Butterworth area, he started the International Jui Jitsu Association, which later became the International Jui Jitsu Foundation (IJJF).
The IJJF was founded in 1979, registered in Malaysia in 1982. Professor Kam left the Butterworth area and placed Master Raj in charge of running the foundation. Many service men and woman will remember their days training at the RAAF Jui Jitsu club either at the Butterworth air base or on Penang Island under Master Raj and Master Aridas with much fondness.
Grandmaster Raj passed away on the 19th October 2010. His funeral prayers and ceremonies were attended by many close friends, relatives and students. Professor Raj was a taught by Professor Kam Hock Hoe and always had a great amount of respect and admiration for him, a feeling which is reciprocated by all of his students in Malaysia and Australia. Professor Raj was a great man, a great exponent of Jui-Jitsu but most of all a man of great heart. We will always remember him with Admiration and fondness.
Succeeding him as Grandmaster is Doctor Aridas Selvaraj, also a student of Professor Kam Hock Hoe, but well known as Professor Raj’s right hand man and close friend. Professor Aridas was deeply affected by Grandmaster Raj’s passing but is determined to lead the IJJF forward to a strong future. To assist him in this endeavour is Master Kevin McGarry who has been promoted to the number two position.
Currently the IJJF has several clubs in Malaysia and Australia and is working hard to continue to pass on the vast array of techniques that make up its diverse style.
In the early 1930’s a professional wrestler called Kam Hock Hoe travelled to Singapore and under the instruction of Professor Watanabe, where he learnt the art of Jui-Jitsu obtaining the grade of 1st Dan. Several years later, he achieved his 2nd Dan under Professor K. Yamamoto in Hong Kong. He then travelled to Kyoto (Kyoto Kokusai Jujutsu Daigakuin of Japan) to complete his training in Kuatsu and to achieve his 3rd Dan. Master Kam started teaching in Malaysia in 1935 and went on to make a dramatic impact on the Martial Arts scene in Malaysia. During his time in Malaysia, Master Kam was particularly noted for the large number of Australian service men and women he instructed at the RAAF Base Butterworth. Prior to leaving the Butterworth area, he started the International Jui Jitsu Association, which later became the International Jui Jitsu Foundation (IJJF).
The IJJF was founded in 1979, registered in Malaysia in 1982. Professor Kam left the Butterworth area and placed Master Raj in charge of running the foundation. Many service men and woman will remember their days training at the RAAF Jui Jitsu club either at the Butterworth air base or on Penang Island under Master Raj and Master Aridas with much fondness.
Grandmaster Raj passed away on the 19th October 2010. His funeral prayers and ceremonies were attended by many close friends, relatives and students. Professor Raj was a taught by Professor Kam Hock Hoe and always had a great amount of respect and admiration for him, a feeling which is reciprocated by all of his students in Malaysia and Australia. Professor Raj was a great man, a great exponent of Jui-Jitsu but most of all a man of great heart. We will always remember him with Admiration and fondness.
Succeeding him as Grandmaster is Doctor Aridas Selvaraj, also a student of Professor Kam Hock Hoe, but well known as Professor Raj’s right hand man and close friend. Professor Aridas was deeply affected by Grandmaster Raj’s passing but is determined to lead the IJJF forward to a strong future. To assist him in this endeavour is Master Kevin McGarry who has been promoted to the number two position.
Currently the IJJF has several clubs in Malaysia and Australia and is working hard to continue to pass on the vast array of techniques that make up its diverse style.