Brian Graham Shihan
1935 - 2005

Brian Graham Shihan was the founding father of The Jitsu Foundation and Head of Style for Shorinji Kan Jiu Jitsu.

Born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, he learned his jiu jitsu skills in Australia under Matthew Komp Shihan in the 1960's. When he returned to the UK, Brian opened the first Samurai Jiu Jitsu club in Keighley.

Brian's technical ability and enthusiasm produced a number of instructors - most notably the late Peter Farrar. Under the leadership of Brian and Peter, the style spread rapidly throughout the UK and other countries.

Brian will be remembered for his straight talking style of teaching, his enthusiasm and his incredible ability. He was a supreme exponent of jiu jitsu and motivator of instructors who strove to attain his level of skill. His down to earth approach to life and his unique sense of humour will be sorely missed.

Brian was inspirational in the founding of Jitsu Canada, and travelled to Canada on a number of occasions providing the benefit of his vast martial arts knowledge and experience. As he has done for the past fifty years, Brian was actively teaching jiu jitsu up until his recent brief illness.

His loss is deeply felt by his wife, children and grandchildren (on whom he doted), and the thousands of students in The Jitsu Foundation throughout the world who's lives have been touched by him