Old Liverpool Jujutsu
Hope this is the right forum, (and I realise that the subject of early Jujutsu in Liverpool has been touched on elsewhere - Jack Britten, Morris, Clarke etc) but I wonder if someone can help with some information about an early Jujutsu club in Liverpool.
I'd like to know if this was a Jujutsu Ryu or whether it was 'old style' Judo:
My great uncle Bill Nelson started learning Jujutsu after World War II finished (he had been a seaman in the Merchant Navy and had some martial arts experience from then). He initially studied with a "Mr Skyner" at Arnott Street School (which he describes as in Bootle but I think it's nearer Everton Valley or Walton). He then, in around 1947 studied at another club, where he can't remember the name of the teacher.
He is sure that the club was a Jujutsu school rather than a Judo club although he was given one of Jigoro Kano's books by his teacher.
He achieved black belt which suggests it was not a Koryu.
I asked if he had his license and he said: "We didn't have licenses back then".
I have seen on another forum somebody mention a Jujutsu teacher called "Professor Gerry Skyner" from Liverpool, so I'm fairly sure this is the same man (I'd be surprised if there were many Skyners teaching Jujutsu in the same time in the same town - unless they were related).
Can anybody help?
Thanks
Simon
Simon Keegan 4th Dan
www.bushinkai.org.uk