Foundation of the Goshinkwai Ryu
Soke-Dai John Warfield
How it all began........

Born in 1934 and 1932 respectively, Gordon and John Warfield lived at No12, Panteg, Ebbw Vale, Gwent with younger brother Colin.  During the Christmas of 1943, Gordon and John were presented with books on Judo and boxing respectively.

Gordon at this time was aged 11 and John 9.  Gordon in particular became fascinated with the concept of being able to throw an opponent by just subtle movement of technique and persuaded his brothers to join him at a judo class in Merthyr Tydfil. After receiving tuition for a few years, they became increasingly interested in the self-defence aspect of the training, and began subscribing to martial arts magazines, to study technique and read about instructors who focused more on this aspect of training.

They read of a Master Kenshiro Abbe, who had arrived in the country after touring Spain.  John wrote to him, but unfortunately, Abbe had gone abroad to attend a course and it was his secretary, Bill Reeve, (himself a highly skilled 4th Dan, Judoka) who replied to John’s letter.  Bill offered to visit the Warfields and did so on many occassions to offer tuition and advice.  He eventually arranged for the brothers to meet with Master Kenshiro Abbe.

In the summer of 1955, Kenshiro Abbe was instructing at a seminar in Porthcawl. It was a rainy night at around 10:00pm as John and Gordon waited in anticipation outside the Hotel where Abbe was staying.  As Abbe approached, John called out his name, following which Abbe immediately put up guard, expecting to fight.  John introduced himself to Abbe, who spoke very little English, but recognised the “Warfield” name, following their correspondence through Bill over the months.

A lengthy discussion was held between the three men in the foyer of the Hotel and much to the staff’s amusement, Abbe requested that John and Gordon performed a presentation of their skills there and then.  Abbe recognised the self defence elements of their training and instructed that he would train them in yawara (ancient fighting) principles.  He was cordially invited into the Warfield residence following their meeting and ended up staying a week, although his intended visit was for 2 days.

Lt to Rt: John Warfield, Master Kenshiro Abbe and

Gordon Warfield Photos  taken in Ebbw Vale during 1955
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Kenshiro was an eccentric character, who had recently been thrown out of a hotel after washing his Gi in the hotel room bath and hanging it up soaking wet in the cupboard.  The relationship between the 3 brothers and Abbe grew over the next several months and they would train with him at his clubs in London regularly with Abbe also visiting Wales periodically.  Gordon and John trained in many different styles, including Aikido, Karate etc but always focussed their attention again to the combat element.

John and Gordon would routinely travel to London to attend Seminar's by the likes of Abbe and O'Tani and later ran several clubs of their own in the Gwent area, often training up to 14 times a week.

During their training in London, they visited the home of Master Masutaro O’Tani, a highly ranked Japanese Master.  They received tuition from many influential Masters, including:

Michigami, Nakazono, Norro, Yamada, Matsushita, amongst others.

In 1963 they were awarded their Shodan (1st Dan Black Belt), by Abbe

The brothers became so proficient at un-armed combat, that there came a point in time that they were encouraged to develop their own system.  They took this upon themselves and applied all their experience into forming their own, unique system.  John in particular was a keen dancer and realised that several dance patterns of footwork could be encorporated within the system.

During May 1988,  John had ceased training, but Gordon continued and was invited to apply for Sokehip, which is offered to individuals who have been recognised as founding a unique system and is the HIGHEST HONOUR ATTAINABLE IN MARTIAL ARTS AND EXTREMELY PRESTIGOUS!

Gordon Warfield became the first Soke of the Goshinkwai organisation whose title was “SOKE-SHODAI” (First Generation Head Founder).  It is the responsibility of the Soke to appoint a successor to carry on the tradition upon his/her retirement.  The appointed successor is known as the “Soke-Dai” and should be bloodline where possible to ensure bloodline successorship within the family.

Gordon later managed to coax John out of retirement to help him run the organisation, but sadly, during the summer of 1993, Gordon passed away and John organised within the governing body, for Gordon's eldest daughter, Sian, to take over Sokeship.  John took on the role of Soke-Dai (acting advisor and elder) to the Soke.

 

This passing down of a sokeship to bloodline is in keeping with ancient Japanese tradition.
 

To date there is only 19 Sokeships outside of the orient (western world), with only 2 in Great Britain. It is believed that Sian Warfield is the only registered female Soke outside of the orient.
 
 

                            
Warfield Coat of Arms, presented as part of the Sokeship                   Soke-Dai John Warfield with President of the organisation, Soke Sian Warfield

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The new organisation was named Goshinkwai Ryu Yawara Remmei, transleted as follows:

                                        Goshinkwai (Total Body Defence / By way of body Defence)
                                        Yawara       (Ancient form of combat)
                                        Ryu              (Family)
                                        Renmei       (Organisation)

Stamp translates "Warfield" in Kangi
  (Design by C Rawlins)

In simple terms, this translates as an organisation employing an ancient system of Self-defence.

It was an extreme shock and loss to the whole Goshinkwai organisation when Soke-Dai John Warfield passed away suddenly on July 29th 2003, almost 10 years to the day that his brother and co-founder of the system "Gordon" had died. A new soke-dai had to be appoined and this was passed onto Shian Jeff Keen, during December 2003. Jeff is John's longest serving student of over 20 years and was also a personal friend.

About the System
Of the two divisions within modern day martial arts, Shin Budo (competitive arts) and SHIN BUJUTSU (self defence arts), the Goshinkwai system belongs to the latter division, as the Goshinkwai principle is non-competitive and designed as a system of self defence only.

The system includes grappling (Kumi-Uchi), striking (Atemi) and footwork. There is little of the throwing techniques, locks and strangulations found in traditional Ju-Jitsu.

Being unable to go back into history, it would be wrong to say that we practice Yawara exactly as did the warrior.  Our system combines traditional Yawara with added interpretation.  Nevertheless, our system is recognised and accepted as a valid system by several major Asian organisations.  It is affiliated with and sponsored by JUKO-KAI International, one of the largest and most recognised martial arts associations in the world.

The Goshinkwai Ryu Yawara Renmei is not associated with any other organisation bearing the name "Goshinkwai"