Simon Keegan is a Karate, Jujutsu, and Tai Chi instructor and the author of the best-selling book Karate Jutsu. He has been fortunate to train with some of the last of a legendary generation of Japanese and Chinese grandmasters.
He is a member of the Dai Nippon Butokukai, the prestigious organization that awarded rank to Gichin Funakoshi and Chojun Miyagi. He also holds grades under the Kokusai Budoin (IMAF), presided over by the hereditary head of the Shogun house of Tokugawa.
Born in Liverpool in 1979 into a martial arts family, Simon began his studies at an early age. His father, David Keegan, commenced Jujutsu over 55 years ago and trained in classical Japanese arts (including Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu) and Chinese martial arts (Yang family Tai Chi). Simon represents the 6th consecutive generation of his family to serve in the military.
By age 16, Simon was competing nationally in Karate while studying at the Bushidokan. He earned his black belt at 20, winning national gold in Kumite and silver in Kata. He later spent 10 years training in Shobukan Karate, which blends Shotokan with Malaysian-Chinese Budokan influences, under Shihan Phil Handyside.
In 2002, Simon was awarded 2nd Dan in Jujutsu and the Bugei Ju Hapan (18 martial arts). His extensive studies in Chinese arts include Yang and Sun style Tai Chi, Pakua, and Hsing-I. He has performed in front of the Mayor of Shanghai and was the first person to perform Kata accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra.
His search for traditional methods led him to study Goju Ryu under Reiner Parsons (Nisseikai), training with Tadanori Nobetsu, and mentoring under Hanshi Terry Wingrove. In 2018, he published Karate Jutsu, featuring forewords by six 9th Dan masters, including the legendary Fumio Demura.
Today, Simon teaches 'Hakuda Kempo Toshu Jutsu', a system of classical Karate Jutsu and Jujutsu, at Circle Martial Arts in Manchester City Centre.
Courtesy Simon Keegan Renshi
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