The content of this book is the culmination of a life long quest for martial arts knowledge and expertise by Grand Master Ed Hartzell (Soke). The founder and creator of the Shin Ju Ryu Kenpo Jujutsu self defense system. Shin Ju Ryu Kenpo Jujutsu is a comprehensive and well rounded self defense martial art system. The base root of Shin Ju Ryu Kenpo Jujutsu can be traced back historically to both Japanese and Chinese martial arts through the lineage of James Masayoshi Mitose. James Mitose brought his family art, Kosho Shorei-ryu Kenpo to the U.S. (Hawaii) from Japan in 1937. Kosho Shorei-ryu Kenpo can be further traced back to the Shaolin Monks and the Kung Fu arts in China. Kosho Shorei-ryu Kenpo consists of both spiritual arts and martial arts. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, James Mitose renamed the system he was teaching to Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu. This was only the martial art component of Kosho Shorei-ryu Kenpo, due to being in war time. Thus, the lineage is; Grand Master Ed Hartzell received training from Grand Master Nimar Hassan; who received training from Grand Master James Mitose. Grand Master Ed Hartzell generously shares his accumulated martial arts knowledge and expertise he gathered from decades of training, instruction and study in numerous martial art systems and disciplines. Throughout his martial arts career, Grand Master Ed Hartzell incorporated the best working parts and components from other martial art systems and disciplines, into the base root of the Shin Ju Ryu Kenpo Jujutsu. Namely; Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Shorin-ryu Chinese Kempo, Mudokwan, Wing Chun, Aikido, Chi Ling Pai Ying Jaw Chuan system and many, many others. Through hard work and life long commitment, Grand Master Ed Hartzell utilized the proven results of empirical analysis, math, science and history, to develop and finely hone the principals, techniques and methods incorporated into Shin Ju Ryu Kenpo Jujutsu self defense system. This approach allowed Shin Ju Ryu Kenpo Jujutsu to evolve and grow into an effective and successful self defense martial art system over time. Thereby, garnering the best that select martial art systems had to offer. Many notable masters and uncountable students have been trained under the tutelage of Grand Master Ed Hartzell. Notably, Grand Master Jerry Otto, Grand Master Kurt Fritz, Master Bob Lederach, Master Mark Jefferson (Shihan) and myself, Master Richard Brescia Jr., just to name a few. All levels of martial art practitioners; young, old, beginner or advanced, will benefit from the information in this book on self defense. The reader will be exposed to a diverse wealth of self defense knowledge and experience. Increased focus, discipline, confidence, positive attitude, leadership, reaching personal goals, etc., can be realized. Aspects of philosophy, physics, geometry, anatomy, historical perspective, meditation, balance, economy of motion, body dynamics, proper breathing, visualization, ki/chi energy development and more are covered. Proven and effective self defense training, conditioning, techniques, tactics and methods are addressed. Particularly, punching/striking, kicking/sweeping, throwing, escaping, stances, balance and kata are examined. When the depth of the subject matter and tools within this book are closely examined, studied, further explored and researched; many more paths to martial arts knowledge and enlightenment will be discovered by the reader. Tashi Richard M. Brescia Jr. (4th Dan) shinjuryukenpojujutsu.com
