In 1928 two Jujutsu clubs were established. One of Skyner's Jujutsu in Liverpool, England where Bushinkai head Simon Keegan's great uncle trained; the other was the Kodokwan in Cape Town, South Africa. Today the Kodokwan is represented by Shihan Jonathan Kruger who, like Simon followed a family tradition of the martial arts. We are proud to recognise Shihan Jonathan as our Zambian representative. Here follows some of the history of the Kodokwan.

The Kodokwan was founded in Cape Town in 1928 by Dr Henry Johnston, a student of the legendary Seishi Teppei (who also reputedly taught Tenjin Shinyo Ryu Jujutsu to the legendary Vernon Bell). Apparently Seishi awarded the Menkyo Kaiden to Johnston.


Joe Grant-Grierson 10th Dan

Dr Johnston taught Shihan Joe Grant Grierson (who later reached 10th Dan) in 1943, who later moved up to Zambia to work on the coppermines as a 4th Dan in 1954 and that same year started the Kodokwan in Zambia with John Kruger Sr as his first student in 1955.

In 1962 Grierson handed the Zambian club over to John Kruger Sr. The other pioneer of Judo in Zambia is Irishman Father Jude McKenna.


Pictured: Jonathan Kruger, Fr Jude McKenna and John Kruger

Today the Kodokwan is headed by international competitor Shihan Jonathan Kruger, our newest addition to the Bushinkai family