Kick'em In The Ghoulies

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The Late Soke Richard Morris

Born 21st May 1936 - Passed 15th July 2019

aka Dicky Morris

Styles : Aiki Jujutsu / Juko Ryu Jiu-Jitsu

Founder : Jui-jitsu International

Co -Founder : World Kobudo Federation

Soke Richard Morris was a master of Jiu-Jitsu who was active in the art for some Sixty odd years and was still active in the martial world up to his passing in 2019, which in it self is a great achievement .

Richard Morris's first experience of Martial arts came when his Father and Uncle came back home after the Burma Campaign they had experienced the arts and passed on what they new to Richard.

But his first real teacher was Professor Alf Morgan , one of the first men in the UK to be trained by Sensei Yukio Tani from Japan.

Richard Morris attained his 4th degree black belt from Professor Morgan ,he passed away some time after.

After this he met Professor James Blundel and Robert Clarke.

Richard Morris went on to become the chairman of the British Jiu-Jitsu Association (BJJA) and the Director of the World Jiu Jitsu Federation (WJJF) in partner ship with Professor James Blundel and Robert Clarke.

Now from what i Know the Richard Morris and James Blundel eventually broke away from WJJF ,for reasons i won't go into here.

This was in 1986 when Richard Morris resigned from both posts in the WJJF and BJJA.

It was now that he set up and founded Jiu jitsu International in a bid to bring together the best in Jiu-Jitsu ,not just in the UK ,but Worldwide.

In 1992 he co-founded the World Kobudo Federation with John Therien and Alain Sailly ,bringing together more and more World renowned masters ,he ran the UK part of the organization along with Bryan Cheek who was appointed ''International Coordinator'' they had met when Bryan got involved with Professor James Blundell ,they formed a alliance with Other Masters from Europe and Canada and the Eastern Block.

Linage

Sensei Yukio Tani came to the UK in the late 1800's .

It's here he took residence and taught Jujutsu in his own clubs and later at the London Budokwai.

His style was of a Fusen- Ryu style Jujutsu.

He paid his way by fighting in matches in London Music halls. He met Alf Morgan who was a Catch Master ( British Wrestling) , he taught him Jujutsu and it was Alf Morgan who Taught Richard Morris.

World Kobudo & Jui-jitsu International

It was in the mid to late 90's that I myself was being taught by Soke Richard Morris , then known as Hanshi Richard Morris , of course by this time in his career he was World renowned. And attending classes you where not solely taught by him but his many Black belts of various grades he had cultured throughout the years.

His knowledge of the arts was quite astounding and could always show you something to make you go wow in awe.

Hanshi as we called him then came across as a very likeable person. He was always patient in teaching and never seemed to get frustrated with his students (something i have seen other Instructors do)

From the outside anybody meeting the man outside of the training environment would never believe that this gentle looking man who would be perceived as someones granddad on appearance was this world renowned Juijitsu Master.

In reality when your attending classes and being trained and graded by someone of this standing it is easily to forget how revered they really are. We would have quite a few Instructors from other clubs come along to train or do seminars purely because they wanted to train or be part of something Hanshi was offering.

It becomes more apparent of how regarded Soke Richard Morris was when you attend a convention like myself and others did. A place where Masters from all around the world come together to teach and pass on there knowledge , it was at one of these conventions that you could see how regarded he was .

People travelled the world from other continents just so they could be Graded by the committee with Soke Richard Morris at the head.

It's then you realise that the person teaching you is something special.

Now around 2000 the World Kobudo went through a change in UK , break away clubs formed and by 2001/2002 Richard Morris concentrated on his own organisation Juijitsu International .

Shortly after this Soke Morris did become quite ill and this of course affected the clubs. But Soke did bounce back and returned to the mat and continued to teach, do Grading's and travel offering his knowledge to clubs worldwide which where affiliated to Juijitsu International.

For me it was a privilege to have been taught by Soke Richard Morris , he brought his knowledge to the world and his legacy lives on in everyone who trained under him.

We where deeply saddened to hear of his passing in 2019 and dedicate this page to him.

Hanshi / Soke Richard Morris - Domo Arigato

Sertes Nake

February 2020

Soke Morris is also credited as one of the trainers of KickBoxer star and Martial Artist Alain Moussi along with John Therien , John -Yves Theriault and Carlos Machado.

Alain Moussi Holds a 6th Dan in Jujutsu

And a 1st Dan in Brazilian Jujutsu

Source : Wikipedia