HISTORY OF SHOTO-JITSU

Reed Sensei started Martial Arts in 1967 on the island of Okinawa, at the age of 19.  He was not there long enough to earn a Black Belt, however, he was there long enough to fall in love with the Arts.  When the time for him to leave the Island came, he told his Sensei, the last words from his Sensei were, "Reed-san, you pretty good, go back to States and get Black Belt".  Needless to say, this meant alot to Reed Sensei and made him want to continue to study and train.

Once he returned to the States, he continued to study Karate and soon found that he wanted more.  Along with Karate, he started studying Ju-Jitsu, Hapkido, Aikido and Judo.  He opened the Sullivan, IN school in 1983.  

By 1994, Reed Sensei had studied the Arts for over twenty-five years and had achieved high ranks in five systems.  He then decided to combine all of his knowledge and to make one self-defense system.  He used some forms (kata) from SHOTOKAN KARATE, short forms, circular motion and takedowns from JuJITSU, stances from KEMPO, pressure points and throws from AIKIDO, joint locks and control moves from HAPKIDO, kicks and hand techniques from KARATE and throws from JUDO.  He felt the combination of these Arts worked well for him and would also for others.After much interest from his peers, and after three years of hard work, he achieved what he was looking for.  He named this System, SHOTO-JITSU since his highest ranks were in Shotokan and JuJitsu.  He gave it the meaning of "Combination Art" and also it was to be known for the use of  Reverse Ki.

Among Reed Sensei's goals was for Shoto-Jitsu to be recognized through good, legitimate Associations that demanded proof before bestowing credibility.  

Shoto-Jitsu is recognized through the following Associations: NORTH AMERICAN GRANDMASTERS COUNCIL, OKINAWAN KARATE-DO UNION, UNITED STATES MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION, WORLD COMBAT MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION, PIONEERS AND LEGENDS INTERNATIONAL MARTIAL ARTS SOCIETY, INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF JU-JUTSUANS and many others.  

Reed Sensei had SHOTO-JITSU trademarked in 1997.