Instructor: About Steve Joseph
The Birth of ShinKenDo JuJutsu: A Legacy Forged in Adversity
From Street Violence to Martial Arts Innovation
Steve Joseph's journey into martial arts mastery began not in a traditional dojo, but in the unforgiving streets of East London. What started as a pursuit of self-improvement would ultimately revolutionize practical self-defense and position Steve as a pioneering figure in what we now know as Mixed Martial Arts.
A Life-Changing Encounter
One fateful evening following a karate class, Steve found himself surrounded by a gang of ten neo-Nazi extremists. Despite defending himself with the striking techniques he had learned, the brutal encounter left him with more than physical scars—it planted a crucial realization. Strikes alone, he discovered, were not enough in real-world situations. What if he had combined his karate with the grappling techniques of judo? This single question would change the course of martial arts history.
The Birth of a New System
Fueled by this life-or-death revelation, Steve began a relentless pursuit to create something revolutionary—a comprehensive self-defense system that could truly stand up to the unpredictability of street violence. Over the years, he immersed himself in studying a wide range of martial arts and combative systems, earning black belts in seven disciplines, including wrestling. With over 45 years of martial arts training, these diverse experiences became the foundation of an entirely new martial art: Sun Kune Do, later renamed ShinKenDo—its Japanese translation.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The name ShinKenDo carries profound significance in Japanese: "Shin" (真) means truth, "Ken" (拳) means fist, and "Do" (道) represents the way. Together, it symbolizes the pursuit of real-world effectiveness through martial arts—the "Way of the True Fist." ShinKenDo integrates a comprehensive array of techniques including strikes, joint locks, restraints, takedowns, throws, weapon defense, and even the use of everyday objects as improvised weapons.
A Pioneer of Mixed Martial Arts
Steve began teaching ShinKenDo at the age of 20, and by the early 1980s, the art had gained significant recognition as part of what Steve and his students called the Modern Martial Arts (MMA) movement. Remarkably, long before the term "MMA" became synonymous with cage fighting, Steve Joseph and his students were already using the terms "Mixed Martial Art" and "Modern Martial Art" to describe their revolutionary approach.
Steve is now recognized as a forefather of Mixed Martial Arts through his ShinKenDo system, which pioneered the integration of various martial disciplines into a cohesive, practical self-defense methodology. His innovative approach of combining striking, grappling, and weapon defense predated the modern MMA phenomenon by years.
Evolution to ShinKenDo JuJutsu
However, with the explosive rise of competitive Mixed Martial Arts and cage fighting in the 1990s, Steve made a strategic decision. To emphasize the art's self-defense roots and distinguish it from sport-oriented combat, he added "JuJutsu" to the name. Thus, ShinKenDo JuJutsu was officially born—a name that honored the traditional Japanese martial heritage while maintaining its street-proven effectiveness.
Recognition and Impact
The practicality and effectiveness of ShinKenDo JuJutsu made it a natural fit for professional applications. The art was adopted by the Metropolitan Police's self-defense program, attracting law enforcement officers and civilians alike. Women, in particular, were drawn to ShinKenDo for its empowering techniques specifically designed to neutralize larger, stronger attackers.
A Global Legacy
In the decades since founding the art, Steve has taught over 12,000 students around the world, with over 35 years dedicated to teaching ShinKenJuJutsu. His influence has spread across continents, creating a community of practitioners united by the principles of practical self-defense. Now based in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, Steve continues to expand ShinKenDo JuJutsu, welcoming both male and female students of all levels, from complete beginners to advanced practitioners.
More Than Fighting: A Philosophy for Life
Steve's teaching transcends mere physical technique. He shares not only the combat applications but also the core values that define true martial artists: discipline, respect, honor, and integrity. His mission extends beyond the dojo—to help create a safer world where individuals can protect themselves while embodying principles that transcend combat.
A Testament to Resilience
Steve Joseph's story serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of adversity. From a violent attack on the streets of East London to establishing dojos across the globe, his journey stands as a beacon of hope and determination. ShinKenDo JuJutsu is more than a martial art—it's a living legacy of resilience, innovation, and the unbreakable human spirit.
Through ShinKenDo JuJutsu, Steve continues to empower others to rise above their challenges, providing them with the tools not just to defend themselves physically, but to cultivate the inner strength that comes from mastering a true martial way.
Steve Joseph
What Is ShinKenDo JuJutsu Philosophy?
The philosophy of ShinKenDo is rooted in both the practical application of martial arts for self-defence and the cultivation of personal virtues that transcend combat. It is a system that emphasises the balance between physical skill and mental discipline, aiming to develop not just fighters, but individuals who embody integrity, respect, and honour. Here are the core elements of the ShinKenDo philosophy:
1. Real-World Effectiveness
ShinKenDo was created in response to real-life combat situations. The philosophy priorities practicality and effectiveness in self-defence, with techniques that can be applied in unpredictable, street-level scenarios. It incorporates a variety of martial arts disciplines—including strikes, joint locks, throws, and weapon defence—recognising that no single system is sufficient for every situation. The aim is to prepare practitioners for real-world encounters, where adaptability and the use of everyday objects as weapons of opportunity are essential.
2. Holistic Martial Arts Approach
ShinKenDo blends multiple martial arts styles, such as karate, judo, wrestling, and jujutsu, into a cohesive system. This fusion reflects the belief that martial arts should be comprehensive, covering all ranges of combat: striking, grappling, and weapon defence. This approach encourages the practitioner to be well-rounded and versatile, rather than being restricted by the limitations of a single style.
3. Continuous Learning and Adaptation
At the heart of ShinKenDo is the idea that martial arts training is a lifelong journey of self-improvement. Steve Joseph's own evolution from karate and judo to founding ShinKenDo reflects the philosophy of continual learning and adaptation. Practitioners are encouraged to remain open-minded, embracing new techniques and methods while refining their skills over time.
4. Self-Discipline and Mental Fortitude
While physical training is central to ShinKenDo, equal importance is placed on cultivating self-discipline, mental resilience, and emotional control. Practitioners are trained to remain calm and composed under pressure, using their skills only when necessary, and always within ethical boundaries. This mental discipline is key to overcoming fear, anger, and aggression both in combat and in life.
5. Respect, Honour, and Integrity
Core martial arts values—respect, honour, and integrity—are fundamental to ShinKenDo's philosophy. Students are taught to respect their opponents, training partners, and instructors, recognising that martial arts is not just about fighting but about personal growth and mutual respect. Honour and integrity guide how techniques are applied, ensuring that power is used responsibly and only for self-defence or the protection of others.
6. Contribution to Society
ShinKenDo's philosophy extends beyond individual training, aspiring to contribute to a safer and more harmonious society. By teaching self-defence, Steve Joseph also emphasises the importance of creating a world where people can protect themselves and others while fostering peace, compassion, and community cohesion. The goal is to empower individuals to stand up against violence and injustice, but also to live by values that promote harmony and cooperation.
7. Balance of Strength and Compassion
In ShinKenDo, strength is not merely physical but moral. Practitioners are encouraged to develop compassion alongside their martial prowess. The art teaches that true strength lies in knowing when to fight and when to avoid conflict, with the ultimate aim being the protection of oneself and others while maintaining peace.
8. Unity of Mind, Body, and Spirit
The "Do" in ShinKenDo refers to "the way" or the path, signifying that martial arts is not just a physical pursuit but a spiritual journey as well. Practitioners seek harmony between mind, body, and spirit. Physical techniques are practiced with mindfulness, and the martial arts journey is seen as a path to self-awareness, personal mastery, and spiritual growth.
Who Can Learn?
Whether you are a beginner or already studying the martial arts training is open to all.
Beginners will find explanations simple, and direct with techniques useable from the start and their strength general fitness will increase.
ShinKenJuJutsu techniques are practical and was meant for the everyday individual.
Techniques are based on real world application and are non sport.
There is no training in traditional weaponry.
No hard sparring or pressure tested fighting that can lead to injury or worse.
No emphasis on ground fighting in positions that are uncomfortable for females training with male counterparts.
There is no fighting in ShinKenDo but rather self defence, emphasising a martial art that sets its limits within the LAW.
No emphasis on strength, flexibility and or cardio training that would not accommodate the majority.
In any ShinKenDo JuJutsu Dojo you will find an atmosphere of discipline, martial respect, friendship and courtesy.
We ask you the public member reading this that martial is knowingly for the public and that the public comes in all shapes and sizes different levels of flexibility and strength and difference in age meaning young and old.
A good martial arts school / Dojo should encompass all the above if it should be called a martial art for the public.
Come to our classes and judge for yourself.
Whether you are a student looking to improve on your self defence repertoire or a Black Belt wishing to know more about self defence, there is something in ShinKenDo JuJutsu for everyone.
