History of the International Jujutsu Institute
Background to Jujutsu
Jujutsu is a traditional Japanese martial art . The two Japanese characters “Ju” and “Jutsu” can be translated as pliable/flexible and techniques/martial art respectively. Jujutsu originated in Japanese Samurai schools where warriors were taught combat methods, including various weapons arts. Jujutsu techniques were usually taught as a subsidiary method and included strikes, joint locks, strangulations and throwing techniques for use in “emergency situations”, if the Samurai was unarmed. During periods of peace, jujutsu was oriented more towards civil combat away from the battlefields. At the beginning of the Meiji period (1868-1912) restrictions were placed upon carrying weapons in public and as a result, the unarmed arts of jujutsu grew in importance.
Historical Overview of the International Jujutsu Institute
Towards the end of the 1800’s, specialised jujutsu schools were opened up to Japanese who were not of the Samurai class and later also to foreigners.
The International Jujutsu Institute (IJJI) was established outside of Japan by Professor Kam Hock Hoe. Born in Malaya in 1903, Professor Kam commenced his jujutsu training in 1928 under the Japanese teacher, Professor Watanabe in Singapore. He then wrestled professionally for three years, travelling all over Asia to compete. He became known as “Panther” Hoe because of his quick and effective movements. During this period he also took up the pursuit of boxing and continued his jujutsu training under Professor T. Yamanaka in Shanghai.
In 1931, Professor Kam went to Kyoto, Japan, where he was a live-in-student at the International Society of Ju-Jitsu. In 1933, after two years full time training in jujutsu, he was awarded Sandan Honours, a teaching license and a professorship in Jujutsu and Kuatsu. This was a high distinction in budo (martial ways) at that time and only rarely was anyone awarded this rank.
After his studies in Japan, Professor Kam returned to Malaya via Shanghai, and in 1935 he founded Hoe’s Ju-Jitsu Studio in Kuala Lumpur. Between 1935 and 1941 Professor Kam also taught boxing and self-defence training to the Malay police forces. When Malaya was invaded by the Japanese on the 7th of December 1941 formal jujutsu classes were suspended by Professor Kam. Hostilities ceased in Malaya in September 1945, and in 1947, Professor Kam recommenced formal jujutsu classes at a premises in old Port Kalang, Malaya.
In 1956 Professor Kam moved to Penang Island, Malaya and founded the International Ju-Jitsu Institute. In 1958 Professor Kam also commenced classes at the Royal Australian Air Force base at Butterworth, just across from Penang Island.
In 1979 Professor Kam relocated the International Jujutsu Institute back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He restricted his teaching to a few students, the fourth generation, including his adopted son, Errol Perera and Leong Chock Lim. Perera was a live-in student with Professor Kam from 1979 to 1990.
On the 23rd of June 1980, Professor Kam was awarded Judan (10th dan) jointly by the Singapore Judo Federation and the Malaysian Judo Federation. Professor Kam stayed in Kuala Lumpur until he passed away on the 3rd of October 1990. He trained actively with his students right up until the day of his death.
Current Institute Head
When Professor Kam died, Mr Errol Perera became the head of the International Jujutsu Institute. He holds the title of soke, which means head of the school and is an inherited position. As soke, Mr Perera is responsible for all technical and administrative decisions affecting the IJJI.
