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Kevin Pell Hanshi 8th Dan M.G.R.Y.

Kevin Pell Hanshi Founder and Chief Instructor Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu

Born in 1958 in Edmonton, North London, Pell Hanshi began his martial arts career in October 1966. During his 40 years of training to date he has studied the arts of Judo, Karate, Ju Jitsu, Kung Fu, Shorinji-Kempo, Kickboxing and most recently Iaido and Kendo. In 1982 his fascination of the striking and locking arts took him to Japan to study the art of Shorinji-Kempo at the Honbu Dojo. In January 1990 he opened the very first Ishin Ryu school of Ju-Jitsu based in his home town of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, in the United Kingdom. Since early 1990, Pell Hanshi has received invitations to teach worldwide his no-nonsense style of Ju-Jitsu, attracting international attention from many of the world's leading close protection agencies and military Special Forces. Pell Hanshi has served with the Royal Marine Reserve and the Royal Military Police. He also served as a dog handler in The Parks Police completing his service at the rank of Sergeant. From 1996, Pell Hanshi worked for six years as a professional close protection officer, having been personally invited to join an elite team drawn from Britain's Special Forces, being primarily responsible for the personal security of leading members of the United Arab Emirates.

His Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu clubs have had numerous television appearances both nationally and internationally. They have appeared on The James Whale Show, London Weekend Television's prime time challenge program "You Bet", The Link - Hertfordshire Television, Carlton News, Sky, Terrestrial and Cable Television and the "Combat '95 - Martial Arts Extravaganza" at the NEC Birmingham. Pell Hanshi has also appeared as an instructor in Andy McNab's highly acclaimed survival video "The S.A.S Survival Guide" where he assisted in the instruction of combat survival, and arranged the escape and evasion sequences.

In February 1997, Kevin Pell Hanshi and Trevor Steward Renshi featured on ITV's Saturday night TV challenge programme "You Bet!"

Another milestone in the club's development was our contribution to the making of "Masters Of Combat", a series of 6 video tapes featuring Kevin Pell Hanshi and senior members of the Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu Combat Training Wing. This series highlighted the club's involvement in the specialist field of Special Forces training techniques, a specialty of Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu. Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu has also appeared in influential martial art publications including Cinturon Negro (Spain), Sports Kampf (Sweden), El Budoka (Spain), Combat, Martial Arts Plus, Combat & Survival and Fighters of the United Kingdom. In 1996, Kevin Pell Hanshi (Then a Renshi) appeared on the front cover of Martial Arts Plus magazine, with a three page interview on Renshi Kevin Pell's history in the martial arts and close protection.

Kevin Pell Hanshi has featured in many of the world's premier martial art publications including in October 1998 the internationally acclaimed best selling "The Ultimate Book of Martial Arts," in which a 32 page section is dedicated to Hanshi's Ishin Ryu school of Ju Jitsu. To see the full report click here

On Saturday the 6th of October 2001, Pell Hanshi was inaugurated into Combat Magazines "Black Belt Hall of Fame". Pell Hanshi was presented the award by Combat Magazine's editor, Mr. Paul Clifton, in recognition of his "outstanding contribution to the Development of Martial Arts in the United Kingdom and around the world". Pell Hanshi appeared on the front cover of the April 2002 edition of Combat Magazine, (Europe's largest martial arts publication) featuring a six page article about Pell Hanshi and his school of Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu covering the training philosophy, the clubs founding and the building of the Honbu Dojo in the rural village of Caston, Norfolk. On the 25th of October 2003, Pell Hanshi was invited to Combat Magazine's "Hall Of Fame" for a second time. During the evening's events, Mr Paul Clifton, the editor of Combat Magazine, presented Hanshi with a special award inscribed with the words "Guardian of the Martial Arts". On the 2nd of October 2004, Pell Hanshi received a life membership to "Jutsu Akademie Harms" also known as the "Brotherhood Of Martial Arts Instructors" acknowledging his recognition as the Founder and Chief Instructor of Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu. In 2005, Pell Hanshi officially became an author when he was signed up by publishers "Barnes and Nobel" to write a book and a series of self defence cards on the subject of Ju-Jitsu. This publication, entitled Martial Arts Basics - Ju-Jitsu went on to become an extremely successful training reference internationally and is now enjoying its second re-print, with a follow up edition planned shortly.

Pell Hanshi's training book "Martial Arts Basics - Ju -Jitsu"

On the 23rd of February 2005, Pell Kyoshi received his Hachidan (8th Dan) from the European Ju-Jitsu Union "in recognition of his excellent character, spirit, ability, understanding, knowledge and international development of the martial arts," followed shortly by recognition as the holder of a Hanshi Menkyo, signed by Daniel Blanchet Hanshi, president of the Hanshi No Iinkai.

On the 1st of January 2007, the Sekai Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu Renmei became full members of MASA, the Martial Arts Standards Agency, and have been duly designated with our membership number (1022).

On the 12th of January 2007, Kevin Pell Hanshi was appointed the 'General Advisor for the United Kingdom' by the European Ju-Jitsu Union under the stamp and seal of Dr. Javier Galan Hanshi, to work alongside Peter Hogg Sensei, the EJJU delegate officer for the United Kingdom.

On Saturday the 26th of May 2007, Kevin Pell Hanshi was presented with acknowledgement of his grade and title from the International Teachers Association of the Martial Arts and also from the American Teachers Association of the Martial Arts by Dr. Crimi O.M.D. Hanshi - Hikari Ryuza Ryu Jujutsu, Shihan - Danzan Ryu Jujitsu at Ishin Ryu's Honbu Dojo in Caston Norfolk in the presence of his Yudansha and students.

Pell Hanshi currently teaches at the following Dojos:

Honbu Dojo,

The Hawksmoor Centre,

Caston Village Hall,

The Norfolk Golf and Country Club.

A report on Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu's 10th Anniversary celebrations appeared in Combat Magazine, Dec. 2000

Pell Hanshi features in the SAS survival guide Video and DVD and the Masters of Combat series volumes 1-6 in both VHS and DVD

Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu enjoys regular press coverage. Sixty eight adult members successfully complete another tough grading

Pell Hanshi appears on the front covers of the Martial Arts and Kodoka magazines

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of the deed could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, who's face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming, who does actually strive to do the deeds, who know the great enthusiasms and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. His place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat. THEODORE ROOSEVELT Pell Hanshi in "Combat Magazine" April 2002 To view the full report please click Here. The Ultimate Book Of Martial Arts October 1998 To view the full report please click Here.

Pell Hanshi's tactical knife seminars are considered amongst the best in the world.

Pell Hanshi with his long standing student and friend Trevor Steward Renshi

Pell Hanshi and his Father with the full set of Japanese armour presented to him as a gift by the students of Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu at the 15th Anniversary dinner held in Borehamwood on the 26th March 2005

Pell Hanshi Honoured At Combat Magazine's "Black Belt Hall Of Fame" October 2001 To view the full report, please click Here.

Pell Hanshi Honoured At Combat Magazine's "Black Belt Hall Of Fame" October 2003 To view the full report, please click Here.

Kevin Pell Shihan Is Awarded His Kyoshi Title 24th July 2000 Kevin Pell receiving his "Kyoshi" teaching Diploma Dear Shihan, It is with the greatest pleasure that, I award you the "KYOSHI" level of teaching the discipline of Ju-Jutsu. This award is reserved only for "Warriors of The Way", who are dedicated to transmit their vast knowledge to those who choose to follow "The Way" of martial missions. In achieving this award, a much greater responsibility rests upon your shoulders to preserve the ancient history and culture of Japanese Jutsu, and to covet all the philosophical, and spiritualistic concepts of martial virtues. I am sure you have the ability of advancing your knowledge on the seemingly endless "road" towards 'Self-Perfection'. Your journey will be hard and long, never despair, you have already shown humility and compassion, now you must show your heart and soul as you enter the house of the Samurai. Congratulations and well done. Yours Sincerely in Kyushin-budo Kancho Bates Alfred Hanshi, President Pell Hanshi Receives Life Membership To The "Jutsu Akademie Harms" 2nd October 2004 On the 2nd of October 2004, Pell Hanshi received life membership to "Jutsu Akademie Harms" also known as the "Brotherhood Of Martial Arts Instructors" acknowledging his recognition as the Founder and Chief Instructor of Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu

Pell Hanshi at the 12th Anniversary dinner with Senior Martial Arts Masters and his own Yudansha. From left to right: Joe Luna-Cantos Kyoshi (7th Dan), Kancho Alfred Bates Hanshi (9th Dan), Pell Hanshi, Rev. Dr. Vernon Bell Hanshi (10th Dan), Stephen Grayston, Don Jellico Hanshi (8th Dan), Clive Preece Shihan (6th Dan), Trevor Steward Renshi, Mark Hayden-Smith Renshi & Paul Fox.