Leadership
Founder Shihan Paul Arel
(Nov. 12 1934- Jan 2 2009)
Shihan Paul Arel's martial arts journey began with a bully. At 15 years of age, Shihan Arel decided that he he'd had enough of this and began his martial arts study in Fitchburg, Massachusetts with Sudo Sensei, a Master in Sanzyu-ryu Jujitsu. In 1952, Arel earned his black belt under Sudo. Throughout life's adventures, Shihan Arel maintained that connection with martial arts, specializing in jujitsu and karate.
As modern karate progressed toward tournaments and away from self-defense, Shihan Paul Arel was prompted to develop the dynamic, self-defense-oriented style of karate named Kokondo. Paul Arel believed that the practice of Kata was fundamental to self-defense. His insights into the himitsu (hidden) techniques informed and infused his art. Shihan developed his unique understanding of three exclusive principles that underlie all of his techniques. They are Kuzushi, Shorinji, and Jushin. These three principles allowed Shihan to train and develop both Kokondo Karate and Jukido Jujitsu exclusively for the rest of his life.
Kaicho Gregory Howard
9th Dan (Kudan)
The long martial arts history of Kaicho Howard began in 1972. The late Shihan Arel stated that Kaicho Howard, as a child, was a quiet but enormously dedicated student who desired to learn everything he could about Kokondo. Kaicho Howard’s passion for applying the powerful arts of jujitsu and karate for realistic self-defense has led to a lifetime of study. He started with the art of Jukido. As Kaicho Howard’s skills grew, so did his confidence. This once quiet young boy is now an intelligent, gifted communicator and martial artist.
Since Greg Howard became a nidan at age 19, he has been the standard of Jukido jujitsu, being second in rank only to Shihan Arel. Before the passing of the founder, Kaicho Howard served as a top representative of Shihan Arel in a number of capacities. In addition to being the favorite uke (training partner) of the founder, he served in the past as the National Jukido Director and the International Associate Director of the IKA.