I want to start with the history of the style I study.

George Mayo (R) with long time KIJA vice-president Bob Willats (a Judoka)

George Mayo, a Frenchman who came to the UK in the 1940s, founded Kyushindo Judo and Karate. He started teaching martial arts and later incorporated the name ‘Kyushindo’, a philosophy used by Kenshiro Abbe.

Kenshiro Abbe came from Japan to the UK in the 1950s to teach his style of Judo and Aikido. How much exposure George had to Kenshiro Abbe is a subject of debate. George claims a lot, but others have said hardly any—just a few visits to Kenshiro’s club.

In the 1950s George began to teach his Ju-Judo in many areas in the UK before changing the name to Kyushindo Judo and forming the KIJA (Kyushindo International Judo Association).

See his London Judo club in action in 1960 here: https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/36847/

Later, in the 1960s, he established Karate clubs alongside Judo clubs in London, Oxford, Southampton, Bristol, Luton, and Northampton. The KIJA became the KIA (Kyushindo International Association) to incorporate the Karate clubs. There is disagreement about whether George trained in Karate, as it seems he used people trained in Shotokan Karate to develop the style. Other sources say that George initially trained in the Wado Ryu Karate style in France before coming to the UK.

One area coach said that George trained with some Japanese instructors in London in the 60s. Still, another instructor from London noted that the established Japanese Karate instructors hounded George to drop his teaching of Karate and call it something else (‘Chinese Kempo’ was one suggestion I heard ). 

I never saw George demonstrate Karate techniques or Katas.

Many instructors called and spoke of George Mayo as ‘Chief’.

These links have an account of the history attributed to George.

https://mayoshindo.org/mayoshindo-chief-and-founder/

https://mayoshindo.org/mr-mayo-kyushindo-judo-association/

I will not get into the controversy about why George used Kyushindo to describe his style. It doesn’t bother me now. In addition, over the years, I have heard many conflicting stories, statements, claims, and general ‘reality distortions’ about Kyushindo Karate/Judo and its practitioners.

I treat them all now with a pinch of salt.