Professor Joe Souza began his martial arts studies in 1957 under the late Professor John Cahill. After his death in 1962, he assisted Professor Willy Cahill with the opening of the Cahill Judo Academy in San Bruno California, where it continues to be one of the most prominent Judo and Jujitsu schools in the country.

I met Professor Wally Jay in 1959 when he introduced the Cahill members to the Hokka Judo Yudanshakai. Professor Souza competed for 12 years as an aggressive competitor and received his Shodan in Kodokan Judo in 1964.

As a practitioner of Kodenkan Danzan Ryu Jujitsu Professor Souza and the Cahill club were members of the AJJF since Professor John Cahill was one of the founders. In the mid-sixties, we joined the AJI under Professor Sam Luke Sr. Professor Souza received his Nidan in 1967 and Sandan in 1969 from the AJI.

Since Professor John Cahill passed away at such a young age, he delegated his first Black Belt student Professor Bill Montero to conduct an Okugi for us. In 1963, several members of the Cahill club including Professor Willy Cahill and Professor Souza attended this training. The training lasted three months with a curriculum of Shinyo, Shin Gin, Seifukujitsu, Kappo and Katsu. Although no one received certificates of participation, this was truly an Okugi.

Professor Souza owned and operated several schools with the first in 1964. He and his first Black Belt Jim Powers opened Coastside Judo and Jujitsu in Pacifica California. He closed his last school in 2004 in Turlock California.

After many years of Judo and Jujitsu Professor Souza expanded his martial arts studies and earned his Black Belt in 1997 in the Ed Parker Kenpo Karate system under Professor Vinton Koklich.

The Kenpo system completed the circle to include a structured kicking and blocking system, which added to the Judo and Jujitsu. All the while Professor Souza was watching the development of Professor Jay's Small Circle Jujitsu.

With these disciplines, he developed the Kensujitsu System. The foundation of Kensujitsu is Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, Kodokan Judo, Kenpo Karate, with a Small Circle influence. Kensujitsu brings the full understanding of balance from Judo, high pain compliance and joint manipulation and transitional flow from Jujitsu along with the principles and concepts of American Kenpo Karate to deliver maximum power and efficient use of energy.

As founder of the Kensujitsu International System Professor Willy Cahill and Professor Wally Jay acknowledged Professor Souza as Founder and Sr. Grand Master with the rank of Judan 10th degree. Professor Souza holds the rank of Hachidan 8th degree with Jujitsu America, Sandan 3rd degree in Judo USJA and Shodan in American Kenpo Karate. Awards include Black Belt Hall of Fame 1999 and Instructor of the Year 2007 from Jujitsu America, Professor Wally Jay Award 2008. He currently serves on the Standards Board, Council of Professors for JA, and is a member of the standards board and executive committee for USJA Jujitsu, and is cofounder, president and Sr. Grand Master of the Professional Martial Arts Alliance (PMAA). Professor Souza conducts seminars and clinics in the US and abroad. To contact Professor Souza email him at joenat@sbcglobal.net .