Blog — Alberta Jiu-Jitsu Association

AJJA Technical Seminar - August 21st and 22nd

Shihan K. D. Lintott — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 17:45:19 GMT

The Alberta Jiu-Jitsu Association (AJJA) recently hosted a technical seminar that brought together instructors and students from across Alberta. The event provided an excellent opportunity for participants to train together, exchange knowledge, and explore a variety of techniques and teaching approaches.

Seminars like this play an important role in strengthening relationships within the martial arts community while supporting the continued growth and development of both instructors and students. The AJJA sincerely thanks everyone who attended, taught, and contributed to making the seminar a success.

AJJA Annual General Meeting - August 16, 2026

Shihan K. D. Lintott — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 04:31:22 GMT

The Alberta Japanese Ju-Jitsu Association (AJJA) held its Annual General Meeting on August 16, 2026.

The meeting provided members with an opportunity to review the Association’s activities, discuss its future direction, and identify opportunities to continue supporting the growth of Japanese Ju-Jitsu throughout Alberta.

As part of the meeting, elections were held and a new Board of Directors was voted in. The incoming Board will help guide the AJJA, support its member dojos, and promote cooperation, training, and high technical standards within the Japanese Ju-Jitsu community.

The AJJA thanks everyone who attended and contributed to the meeting. We also recognize the outgoing directors for their time and service and congratulate the newly elected Board members. We look forward to working together during the coming year and continuing to strengthen the Association.

About Bissett Jiu-Jitsu

Shihan K. D. Lintott — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 10:48:26 GMT

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu

Before MMA, Aikido, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo there was Japanese Jiu-Jitsu—the hand-to-hand, close-combat martial art of the Japanese Samurai.

Japanese JIU-JITSU was never designed as a sport, or a game. JIU-JITSU is a fundamental ‘life-skill’ … a set of abilities that is necessary to help you survive in an increasingly hostile world. JIU-JITSU works consistently because it is based on simple applied physics, redirection of force, and focussed pain compliance. To train with BISSETT JIU-JITSU is to prepare for serious, potentially dangerous real-life situations.

In repeated life-and-death situations, JIU-JITSU has consistently saved the lives of those who have invested their time and effort in learning these critical skills.

No other system of self-defense employs the full range of tactics that belong to BISSETT JIU-JITSU, including extensive grappling and groundwork, all but ignored by most other combat or ‘Martial’ arts.

Our job at BISSETT JIU-JITSU is simply to provide the best training available anywhere to effectively deal with hostile confrontations. We prepare our students to act and respond appropriately to a complete range of attacks, and to be fluent with all aspects of facing confrontation.

About Bissett Jiu-Jitsu

Founded in 1978, BISSETT JIU-JITSU has been taught world-wide to police, military, private security, close-protection specialists and enthusiastic civilian students for almost four decades. As a part of JISHIN-RYU JIU-JITSU , our system has deep historic roots.

BISSETT JIU-JITSU is a practical and effective system of self-defense, designed for real-life situations, and that anyone can employ. Remembering that “Martial” literally means “Military”, BISSETT JIU-JITSU goes beyond just the basic principles of self-defense and employs Military Tactical and Strategic principles in order to provide our practitioners with the ultimate in Personal Protective strategy.

Jishin-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu

April Lintott — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 10:46:30 GMT

About Shihan Chris Bissett

Chris Bissett has been involved in JIU-JITSU and TAI-JITSU since 1970. He received his first degree Black-Belt (Shodan) in 1975 and is currently an 10th Degree Black Belt in JISHIN-RYU JIU-JITSU and an 10th Degree Black Belt in JISHIN-RYU TAI-JITSU.

He is an author and internationally recognized authority in the fields of Protective Services and Combat Arts.

In recent years, Shihan BISSETT has been awarded rankings and recognition by the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation, the CIJJF, the WKF, the WAJS, Sanuces Ryu Ju-Jitsu, and by the late Master Moses Powell. Shihan BISSETT’s Ranks have been endorsed and countersigned by many of the top Jiu-Jitsu Masters in the world.

Beyond his own personal projects, Shihan Bissett continues to be an enthusiastic teacher, training and developing solid Black-Belts who represent the high standards of our Jiu-Jitsu system, and working towards the betterment and maintenance of Standards for Jiu-Jitsu, Tai-Jitsu, and Aiki-Jitsu in Canada.

Shihan Bissett has served as a Military Pilot with the Canadian Forces and with the United Nations, including tours in Europe, the Middle East, and Central America. He has field-tested our Jiu-Jitsu system in some of the worst environments, with outstanding results.

Connecting with BISSETT JIU-JITSU

With almost five decades of training and experience we’ve met some people and done some things. With well over 200 Black-Belts and many hundreds of students, we really enjoy hearing what’s going on in people’s lives. Whether you are a new or an old friend, or just want to learn more about BISSETT JIU-JITSU and how you can pursue it, we’d love to connect.

Black Belt Promotion

Shihan K. D. Lintott — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 10:39:52 GMT

Within Ju-Jitsu / Jiu-Jitsu, rank is more than a belt color. It represents lineage, technical standard, character, and responsibility.

In recent years, a misconception has grown: that a black belt may approach another organization or a higher-ranked black belt in a different system and request promotion based solely on experience or time in grade.

While cross-recognition can occur in specific circumstances, no black belt can legitimately award rank outside their own style, except where:

The second style is formally overseen by the same high-ranking authority; or
The awarding authority is a recognized co-founder or technical director of both systems; or
A formal integration agreement exists between organizations.

This article clarifies why lineage matters, why standards must be preserved, and how promotions should ethically occur.

1. Rank Belongs to a System — Not Just the Individual

Every authentic Ju-Jitsu system — whether traditional Japanese Ju-Jitsu, Goshin-based systems, or modern adaptations — operates under:

A defined curriculum
Established grading criteria
Technical standards
A documented lineage
A governing authority

For example, organizations such as the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation or the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation maintain clear ranking structures tied to their systems.

A black belt in one system demonstrates mastery within that specific framework. That mastery does not automatically transfer to another style with:

Different kata
Different self-defense models
Different sparring formats
Different philosophies
Different technical emphases

Rank is contextual.

2. The Authority to Promote

In traditional budo structure:

A Sensei may promote within the authority granted to them.
Senior ranks (typically 5th Dan and above) may have broader technical oversight.
Promotion authority flows downward from lineage holders.

It does not flow sideways.

A 6th or 7th Dan in one style cannot independently award rank in another style unless:

They are formally recognized in that style.
They co-founded or technically oversee that style.
The organization has legally and structurally merged standards.

Otherwise, such promotions undermine:

Technical integrity
Historical continuity
Organizational legitimacy
Student trust

3. Cross-Promotion vs. Recognition

There is an important distinction:

Recognition

An organization may recognize prior rank for courtesy, entry level, or instructor standing.

Promotion

A promotion is a formal declaration that the candidate meets that system’s specific requirements.

Recognition is administrative.
Promotion is technical and authoritative.

They are not the same.

4. Why This Matters

1. Protecting Students

Students deserve instructors whose credentials are transparent and legitimate.

2. Protecting Lineage

Ju-Jitsu is deeply rooted in transmission. When rank is awarded loosely, lineage becomes diluted.

3. Protecting Senior Ranks

Higher Dan grades represent decades of technical refinement, contribution, and responsibility. When promotions occur outside proper channels, it diminishes those who earned rank through structured evaluation.

4. Protecting the Art

Martial arts already face credibility challenges. Integrity in grading protects the reputation of Ju-Jitsu as a whole.

5. Legitimate Exceptions

There are valid circumstances where cross-style promotion may occur:

A senior master oversees multiple systems.
Two systems share a common founder.
A formal written agreement exists between governing bodies.
A unified technical board governs both curricula.

In such cases, the authority is not external — it is structurally unified.

6. Ethical Pathways for Black Belts Seeking Advancement

If a black belt wishes to advance within a new system:

Enter as a student.
Demonstrate humility.
Undergo formal evaluation.
Accept technical gaps.
Earn rank under that system’s standards.

Time served in martial arts is respected.
But rank must be earned within the structure that awards it.

7. A Cultural Reminder

In traditional Japanese budo, promotion was never requested. It was bestowed.

Rank was a reflection of:

Technical ability
Character
Loyalty
Contribution
Readiness for responsibility

The modern culture of “seeking promotion” from unrelated authorities risks shifting the art from discipline to entitlement.

Conclusion

Black belts may reach out across organizations for friendship, collaboration, or mutual learning — and this strengthens the martial arts community.

However:

No black belt can truly award rank outside their own style unless they formally govern that system. Rank is not symbolic — it is structural.

If the person awarding your promotion does not hold authority within your system or lineage, then the question becomes unavoidable: what rank was actually granted, and in what style?

Without legitimate jurisdiction, there may be no valid new rank at all.

Rank is not transferable currency.
It is a declaration of mastery within a defined lineage.

Preserving that principle preserves Ju-Jitsu itself.