Major Sensei was born in New York in 1974 and moved to Puerto Rico. at the age of three. He has been involved in the martial arts for 25 years. He began Studying Martial Arts at age ten. He first took up Kuk Sool Won under Master Joe Figueroa and later he studied Shorin Ryu Karate under Felix Rodriguez Sensei. In 1992 he began Studying Nindo Ryu Gendai Ninjutsu and Iaijutsu under Arnold D. Vargas Sensei and a year later he continued his Gendai Ninjutsu training under Ignacio R Moreira Sensei. In 1994 Sensei Major was given permission to start a study group at the rank of 1st. Kyu, and a few months later he tested for Shodan in Gendai Ninjutsu and Iaijutsu. That same year he began Studying Nindo Jujutsu under Moreira Sensei Achieving the rank of Shodan a year later. In 1995 Major Sensei began training in Kobujutsu and Tantojutsu under Nindo Ryu Founder, Carlos R. Febres O’Sensei. Since his Days training in Karate, Major Sensei became active in point fighting competition. But after training for some time in the Nindo Ryu, he focused more on self defense demonstrations and weapons forms.
In 1998 Major Sensei moved to New York where he currently resides. He regularly travels to continue training under Moreira Sensei and Febres O’Sensei. Since he moved to NY, Major Sensei has trained under Professor Ronald Duncan, the late Sijo Bob Smith, Shoto Tanemura and Ausberto Ariza. In addition he trains with Joseph Rebelo who has shared his extensive knowledge in Kenpo, Chin Na, Philipino arts, Kobujutsu and other arts. He has also been influenced by Masters such as Michael DePasquale Sr. (Yoshitsune Jujutsu), Michael DePasquale Jr. (Yoshitsune Jujutsu), Moses Powell (Sanuces Ryu), Bill McCloud (Sanuces Ryu), David James (Vee Arnis Jutsu), David German (TAI System) and many others. Major Sensei has demonstrated in events such as The Asian World of Self Defense, Action Magazine’s Hall of Fame event, Ronald Duncan’s Cross Training Summit and The Manjiro Festival.
In 2002 Major Sensei was recognized as inheritor of the Goshin Jujutsu division of Nindo Ryu by Carlos R. Febres O’Sensei. In 2010 Major Sensei recieved his promotion to the rank of Kudan in Nindo Ryu Gendai Ninjutsu and Nindo Ryu Ninpo by O'Sensei Carlos R. Febres.
Nindo Ryu Ranks and Titles
:• Nindo Ryu Gendai Ninjutsu / Taijutsu - Kudan (9th degree - Hanshi)
• Nindo Goshin Jujutsu - Head Instructor (Kancho)
• Nindo Ryu Ninpo - Kudan (9th degree - Hanshi)
• Kokan Nindo Jujutsu - Hachidan (8th Degree - Sodenshu)
• Nindo Ryu Jujutsu - Hachidan (8th degree}
• Nindo Ryu Iaijutsu - Rokudan (6th degree - Kaiden Shihan)
• Nindo Ryu Kobujutsu - Yondan (4th degree)
• Nindo Ryu Tantojutsu - Sandan (3rd degree)
• Nindo Ryu Taiho Jutsu - Intermediate Level
Ranks outside of Nindo Ryu
:• Kagetora To Jutsu - Nanadan- (7th degree)
• Nisei Jujutsu Ryu - Godan (5th Degree)
• Kagetora Ha Koga Ryu - Sandan (3rd degree)
• Shishikan Kempo Jujutsu - Goidan (5th Degree)
• Way Of The Winds - Koga Ryu Ninjutsu - Nidan (2nd degree)
• Genbukan Ninpo Goshinjutsu - Nidan (2nd degree)
• Shao Choy Hung Chin-Na - 2nd Degree
• Torre Kwan Hapkido - (Pal dan - 8th Degree)
• Ryu Kyu Kempo - Nidan (2nd Degree)
Teaching Licenses and appointments
:• Nindo Ryu Gendai Ninjutsu / Taijutsu - Menkyo Kaiden
• Nindo Ryu Ninpo - Menkyo Kaiden
• Kokan Nindo Jujutsu - Menkyo Kaiden
• Nindo Iaijutsu / BattoJutsu - Menkyo Kaiden
• Kagetora To Jutsu - Menkyo Kaiden
• Nindo Ryu jujutsu - Menkyo
• Nindo Ryu Roju - Council Member
• Member of The House Of Febres
• Senshikan Bujutsu Renmei - Jujutsu Senior Director
• Jihi Bujutsu Kai - Council Member
• International Bujutsu Society - Sokeship Council Member
• Modern Warrior Arts Union - Vice President
Instructors
:• Arnold D. Vargas - Gendai Ninjutsu, Nindo Ryu Iaijutsu
• Ignacio R. Moreira - Nindo Ryu Jujutsu & Nindo Ryu Gendai Ninjutsu
• Carlos R. Febres - Nindo Ryu Bujutsu, Kagetora Budo
• Joseph Rebelo - Nindo Ryu Kobujutsu, Kenpo and TAI
• Hanshi Jose Caban - Nisei Jujutsu Ryu
• Professor Ronald Duncan - Way Of The Wind - Koga Ryu Ninjutsu
• Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura - Genbukan Ninpo Bugei
• Sijo Bob Smith - Shao Choy Hung Chin Na
.Ignacio R. Moreira (Soke) Nindo Ryu Gendai Ninjutsu & Taijutsu
Ignacio R. Moreira “Nacho” as every one knows him was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. First born son of Ignacio Moreira Pacheco and Priscilla Gomez Romero, he was raised by his grandparents Don Rene Gomez and Doña Concepcion “Tita” Romero. As a child and as a result of being a traditional puertorrican “punching bag” he began his martial arts traingng at the age of 9 under Sabunim Luis Rivera of the Chun Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do. When he was in Jr. high School, he stopped his TKD training and with his grandmother permission he started training with “Rayito” boxing at Ceiba’s old boxing club, where Carlos Santos {one of Ceiba’s boxing legends} used to box train.
By the time he started his college education at the UPR Humacao University (988-1993), he met Sensei Arnold Vargas (formerly of the Nindo Ryu) and started training in the Nindo Ryu Arts obtaining rank in Gendai Ninjutsu, Jujutsu and later Iaijutsu, Kobujutsu, Atemi Do and Tantojutsu. Moreira Sensei has been recognized through out the years by: The International Federation of Jujutsuans, Latin American Martial Arts Hall of Fame, N.U.M.A., as well as Ceiba’s City Hall and Local Press.
Moreira Sensei currently trains directly under O’Sensei Carlos Febres and has been appointed by him as the Leader of the Gendai Ninjutsu & Taijutsu as well as the Kokan Nindo Jujutsu divisions of Nindo Ryu. Moreira Sensei been characterized always for his will and dedication to the art. He has been a teacher to many and will still teach until the last breath. He currently resides in Springfield Massachusetts, where he manages the Nindo Ryu Gendai Ninjutsu division. He is happily married with Darlene Arzon and has two beautiful kids: Ignacio Rene (Nacho JR.) and Genesis Priscilla.
Moreira Sensei holds the following ranks:
• Kokan Nindo Jujutsu – Judan
• Nindo Ryu Gendai Ninjutsu & Taijutsu – Kudan (Menkyo Kaiden)
• Nindo Goshin Jujutsu - Rokudan
• Nindo Ryu Iaijutsu - Yondan
• Nindo Rui Kobujutsu - Yondan
• Nindo Ryu Tantojutsu – Sandan
• Nindo Ryu Atemi Do – Nidan
• Nindo Ryu Taihojutsu – Advanced Level (Assistant Instructor)
Ranks Outside of Nindo Ryu:
• Ronin Brotherhood – Kudan
• Way Of The Winds/Koga Ryu Ninjutsu – Yondan
• Shao Choy Hung Cin Na – 1st Degree Black Belt
Tittles and Appointments:
• Head of the Nindo Ryu Gendai Ninjutsu (Soke)
• Head of the Kokan Nindo Jujutsu (Dai Sensei)
• Nindo Ryu Roju Council Member
• Member of The House Of Febres
• Jihi Bujutsu Kai Council Representative
Ignacio R. Moreira “Nacho” as every one knows him was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. First born son of Ignacio Moreira Pacheco and Priscilla Gomez Romero, he was raised by his grandparents Don Rene Gomez and Doña Concepcion “Tita” Romero. As a child and as a result of being a traditional puertorrican “punching bag” he began his martial arts traingng at the age of 9 under Sabunim Luis Rivera of the Chun Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do. When he was in Jr. high School, he stopped his TKD training and with his grandmother permission he started training with “Rayito” boxing at Ceiba’s old boxing club, where Carlos Santos {one of Ceiba’s boxing legends} used to box train.
By the time he started his college education at the UPR Humacao University (988-1993), he met Sensei Arnold Vargas (formerly of the Nindo Ryu) and started training in the Nindo Ryu Arts obtaining rank in Gendai Ninjutsu, Jujutsu and later Iaijutsu, Kobujutsu, Atemi Do and Tantojutsu. Moreira Sensei has been recognized through out the years by: The International Federation of Jujutsuans, Latin American Martial Arts Hall of Fame, N.U.M.A., as well as Ceiba’s City Hall and Local Press.
Moreira Sensei currently trains directly under O’Sensei Carlos Febres and has been appointed by him as the Leader of the Gendai Ninjutsu & Taijutsu as well as the Kokan Nindo Jujutsu divisions of Nindo Ryu. Moreira Sensei been characterized always for his will and dedication to the art. He has been a teacher to many and will still teach until the last breath. He currently resides in Springfield Massachusetts, where he manages the Nindo Ryu Gendai Ninjutsu division. He is happily married with Darlene Arzon and has two beautiful kids: Ignacio Rene (Nacho JR.) and Genesis Priscilla.
Moreira Sensei holds the following ranks:
• Kokan Nindo Jujutsu – Judan
• Nindo Ryu Gendai Ninjutsu & Taijutsu – Kudan (Menkyo Kaiden)
• Nindo Goshin Jujutsu - Rokudan
• Nindo Ryu Iaijutsu - Yondan
• Nindo Rui Kobujutsu - Yondan
• Nindo Ryu Tantojutsu – Sandan
• Nindo Ryu Atemi Do – Nidan
• Nindo Ryu Taihojutsu – Advanced Level (Assistant Instructor)
Ranks Outside of Nindo Ryu:
• Ronin Brotherhood – Kudan
• Way Of The Winds/Koga Ryu Ninjutsu – Yondan
• Shao Choy Hung Cin Na – 1st Degree Black Belt
Tittles and Appointments:
• Head of the Nindo Ryu Gendai Ninjutsu (Soke)
• Head of the Kokan Nindo Jujutsu (Dai Sensei)
• Nindo Ryu Roju Council Member
• Member of The House Of Febres
• Jihi Bujutsu Kai Council Representative
O'Sensei Carlos R. Febres, Yudan
SOKE/KANCHO Nindo Ryu Bujutsu Kai
A native of Puerto Rico, O'Sensei Febres possesses a Bachelor's degree in History and Education, and a Masters degree in Criminology, Bachelor of Science in Integrated Medicine and a Medical degree in Oriental Medicine. Master Febres is certified as a Police Officer and Correctional Officer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a Juvenile Justice Probation Officer in the state of Florida. He is also a member of the American Criminology Association, American Correctional Association and the Police Tactics Instructors of America and the Oriental Medical Association. O'Sensei Febres did his Oriental Medicine internship at the Conmaul Oriental Medicine Hospital in Seoul, Korea.
O'Sensei Febres began his career in the martial arts at the age of twelve. He studied Okinawan Te, as well as Yoshu Kai and Yoshu Ryu under Sensei Bill Solano, Okinawan Kempo under Sensei Carlos Montalvo and Okinawan Kobudo under Kimo Wall as well as Sanuces Ryu Jujutsu under Professor Moses Powell. In 1987 he attended the second World Ninja Summit in Ohio where he trained with masters such as Tetsuya Higuchi and Shoto Tanemura. At that time he joined the Bujinkan Fellowship International, and was awarded Study Group Status for his Dojos in Puerto Rico.
In 1988, he attended the third Annual World Ninja Summit, where he performed an official demonstration of the techniques of Nindo Ryu. He continued his study of Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu (as it was called at that time), and moved to the United States in September of that year. He established the first Nindo Ryu Dojo in the continental US in November 1988. At that time he was comparing and exchanging information in his system Sensei Hector Rodriguez (Circle of the Samurai Ninpo Jutsu) in New York.
In the spring of 1989, O'Sensei Febres traveled to Ohio to continue training with Higuchi in Togakure Ryu as well as Higuchi's other arts: Iaido/Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu/Kendo, and Taiho Jutsu. He also attended the fourth Annual World Ninja Summit in July of that year, in witch he was invited to participate as a member of the staff at the event. At that time he was offered the chance to test for rank in Togakure Ryu, but declined the opportunity. He maintained communication with Higuchi Sensei, but for all practical purposes, he focused on perpetuating Nindo Ryu. He established the second US Nindo Ryu Dojo that same year.
In years to follow, O'Sensei Febres continued to train and achieve rank in various KoRyu (old style) as well as Gendai (modern) martial arts such as: Goshin Ryu Aikijujutsu (Kancho Shihan Jack Herman), Kodai no Seishin Ryu Iaijutsu (Sensei Oscar Alicea), Shorin Ryu & Yoshu Ryu Karate (Hanshi Bill Solano, USA Goju (Grandmaster Peter Urban), Circle of the Samurai Ninpo Jutsu (Sensei Hector Rodriguez), Shao Choy Hung Kung Fu Chin Na (Grandmaster Robert Smith). Genbukan Ninpo Goshin Jutsu (Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura), Ryuseiken Batto Jutsu (Saruta Sensei), Koga Ryu Ninjutsu (O'Sensei Ronald Duncan), Nagashimatsu-Te Aiki Jujutsu& Combat Aikido ( Soke Jorge Garcia).
O'Sensei Febres is also the youngest 10th Dan ever to be acknowleged by Grandmaster Peter Urban. His abilities have been recognized by federations such as: USA Goju, Goshindo Kenpo & Samurai Association, United Budokai Federation, Bujinkan Fellowship International, Goshinjutsu International Martial Arts Association, International Federation of Jujutsuans, Black Dragon Fighting Society, Black Dragon Ninjutsu Society, International Ninjutsu Society, Koga Ryu Ninjutsu Society, World Karate Federation, World Martial Arts Hall of Fame and the International Batto-Do Shizan Association and the International Combat Aikido & Jujitsu Federation. Also awarded yudan degree red belt in kenpo Jujutsu Bugei and nihon jujutsu by Kenpo jujutsu Ryu Do kan Kai Renmei.
O'Sensei currently practices Oriental & Homeopathic Medicine and teaches martial arts in Florida.
This year, 2010, O Sensei Febres, was awarded whith Yudan (10 degree red belt) in Kenpo jujutsu Bugei by Kepo Jujutsu Bugei kai Renmei
SOKE/KANCHO Nindo Ryu Bujutsu Kai
A native of Puerto Rico, O'Sensei Febres possesses a Bachelor's degree in History and Education, and a Masters degree in Criminology, Bachelor of Science in Integrated Medicine and a Medical degree in Oriental Medicine. Master Febres is certified as a Police Officer and Correctional Officer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a Juvenile Justice Probation Officer in the state of Florida. He is also a member of the American Criminology Association, American Correctional Association and the Police Tactics Instructors of America and the Oriental Medical Association. O'Sensei Febres did his Oriental Medicine internship at the Conmaul Oriental Medicine Hospital in Seoul, Korea.
O'Sensei Febres began his career in the martial arts at the age of twelve. He studied Okinawan Te, as well as Yoshu Kai and Yoshu Ryu under Sensei Bill Solano, Okinawan Kempo under Sensei Carlos Montalvo and Okinawan Kobudo under Kimo Wall as well as Sanuces Ryu Jujutsu under Professor Moses Powell. In 1987 he attended the second World Ninja Summit in Ohio where he trained with masters such as Tetsuya Higuchi and Shoto Tanemura. At that time he joined the Bujinkan Fellowship International, and was awarded Study Group Status for his Dojos in Puerto Rico.
In 1988, he attended the third Annual World Ninja Summit, where he performed an official demonstration of the techniques of Nindo Ryu. He continued his study of Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu (as it was called at that time), and moved to the United States in September of that year. He established the first Nindo Ryu Dojo in the continental US in November 1988. At that time he was comparing and exchanging information in his system Sensei Hector Rodriguez (Circle of the Samurai Ninpo Jutsu) in New York.
In the spring of 1989, O'Sensei Febres traveled to Ohio to continue training with Higuchi in Togakure Ryu as well as Higuchi's other arts: Iaido/Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu/Kendo, and Taiho Jutsu. He also attended the fourth Annual World Ninja Summit in July of that year, in witch he was invited to participate as a member of the staff at the event. At that time he was offered the chance to test for rank in Togakure Ryu, but declined the opportunity. He maintained communication with Higuchi Sensei, but for all practical purposes, he focused on perpetuating Nindo Ryu. He established the second US Nindo Ryu Dojo that same year.
In years to follow, O'Sensei Febres continued to train and achieve rank in various KoRyu (old style) as well as Gendai (modern) martial arts such as: Goshin Ryu Aikijujutsu (Kancho Shihan Jack Herman), Kodai no Seishin Ryu Iaijutsu (Sensei Oscar Alicea), Shorin Ryu & Yoshu Ryu Karate (Hanshi Bill Solano, USA Goju (Grandmaster Peter Urban), Circle of the Samurai Ninpo Jutsu (Sensei Hector Rodriguez), Shao Choy Hung Kung Fu Chin Na (Grandmaster Robert Smith). Genbukan Ninpo Goshin Jutsu (Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura), Ryuseiken Batto Jutsu (Saruta Sensei), Koga Ryu Ninjutsu (O'Sensei Ronald Duncan), Nagashimatsu-Te Aiki Jujutsu& Combat Aikido ( Soke Jorge Garcia).
O'Sensei Febres is also the youngest 10th Dan ever to be acknowleged by Grandmaster Peter Urban. His abilities have been recognized by federations such as: USA Goju, Goshindo Kenpo & Samurai Association, United Budokai Federation, Bujinkan Fellowship International, Goshinjutsu International Martial Arts Association, International Federation of Jujutsuans, Black Dragon Fighting Society, Black Dragon Ninjutsu Society, International Ninjutsu Society, Koga Ryu Ninjutsu Society, World Karate Federation, World Martial Arts Hall of Fame and the International Batto-Do Shizan Association and the International Combat Aikido & Jujitsu Federation. Also awarded yudan degree red belt in kenpo Jujutsu Bugei and nihon jujutsu by Kenpo jujutsu Ryu Do kan Kai Renmei.
O'Sensei currently practices Oriental & Homeopathic Medicine and teaches martial arts in Florida.
This year, 2010, O Sensei Febres, was awarded whith Yudan (10 degree red belt) in Kenpo jujutsu Bugei by Kepo Jujutsu Bugei kai Renmei
Grand Master Mark KlineMark Kline
founded Kaizen Martial Arts in 1992 under the name State of the Arts Karate. At that time the specialized blend of Ryukyu Kempo, Small Circle Jujitsu and Modern Arnis was truly State of the Art.
Always the student, Kline is constantly refining his techniques having trained with some of the world's leading martial arts masters. He is the first person in the world to hold Individual Black Belt Ranks from George Dillman, Wally Jay and the late Remy Presas.
Since 1996, Master Kline has trained people in the following countries this ancient method of martial arts: Italy, England, Scotland, Finland, Sweden, Spain, Slovenjia, France, Australia, and Denmark. In 2002 he was part of a body guarding detail, hired by the United States Olympic Committee, to watch over the US Jr. Team at the Jr. World Fencing Championships, held in Kemer, Turkey.
Master Kline has 25 DVD’s and 1 book that have been distributed world-wide.
Master Kline has appeared several times on the cover and inside several national and international magazines and was inducted into a martial arts Hall of Fame in 1993 for Martial Arts Dedication.
As of 2006, Kaizen Martial Arts has another branch in Northern Italy, under the guidance of Gianluca Frisan. Sensei Frisan has been a long time student and, more importantly...FRIEND.
Mark Kline is a Master Level Instructor for Kyusho International
Martial Arts Curriculum Vitae
• 8th Degree Black Belt in Kyusho Jitsu (Pressure Point Fighting)
• 1st Degree Black Belt Small Circle Jujitsu
• 1st Degree Black Belt Modern Arnis
• 1st Degree Black Belt Tang Soo Do
Forefathers Of Nindo Ryu Bujutsu
O'Sensei Carlos R. Febres Teachers
Master Tetsuya Higuchi
Master Tetsuya Higuchi
Higuchi Sensei is the founder of the Bujinkan Fellowship International. Before moving to the U.S. he was an officer in the Tokyo Police where he was a Martial Arts instructor for the Kidokai (SWAT). He was also a former coach for the Japanese Olympic Judo Team and fought in many competitions.
In the 1980’s and early 90’s he promoted the art of Ninjutsu through several magazines. In the years 1986 through 1989 he hosted the World Ninja Summit which was the first Ninjutsu event of it’s magnitude. Higuchi Sensei holds ranks such as: 7th Dan Kodokan Judo, 6th Dan Kendo through the ZNKR, 5th Dan Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu and is a Renowned Authority of Taihojutsu and Hojojutsu.
He currently lives in Japan and is the founder of the Tetsudokan Jujutsu International.
Higuchi Sensei is the founder of the Bujinkan Fellowship International. Before moving to the U.S. he was an officer in the Tokyo Police where he was a Martial Arts instructor for the Kidokai (SWAT). He was also a former coach for the Japanese Olympic Judo Team and fought in many competitions.
In the 1980’s and early 90’s he promoted the art of Ninjutsu through several magazines. In the years 1986 through 1989 he hosted the World Ninja Summit which was the first Ninjutsu event of it’s magnitude. Higuchi Sensei holds ranks such as: 7th Dan Kodokan Judo, 6th Dan Kendo through the ZNKR, 5th Dan Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu and is a Renowned Authority of Taihojutsu and Hojojutsu.
He currently lives in Japan and is the founder of the Tetsudokan Jujutsu International.
James Loriega
Kimo Wall
Kimo Sensei began his training in Okinawa Goju-Ryu at the age of six years old. In 1961, he joined the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in Okinawa where he joined the Shodokan Dojo of Master Higa Seiko. Master Higa Seiko was one of Okinawa's most profound Masters of Goju-Ryu karate. During this same period, Kimo Sensei also began studying Kobudo under Master Matayoshi Shinpo.
During his extensive training Kimo Sensei also had the opportunity to train at Master Toguchi Seikichi's Shoreikan Dojo where he learned Master Toguchi's Gekiha and Kakuha training kata. These kata are special training tools for those training in Goju-Ryu karate and assist in the development of Bunkai for all kata. Kimo Sensei would especially like to offer his thanks to the following Sensei; Tamano Toshio, Shinoda Nobuharu, and Kinjo Bokuyashu of the Sho Rei Kan headquarters in Koza, Okinawa.
For more than fifty years Kimo Sensei lived, worked, and trained in such places as Hawaii, Taiwan, Okinawa, and Singapore. In addition to teaching traditional martial and healing arts, Sensei was instrumental in establishing dojo in Hokkaido, Japan, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and through out North America.
Grand Master Peter Urban
The Grand Patriarch of ALL American Goju Systems, is Peter G. Urban, who has made such a tremendous impact on American karate that he has been referred to as the "George Washington of American Karate". Master Urban initially was a student of Sensei Richard Kim and Sensei Mas Oyama before being introduced to Sensei Gogen Yamaguchi. He then became a devoted student of Yamaguchi.
In 1969, Master Urban made aspecial visit to Japan to ask Sensei Gogen yamaguchi permission to establish a separate branch of Goju Ryu in the United States, and to be granted the head of that branch. Sensei Yamguchi denied the request, stating that the rules of Bushido dictate that no “gaigen” (round eye-white man), could ever achieve Nirvana. (Enlightenment). Master Urban, dissatisfied with the decision replied that these same Bushido rules stated that Japan could never lose a war. This statement offended Sensei Yamaguchi. Realizing this, Master Urban prepared to follow the samurai custom of cutting off his pinky finger in apology. Yamaguchi’s oldest son, Gosei, stopped him, realizing that although Master Urban was correct in asking this, he had offended his father in his own house. Gosei then ask Master Urban to leave, and to never return to Japan.
Master Urban resigned from the Japanese Goju Kai in late 1969 and upon his return formed American Goju Karate…America’s first and own Karate System. Some of the most notable differences that Master Urban established were the changes from white to black gi’s, (Uniforms), and the lining up of students from right to left instead of left to right.
Later that same year, Gosei Yamaguchi set up base in San Francisco, California, and established the Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. branch.
Master Peter Urban is considered by most, if not all in the Karate world, to be a pioneer. He was the major influence of the propagation of Karate on the East Coast of the United States, if not the entire country. He opened his first school in Union City New Jersey in early 1958, and his most famous school, The Chinatown Dojo, shortly thereafter, in the mid 1960's. Since then, he has trained a remarkable list of students which is a "Who's Who of Karate" in this and other countries. These include, but of course, are not limited to:
Sr. Shihan Edward J. Verycken, his first student and first Black Belt, William A. Liquori, Ron Van Clief, Al Gotay, Frank Ruiz, Lou Angel, Chuck Merriman, Thomas Boddie, John Kuhl, William Louie, and dozens more.
Master Urban was the first exponent of Master Gogen Yamaguchi's Goju-Ryu Karate, (the Goju-Kai), Master Mas Oyama's Kyokushinkai, and of Master Richard Kim's Butokukai, all in one era!
Master Urban has authored several books, his most famous being his first, "The Karate Dojo", which has become the staple reading of almost all Goju schools throughout the world.
Grand Master Shoto Tanemura
Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura was born on the 28th of August 1947, in the small town of Matsubushi, which is located in Saitama prefecture some 25 miles Northeast of Tokyo.
Tsunehisa was his given name but later in life he took the name of Shoto, meaning the Law of the sword. Coming from a warrior heritage his father, Sadatsune Tanemura, was the 17th head of Samurai tradition, whose roots extended to those of royalty as well as having bloodlines from the famous Daimyo, (ancient Warlords of Japan), of the Sasaki family (59th Emperor Uda line) and Takeda Family (56th Emperor Seiwa line). Being a very traditional father Sadatsune introduced his son to the martial arts at a very young age. Sadatsune was a Kendo expert, having a 5th Dan in Onoha Itto Ryu (an esteemed swordsmanship school). He also held the rank of 6th Dan in Juken-Jutsu (bayonet techniques) and also was ranked in schools of Ju-Jutsu.
The young Tanemura Tsunehisa was taught from the age of nine by his father and fathers' uncle Yamazaki Kakunosuke, (a master of the Onoha Itto Ryu, possessing an 8th Dan). He was taught almost every day in Ken-Jutsu and Ju-Jutsu, the training was of a traditional nature and always conducted outside barefoot, regardless of the weather. Tsunehisa's regular training partner was a gentleman thirty-two years his senior, for the first five years of training. He was regularly beaten up and knocked out. When he was knocked out a bucket was soon filled with icy cold water and thrown on him and once awoken he was expected to continue his training immediately.
At fifteen he entered high school and began to study Shindo Muso Ryu Kenpo (sword) from a renowned master called Seishiro Saito. It was during these high school days that his quest for true martial arts was able to take form and begin to blossom. At the age of fifteen he also saw himself studying the famous Asayama Ichiden Ryu Tai-Jutsu (a classical school of Ju-Jutsu) and Takagi Yoshin Ryu Ju-Jutsu, Gikan Ryu Koppo-Jutsu, and many schools of Ju-Jutsu, Koppo-Jutsu, Kosshi-Jutsu, Daken-Tai-Jutsu and JuTai-Jutsu, etc. His training was so concentrated that he received hi first Menkyo Kaiden (next grandmaster) at the age of twenty in Shinden Fudo Ryu and Kukishin Ryu. Soon to be followed by Menkyo Kaiden in another 9 schools. Adding to this he also received Menkyo Kaiden in Chinese martial arts.
During his University days he was introduced to Kimbei Sato and started studying under him. In the winter of 1989 he was named by Kimbei Sato as the Grandmaster (Soke) of Takagi Yoshin Ryu, Bokkuden Ryu and others.
Besides his training at the dojo he would train at any time he was free to perfect his skill and techniques. His teachers were all of the old school type, being very strict, and closely guarding the secret techniques. They would teach each pattern only a few times, then expect the students to find out for themselves the points, which make the techniques work. So to master these techniques Shoto Tanemura Sensei practiced each technique many thousands of times until he discovered the points, making the technique a natural movement. He would use everything as his training partner, the nearby woods, rice fields, riverbanks, and natural objects such as trees, rocks, stones, animals, and even the moon.
On moonlit nights he would practice Yari (spear) and Rokushaku Bo (six foot staff) outside in a field, thrusting for the center of the moon to improve his accuracy, also his aim by thrusting at the barely visible leaves when they swayed in the wind. With animals he would encourage them to attack him. As the animal leaped at him to attack, he would use sabaki (natural body movement) to escape until the animal (usually a dog) would give up.
Trees, rocks, and stones were used to develop punching and kicking power and to strengthen the hands and feet. He would punch and strike a tree until his hands were bleeding. One of his teachers taught him a much better way to develop a strong strike (special press ups and Ki use). His teacher said that a true martial artist passes by unseen in a crowd, so if his hands were callused (due to punching hard objects) people could tell that he was a martial artist of some sort, or if in a fight the opponent would be able to tell straight away what type of training he did so would use strategy to counter this.
When he graduated from the University he was lead to believe that a career in law would be a good future, but was purely academic in nature so there was little use for the martial arts. He wanted to use his knowledge to protect and help others. At twenty-two he joined the Tokyo Metropolitan Police in order to use and test all he had learned. His skill was called up on many occasions and not once did it fail him. Knowing of his talent he was asked to teach self-defense to policemen at a special martial arts club. He was also a teacher of the police academy.
Somehow though he felt that it was his mission to introduce true martial arts to the world, so after fifteen years of service he resigned to carry out his mission. Soon after leaving the police department he founded his Dojo in 1985 on the 28th of November and has been teaching there since, as well as being invited to teach at seminars worldwide. Tanemura Sensei has dedicated his life to teaching true martial arts to the public world. He holds the position of Soke (Grandmaster) and Shike (Master) of many ancient martial traditions from Japan's warrior past. He is a true warrior in every sense of the word.
Tanemura sensei is the author of two books concerning Ninpo and made a video series, both in America and Japan, about the martial arts. In the late 1970s Tanemura Sensei was the first Japanese martial arts master to travel overseas to teach openly. During the 19 80s and 1990s he traveled extensively to teach Ninpo.
Hanshi Mitsuhiro Saruta
Hanshi Carlos Montalvo
Hanshi William "Bill" Solano
Hector Rodriguez
Forefathers Of Kaizen Budo
Grand Master Mark Kline's Teachers
Professor Wally Jay
Founder Small Circle Jujutsu
Birthdate: June, 1917
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii
- 10th Degree Black Belt in Jujitsu
- 6th Degree Black Belt in Judo
- Founder and Grandmaster of Jujitsu America
- Founder and Grandmaster of Small Circle Jujitsu™ International
- Founder and Great Grandmaster of Professor Jay's Small Circle Jujitsu™
He received his Restorative Massage in 1945 and the Certificate of Mastery (Kodenkan Jujitsu) from Professor Okazaki on February 22,1948. His wife, Bernice was also a recipient. She is ranked as a Sandan since 1954, now inactive. Professor Jay is also ranked as a 6th Dan in Judo. In 1960,he was named by the Hokka Judo Yudanshakai as "Northern California Judo Coach of the Year". He has produced many national, state, and regional winners. In the 1968 and 1979 National Hi School Judo Championships, two of his pupils won the 120 pound national titles and both were named in the top awards. In 1968, David Quinonez and In 1970 Bradford Burgo both were recipient of the Yamauchi Award" for their outstanding showing when they captured the 120 pound crown.
He was inducted into the Black Belt Magazine's Hall of Fame in 1969 and again in 1990. He was also recipients of many "Hall of Fame and Who's Who" national and international organization. He was awarded on Honorary Doctorate by the College of Martial Arts Sioux Falls, South Dakota on May 4, 1991. Inside Kung Fu magazine named him as one of the 100 most influential martial arts personalities of All Times. He has taught in 32 countries and was Team Captain that went to China in 1985. He demonstrated on Emperor's Day April 29 th at the Dai Nippon Butokuden at Kyoto, Japan in 1992 He was one of the three men that went to Boputhatswana South Africa in 1992. Tony Maynard and Ernie Boggs were on the team.
He is the Founder of the "Small Circle" style of Jujitsu based on Kodenkan Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. It is based on his ten principles, the transitional techniques, and two way wrist action which is applicable to any style. His effortless application has been used by many women, children, and men in many difficult situations. His son, Professor Leon Jay teaches near London, England. He finds that the Small Circle and George Dillman's Kyusho Jitsu are compatible. In fact, many others have found it to be compatible with almost any style.
Professor Wally Jay was a student of Professor Okazaki, Juan Gomez, and Ken Kawachi in Hawaii in the early 40's. Professor Jay is known nationally and internationally as the founder of Small Circle Jujitsu™ and an outstanding Judo Coach. He has received many awards in the past decades which include "Outstanding Judo Coach", "Northern California Judo Coach" of the year, Black Belt Magazine's "Instructor of Jujitsu" and "Man of the Year" ... and featured on the convers of top rated martial arts magazines.
Professor Wally Jay retired in August 2002 at the age of 85. At an official ceremony in Alameda, California, the title and responsibility of Grand Master was handed over to his son, Professor Leon Jay
GEORGE A DILLMAN
Dillman Karate International
George A. Dillman is a 9th degree black belt in Ryukyu Kempo Tomari-te who was honored by Black Belt Magazine as "1997 -- Instructor of the Year". He is one of the USA's best-known and well-established martial arts personalities. Dillman began competing in the early 1960's and came to the attention of the martial arts press at this time. By the middle of that decade, he started running his own tournament, the Northeast Open Karate Championships. This annual competition first kicked off in Palmer Park, Maryland in 1966. The tournament site was moved to Suitland, Maryland in 1967, and moved again to Reading, Pennsylvania in 1968 where it was held until 1996.
Official Karate magazine (Nov. 1982) described Dillman as "one of the winningest competitors karate has ever known." Dillman was four-times National Karate Champion (1969-1972) and during this period was consistently ranked among the top ten competitors in the nation by major karate magazines. During his nine-year competitive career, Dillman claimed a total of 327 trophies in fighting, forms, breaking and weapons.
Dillman began serious martial arts training in 1961 with Harry G. Smith. He went on to study with Daniel K. Pai, James Coffman, Sam Pearson, Robert Trias and Seiyu Oyata. Dillman has always considered himself a student, never a master of the martial arts. To this end he and his wife and students have traveled throughout the United States to meet and train with various martial arts experts.
Because of his perseverance, Dillman's martial arts talents have earned him widespread U.S. media coverage. He has appeared on 35 national TV shows, including: Real People, Mike Douglas, PM Magazine, Evening Magazine, and NBC's Sports Machine. Dillman has also been featured five times in Ripley's Believe It or Not, and has been the subject of over 300 newspaper and magazine articles. Dillman, who was a professional boxer for three and one half years, is the only person known to have trained with both Bruce Lee and Muhammad Ali. In May of 1988, Dillman was inducted into the Berks County Sports Hall of Fame. He was the first martial artist to be included.
Currently, Dillman travels the world teaching seminars on pressure points and tuite (grappling) hidden within the traditional movements of the old martial arts forms. It is his research and scientific dissection of the old forms that is earning him his most notoriety. Never one to shy away from controversy, Dillman has rediscovered a formerly secret level of meaning for kata movements, and has made that interpretation understandable to all. He has produced a video tape instructional series on the pressure points, and has written five books with Chris Thomas. Kyusho-Jitsu: The Dillman Method of Pressure Point Fighting; Advanced Pressure Point fighting of Ryukyu Kempo; Advanced Pressure Point Grappling: Tuite; Pressure Point Karate Made Easy; and Little Jay Learns Karate. The books have been said to be, "the definitive martial arts books of the century," and "unparalleled among current martial arts literature."
Dillman is the chief instructor for Dillman Karate International, an organization of over 85 schools worldwide, with an enrollment of nearly 15,000 students. He has studied under five 10th degree black belts from Okinawa and is currently furthering his personal study through research, practice, and the sharing of techniques with Professor Remy Presas (Modern Arnis) and Professor Wally Jay (Small Circle Jujitsu).
Remy Armado Presas
Modern Arnis
Friday, January 13th 12 08:56:32 AM On December 19th, 1936, in the small Filipino fishing village of Hinigarin, Negros Occidental the face of martial arts changed forever. We didn't know it then, but sixty-odd years later the impact of Remy Armador Presas is inarguable.
The Philippines are home to some of the most brutal and effective combat arts but in the later 20th century, they were a dying art. More glamorous were the Japanese arts such as Karate and Chinese Kung Fu, with their crisp uniforms and organized classes. They also took less of a toll on those training. Learning the Filipino arts often meant taking repeated devastating strikes.
Remy Presas began his training at a young age, learning the family system from his grandfather, Leon Presas. Insatiably hungry for the arts, Remy would later stow away on a trip to Cebu. There he would be introduced to the Balintawak style by his uncle Fredo and begin to study under one of the top ranked practitioners, Timor Maranga.
He developed a reputation as a top tournament fighter, often winning his fights by knockouts. While fighting, he caught the eye of Grand Master Venancio "Anciong" Bacon, grandmaster of Balintawak and became one of his personal students.
Challenge was a way of life in the Philippines. The Balintawak and rival Doce Pares regularly issued and met challenges. The fighters frequently tested and honed their skills in the back alleys. During this time, Remy began to change his concept. Fighting all the time, he realized that with the constant bloodshed, reputations suffered and training partners became hard to find.
With Grandmaster Bacon's blessing, Remy left Cebu to design his own system of fighting, one that would focus on self-defense not just fighting. His goal? To become the best by spreading the art.
He did this by changing the focus. Traditionally, the cane was sacred, and fighters would avoid hitting it aiming for their opponents hand instead. Remy changed that by using the cane as a target. He also sought to identify the basic concepts of the many Filipino systems he had learned and merged them into what can be described as a melting pot of some of the best of the Filipino arts.
With his art spreading, in 1975 the government sponsored him on a world wide goodwill tour to help spread the art of Modern Arnis around the globe.
Since coming to the United States, the number of Modern Arnis practitioners has soared world wide, with over 40,000 in his native country alone. Billed as "The art within your art", Modern Arnis uses techniques based on patterns and theories of movement, rather than static drills and movements. The simplicity of the art is its key. Rather than learning complex forms and 1 step drills for each individual weapon, students instead learn to use the basic fundamentals of attack and defense regardless of whether they are holding a sword, knife, stick or nothing at all. Each technique is open ended, leading into countless variations of locks, throws, disarms etc. using what is available.
Remy Presas is best known for Modern Arnis. Many do not realize that he also held rank in many other systems, including a 6th dan in Karate. In 1982 and 1994 he was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as "Instructor of the Year".
He has worked with and enjoyed friendships with many of the notables such as Ed Parker Sr., Bruce Lee, Wally Jay and George Dillman.
Remy Presas saw his dream of a revival of the Filipino arts come true. Today, they are known world wide and even lend their influence to Hollywood's fight scenes.
Grand Master Remy A. Presas passed away due to heart failure and severe internal infection after battling brain cancer on August 28, 2001 at Parkwood Home Care in Victoria, Canada. After extended delays due to certain circumstances, his remains arrived in Manila, Philippines on September 19, 2001. He received a posthumous award (for propagation of Filipino Martial Arts worldwide) from PIGSSAI / Philippine Tourism Authority. On September 23, 2001, his body was flown to Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. He was laid to rest on September 25, 2001 in the neighboring town of Hinigaran, his birthplace. The Municipal Council of Hinigaran expressed its sorrow and sympathy over his passing through a Resolution voted by all its members.
Many groups and individuals have stepped forward since his death to keep the torch lit. From his family, to his "Datus", to the Masters of Tapi-Tapi to the independents. Each holds a piece of the dream, ensuring that it will never die out.
Masutatsu (Mas) Oyama
Kyokushin Kai Kan
An early start
Masutatsu (Mas) Oyama was born Yong I-Choi on the 27th of July, 1923,
in a village not far from Gunsan in Southern Korea. At a relatively
young age he was sent to Manchuria, in Southern China, to live on his
sister's farm. At the age of nine, he started studying the Southern
Chinese form of Kempo called Eighteen hands
from a Mr. Yi who was at the time working on the farm. When Oyama
returned to Korea at the the age of 12, he continued his training in
Korean Kempo.
In 1938, at the age of 15, he travelled to Japan to train as an aviator, to be like his hero of the time, Korea's first fighter pilot. Survival on his own at that age proved to be more difficult than he thought, especially as a Korean in Japan, and the aviator training fell by the wayside.
Gichin Funakoshi He did however continue martial arts training, by participating in judo and boxing, and one day he noticed some students training in Okinawan Karate. This interested him very much and he went to train at the dojo of Gichin Funakoshi at Takushoku University, where he learned what is today known as CyberDojo home pages.
His training progress was such that by the age of seventeen he was already a 2nd dan, and by the time he entered the Japanese Imperial Army at 20, he was a fourth dan. At this point he also took a serious interest in judo, and his progress there was no less amazing. By the time he had quit training in Judo.
So Nei Chu The defeat of Japan and the subsequent indignity of Occupation almost proved to be too much for Mas Oyama, who nearly despaired. Fortunately for all of us, So Nei Chu came into his life at that time. Master So, another Korean (from Oyama's own province) living in Japan, was one of the highest authorities on Goju Ryu in Japan at the time. He was renowned for both his physical and spiritual strength. It was he who encouraged Mas Oyama to dedicate his life to the Martial Way. It was he too who suggested that Oyama should retreat away from the rest of the world for 3 years while training his mind and body.
Mountain Training When he was 23 years old, Mas Oyama met Eiji Yoshikawa, the author of the novel Musashi, which was based on the life and exploits of Japan's most famous Samurai. Both the novel and the author helped to teach Mas Oyama about the Samurai Bushido code and what it meant. That same year, Oyama went to Mt. Minobu in the Chiba Prefecture, where Musashi had developed his Nito-Ryu style of swordfighting. Oyama thought that this would be an appropriate place to commence the rigours of training he had planned for himself. Among the things he took with him was a copy of Yoshikawa's book. A student named Yashiro also came with him.
The relative solitude was strongly felt, and after 6 months, Yashiro secretly fled during the night. It became even harder for Oyama, who wanted more than ever to return to civilisation. So Nei Chu wrote to him that he should shave off an eyebrow in order to get rid of the urge. Surely he wouldn't want anyone to see him that way! This and other more moving words convinced Oyama to continue, and he resolved to become the most powerful karate-ka in Japan.
Soon however, his sponsor informed him that he was no longer able to support him and so, after fourteen months, he had to end his solitude.
A few months later, in 1947, Mas Oyama won the karate section of the first Japanese National Martial Arts Championships after WWII. However, he still felt empty for not having completed the three years of solitude. He then decided to dedicate his life completely to karate-do. So he started again, this time on Mt. Kiyozumi, also in Chiba Prefecture. This site he chose for its spiritually uplifting environment.
This time his training was fanatical — 12 hours a day every day with no rest days, standing under (cold) buffeting waterfalls, breaking river stones with his hands, using trees as makiwara, jumping over rapidly growing flax plants hundreds of times each day. Each day also included a period of study of the ancients classics on the Martial arts, Zen, and philosophy.
After eighteen months he came down fully confident of himself, and able to take control of his life. Never again would he be so heavily influenced by his society around him. (Though it is probably safe to say that his circumstances were also probably never again as traumatic!)
Bulls, Challengers, and the Godhand In 1950, Sosai (the founder) Mas Oyama started testing (and demonstrating) his power by fighting bulls. In all, he fought 52 bulls, three of which were killed instantly, and 49 had their horns taken off with knife hand blows. That it is not to say that it was all that easy for him. Oyama was fond of remembering that his first attempt just resulted in an angry bull. In 1957, at the age of 34, he was nearly killed in Mexico when a bull got some of his own back and gored him. Oyama somehow managed to pull the bull off and break off his horn. He was bedridden for 6 months while he recoverd from the usually fatal wound. Today of course, the animal rights groups would have something to say about these demonstrations, despite the fact that the animals were already all destined for slaughter.
In 1952, he travelled the United States for a year, demonstrating his karate live and on national televison. During subsequent years, he took on all challengers, resulting in fights with 270 different people. The vast majority of these were defeated with one punch! A fight never lasted more than three minutes, and most rarely lasted more than a few seconds. His fighting principle was simple — if he got through to you, that was it.
If he hit you, you broke. If you blocked a rib punch, you arm was broken or dislocated. If you didn't block, your rib was broken. He became known as the Godhand, a living manifestation of the Japanese warriors' maxim Ichi geki, Hissatsu or "One strike, certain death". To him, this was the true aim of technique in karate. The fancy footwork and intricate techniques were secondary (though he was also known for the power of his head kicks).
It was during one of his visits to the United States that Mas Oyama met Jacques Sandulescu, a big (190 cm and 190 kg of muscle) Romanian who had been taken prisoner by the Red Army at the age of 16, and sent to the coal mines as a slave labourer for two years. They quickly became friends and remained so for the rest of Oyama's life, and Jacques still trains and acts as advisor to the IKO(1) to this day. You can read a short biography of his on this site or read his autobiography at http://donbas.com.
Oyama Dojo In 1953, Mas Oyama opened his first "Dojo", a grass lot in Mejiro in Tokyo. In 1956, the first real Dojo was opened in a former ballet studio behind Rikkyo University, 500 meters from the location of the current Japanese honbu dojo (headquarters). By 1957 there were 700 members, despite the high drop-out rate due to the harshness of training.
Practitioners of other styles came to train here too, for the jis-sen kumite (full contact fighting). One of the original instructors, Kenji Kato, has said that they would observe those from other styles, and adopt any techniques that "would be good in a real fight". This was how Mas Oyama's karate evolved. He took techniques from all martial arts, and did not restrict himself to karate alone.
The Oyama Dojo members took their kumite seriously, seeing it primarily as a fighting art, so they expected to hit and to be hit. With few restrictions, attacking the head was common, usually with the palm heel or towel-wrapped knuckles. Grabs, throws, and groin attacks were also common. Kumite rounds would continue till one person loudly conceded defeat. Injuries occurred on a daily basis and the drop out rate was high (over 90%). They had no official do-gi and wore whatever they had.
Bobby Lowe In 1952, Mas Oyama gave a demonstration in Hawaii. A young Bobby Lowe saw him and was stunned by the power Oyama demonstrated. It was not as though Bobby Lowe was inexperienced in martial arts. Though still quite young, his achievements to date were not much less than those of Mas Oyama himself. His father had been a Kung Fu instructor, and he had participated in any fighting art he could find. By the age of 23, he was yondan in judo, nidan in kempo, shodan in aikido, and a highly regarded welterweight boxer.
It was not long before Bobby Lowe became the first Kyokushin uchi deshi or "live-in student" of Mas Oyama's. He trained daily with Mas Oyama for one and a half years. Eventually, an uchi deshi's time became "1000 days for the beginning". These uchi deshi became known as Wakajishi, or the "Young Lions" of Mas Oyama and only a few of the hundreds of applicants were chosen each year for the privilege of training full time under the Master.
In 1957, Bobby Lowe returned to Hawaii to open the first School of Oyama outside Japan.
The beginning of Kyokushin The current World Headquarters were officially opened in June 1964, where the name Kyokushin, meaning "Ultimate truth" was adopted. In the same year the International Karate Organization (IKO) was established. From then, Kyokushin continued to spread to more than 120 countries, and registered members exceed 10 million making it one of the largest martial arts organisations in the world. Among the the better known Kyokushin yudansha (black belts) are Sean Connery (Honorary shodan), Dolph Lundgren (sandan, former Australian heavyweight champion), and President Nelson Mandela of South Africa (Honorary hachidan), and most recently (June 1988), the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard (Honorary godan) who was awarded the grade at the official opening of the Sydney Kyokushin dojo.
The End? Sadly, Sosai Mas Oyama died, of Akiyoshi Matsui in charge of the organisation. This has had many political and economic ramifications throughout the Kyokushin world, which are still being resolved. In the end, the result may well be a splintering of Kyokushin, much like Shotokan now appears to have done, with each group claiming to be the one-and-only true heir of Mas Oyama's Kyokushin, either spiritually or even financially. It has even been suggested, not entirely in jest, by one Kyokushin writer in Australia (Harry Rogers) that maybe Oyama created the turmoil on purpose, because he didn't want Kyokushin to survive without him! It is however reasonably certain that all Kyokushin groups, regardless of their ultimate allegiance, will still maintain the standards set by Mas Oyama.
Maybe a Kyokushin diaspora will be a good thing, since in all good families, some of the children eventually do leave home and start their own families. Some of the splinter groups may remain faithful to the Kyokushin principles, such as Hanshi Steve Arneil in Great Britain did in 1991. Many others, such as Shigeru Oyama in the U.S., have taken it further by developing their own style based on Kyokushin.
Today, the IKO, headed by Kancho Shokei Matsui, is the largest karate organization in the world with over twelve million members in 135 countries
Mas Oyama's Brief History July 27th, 1923, born in Southern Korea.
Learns Chinese Fist of Chakuriki in the land of Manchuria. He was 9 years old. 1938 - becomes student under Master Gichin Funakoshi of Shotokan Karate.1946 - enters the mountain for training.1947 - becomes the champion of All Japan Karate-do Tournament. He studies Goju-ryu Karate extensively under Master Gogen Yamaguchi, and becomes Vice Chairman in the organization, holding 9th Dan degree.1948 - enters the mountain alone for 18 months of training.1950 - starts training against the live bulls, living beside the cattle butchery. Out of 47 bulls, 4 killed in instant.1952 - visits America for Karate instructions and demonstrations in 32 locations. Has 7 times of real matches.1953 - visits America, he fights against a bull in Chicago, where he breaks its horn by Shuto strike (knife hand).1955 - goes all around South America and Europe with Bepford Davy, President of Chrysler Corp. He fights numerous mix matches.1956 - starts small Oyama Dojo at an old ballet studio.1957 - fights against a bull in Mexico City.1958 - January, publishes "What is Karate" which becomes a best seller of 500,000 copies.
September, invited by FBI in Washington D.C. for Karate instructions and demonstrations.
October, invited by West Point Military Academy for Karate instructions and demonstrations. 1964 - Thai Boxing challenges Karate-do, where Oyama Dojo alone accepts. 3 matches 2 wins.1971 - though a popular comic book series "Karate Baka Ichidai," and the movie "World's Strongest Karate" in 1975, his name and of Kyokushin become known all over Japan.1975 - helds Kyokushin Kai's First World Karate-do Open Tournament.April 26, 1994. Dies of lung cancer at the age of 70. In addition to described above, he visits elsewhere researching and fighing real matches against other Martial Arts of the world. Kyokushin as the largest Karate organization, he has students numbered 12,000,000 in 140 nations worldwide. He is also noted for starting the Full-Contact, Bare-Knuckle tournament system.
In 1938, at the age of 15, he travelled to Japan to train as an aviator, to be like his hero of the time, Korea's first fighter pilot. Survival on his own at that age proved to be more difficult than he thought, especially as a Korean in Japan, and the aviator training fell by the wayside.
Gichin Funakoshi He did however continue martial arts training, by participating in judo and boxing, and one day he noticed some students training in Okinawan Karate. This interested him very much and he went to train at the dojo of Gichin Funakoshi at Takushoku University, where he learned what is today known as CyberDojo home pages.
His training progress was such that by the age of seventeen he was already a 2nd dan, and by the time he entered the Japanese Imperial Army at 20, he was a fourth dan. At this point he also took a serious interest in judo, and his progress there was no less amazing. By the time he had quit training in Judo.
So Nei Chu The defeat of Japan and the subsequent indignity of Occupation almost proved to be too much for Mas Oyama, who nearly despaired. Fortunately for all of us, So Nei Chu came into his life at that time. Master So, another Korean (from Oyama's own province) living in Japan, was one of the highest authorities on Goju Ryu in Japan at the time. He was renowned for both his physical and spiritual strength. It was he who encouraged Mas Oyama to dedicate his life to the Martial Way. It was he too who suggested that Oyama should retreat away from the rest of the world for 3 years while training his mind and body.
Mountain Training When he was 23 years old, Mas Oyama met Eiji Yoshikawa, the author of the novel Musashi, which was based on the life and exploits of Japan's most famous Samurai. Both the novel and the author helped to teach Mas Oyama about the Samurai Bushido code and what it meant. That same year, Oyama went to Mt. Minobu in the Chiba Prefecture, where Musashi had developed his Nito-Ryu style of swordfighting. Oyama thought that this would be an appropriate place to commence the rigours of training he had planned for himself. Among the things he took with him was a copy of Yoshikawa's book. A student named Yashiro also came with him.
The relative solitude was strongly felt, and after 6 months, Yashiro secretly fled during the night. It became even harder for Oyama, who wanted more than ever to return to civilisation. So Nei Chu wrote to him that he should shave off an eyebrow in order to get rid of the urge. Surely he wouldn't want anyone to see him that way! This and other more moving words convinced Oyama to continue, and he resolved to become the most powerful karate-ka in Japan.
Soon however, his sponsor informed him that he was no longer able to support him and so, after fourteen months, he had to end his solitude.
A few months later, in 1947, Mas Oyama won the karate section of the first Japanese National Martial Arts Championships after WWII. However, he still felt empty for not having completed the three years of solitude. He then decided to dedicate his life completely to karate-do. So he started again, this time on Mt. Kiyozumi, also in Chiba Prefecture. This site he chose for its spiritually uplifting environment.
This time his training was fanatical — 12 hours a day every day with no rest days, standing under (cold) buffeting waterfalls, breaking river stones with his hands, using trees as makiwara, jumping over rapidly growing flax plants hundreds of times each day. Each day also included a period of study of the ancients classics on the Martial arts, Zen, and philosophy.
After eighteen months he came down fully confident of himself, and able to take control of his life. Never again would he be so heavily influenced by his society around him. (Though it is probably safe to say that his circumstances were also probably never again as traumatic!)
Bulls, Challengers, and the Godhand In 1950, Sosai (the founder) Mas Oyama started testing (and demonstrating) his power by fighting bulls. In all, he fought 52 bulls, three of which were killed instantly, and 49 had their horns taken off with knife hand blows. That it is not to say that it was all that easy for him. Oyama was fond of remembering that his first attempt just resulted in an angry bull. In 1957, at the age of 34, he was nearly killed in Mexico when a bull got some of his own back and gored him. Oyama somehow managed to pull the bull off and break off his horn. He was bedridden for 6 months while he recoverd from the usually fatal wound. Today of course, the animal rights groups would have something to say about these demonstrations, despite the fact that the animals were already all destined for slaughter.
In 1952, he travelled the United States for a year, demonstrating his karate live and on national televison. During subsequent years, he took on all challengers, resulting in fights with 270 different people. The vast majority of these were defeated with one punch! A fight never lasted more than three minutes, and most rarely lasted more than a few seconds. His fighting principle was simple — if he got through to you, that was it.
If he hit you, you broke. If you blocked a rib punch, you arm was broken or dislocated. If you didn't block, your rib was broken. He became known as the Godhand, a living manifestation of the Japanese warriors' maxim Ichi geki, Hissatsu or "One strike, certain death". To him, this was the true aim of technique in karate. The fancy footwork and intricate techniques were secondary (though he was also known for the power of his head kicks).
It was during one of his visits to the United States that Mas Oyama met Jacques Sandulescu, a big (190 cm and 190 kg of muscle) Romanian who had been taken prisoner by the Red Army at the age of 16, and sent to the coal mines as a slave labourer for two years. They quickly became friends and remained so for the rest of Oyama's life, and Jacques still trains and acts as advisor to the IKO(1) to this day. You can read a short biography of his on this site or read his autobiography at http://donbas.com.
Oyama Dojo In 1953, Mas Oyama opened his first "Dojo", a grass lot in Mejiro in Tokyo. In 1956, the first real Dojo was opened in a former ballet studio behind Rikkyo University, 500 meters from the location of the current Japanese honbu dojo (headquarters). By 1957 there were 700 members, despite the high drop-out rate due to the harshness of training.
Practitioners of other styles came to train here too, for the jis-sen kumite (full contact fighting). One of the original instructors, Kenji Kato, has said that they would observe those from other styles, and adopt any techniques that "would be good in a real fight". This was how Mas Oyama's karate evolved. He took techniques from all martial arts, and did not restrict himself to karate alone.
The Oyama Dojo members took their kumite seriously, seeing it primarily as a fighting art, so they expected to hit and to be hit. With few restrictions, attacking the head was common, usually with the palm heel or towel-wrapped knuckles. Grabs, throws, and groin attacks were also common. Kumite rounds would continue till one person loudly conceded defeat. Injuries occurred on a daily basis and the drop out rate was high (over 90%). They had no official do-gi and wore whatever they had.
Bobby Lowe In 1952, Mas Oyama gave a demonstration in Hawaii. A young Bobby Lowe saw him and was stunned by the power Oyama demonstrated. It was not as though Bobby Lowe was inexperienced in martial arts. Though still quite young, his achievements to date were not much less than those of Mas Oyama himself. His father had been a Kung Fu instructor, and he had participated in any fighting art he could find. By the age of 23, he was yondan in judo, nidan in kempo, shodan in aikido, and a highly regarded welterweight boxer.
It was not long before Bobby Lowe became the first Kyokushin uchi deshi or "live-in student" of Mas Oyama's. He trained daily with Mas Oyama for one and a half years. Eventually, an uchi deshi's time became "1000 days for the beginning". These uchi deshi became known as Wakajishi, or the "Young Lions" of Mas Oyama and only a few of the hundreds of applicants were chosen each year for the privilege of training full time under the Master.
In 1957, Bobby Lowe returned to Hawaii to open the first School of Oyama outside Japan.
The beginning of Kyokushin The current World Headquarters were officially opened in June 1964, where the name Kyokushin, meaning "Ultimate truth" was adopted. In the same year the International Karate Organization (IKO) was established. From then, Kyokushin continued to spread to more than 120 countries, and registered members exceed 10 million making it one of the largest martial arts organisations in the world. Among the the better known Kyokushin yudansha (black belts) are Sean Connery (Honorary shodan), Dolph Lundgren (sandan, former Australian heavyweight champion), and President Nelson Mandela of South Africa (Honorary hachidan), and most recently (June 1988), the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard (Honorary godan) who was awarded the grade at the official opening of the Sydney Kyokushin dojo.
The End? Sadly, Sosai Mas Oyama died, of Akiyoshi Matsui in charge of the organisation. This has had many political and economic ramifications throughout the Kyokushin world, which are still being resolved. In the end, the result may well be a splintering of Kyokushin, much like Shotokan now appears to have done, with each group claiming to be the one-and-only true heir of Mas Oyama's Kyokushin, either spiritually or even financially. It has even been suggested, not entirely in jest, by one Kyokushin writer in Australia (Harry Rogers) that maybe Oyama created the turmoil on purpose, because he didn't want Kyokushin to survive without him! It is however reasonably certain that all Kyokushin groups, regardless of their ultimate allegiance, will still maintain the standards set by Mas Oyama.
Maybe a Kyokushin diaspora will be a good thing, since in all good families, some of the children eventually do leave home and start their own families. Some of the splinter groups may remain faithful to the Kyokushin principles, such as Hanshi Steve Arneil in Great Britain did in 1991. Many others, such as Shigeru Oyama in the U.S., have taken it further by developing their own style based on Kyokushin.
Today, the IKO, headed by Kancho Shokei Matsui, is the largest karate organization in the world with over twelve million members in 135 countries
Mas Oyama's Brief History July 27th, 1923, born in Southern Korea.
Learns Chinese Fist of Chakuriki in the land of Manchuria. He was 9 years old. 1938 - becomes student under Master Gichin Funakoshi of Shotokan Karate.1946 - enters the mountain for training.1947 - becomes the champion of All Japan Karate-do Tournament. He studies Goju-ryu Karate extensively under Master Gogen Yamaguchi, and becomes Vice Chairman in the organization, holding 9th Dan degree.1948 - enters the mountain alone for 18 months of training.1950 - starts training against the live bulls, living beside the cattle butchery. Out of 47 bulls, 4 killed in instant.1952 - visits America for Karate instructions and demonstrations in 32 locations. Has 7 times of real matches.1953 - visits America, he fights against a bull in Chicago, where he breaks its horn by Shuto strike (knife hand).1955 - goes all around South America and Europe with Bepford Davy, President of Chrysler Corp. He fights numerous mix matches.1956 - starts small Oyama Dojo at an old ballet studio.1957 - fights against a bull in Mexico City.1958 - January, publishes "What is Karate" which becomes a best seller of 500,000 copies.
September, invited by FBI in Washington D.C. for Karate instructions and demonstrations.
October, invited by West Point Military Academy for Karate instructions and demonstrations. 1964 - Thai Boxing challenges Karate-do, where Oyama Dojo alone accepts. 3 matches 2 wins.1971 - though a popular comic book series "Karate Baka Ichidai," and the movie "World's Strongest Karate" in 1975, his name and of Kyokushin become known all over Japan.1975 - helds Kyokushin Kai's First World Karate-do Open Tournament.April 26, 1994. Dies of lung cancer at the age of 70. In addition to described above, he visits elsewhere researching and fighing real matches against other Martial Arts of the world. Kyokushin as the largest Karate organization, he has students numbered 12,000,000 in 140 nations worldwide. He is also noted for starting the Full-Contact, Bare-Knuckle tournament system.
PROFESSOR FLORENDO M. VISITACION
From the VEE-ARNIS-JITSU Web Site
Professor Florendo M. Visitacion, or, as he is commonly called, Professor Vee, was born in Ilocos Norte, Philippines in 1910. He began early, informal training in Arnis at the age of ten.
At the age of sixteen, he left his home and family and journeyed to the Hawaiian Islands. In 1928, he moved to Stockton, California where he continued studying Filipino martial arts from available sources.
After traveling around California for a number of years, Florendo Vistacion entered the U.S. Army during World War II. This marked a turning point in his life in that he began to view martial arts in a new light. He read and became intrigued with an officer's hand-to-hand combat manual which claimed to present a combination of styles from different countries. The idea of integrating techniques from a variety of martial arts was very appealing to him.
This soon led the young Visitacion on a personal journey where he was to devote many years to the study of different fighting styles. Along the way, he realized that mastery of a particular system was not always neccessary. What was essential, however, was the ability to understand its useful principles and how to apply them effectively in a given situation. It was important for a student of the fighting arts to absorb only what was applicable and to tailor the art to his or her needs. That was why he also advocated the researching of other systems. It was by doing so, he felt, an individual could learn and choose from a variety of techniques, thereby improving one's fighting skills.
In 1950, he moved to New York. A year later, Visitacion trained under ex-marine Charles Nelson, also a World War II veteran, and an expert in the art of Mongolian wrestling. Nelson was particularly adept in joint locking techniques. Professor Vee later augmented his training by learning modern Jiujitsu under Kiyose Nakae, author of the book Jiujitsu Complete. He also took up Judo and the Indian art of Varmannie. In 1958, he studied under R. H. Sigward, the author of Modern Self-Defense. On September 5, 1955, he introduced Vee-Jitsu, an early forerunner of his art, Vee-Arnis-Jitsu.
In 1960, Visitacion joined the American Judo and Jiujitsu Federation. He was appointed the director of its Northeast Division. During one trip to an AJJF conference in California, he met and began a life-long friendship with Professor Wally Jay, the renowned grandmaster of Small Circle Jiujitsu. He also befriended the late Raymond Tabosa, a noted master of the Filipino martial art, Kali.
Thanks to a renewed interest in Filipino martial arts, Professor Vee began a ten-year study of Arnis Lanada under Master Amante Mariñas. He also learned additional techniques from Grandmaster Remy Presas of the school of Modern Arnis. In addition, he also received training from Leo Gaje, a noted expert in the Pekiti Tirsia Kali system. In 1978, the Arnis America Organization headed by Grandmaster Gaje gave him the Datu award in recognition for his work in promoting Filipino martial arts. Five years later, he also received the prestigious instructor's rank from Master Mariñas and the World Arnis Federation.
Professor Vee began his career as a martial arts instructor during the mid-1950's, and for over three decades, he actively taught his art at different locations throughout the New York City metropolitan area. Over the the years, his system would produce a number of notable martial artists, some who founded their own fighting styles. These include Professor Moses Powell, father of Sanuces Ryu Jiujitsu, and Master Lil' John Davis of Kumite Ryu Jiujitsu.
Professor Vee continued cross-training and researching other fighting systems. He embarked on a study of several different styles of Chinese Kung Fu. They included Southern Praying Mantis, Yang style Tai Chi Chuan, Baqua Chang, and Wing Chun. He also studied basic Karate techniques from Lou Angel.
He continued to refine and make changes to his system. As it evolved, so did its name. At one point, after adding Kenpo Karate forms, he renamed it Vee-Jitsu-Te. In 1965, Professor Vee introduced Vee-Jitsu '65, an improved version of his art. The following year, the AJJF conferred upon him the title of Professor and awarded him a 10th Dan ranking in his own art. The AJJF repeated the process in 1971, after Professor Vee presented them with another update of his system, now called Vee-Jitsu Ryu Jiujitsu. In 1983, he discarded the Kenpo katas in favor of Arnis, and later adopted the name, Vee-Arnis-Jitsu. Later, he approved the addition of Muay Thai boxing techniques, making the art more powerful and effective.
In 1993, in recognition for his contributions, Professor Florendo Visitacion was elected to the Martial Arts Hall-of-Fame and given a "Life-time Achievement" award.
Although he has since retired from active teaching, his martial art continues to flourish thanks largely to the effort of David James, the present chief instructor the Vee-Arnis-Jitsu School of New York. He is a worthy successor to Professor Vee in that he continues to make improvements by updating certain concepts, adding new techniques, or by just modifying and making minor changes. Professor James is firmly committed to bringing his students the best self-defense system available today.
Takeda Sokaku was born the second son of Takeda Sokichi on October 10,
1859 in the Takeda mansion in Oike in Aizu, present-day Fukushima
prefecture. As a boy, Sokaku learned kenjutsu, bojutsu,
sumo, and Daito-ryu from his father, and studied Ono-ha Itto-ryu at the
Yokikan dojo under Shibuya Toba.
In 1873, Sokaku traveled with his father to the dojo of his father's
friend, swordsman Sakakibara Kenkichi. There he stayed on as a live-in
student and immersed himself in studying the Jikishinkage-ryu. At the
Sakakibara dojo Sokaku had opportunities to meet and train with many of
the top swordsmen of the day, many of whom had formerly been members of
the Tokugawa shogunate's Kobusho, the exclusive martial arts school for
government retainers. He studied diligently, and eventually mastered many
different skills and weapons including sword (ken), staff
(bo), half-bow (hankyu), short-staff (jo), and
throwing darts (shuriken). Later he also received a license
(inka) in the spear arts of the Hozoin-ryu.
Sokaku traveled around visiting dojos throughout Japan, testing and polishing his martial skills wherever he went. He also deepened his spiritual connections through constant visits for prayer, devotions, and ascetic training to sacred places such as Udomyojin in Kyushu, Mt. Futara in Nikko, and Mt. Haguro in Dewa Province (now Akita and Yamagata prefectures). His sword skills were unparalleled and he was feared as "the Little Tengu of Aizu" (a tengu is a type of long-nosed demon; they are renowned for their martial arts skills).
In about 1875, rumor reached Sokaku that Saigo Takamori had launched his rebellion in Satsuma against the forces of the new Meiji government. He decided immediately that he would go to lend his support. He made it as far as Kyushu but was unable to reach his destination, so he returned to Osaka where he spent the next ten years as a guest in the Kyoshin Meichi-ryu dojo of swordsman Momonoi Shunzo.
Sokaku learned Daito-ryu from his father Sokichi, but it was from Saigo Tanomo, former Chief Councilor of the Aizu domain, that he learned oshikiiuchi. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Saigo Tanomo had become a Shinto priest and taken the name Hoshina Chikanori. In 1875 Sokaku visited him at Tsutsukowake Shrine in Fukushima to study for entrance to the priesthood, and while he was there received instruction in the arts of oshikiiuchi from Chikanori. Although Sokaku decided not to become a priest, he visited his mentor many times after that, and under Chikanori's instruction is said to have perfected seemingly miraculous skills of understanding another's mind and thought, and to have grasped the true depths of oshikiiuchi. On May 12th of 1898 Chikanori presented him with a single poem, inscribing it in Sokaku's enrollment book. One interpretation of Chikanori's words is that he is likening the flow of a river to the flow of time. With the beginning of the Meiji period, the age of the sword had ended, and no matter how skilled a swordsman might be, he can no longer make any mark and will amount to nothing. Therefore, it is time to pursue and make your way with jujutsu.
With this, the formal succession of Daito-ryu aiki jujutsu was assured. From that time on Sokaku identified himself as a practitioner of both Daito-ryu aiki jujutsu and Ono-ha Itto-ryu. He traveled around Japan teaching both arts and came to be recognized as the reviver (chuko no so) of the Daito-ryu.
Sokaku was not a large man--he stood no more than 150 centimeters tall--but his eyes were piercing and his techniques were of an almost supernatural level. He is said to have been able to sense a person's past, present, and future even before being introduced. Among his more well-known students were Saigo Tsugumichi, Hokushin Itto-ryu swordsman Shimoe Hidetaro, and Aikido founder Ueshiba Morihei, as well as army and navy officers, judges, police, martial artists, and other prominent individuals. He is said to have taught as many as thirty thousand people during his life, the signatures and seals of whom are all entered in enrollment books that are preserved to this day.
In his later years Sokaku focused his activities in Hokkaido. He passed away on April 25, 1943 at the age of eighty-three while teaching in Aomori Prefecture.
Sokaku traveled around visiting dojos throughout Japan, testing and polishing his martial skills wherever he went. He also deepened his spiritual connections through constant visits for prayer, devotions, and ascetic training to sacred places such as Udomyojin in Kyushu, Mt. Futara in Nikko, and Mt. Haguro in Dewa Province (now Akita and Yamagata prefectures). His sword skills were unparalleled and he was feared as "the Little Tengu of Aizu" (a tengu is a type of long-nosed demon; they are renowned for their martial arts skills).
In about 1875, rumor reached Sokaku that Saigo Takamori had launched his rebellion in Satsuma against the forces of the new Meiji government. He decided immediately that he would go to lend his support. He made it as far as Kyushu but was unable to reach his destination, so he returned to Osaka where he spent the next ten years as a guest in the Kyoshin Meichi-ryu dojo of swordsman Momonoi Shunzo.
Sokaku learned Daito-ryu from his father Sokichi, but it was from Saigo Tanomo, former Chief Councilor of the Aizu domain, that he learned oshikiiuchi. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Saigo Tanomo had become a Shinto priest and taken the name Hoshina Chikanori. In 1875 Sokaku visited him at Tsutsukowake Shrine in Fukushima to study for entrance to the priesthood, and while he was there received instruction in the arts of oshikiiuchi from Chikanori. Although Sokaku decided not to become a priest, he visited his mentor many times after that, and under Chikanori's instruction is said to have perfected seemingly miraculous skills of understanding another's mind and thought, and to have grasped the true depths of oshikiiuchi. On May 12th of 1898 Chikanori presented him with a single poem, inscribing it in Sokaku's enrollment book. One interpretation of Chikanori's words is that he is likening the flow of a river to the flow of time. With the beginning of the Meiji period, the age of the sword had ended, and no matter how skilled a swordsman might be, he can no longer make any mark and will amount to nothing. Therefore, it is time to pursue and make your way with jujutsu.
With this, the formal succession of Daito-ryu aiki jujutsu was assured. From that time on Sokaku identified himself as a practitioner of both Daito-ryu aiki jujutsu and Ono-ha Itto-ryu. He traveled around Japan teaching both arts and came to be recognized as the reviver (chuko no so) of the Daito-ryu.
Sokaku was not a large man--he stood no more than 150 centimeters tall--but his eyes were piercing and his techniques were of an almost supernatural level. He is said to have been able to sense a person's past, present, and future even before being introduced. Among his more well-known students were Saigo Tsugumichi, Hokushin Itto-ryu swordsman Shimoe Hidetaro, and Aikido founder Ueshiba Morihei, as well as army and navy officers, judges, police, martial artists, and other prominent individuals. He is said to have taught as many as thirty thousand people during his life, the signatures and seals of whom are all entered in enrollment books that are preserved to this day.
In his later years Sokaku focused his activities in Hokkaido. He passed away on April 25, 1943 at the age of eighty-three while teaching in Aomori Prefecture.
MASTER GICHIN FUNAKOSHI
(1868-1957)
MASTER GICHIN FUNAKOSHI (1868-1957)
Original document by Richard Kim. IF THERE IS ONE MAN WHO COULD BE CREDITED with placing karate in the position it enjoys on the Japanese mainland today, it is Gichin Funakoshi. This Meijin (Master) was born in Shuri, Okinawa, and didn't even begin his second life as harbinger of official recognition for karate on mainland Japan until he was fifty-three years old. Gichin Funakoshi's story is very similar to that of many great in Karate. He began as weak, sick, and in poor health, his parents brought him to Yasutsune Itosu for his Karate training together with Yasutsune Azato (Azato is considered by many the reason Gichin Funakoshi developed such a disciplined mind and Karate Technique). Between his doctor, Tokashiki, who prescribed herbal remedies that would strengthen him, coupled with Azato's and Itosu's good instruction, Gichin Funakoshi soon blossomed. He became a good student with Arakaki and Sokon "Bushi" Matsumura as his other teachers, he developed expertise and a highly disciplined mind. Master Gichin Funakoshi recounts this part in a different way, while living with his grandparents he started attending primary school where he was classmate of Azato's son and received his first Karate instruction from Yasutsune (Ankoh) Azato.
When he finally came to Japan, from Okinawa, in 1922, he stayed among his own people at the prefectural students' dormitory at Suidobata, Tokyo. He lived in a small room beside the entrance and would clean the dormitory during the day when the students were in their classes and work erands as a gardener too. At night, he would teach them karate.
After a short time, he had earned sufficient means to open his first school in Meishojuku. Following this, his Shotokan in Mejiro was opened and he finally had a place from which he sent forth a variety of students, such as Takagi and Nakayama of Nippon Karate Kyokai, Yoshida of Takudai, Obata of Keio, Shigeru Egami from Waseda (his successor), Hironishi from Chuo, Noguchi of Waseda, and Hironori Ohtsuka (Otsuka).
It is known that in his travels in and around Japan, while giving demonstrations and lectures, Gichin Funakoshi always had Takeshi Shimoda, Yoshitaka (his son), Egami and Ohtsuka accompanying him. His main instructors in the thirties and forties were T. Shimoda and Y. Funakoshi.
Shimoda was apparently an expert from the Nen-ryu Kendo School, he also studied Ninjutsu, but he unluckily fell sick and died very young in 1934, after one of the exhibition tours. He was replaced by Gigo (Yoshitaka) Funakoshi, a man of excellent character, highly qualified technically. Shigeru Egami's opinion is that there was nobody better qualified for taking over the teaching. Due to his youth and vigorous training methods (sometimes classified as brutally-strong training) immediate heirarchical conflicts arose with the older Ohtsuka Hironori. Some actually say he was not able to take the hard training. What is clear is that he left the school to establish his own style, Wado-ryu (the Harmonious Way). It's quite obvious that the name alludes to the conflict with Yoshitaka. Yoshitaka's influence was very important for the future of Karate-do but once again death came very soon for Yoshitaka, dying at age 39 of a lifelong affliction (tuberculosis) in 1945.
The martial arts world in Japan, especially from the early Twenties and up to the early Forties, was an ultra-nationalist moment in history, and they looked down their noses at any art that was not pure, calling it a pagan and savage art.
Funakoshi overcame this prejudice and finally gained formal recognition of Karate as one of the Japanese martial arts by 1941.
Needless to say, many karate clubs flourished on mainland Japan. In 1924, karate was introduced in Keio University as the first Karate Club others include: Chuo, Waseda (1930), Hosei, Tokyo University (1929) among others. Another club was established in Shichi-Tokudo, a barracks situated in a corner of the palace grounds.
Gichin Funakoshi visited the Shichi-Tokudo every other day to teach. One day, when Ohtsuka was teaching at the Shichi-Tokudo, a student, Kogura, from Keio University who had a san-dan degree (3rd-degree black belt) in kendo (Japanese fencing) and also a black belt in karate, took a sword and faced Ohtsuka. All the other students watched to see what would happen. They felt that no one could face the shinken (open blade) held by a kendo expert. Ohtsuka calmly watched Kogura and the moment he made a move with his sword, Ohtsuka swept him off his feet. As this was unrehearsed, it attested to his skill. It also bore out Funakoshi's philosophy that kata practice was more than sufficient in times of need, and just as importantly to Master Funakoshi's great ability as a teacher and Karate technician.
In 1927, three men, Miki, Bo and Hirayama decided that kata practice was not enough and tried to introduce Jiyu kumite (free-fighting). They devised protective clothing and used kendo masks in their matches in order to utilize full contact. Funakoshi heard about these bouts and, when he could not discourage such attempts, which he considered belittling to the art of karate, he stopped visiting the Shichi-Tokudo. Neither Funakoshi nor Ohtsuka showed up ever again. It was after this event that Gichin Funakoshi prohibited sports sparring (the first competitions did not appear until after his death in 1958).
When Gichin Funakoshi came to mainland Japan, he taught 16 kata: 5 pinan, 3 naihanchi, kushanku dai, kushanku sho, seisan, patsai, wanshu, chinto, jutte and jion. He kept his students on the basic ones before they progressed to the more advanced forms. Actually at least 40 kata were included in the curriculum, these were later included in the limited edition but monumental work by Shigeru Egami "Karate-do for the Specialist". The repetitious training that Master Funakoshi instituted paid back very well; his students went on to produce the most precise, exact type of karate taught anywhere.
Jigoro Kano, the founder of modern judo, once invited Gichin Funakoshi and a friend, Makoto Gima, to perform at the Kodokan (then located at Tomisaka). Approximately a hundred people watched the performance. Gima, who had studied under Yabu Kentsu as a youth in Okinawa, performed the Naihanshi shodan, and Funakoshi performed the koshokun (kushanku dai).
Jigoro Kano sensei watched the performance and asked Gichin Funakoshi about the techniques involved. He was greatly impressed. He invited Funakoshi and Gima to a tendon (fish and rice) dinner, during which he sang and made jokes to put Funakoshi at ease.
Irrespective of his sincerity in teaching the art of true karate, Funakoshi was not without his detractors. His critics scorned his insistence on the kata and decried what they called "soft" karate that wasted too much time. Funakoshi insisted on hito-kata sanen (three years on one kata).
Gichin Funakoshi was a humble man. He preached and practiced an essential humility. He did not preach the humility of virtue, but a basic humility of a man who is rooted in the true perspective of things, full of life and awareness. He lived at peace with himself and with his fellow men.
Whenever the name of Gichin Funakoshi is mentioned, it brings to mind the parable of "A Man of Tao (Do) and a Little Man". As it is told, a student once asked, "What is the difference between a man of Tao and a little man?" The sensei replies, "It is simple. When the little man receives his first dan (degree or rank), he can hardly wait to run home and shout at the top of his voice to tell everyone that he has obtained his first dan. Upon receiving his second dan, he will climb to the rooftops and shout to the people. Upon receiving his third dan, he will jump in his automobile and parade through town blowing the horn, telling one and all about his third dan".
The sensei continues, "When the man of Tao receives his first dan, he will bow his head in gratitude. Upon receiving his second dan, he will bow his head and his shoulders. Upon receiving his third dan, he will bow at the waist and quietly walk alongside the wall so that people will not see him or notice him".
Funakoshi was a man of Tao. He placed no emphasis whatsoever on competitions, record breaking or championships. He placed emphasis on individual self-perfection. He believed in the common decency and respect that one human being owes another. He was the master of masters.
He died in 1957 at age 89, after humbly making the largest contribution to the art of Karate-Do.
NOTE: Gichin Funakoshi sincerely believed it would take a lifetime to master a handful of kata and that sixteen would be enough. He chose the kata which were best suited for physical stress and self-defense, stubbornly clinging to his belief that karate was an art rather than a sport. To him, kata was karate.
Taika Seiyu Oyata
Taika Seiyu Oyata is the founder and head of RyuTe®
RenMei and Oyata Shin Shu Ho Ryu®. Taika was born and raised in Okinawa
and began his serious study of life protection arts shortly after WWII.
He immigrated to the United States in 1977, settling in Independence, MO
where he lives today. Taika is responsible for introducing Tuite-jitsu
and Kyusho-jitsu to this country and continues to actively travel and
teach his art throughout the country and around the world.
For a more detailed biography of Taika Oyata and the history of this art I encourage you to visit the following websites:
Official RyuTe Renme website
Website of Tashi Jim Logue
For a more detailed biography of Taika Oyata and the history of this art I encourage you to visit the following websites:
Official RyuTe Renme website
Website of Tashi Jim Logue
In 1933 he wrote his "An Outline of Karate-Do," and was awarded the rank of Kyoshi 8th Dan by the Butokukai. He was also appointed as head of the Okinawan branch of that organization. In 1934 Miyagi was invited to travel to Hawaii to demonstrate and teach Karate to the Okinawans living there. During this trip he would discover the Kongoken (large iron circle) and bring it back to Okinawa as a training implement for his style.
In 1936 he was also teaching at the Ritsumeikan University. Also in 1936, he traveled to Shanghai for six weeks to demonstrate Karate and exchange with other martial artist at the Jing Woo Athletic Association (originally founded by Hua Yin Jia).
Much has been said about this trip to Shanghai and its possible influences on Goju Ryu. However, we caution the reader of making too much of this trip, since he was only in Shanghai for six weeks and had an extremely busy calendar of demonstrations and lectures.
No one regardless of talent can pick up an external martial art, let alone a highly complex internal martial art such as Taiji, Baqua or Hsing-I, in only six weeks.
In 1940, along with Soshin Nagamine Sensei (Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu), he created the kata Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni to be used in the Okinawa school system.
In 1940, along with Soshin Nagamine Sensei (Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu), he created the kata Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni to be used in the Okinawa school system.
1939-1945: During the war he lost his senior student Jinan Shinzato and three of his children.
In 1944 he lost all of his Karate records when his house was bombed in the air raid on Naha.
In 1946, he was appointed the physical education officer of the Ryukyu Citizens’ Government.
During the post-war period Miyagi was teaching several private disciples in his back yard. This Dojo would later be known as the "Garden Dojo."
At this time Miyagi Chojun’s Goju Ryu consisted of the following elements:
From Higaonna Travels and research Created Borrowed Sanchin
Seisan
Suparinpei
Shisochin (maybe)
Hojo Undo
Saifa
Seipai
Sieunchin
Kururunfa Tensho
Gekisai Dai ichi
Gekisai Dai Ni
Yobi Undo exercises.
Naihanchi kata
-In 1953 and like his teacher before him, he was appointed the Karate teacher for the Ryukyu Police Academy.
-In October 1953, Miyagi Sensei died at the age of 65 from a cerebral hemorrhage while he was still teaching at the Police Academy. Having survived through the tumultuous years and the occupation of Okinawa probably explains his early demise.
Legendary Prowess:
Miyagi Chojun like Wai Xianxian before him was known for his supernatural gripping power.
He was known to be able to rip chunks of meat off a hind of beef using his Nukite (hand spear).
A journalist (Tokuda Anshu) wrote of one of Miyagi’s demonstrations: “Miyagi thrust his hand into a bunch of bamboo and pulled out one from the center. He stuck his hand into a slab of meat and tore out chunks. He put white chalk on the bottom of his feet, jumped up, and kicked the ceiling—leaving footprints on the ceiling for all to see.
Spectators hit him with long staffs to no effect. With his fingers, he tore off the bark of a tree and with his big toe, he punctured a hole in a kerosene can. And he did many more feats which had to be seen to be believed.” (Quoted in Richard Kim, The Classical Man (Masters Publication, 1995).
Over the years Miyagi had several public and private students. The most famous would include: Shinzato Jinan (1901-1945) Yagi Meitoku (Meibukan) (1912-2003), Higa Seiko (1889-1966) (Shobukan), Toguchi Seikichi (1917-1998) (Shoreikan) and Miyazato Ei'ichi (1922-1999) (Jundokan). _
In 1936 he was also teaching at the Ritsumeikan University. Also in 1936, he traveled to Shanghai for six weeks to demonstrate Karate and exchange with other martial artist at the Jing Woo Athletic Association (originally founded by Hua Yin Jia).
Much has been said about this trip to Shanghai and its possible influences on Goju Ryu. However, we caution the reader of making too much of this trip, since he was only in Shanghai for six weeks and had an extremely busy calendar of demonstrations and lectures.
No one regardless of talent can pick up an external martial art, let alone a highly complex internal martial art such as Taiji, Baqua or Hsing-I, in only six weeks.
In 1940, along with Soshin Nagamine Sensei (Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu), he created the kata Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni to be used in the Okinawa school system.
In 1940, along with Soshin Nagamine Sensei (Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu), he created the kata Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni to be used in the Okinawa school system.
1939-1945: During the war he lost his senior student Jinan Shinzato and three of his children.
In 1944 he lost all of his Karate records when his house was bombed in the air raid on Naha.
In 1946, he was appointed the physical education officer of the Ryukyu Citizens’ Government.
During the post-war period Miyagi was teaching several private disciples in his back yard. This Dojo would later be known as the "Garden Dojo."
At this time Miyagi Chojun’s Goju Ryu consisted of the following elements:
From Higaonna Travels and research Created Borrowed Sanchin
Seisan
Suparinpei
Shisochin (maybe)
Hojo Undo
Saifa
Seipai
Sieunchin
Kururunfa Tensho
Gekisai Dai ichi
Gekisai Dai Ni
Yobi Undo exercises.
Naihanchi kata
-In 1953 and like his teacher before him, he was appointed the Karate teacher for the Ryukyu Police Academy.
-In October 1953, Miyagi Sensei died at the age of 65 from a cerebral hemorrhage while he was still teaching at the Police Academy. Having survived through the tumultuous years and the occupation of Okinawa probably explains his early demise.
Legendary Prowess:
Miyagi Chojun like Wai Xianxian before him was known for his supernatural gripping power.
He was known to be able to rip chunks of meat off a hind of beef using his Nukite (hand spear).
A journalist (Tokuda Anshu) wrote of one of Miyagi’s demonstrations: “Miyagi thrust his hand into a bunch of bamboo and pulled out one from the center. He stuck his hand into a slab of meat and tore out chunks. He put white chalk on the bottom of his feet, jumped up, and kicked the ceiling—leaving footprints on the ceiling for all to see.
Spectators hit him with long staffs to no effect. With his fingers, he tore off the bark of a tree and with his big toe, he punctured a hole in a kerosene can. And he did many more feats which had to be seen to be believed.” (Quoted in Richard Kim, The Classical Man (Masters Publication, 1995).
Over the years Miyagi had several public and private students. The most famous would include: Shinzato Jinan (1901-1945) Yagi Meitoku (Meibukan) (1912-2003), Higa Seiko (1889-1966) (Shobukan), Toguchi Seikichi (1917-1998) (Shoreikan) and Miyazato Ei'ichi (1922-1999) (Jundokan). _
