Documenting American Pioneers
Greetings,
In our rush to document which oriental master studied under whom and in which tradition, are we losing sight of something else?
There are many Americans who have founded reputable schools teaching oriental styles in as pure a form as they learned them and those that teach a 'legitimate' mixed system. Some of these pioneers brought back legitimate rank from Japan, Korea and points east, and spread the styles here, then their students spilt off and established schools just as legitimate.
Some of these Americans also combined styles in a mixed system. (I am pointedly NOT talking about dabblers that attended a seminar or two and teach a lost branch of Aikikaratejudo, but rather those that were awarded teaching privileges in more than one art and combined them in a new system.)
I study one such art which combines Chi Do Kwan Korean Karate, Judo and Aikido. This system was constructed by our Founder over 30 years ago. It has remained low-key, non-profit and effective for that whole period. The Founder was ranked in different arts which I have been able to document, with some difficulty, due to his feelings regarding one of his Instructors and MA associations in general
However, what he created is new and legitimately effective. How many more of these systems are out there, and are they being documented?
I know of one former Ranger who came back a legitimate 2nd dan from Korea (interestingly enough, his dan card signed in Korea by his teacher, does NOT SAY 'honorary' as do so many that studied on brief military tours in the orient, particularly Korea.) and established the Korean style and Association he studied in Korea here. His students spun off students, and their students spun off students, etc., so now there are 5 generations of Black Belts from Maine to Florida who can trace their rank back to this former serviceman.
How many more pioneers like this out are there, who are not recognised and documented for their contributions?
My teacher knew a former JKA (ranked in Japan) individual who attained champion status while competing here on a student visa, stayed on, and established a chain of schools. Now 20 years later he rarely instructs, but all his black belts trace their rank to him and back through the JKA to the Founder of Karate.
My point is: does the fact that an individual like this, from Asia, can trace his rank back through the JKA any better or more effective than a home grown version that laid the foundation for his students here at home?
While I ramble on the subject, and I beg forgiveness for the examples given, I do feel that we need to research, document and list these Americans pioneers in addition to the oriental ones we rush to document.
My 2 cents worth on a subject I am learning more about every day.
Regards,
TommyK
"One must learn violence before one chooses not to use violence."
Tom Militello
"You can't hide on the mats." Terry Dobson sensei.