IN MEMORY OF JAMES GIBSON
JULY 19, 1923- OCTOBER 1,2006
JULY 19, 1923- OCTOBER 1,2006
from
Carl Sammarco 5th Dan-a student, a friend Oshi Sensei
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
IN MEMORY OF JAMES GIBSON JULY 19, 1923- OCTOBER 1,2006
from
Carl Sammarco 5th Dan-a student, a friend Oshi Sensei
Saturday, October 28, 2006
(Sent to us by Don Nash)
We had a great time Kokusai Karate Kobudo Tomonokai International Karate Kobudo Friendship Group
NJ Tomonokai Men
NJ Tomonokai girly Group
Tokumura Ice tekko
The Tomonokai is a group that was brought together on Okinawa with Tokumura Kensho.
I notice shirts that say Okinawan NEW JERSEY. These shirts were designed by Tokumura.
He has made it clear that OKINAWA KARATE is all that should be on the shirts. This is a
international Friendship group that wants to learn about Okinawan culture through karate
and kobudo. What part of International are we having problems with. It no difference then
Isshin-ryu. It is not American, German, Italian, it is Isshin-ryu from Okinawa.
The Tomonokai exists because it was what Master Shimabuku wanted. To learn about his culture.
Just as people change the Symbol of Isshin-ryu adding stars, without understand Three Stars have a meaning (Heaven, Earth and Human beings); Shorin-ryu, Goju-ryu and Kobudo), Mind, body and spirit), All of Tatsuo's teachers, adding a individual state separates unity.
At first Tokumura made Red shirts for women and blue for men. He changed that reasoning and said all should wear the same color shirts, blue. This is unity. While some dojo and styles have differnt color belts for men and women, that is wrong. All members of the Isshinkai wear one color shirt, and that is unity. Just as I allow any color karate Gi as long as it is solid white, members of the Isshinkai Tomonokai must understand unity. The "1" in Isshin-ryu standds for unity.
Tatsuo Shimabuku wanted American's to learn about his beloved Okinawa. That is what the Isshinkai Tomonokai is all about. AJA
We had a great time Kokusai Karate Kobudo Tomonokai International Karate Kobudo Friendship Group
Run-Nashie-Run Tomonokai (NJ)
Tokushin Cake NJ
The Tomonokai is a group that was brought together on Okinawa with Tokumura Kensho.
I notice shirts that say Okinawan NEW JERSEY. These shirts were designed by Tokumura.
He has made it clear that OKINAWA KARATE is all that should be on the shirts. This is a
international Friendship group that wants to learn about Okinawan culture through karate
and kobudo. What part of International are we having problems with. It no difference then
Isshin-ryu. It is not American, German, Italian, it is Isshin-ryu from Okinawa.
The Tomonokai exists because it was what Master Shimabuku wanted. To learn about his culture.
Just as people change the Symbol of Isshin-ryu adding stars, without understand Three Stars have a meaning (Heaven, Earth and Human beings); Shorin-ryu, Goju-ryu and Kobudo), Mind, body and spirit), All of Tatsuo's teachers, adding a individual state separates unity.
At first Tokumura made Red shirts for women and blue for men. He changed that reasoning and said all should wear the same color shirts, blue. This is unity. While some dojo and styles have differnt color belts for men and women, that is wrong. All members of the Isshinkai wear one color shirt, and that is unity. Just as I allow any color karate Gi as long as it is solid white, members of the Isshinkai Tomonokai must understand unity. The "1" in Isshin-ryu standds for unity.
Tatsuo Shimabuku wanted American's to learn about his beloved Okinawa. That is what the Isshinkai Tomonokai is all about. AJA
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Seisan
By Dr. Michael A. Wanko 8th Dan
Seisan is the first kata learned by students in the Isshinryu system. In some styles it is an advanced kata taught only to black belts. This kata was developed by a famous Chinese martial artist Master Seishan (or Seisan). He was a great master from the Pangai Noon Style of Kung Fu or southern Chinese boxing. He was sent from China to Okinawa in 1588 by the king to teach Chinese boxing. He remained on Okinawa until 1600, just prior to the Japanese invasion. Master Seisan was considered the 8th wonder of the world because of his unusual power and ability. Seisan kata is believed by some to be the oldest known kata still being practiced in Okinawa. Naturally there are many versions as practitioners adapt each kata to their own needs. However, the Isshin-ryu version which was derived from the Shorin-ryu style, is believed to be close to the original.
Many consider that Sokon "Bushi" Matsumura learned the kata from Master Sakagawa or from one of the Chinese masters when he was in China. Master Sakagawa would have learned Seisan from Peichan Takahara, and Chotoku Kyan learned the kata from Matsumura. Master Kyan is credited with teaching the kata to Master Shimabuku. According to Master Angi Uezu, Master Shimabuku's son-in-law, the name translates to thirteen. Sei meaning ten and San meaning three. Therefore in this kata the student is fighting thirteen imaginary opponents. The number thirteen also holds great significance in Taoism (such as Friday the 13th). Master Funakoshi named the kata Hangetsu or half moon kata. (Crescent moon or half moon) and adopted it for the Shotokan Karate System. While I have no literature to support this interpretation, I believe this name probably came from the sweeping steps and/or blocks which are circular in the form covering half of the body at a time.
Kanbum Uechi, an Okinawan who studied in the Fukien province of China from 1897 to 1910 with Chou-Tzu-ho developed the Uechi-Ryu system of karate about 1949. This style incorporates movements of the tiger, crane, and dragon. Sanchin is the first and foremost kata of Uechi-Ryu, but another kata basic to this system is Seisan.
In the Goju-Ryu style, Seisan kata demonstrates 13 techniques: three initial fast chest punches in Sanchin-dachi stance, chest block, two kicks to the knee, and assorted quick punching from the horse stance. It ends with a front kick followed by a punch to the chest and drop into the neko-ashi-dachi with mawashi-uke technique. It is considered an advanced kata in this style.
Shorin-Ryu is still a popular style of karate on Okinawa which practices Seisan. Sokon Matsumura, was raised by "Tode" Sakugawa who gave him his nickname Bushi which means warrior. Matsumura who lived into his 90's, is credited with creating all of the kata of the system that came to be called Shuri-te. In the Shobayashi Shorin-Ryu system Seisan is still taught as well as Naihanchin (I through III), Wansu, and Chinto.
The Isshinryu version contains 130 movements and takes approximately one minute to perform. It is one of the longest of any beginner's kata in the various styles. Most styles begin teaching short introductory katas immediately after the student masters the basics. There are usually three which teach all angles of attack.
There are two kiai's in this kata. The first one is on the fourth front kick and the second is on the last front kick. The basic Seisan stance is used over fourteen times throughout the kata. Additionally, and elbow break designed to free the student from a wrist grab is employed in the kata.
Seisan is the first kata learned by students in the Isshinryu system. In some styles it is an advanced kata taught only to black belts. This kata was developed by a famous Chinese martial artist Master Seishan (or Seisan). He was a great master from the Pangai Noon Style of Kung Fu or southern Chinese boxing. He was sent from China to Okinawa in 1588 by the king to teach Chinese boxing. He remained on Okinawa until 1600, just prior to the Japanese invasion. Master Seisan was considered the 8th wonder of the world because of his unusual power and ability. Seisan kata is believed by some to be the oldest known kata still being practiced in Okinawa. Naturally there are many versions as practitioners adapt each kata to their own needs. However, the Isshin-ryu version which was derived from the Shorin-ryu style, is believed to be close to the original.
Many consider that Sokon "Bushi" Matsumura learned the kata from Master Sakagawa or from one of the Chinese masters when he was in China. Master Sakagawa would have learned Seisan from Peichan Takahara, and Chotoku Kyan learned the kata from Matsumura. Master Kyan is credited with teaching the kata to Master Shimabuku. According to Master Angi Uezu, Master Shimabuku's son-in-law, the name translates to thirteen. Sei meaning ten and San meaning three. Therefore in this kata the student is fighting thirteen imaginary opponents. The number thirteen also holds great significance in Taoism (such as Friday the 13th). Master Funakoshi named the kata Hangetsu or half moon kata. (Crescent moon or half moon) and adopted it for the Shotokan Karate System. While I have no literature to support this interpretation, I believe this name probably came from the sweeping steps and/or blocks which are circular in the form covering half of the body at a time.
Kanbum Uechi, an Okinawan who studied in the Fukien province of China from 1897 to 1910 with Chou-Tzu-ho developed the Uechi-Ryu system of karate about 1949. This style incorporates movements of the tiger, crane, and dragon. Sanchin is the first and foremost kata of Uechi-Ryu, but another kata basic to this system is Seisan.
In the Goju-Ryu style, Seisan kata demonstrates 13 techniques: three initial fast chest punches in Sanchin-dachi stance, chest block, two kicks to the knee, and assorted quick punching from the horse stance. It ends with a front kick followed by a punch to the chest and drop into the neko-ashi-dachi with mawashi-uke technique. It is considered an advanced kata in this style.
Shorin-Ryu is still a popular style of karate on Okinawa which practices Seisan. Sokon Matsumura, was raised by "Tode" Sakugawa who gave him his nickname Bushi which means warrior. Matsumura who lived into his 90's, is credited with creating all of the kata of the system that came to be called Shuri-te. In the Shobayashi Shorin-Ryu system Seisan is still taught as well as Naihanchin (I through III), Wansu, and Chinto.
The Isshinryu version contains 130 movements and takes approximately one minute to perform. It is one of the longest of any beginner's kata in the various styles. Most styles begin teaching short introductory katas immediately after the student masters the basics. There are usually three which teach all angles of attack.
There are two kiai's in this kata. The first one is on the fourth front kick and the second is on the last front kick. The basic Seisan stance is used over fourteen times throughout the kata. Additionally, and elbow break designed to free the student from a wrist grab is employed in the kata.
Monday, October 23, 2006
AOKA 2006 Tournament - Photos/Info
The 2006 AOKA Tournament was a HUGE SUCCESS - over 350 competitors!
We would like to thank everyone for their help , dedication and support.
We would like to thank everyone for their help , dedication and support.
Here are some photos and news items:
Photos:
http://aokainc.zenfolio.com/p151158017/?photo=h00513775#5322613
From the IIKA
http://www.martialartsfortheheart.com/index.htm
IIKA
News Up-Date
Chairman: JC Burris President: Tommy True
Board Members:
Phil McElroy, Jim McDonald, Willie Wilson, Melbert Lee, Bruce Guillaume,
Jerry Smith, David Gabbard, Sandra Strong, Carol Burris,
Mike Lewis, Don Bordinger, Kelly Markham
Release: All IIKA Personnel
Subject: IIKA Fighting Team Wins 2nd World Title
Release Date: Sunday, October 8, 2006
Everyone spent Friday in the Big Apple taking in the sights and enjoying the city. A team breakfast was held the morning of the tournament and then everyone was off to Bayonne a short distance away from the Hotel.
This year’s attendance at the tournament was much higher than previous years and the crowd was estimated to be between 300 to 400.
As always, Sensei Ralph Passero made everyone feel welcome. Mr. Passero is one of the most gracious tournament host's in the World of Isshinryu, or any other style for that matter.
All in attendance lined up for the bow in and Pledge of Allegiance. Introductions were then made for all the attending Masters. A tribute was presented in memory of Grand Master Don Nagle. A group Kiai was delivered in his honor that I am sure could be heard around the neighborhood.
Ju Dan Ed McGrath spoke to the crowd and then treated everyone to a short demonstration of street techniques, which all seemed to enjoy thoroughly.
Ku Dan Albert Mady from Windsor Canada performed a breaking demonstration for the group and then the tournament was underway.
The children's divisions kicked off the day with Kata and then the Kumite competition. Black Belt Weapon’s Kata was next. At this tournament, all competitors are in one division, Men, Women and Masters all compete together. There were so many competitors, numbering around 40, that everyone was split into two rings to save time. The top 2 were chosen from each ring and then they had to compete again against each other.
Congratulations to Julie Gabbard for an outstanding Kata performance and winning 3rd place for the day. I might add that she was the only women to advance to the finals.
The IIKA Teams were warming up and ready to go for the Team competition, which took place in the two center most rings. The Ladies were up first and the teams lined up to face each other and bow in.
This year’s Ladies challengers were from Master Ernie Temple’s organization and they came ready for a fight.
Everyone completed their fight and looked great. At the end of 5 rounds the score was tied 11 to 11. One more round for total points was determined to be the tie breaker. Sandra Strong led the fight all the way ending with a score of 5 to 1.
After a short celebration the Ladies were presented with their SECOND World Championship Belts.
Next up was the men's divisions. After the eliminations, Ernie Temple’s group was the challenger against our guys.
The action for each round was intense with all fighters dominating their matches. The IIKA Men finished with a final score of 19 to 7.
Congratulations to the IIKA Men's and Women's Fighting teams for successfully defending their World Team Titles!
Individual Competition
In the individual competition Chip Roney placed 2nd in Men's over 35 Black Belt. Josh Jessie placed 2nd in Men's Heavy Weight. Sandra Strong placed 1st in Ladies over 35 Black Belt. Donna Cripps Ambercrombie Placed 1st in Women's Middle Weight Black Belt. Bobbie Humphrey Placed 2nd in Women's Middle Weight Black Belt. Angel Short Placed 3rd in Women's Middle Weight Black Belt.
Lady’s Grand Championship
To determine who would fight for the Lady’s Grand an elimination fight between Sandra Strong and Donna Ambercrombie commenced with Sandra winning 3 to 2. Theresa Barnette was the seeded defending Lady’s Grand Champion from last year and the fight of the year was about to take place. Two rounds for total points is standard for the Grand's, and Sandra and Theresa put on one of the best shows of technique I have seen in some time. The score went back and forth between the two until at the end of the second round the score was tied 11 to 11. Again one more round was fought and everyone was on the edge of their seats watching the action. At the end, Theresa edged Sandra to retain her Championship. What a show between these two! I was proud of them both, and both fought their hearts out showing absolutely great skill. Congratulations go out to both for showing such class and skill, and to Theresa for a GREAT JOB.
After the tournament, Sensei Ralph Passero treated the group to pizza at the Local Big Apple Pizza House where everyone enjoyed the fellowship and talking about the days events.
We want to take time to extend a special thanks to Sensei Passero and all of his group from Bayonne . Thanks also to Master Ernie Temple for his fighting team’s participation and competitive spirit. You guys are a CLASS ACT.
Thanks to Master Tommy True and all of the IIKA Board for their support of the group and our efforts to represent the IIKA .
Way to go team! Let’s get ready for next year and a THREE PEAT! God Willing.
From the IIKA Board of Directors and everyone throughout our association, congratulations on another brilliant performance. As always, your representation of the IIKA through your technical skills, competitive spirit and sense of decorum continue to distinguish you as premier Isshinryu Karate-Ka.
Thank you for your hard work and tireless efforts to promote the IIKA both in and out of competition. You are all shining examples of Good Will Ambassadors, IIKA members and Isshinryu practitioners.
IIKA
News Up-Date
Chairman: JC Burris President: Tommy True
Board Members:
Phil McElroy, Jim McDonald, Willie Wilson, Melbert Lee, Bruce Guillaume,
Jerry Smith, David Gabbard, Sandra Strong, Carol Burris,
Mike Lewis, Don Bordinger, Kelly Markham
Release: All IIKA Personnel
Subject: Don Nagle AOKAINC World Open Isshinryu Team Championship
Release Date: October 9, 2006
CONGRATULATIONS
THE IIKA MEN AND WOMEN'S TEAM SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE
Both teams are great representatives of the IIKA and their fighting spirit, and their overall personalities are an example for all martial artists to follow.
Sincerely, Ralph Passero
Friday, October 20, 2006
AOKA Inc. Web Site update
AOKA Inc. has updated it's web site
http://www.AOKAInc.com
check it out!
http://www.AOKAInc.com
check it out!
- Calendar of Events by Eventful
- Article/News Blog by Google Blogger
- Video by YouTube
- Photo Album by ZenFolio
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Monday, October 16, 2006
Dennis Wright 2005 Hall of Fame Induction Celebration
Dennis Wright 2005 Hall of Fame Induction Celebration | ||||
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Shihan Gary Alexander's International Association of Martial Artists (IAMA) 2005 Hall of Fame USA
Shihan Gary Alexander's | |||||||||||
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Don Nagle's AOKA Inc Announces 6th Dan Promotion - 2006
Bayonne Isshinryu - AOKA Inc. | ||
| Don Nagle's AOKA Inc Announces 6th Dan Promotion Promoted on Soke Shimabuku's Birthday - September 1, 2006 Attending the promotions was 8th Dan Hanshi Don Nash from his Isshinryu Karate Klub |
Passing of a Master - Grand Master DePasquale
Grand Master DePasquale | |||
Shihan Ralph D. Passero , | |||
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1st Dojo in Bayonne - 1966
Tatsuo Shimabuku | |||
1st Dojo in Bayonne | |||
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Letter to Lizotte by Sensei Ralph Passero
Letter to Lizotte
regarding the AOKA Inc.
by Sensei Ralph Passero
The AOKA, Inc. has in its possession the original trade name certificate from 1974. At that time Master Nagle, Harold Long, Harold Mitchum, and Steve Armstrong were involved. Forty years ago, a handshake and one's word were the bond that men lived by. As a result, there was no thought of incorporation.
In the 90's when Grandmaster Nagle had people inquiring about the AOKA and Lizotte's claim to be the sole head and authority of the association started by Master Nagle, he new something had to be done to protect the original intent of the organization. At that time he took legal action to have the AOKA incorporated. These papers are also at our headquarters in Bayonne. They are also on file with the state of New Jersey.
As a point of reference, please note that Sensei Nagle' s last promotion of Lizotte was San Dan. How someone claims to be a student of Master Nagle and accepts or claims rank from someone else is still a mystery to true karate-kas.
We also have a copy of a letter sent to Lizotte from Master Harold Long, not in favor of his claimed rank. Regardless of what claims Lizotte makes, kindly note that he is NOT one of the leaders of the AOKA, Incorporated the organization created by Grandmaster Nagle.
If Lizotte purchased the name AOKA from Master Armstrong, that is a matter that Lizotte and Armstrong must address together. Master Nagle was not consulted or any part of this transaction. He is the only man credited with bringing Isshinryu to America and he is the one responsible for the creation of the AOKA, Incorporate.
NOTE: He did this in consultation with full approval of Grand Master Tatsuo Shimabukuru
Rest assured that the AOKA, Inc. will continue following Grandmaster Nagle's philosophy. We WILL keep his name alive. We do not charge for testing and promotions. We are committed to just teaching this art for the sake of the art. We will continue to maintain integrity!
Link to letter from Grand Master Harold Long to Lizotte regarding rank
Link to Trade Name Certificate
If there are any questions regarding this letter or the associated materials
please contact me directly - Ralph Passero - Isshinral@aol.com
regarding the AOKA Inc.
by Sensei Ralph Passero
The AOKA, Inc. has in its possession the original trade name certificate from 1974. At that time Master Nagle, Harold Long, Harold Mitchum, and Steve Armstrong were involved. Forty years ago, a handshake and one's word were the bond that men lived by. As a result, there was no thought of incorporation.
In the 90's when Grandmaster Nagle had people inquiring about the AOKA and Lizotte's claim to be the sole head and authority of the association started by Master Nagle, he new something had to be done to protect the original intent of the organization. At that time he took legal action to have the AOKA incorporated. These papers are also at our headquarters in Bayonne. They are also on file with the state of New Jersey.
As a point of reference, please note that Sensei Nagle' s last promotion of Lizotte was San Dan. How someone claims to be a student of Master Nagle and accepts or claims rank from someone else is still a mystery to true karate-kas.
We also have a copy of a letter sent to Lizotte from Master Harold Long, not in favor of his claimed rank. Regardless of what claims Lizotte makes, kindly note that he is NOT one of the leaders of the AOKA, Incorporated the organization created by Grandmaster Nagle.
If Lizotte purchased the name AOKA from Master Armstrong, that is a matter that Lizotte and Armstrong must address together. Master Nagle was not consulted or any part of this transaction. He is the only man credited with bringing Isshinryu to America and he is the one responsible for the creation of the AOKA, Incorporate.
NOTE: He did this in consultation with full approval of Grand Master Tatsuo Shimabukuru
Rest assured that the AOKA, Inc. will continue following Grandmaster Nagle's philosophy. We WILL keep his name alive. We do not charge for testing and promotions. We are committed to just teaching this art for the sake of the art. We will continue to maintain integrity!
Link to letter from Grand Master Harold Long to Lizotte regarding rank
Link to Trade Name Certificate
If there are any questions regarding this letter or the associated materials
please contact me directly - Ralph Passero - Isshinral@aol.com
Days of Wine and Roses by Ed McGrath
Days of Wine and Roses
The Tournament Scene
The Sixties and Seventies
I have always been grateful for the manner in which Sensei Nagle taught me to fight. As I have mentioned in the past, we were similarly built, just sinew and tendons and so I did my best to emulate his fighting style and steal his techniques. As a result, I always enjoyed fighting and couldn’t wait for the kumites to start. I took pride in my kumites and the fact that I never feared anyone so much, that I wouldn’t attack them. I worked very hard on my defense right from the start, having noticed that Sensei always stopped you, before he attacked. I believe that, if you can develop an excellent defense, then you can make use of one of the tenets of Isshin-ryu's Code, “Only strike when the opportunity presents itself,” since, if you have just stopped an opponent’s attack, they are usually in an awkward position for a moment. That makes them vulnerable for a second and you may attack successfully. I took very little punishment over the four decades that I continued to fight, as I got older and they got younger, at least with my own Black and Brown Belts, up to the time I was about 65 years of age. At one point in my forties, the joint behind my right big toe became so bad that I saw a Podiatrist and after x-rays, he told me the joint had splintered years before and needed reconstruction. I had him operate as soon as possible. Six weeks after the operation, one of my Black Belts, Ken Leskowski, another skinny terror, had a get together of several dojos for a day of Isshin-ryu. I was to narrate for the audience. However, when the kumite started, all of the students and Sensei's paired off and it was a wild scene, stopping only to change partners. I watched, till I couldn’t stand it any longer, excused myself from the microphone, jumped down to the floor and confronted Kenny, the host, with a bow. We started to fight, I made a shoulder feint and through a front snap kick, into a roundhouse kick. Unfortunately, his head moved to the side just as I threw the kick. It hit him on the bony part of the head, above and behind the temple. He dropped unconscious and I stood there realizing that I just crushed my reconstruction. Back to the Doctor and a plastic replacement joint. We traveled all over the country, packed into old jalopies and stayed in cheap hotels, just to fight at other dojos or tournaments. My team were my best buddies and we enjoyed the travel together and, of course, the matches with strangers, in other styles.
However, in the mid-sixties I began to live a dual karate life, becoming an Emcee at tournaments around the country and actually got paid to have fun with the audience. Since fighting was fun for me, I made the tournaments light, easy to understand and fun for the audience. I became known as, “The Voice of Karate.” The magazines ran with that and Official Karate gave me the second Cover Article of their magazine. Beyond the enjoyment of bringing the matches to the audience, blow by blow and interspersing some humor, it gave me a chance to get to know all the popular fighters of the sixties and seventies and become friends with many of them. There was Chuck Norris, a young, blond fighter from California , who was one of the great gentlemen of karate. When he fought in New York , he and I would get together for dinner, with our wives. I got to know him, as a well-spoken, straight talking individual who, for all his celebrity was humble and thankful for his rise to fame. I would imagine that he has not changed, with his exposure to Hollywood . He had a quick, engaging smile, which was genuine and demonstrated his real pleasure with what ever was just said or happened.
One of the highlights of that time was teaming with Bruce Lee, at the microphone at ringside, in Madison Square Garden . He also seemed unaffected by his popularity, joking easily with me for the three hours we worked the tournament. He had a real American sense of humor. For instance, he was starring in “The Green Hornet” series on TV, at that time. When the tournament wrapped up, he asked a few of us back to his hotel and Master Kim, from Washington , D.C. and Bill Chung, the top Sifu and close friend of mine came along. There was an enormous crowd of young girls waiting for Bruce to exit, so a Garden executive showed us an underground route which brought us right out into a parking lot, where Bill Chung’s car was parked. Somehow, the girls knew about the tunnel and thousands of them were rushing toward the car, as we quickly jumped into Bill’s Volkswagen. They were now around the car and rocking it back and forth. Bill was frantically trying to get the car started, when Bruce said, “I have to tell you Bill, this is no “Black Beauty,” the car that Bruce, as Kato, drove in the series. The car started and we edged out of the crowd slowly and then drove off. When we arrived at his hotel suite, we sat around and talked about, what else, the martial arts, played sticky hands and did tricks like grabbing coins out of each other’s hands. The tournament itself had two highlights, first, a demo that Bruce did, where he took his jacket off and stated that he was very slim and wouldn’t be able to scare anyone and then suddenly went into dynamic tension and his entire upper body seemed to explode into a mass of muscle. He then demonstrated his speed with his hands and feet. He got a standing ovation. Secondly, the Grand Champion of Aaron Banks triumphant success came down to the lightweight Champion Chuck Norris and the Heavy weight Champion Joe Lewis. Lewis had predicted an easy victory; coming off a string of tournament wins, with a left side thrust kick, that was so fast and powerful that even if you knew it was coming, it couldn’t be stopped. At a previous tournament, I had warned Tom LaPuppet, formerly a SSgt, in the Marine Corps, who served in my outfit and whose real name was, Tom Carroll, about the kick and told him what to do if Lewis got into a left Seiuchin. It didn’t matter; Joe hit him with two straight side kicks, within moments.
With Chuck, he was a bit more cautious. If you watched Chuck, you could see that, in his mind, he was playing a chess game, to get his opponent in the position he wanted, for a certain type of attack. He was always four moves ahead of his opponents. Chuck Norris was a stalker, even when he was moving away or pulling back, you knew he was still stalking his prey. Chuck was a cerebral fighter and I admired that trait. It was how Sensei Nagle taught me to fight. Lewis suddenly went into a series of side thrust kicks, from both sides, followed by backlists, which by that time were no longer the sole property of American Isshin-ryu. And then, against the ropes, where Bruce Lee and I were sitting at the ringside table, Joe savagely attacked and as quickly, Chuck Norris threw a few short punches and Joe dropped to the canvas. He appeared to go into convulsions, in front of us and I called for the doctor to get into the ring. As the doctor climbed in, Joe suddenly woke up, jumped to his feet and totally disoriented, attacked and clubbed his Sensei in the ring. No one ever knew whether he meant to do this because he lost to Chuck, or was still half out of it. That night was really great, except for one personal downer. My good friend, Ed Parker was sitting in the front row of seats, with David Carridine, the star of “Kung-Fu” on TV. That was supposed to be Bruce Lee’s vehicle, but Hollywood geniuses felt that he was too Oriental to play the part of an Oriental, despite the fact that this story was Bruce Lee’s idea. I walked over and shook hands with Ed Parker and chatted about a demo that he had done in Seattle a few months before, with me at the mike. It was then that Carridine leaned over and whispered in Ed’s ear. Ed pulled me forward and said, “David told me to tell you that he does not want to shake hands.” I looked at David, who was sitting there, with a typical linen suit of the 60’s, with an oriental neckline, that needed dry cleaning badly and he himself seemed to be unkempt and in need of a shower. I turned to Ed and said, loudly, “I didn’t wish to touch Carridine in any manner, for fear of catching something.” Then I turned and walked away. Bruce could have taught David lessons in civility and manners. Within two weeks I received a short, but funny letter from Bruce Lee, with an autographed picture signed, To my friend, Ed. He was a true star and a gentleman. He also filled the dojos of America , with new students. He was a one-man bonanza.
It behooves me to say something about Mr. Aaron Banks, who believed he could put on extravaganzas that would overwhelm the audiences and so he did. He was the first person to hire the main area of Madison Square Garden and fill the seats, with over 20,000 people. Between matches, there would be demonstrations of karate drill teams, robotic kata, breaking and other skill sets, such as Moses Powell, a massive man who would run across the ring and do a cart wheel on his index finger. It was wild and a bit bizarre, but the audience loved it. It was like going to the circus, when you were a child. You could never say that Aaron didn’t think BIG.
Grand Master Peter Urban was not only an outstanding teacher and fighter in Goju-ryu karate, having studied in Japan with Gogen Yamaguchi, known as the “Cat Man,” for his vaunted ability to stand with his back to a five foot or six foot wall and leap up onto the wall with little effort, but a Master Urban was a showman, as well. He used that ability, in front of the crowds at tournaments, to stimulate interest in karate and in his persona, at the same time. His manner of refereeing was theatrical and fascinating, and became part of the show. They actually came to see Peter referee. I must admit, I was fascinated by his performances. Then, there were his demonstrations, at tournaments. At every tournament or demonstration in the 60’s, there was a portion of the demo that was dedicated to a breaking contest. Blocks of wood, ice, cement or bricks would be piled between two platforms and individual martial artists would attempt to break massive amounts of these substances. Peter Urban went them one better. Rather than have the advantage of well and solidly held and positioned blocks, Master Urban would demonstrate a new and unique principle, he would throw 12”x12”, 1” boards up in the air with one hand and snap them in half with his other hand, in mid-air. This demonstrated that his speed was such, that focus was achieved, despite the fact that the boards were in a free state . The crowds went wild and couldn’t wait to see it again. Over time, Master Urban himself became bored with the demo, as he had always performed it. Therefore, to the astonishment of the crowd, at one tournament he brought out a can of lighter fluid, with the boards. He laid out the boards in a row and sprayed them thoroughly. He then lit them and with them blazing fire, he grabbed them one at a time, threw them into the air and snapped them in half. As the boards hit the deck on the stage, his students ran to cover and smother the fire. Master Urban had hit the nail on the head again and once more had the crowd loving him. Beyond all of these demos, however, he was a prodigious fighter and a model teacher, turning out one masterful fighter after another, who left the dojo to bring back the trophies. Finally, we were at the China Town School House, when Sensei Urban attempted to do his fire breaking demos. I was right in front of the stage, seated next to his number one student, Al Gotay, who was an NYC police officer and was assigned to the Police Academy to teach the recruits self defense. Suddenly, when Master Urban started to break the flaming boards, the excess fluid flowed down his arm and gi top, as well as the stage. His arms were in flames, as well as flame on the front of the gi. I turned to Al and said, “Come on, we have to do something.” Al looked at me, with an amused look on his face and said jokingly, “Wait a second, I could be the head of Goju-ryu.” Then we leaped onto the stage and put out the fire on the Master. Sensei Urban was totally calm and told us to calm down. He felt that he was not in danger. That was Peter Urban and, of course, Al Gotay was only joking, since he revered his Sensei and was always at his side, in the good times and in the bad, as well. That is the measure of a man’s character. What I realized afterward was that this must have happened on other occasions, with Mr. Gotay present, when Master Urban practiced this dangerous stunt. That is why he remained calm, while I wanted to call the fire department.
Of course, for many, the match between Masters Nagle and Urban was the tournament highlight. There would be no points counted and no judges. The match would not be stopped at all, until the time allotted had run out. The match was highly anticipated and took place at the Manhattan Center , in Gary Alexander’s United States Championship Tournament, still the longest running tournament in the U.S.A. The house was packed to the rafters and was buzzing. While I was at the mike, during the entire tournament doing my usual blow by blow call, I turned the mike off, right after announcing the two Masters, since I felt it would not be appropriate to call such a match between two peerless leaders of their styles. The match could stand on it’s own. The match was beautiful to watch, since the styles were totally different in the manner that they approached kumite. Each man was the Master of his style and the styles top fighter, both men were Legends. It was a beautiful match to watch, since the Sensei's maneuvered and you could almost feel them attempting to ascertain the others next move. Both defensive geniuses, it was difficult for either man to score a clear-cut blow, with focus. The match ended to a standing ovation, for the courage they showed, in that, they were both the top Masters of their disciplines in the United States and under that circumstance most other Masters would not endanger their reputation, in such a match. No score was announced; they bowed to each other and then hugged each other, as the close friends that they were over many years. Ever since, I have been asked who I thought won the match. I never answer that question, only saying that it was a privilege to be there.
Gary Alexander, was one of the most prolific tournament entrepreneurs and among the earliest to bring to the stage the top personalities that karate audiences wanted to see, but also created local fighters from the East Coast to star status, attracting a full compliment of writers and photographers from Al Weiss’s Karate Illustrated, who highlighted these tough and crafty fighters. They included Tom LaPuppet, Thomas Bodie, Bob Engle, Hawk Frazier, Toyataro Miyazaki, Malachi Lee and from the Wild West, Chuck Norris, Alan Steen, Skipper Mullins, Ed Parker, Danny Pai and more. The tournaments that Gary presented have always contained a definite connection to the original Marine Corps’ place in the historic birth of the Art of Isshin-ryu, with a Marine Corps Honor Guard opening the ceremonies, during the National Anthem and a Piper playing the Marine Corps Hymn. The tournaments also proceeded with the precision of a Marine Corps drill squad. He had fought in tournaments, making his own name, as the first North American Champion and knew what he wanted to see at his own presentations.
The Sensei's who contributed to these tournaments, on the East Coast, with the fighters they trained and with their time and sweat refereeing and judging, for hours. It was always the same crews at every tournament who volunteered for duty; Fred Hamilton, John Kuhl, George Coffield, Ron Duncan, Sensei Nagle, Sensei Urban, Joel Bucholtz and, in the 70’s, Nick Adler and many others.
Steve Armstrong, one of Tatsuo Shimabuku’s original Marine students, was the main Sensei in Northwest United States, with dojos in Seattle and Tacoma . He was an impressive gentleman, at 6’ 5” and about 250 pounds and not easily beaten. He was tough as rawhide and fearless, having previously been a Champion wild Brahma Bull rider in Rodeos. However, he was typical of the gentle giant, in person, as long as you were not on the deck with him. He was also one of the funniest men I have ever met. I was asked to be the Emcee of his Tournament on two occasions and both events were excellent. The crowd was enthusiastic and enjoyed my light approach to deadly free style fighting, in the ring.
Steve used a combination of matches and demonstrations, such as one put on by Master Ed Parker and his students, in Kempo karate. It was fast and deadly looking self-defense, done in a theatrical manner, by Mr. Parker.
On my return, for the second year, upon Master Armstrong’s introduction of me, the audience actually gave me a standing ovation and I realized that many of them were at the first tournament. I felt great and, as a result, we all had an enjoyable afternoon, with Sensei Parker again bringing the crowd to their feet with his dynamic exhibition. Unfortunately, there was an incident the following morning, in the hotel lobby that nearly got out of hand. Mr. Alan Steen, a tough hombre from Texas, had his lovely wife with him. We were all sitting in a circular group, Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Steen, Chuck Norris, Don Bohan, Skipper Mullins (one of my favorite fighters) Super Foot Wallace and a few other Sensei's, when the Washington Alumni Football Team arrived in the lobby. They were there to play the annual Alumni vs. Varsity Team game. One of these buffoons made an insulting remark about Mrs. Steen. When Don Bohan told him to apologize, he made a crude remark to the Gunny and the fight was on. There were about twenty of them and twelve of us, but it only lasted a short period time, since several of them went down quickly and the others realized what they were fighting against, when they saw the manner of our fighting. The next thing we knew, the police were in the lobby and we all sat down. One of the Bell Hops told the police what had happened and who started it. The first individual was arrested and one other fool who gave the officers a hard time left, with him. The rest of them left the lobby. Unfortunately, Master Armstrong has been hospitalized at the Veterans Administration Hospital , in recent years, following an operation on a brain tumor. My prayers and good wishes go to him, a gentleman and friend.
Master Sihak Henry Cho, a Tae-Kwan-Do Instructor also stepped into the tournament scene, in a big way. He utilized excellent venues, such as, Madison Square Garden and the New York Hilton Hotel, as well as, the Waldorf Astoria. One of the best and most controversial matches took place at the Waldorf. The final match for the Grand Championship was between Joe Tiani, a talented East Coast Kick-Boxer and Mike Stone one of the toughest Finishers to get in the ring. I was on the microphone and the score was two points for Stone and one point for Tiani, when suddenly Mike stumbled, catching his foot in a crease in the canvas. He was obviously in great pain and I motioned the doctor into the ring. He examined Stones ankle and said that he felt it was broken. He said that the match could not go forward. Mike vehemently disputed the ruling. When he was unable to change the decision, he came over to me, at the mike. I turned the mike off and Mr. Stone asked me to talk to the doctor and Master Cho. I called the Dr, and Master Cho over to me. Once gathered, I told Mr. Cho that he had insurance coverage and that Mike had signed the usual form, giving up his right to sue. Then I told the doctor that he was hired to help anyone in pain, but stopping a fighter, unless further fighting could lead to imminent death, was not under his control I said that it was up to the fighter. With that decision turned around, the fight started again. Tiani was a veteran and knew that Mike Stones maneuverability was limited, so he decided to make a swift attack, from the side. When Joe moved, Stone jumped to the side, onto his good foot and struck Mr. Tiani in the solar plexus with his foot that had the broken ankle, driving the kick in as hard as he could. The referee called for point and all the judges raised their flags in unison for the winning point, giving Mike Stone one of the gutsiest Championships I have ever watched. Mr. Tiani, always a gentleman, shook Mike’s hand and told him that he was the best. Mike Stone, Ed Parker, my wife Gene and me went to the Bull and The Bear restaurant, with Mike in a wheel chair and hoisted a few cool ones to this tough competitor.
The best day I have had at a tournament was with my team, at Harrisburg , Pennsylvania . Ralph Lindquist ran the tournament. We came by bus and then stopped to rent a car, to get to the tournament site. We stopped into Hertz, walked up to the counter and asked to rent a car. We were told that all of their cars were rented. There were about fifty cars in the lot and it was 8:30 AM . I told the man at the counter that must be a mistake. He stated in a severe tone, that they had rented all their autos. We walked outside and I was flabbergasted, but some of my guys simply smiled and said that I had just felt bigotry for the first time. I was with most of my guys from my South Jamaica dojo, which was 90% African-American. I wanted to kick the windows in at Hertz. They were wrong; by the way, I had come across bigotry while stationed at Camp Lejeune , N.C. I was running a convoy up to Norfolk , Va. , to go aboard an LST for Lebanon , in 1958. It was pouring rain and we pulled in at about 8:30 AM for some breakfast. We pulled into a diner and my Marines and myself went into the diner. The woman at the counter smiled at me and said that she could seat me and my white troops, but the Nwords had to eat outside. I started to make a fuss, stating that this was 1958 and these men were all members of our Armed Forces and they were all my Marines. With that, a Sheriff and two Deputies who were eating breakfast at a table in the corner of the diner, walked over. The Sheriff and his men all popped the leather thongs off their revolver hammers and put their hands on their weapons. He said, “Get them outside before someone gets killed.” I was pretty sure they meant me. My other troops sat down and I took orders from my men and myself and sat outside in the rain on the running boards of our trucks. Oddly enough, it bonded me with my entire platoon. But the fact that it was happening in the late 60’s was a shock and we were not in the Deep South . We then went to Avis and I went in with another student. No problem and we got the car. I pulled it in front of the rental door and out of nowhere my guys piled into the car. We gave the confused guy at the counter a big smile and wave. Once at the tournament, the seeds for matches were announced in Black Belt and my best fighter, Bob Baker, drew Joel Pennywell, a student of Lindquist’s’. Bobbie asked me how to beat him, because he was known as the “Mongoose,” because of his defensive skills and the number of tournaments he had won. I turned to Bobby and said, “Nothing, he is going to kill you, unless you fight smart, aggressive and fast.” Bobby groaned and I said, “Now go out and beat him.” Bobby scored two points on him in about a minute and a half, for the win. Bobby took second place in Black Belt, but I didn’t care, because he had beaten Joel Pennywell, whom I respected as one of the best in the country. I knew that Baker had just stepped up.
Near the end of the 70’s, the tournaments took a bad turn, with judges who often showed obvious prejudice, trophies that became grotesque and demonstrations that were more like a carnival, missing only the Geek, who eats the live chicken. There were exhibits where chains were wrapped around the neck of a strong man, who performed at Coney Island . The man was about 80 years old at the time. Then four people grabbed the chains and tried to strangle him. Another performer allowed people to come in the ring and punch him as hard as they could, in the throat. He would wind up with purple bruises all around his neck. He also had people kick him in the groin, to no effect, except the possibility of future blood clots or worse. Finally, a Korean Sensei had ramps laid across his stomach and another person rode a motorcycle back and forth over him. At the same time, the uniforms were becoming more grotesque at each tournament, with American Flag designs, tiger stripes and others with so many patches you no longer could see the uniform under it. At one of Nick Adler’s tournaments, held in Brooklyn, I turned to Barry Steinberg, one of my top students and at that time a Sensei in his own right, and said that if someone ever comes into a tournament in a black leather gi, I would stop coming to tournaments. At that very moment, the doors swung open and in walked George Coffield, from the Tong Dojo, in a shiny black vinyl gi. Not leather, but close enough, it was three years before I attended another tournament.
The worst time I had at any tournament was one booked into the NYC Town Hall . I can’t remember who booked it, but it was a horrible venue, for a karate tournament. I believe it may have been Aaron Banks, attempting to upgrade our facilities. It took place on a Sunday and obviously the advertising appealed to a new element in the city, the Hoi Polloi, or rich, pseudo-intellectuals of New York , thinking that this would be one of those new experiences they enjoyed on a Sunday afternoon. Once seated, when the curtain opened, revealing a Marine Corps Color Guard, for the National Anthem. When they did not stand for the Anthem, I immediately knew this was not my audience. A formidable silence settled over the auditorium. When the matches were fought and ended, there was no buzz, no applause and no matter what I said, there was absolutely not a sound from the seats. With the lights in my face, I could barely make out the audience, but in the front seats, I saw only men in suits and women in cocktail dresses, with furs draped over their shoulders. Finally, I remember, during the Black Belt matches there was a particularly good pairing with some of the fastest movement, from one technique to another. Even I, who had witnessed and fought in probably ten thousand kumites by then, was excited with this one. Suddenly, one of the contestants threw a roundhouse kick aimed at his opponent’s stomach, while the opponent was spinning to face in the opposite direction. The result was that the kick hit the fighter in the backside, with a resounding sound. I said, “That is considered an insult, but not a point.” Nothing, but dead silence. Trying again, I lifted my comment to their level, quoting Shakespeare with, “Sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Dead silence! We were nearly at the end of the tournament and I was almost positive that they had not brought any rotten fruit or vegetables with them and therefore could not injure me or soil my suit, so I asked over the mike, in a loud, incredulous voice, “Turn up the house lights, I want to see if there is anyone out there.” The tournament started and ended in total silence. When I came off the stage, my wife came over to me and I said, “Get me a gun, I don’t know if I want to kill myself or start shooting them.” We never used the Town Hall again.
During that time, because of exposure in magazines, I was contacted by Leeming-Pacquin, a subsidiary of the Pfizer Chemical Company. They asked to see me, about a product photo shoot. I was only a few years after being Honorably Discharged from the Marine Corps, as a result of a knee injury that tore every ligament in my knee, tore the cartilage in pieces and cracked the kneecap in three places. I was in the Naval Hospital for seven months rehabilitating. I was out of my beloved Corps and in the job market. In those days, there were no laws against not hiring people with disabilities and I was still finding it difficult to bend my left leg. I was working, but money was short. I had a wife and child, Lisa, who was born in the Quantico , Va. Naval Hospital. She cost us $6.00 and has been well worth it, ever since.
So if this meeting with Leeming-Pacquin meant some type of payment, I would kill anyone they wanted killed in Macy’s window. It turned out that they had just come up with a new men’s cologne, an after shave and a foam conditioner, taking advantage of the karate craze that we karate-kas, with a boost from Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris, had created. The product was named “Hai Karate.” I was paid the extraordinary salary of $100.00 per hour to put my hands on the bottle of cologne and my photo on the gift box, doing a flying sidekick. They took a full sheet of my both hands in various poses and ended up with the fingertips up, in a shuto type defensive pose. That was not hard work, but a bit boring. The next shoot, on the same day, was a different story. To get a good shot of a flying side kick they gave me some poor go-for to stand still and I was to jump high enough to bring the kick to the side of his head. That meant that my kicking foot would be about six feet in the air. That was eminently doable. However, the photographer was not getting the shot he wanted because he could not get the kick snapping short of the man’s head, due to it’s speed. I didn’t know how to go into the air, six feet up and throw a kick slowly. It took sixty kicks to get his shot. When we got to about fifty-five kicks, I said, “If you don’t get it in your next few shots, we should have you and this poor guy over here wincing, every time I jump in the air. Finally he signaled success and I was able to get some water. I guess I made about $300.00 in one day and I don’t think any Vogue model ever worked any harder than I did. However, $300.00 was an enormous amount of money in those days, in the mid-sixties. The Senior-Vice President of the Company had seen the shoot and chatted with me. The result was that they wanted me to accompany them around the country to their major Cities of Distribution, to introduce the new product to their sales staff. They wanted a full demo at each stop and, as a result, I was required to book a team of karate practitioners at each city, to put on their most dramatic demo possible. They ask how much it would take and since I was now a professional, I stated an amount which would cover a 50% split for the team in each city and 50% for me, as well. They also wanted all of the marketing personnel to wear gi's. I bought them and marked them up. Overall, the trip took a week and I made $3,000.00 clear and had an exciting time. The Senior-Vice president of sales and marketing followed us to each town and found out that at each meeting, after the demo, I had made a speech boosting the sales staff’s excitement about the product and it’s marketability. The result is that he hired me, as a salesman for the company, without even mentioning it to the Director of Sales in NYC. For a year I had a ball and realized that I was made for sales. Unfortunately, the Senior VP, who seemed to think of me as a son, was accepting a better position in California and despite the fact that I might have gone with him; I was a dyed in the wool New Yorker. When he left, the Director of Sales, who was given no say in my hiring, fired me. That was okay; I had another sales job within a week.
As the Hai Karate man, I also received several jobs for other companies. For instance, I worked the New York Toy Show in Manhattan for a week, with my team, including my Sensei, Don Nagle, as a way to thank him for what he had done for me. I got to work for the people who produced a rock-em-sock-em karate robot game. Roger Staubach, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback, at that time, was there for his new football game and I talked him into playing the foil guy for our karate skit and demo. He walked onto the stage with a beautiful student of one of my Sensei's from another dojo. I played the bad guy. When I went after the girl, Roger acted like a wimp and the girl, who was a brown belt, beat the tar out of me. She then reassured Roger and walked off the stage arm in arm with him. He was great and one of the true gentlemen in sports. If you wanted your son to emulate a sports figure, they couldn’t make a better choice than Mr. Staubach. He was so good on the field, that he had every reason to be a snob or a strutting jackass, but instead he was a quiet and respectful person. We also met with Jackie Stewart, the top racecar driver of the time, who had a racecar set named for him. This little Scotsman was betting with people who wanted to race a tiny racecar against him. I assumed that he made enough money that he could get along without betting on toy racecars. Further, Jimmy The Greek a former gambling tout was on hand and since one of my friends was losing a fortune racing Stewart, The Greek told me that Stewart had a juiced up car and you couldn’t beat him. I mentioned it to my friend, who was a former line backer, in front of Jackie and his car disappeared.
All of this was a good deal of fun and helped my family, until things got a good deal better for me. I was lucky, thank God, that I made a very good income for a long time, allowing me to teach karate for the sheer joy in Isshin-ryu and not worry, whether or not I made or lost money doing it. This was in good keeping of the tradition I had learned from Sensei Nagle, who didn’t care if the students paid him on time or at all. The fact was, he was a Police Officer on the Jersey City Police Dept. and was overwhelmed with money. He didn’t care, it was all about Isshin-ryu. It still applies. I am not saying that if you work as hard as Master Passero does in fostering the children in his care for decades, that you shouldn’t be well remunerated for it. This is, after all, America . Despite that, Mr. Passero does not make much out of his dojo. Just remember that this is an art and sometimes artists suffer for the benefit of the art. Money is good, but not the end all of being.
While I have been reminiscing upon the tournament scene, of the past, I think the entire milieu has undergone a basic change. The tournaments of the Eastern states are, on a whole small neighborhood or area events. The Don Nagle AOKA, Inc. annual tournament is a good example of a Tri-State tournament, but well attended by a coterie of dojos outside it’s primary arena, who have become accustomed to take part for the sake of the memory of a “Legend In His Own Time.” Mr. Passero and his group of faithful Black Belts contribute to ensure that the tournament is well run and accepted. There are others much like this on the East Coast, such as Gary Alexander’s Championship, Larry Isaacs Camp Lejeune Tournament, which keeps the promise of exciting old time type fighting. Master King’s tournament in New Jersey is always well attended and scrupulously executed. There are many of these tournaments that seem to be guaranteed a future. But the days of the mammoth Madison Square Garden meets have become extinct, for all intents and purposes.
I believe that the fact that the tournaments of past decades were allowed to get totally out of control diminished the stature of tournaments to a carnival atmosphere. I believe that the tournaments on the West Coast are now emulating the decade of the mid-seventies to mid-eighties, with bands, cheer leaders, musical presentation of katas, katas performed that have absolutely no relevance to karate or fighting arts. Weapons katas utilizing weapons that street gangs might use, but have never been connected to the Oriental arts or the agricultural or every day implements used by the Asian farmers and seamen. Louder, Light show glitz will not make up for a lack of ability along the traditional lines, to the point where they should not be linked in ads, to the martial arts. Sooner or later, the audience will become disillusioned with these circus performances. Or perhaps I am wrong and the Hollywood mentality will prevail, embracing the tawdry and arrogance of perversion of arts that are centuries old, simply because the promoters are raking in big dough, as well as the many of the competitors and stars that appear. I hope that someone, Chuck Norris, for instance can step up and turn the Circus Wagon around and back to the meaningful tournaments that he participated in decades ago. It will take someone like him and the media of the martial arts, such as, Black Belt Magazine to return to the past.
The tournament fighting ability has taken a dive over the last two decades, with fighters untaught in defensive tactics. There is no defense to speak of, with fighters bowing in and rushing forward, to pummel each other, until the referee breaks up the clash, when in the flurry of unfocused punches the judges are somehow able to discern an actual strike, which could be designated as a point. The alternative is the fighters who circle each other endlessly, until one dashes in and reaches outside his normal strike posture, to tap the opponent on the shoulder or chest. Disgusted and bored judges call a point, simply to get it over with, so they can go home and eat dinner. The Sensei's who are teaching these fighters are embarrassing themselves, when their students behave in this manner. The days when we fought to injury, in order to win a match, were taught to strike with focus and when finally and thankfully, full contact was regulated out of tournaments, those same fighters were able to pull their focused punches, within a hair’s breadth of the skin or even lightly touch the skin without damage. That was the mastery of fighting that was taught in Okinawa in the old days and brought here by Sensei's like Don Nagle and Steve Armstrong. Kumite was a finely honed skill, not a platform to show off with a spinning jump back kick that would be impossible on a wet or snowy surface. We were taught not to fight outside ourselves, in other words, KISS, keep it simple stupid. If you wouldn’t try it on ice, don’t throw it. When was the last time you saw a fighter expertly evade a good kick and catch it, with an immediate strike, while holding the opponents leg. Those kicks now simply hit the opponent, but usually, since they didn’t have the patience to wait for an opening the kick bangs off a shin or knee. We were also taught in Isshin-ryu, to move to the oblique when we were attacked, opening the opponents’ side and back to attack. But Sensei's decades ago, just as they did to kata, taught their students “tournament fighting” which is a euphemism for “play tag and then run,” for the rest of the match so you don’t get tagged. If these people get in a real fight with a street tough, they will not be able to defend themselves. The only reason these Sensei's taught tournament fighting, was to get trophies by the bushel, so that they would be considered as important Sensei's. Sensei Nagle taught you to fight to win a street fight, for your life. If someone had a knife, he told us to take a cut on the arm, to get a good kick in on the weapon wielder’s groin, ending the fight. That was when karate was” for killing or maiming your assailant,” not to get a trophy. The future of meaningful karate is behind us, in the past. It is time to “get back to the past, for the future of karate.”
The Tournament Scene
The Sixties and Seventies
I have always been grateful for the manner in which Sensei Nagle taught me to fight. As I have mentioned in the past, we were similarly built, just sinew and tendons and so I did my best to emulate his fighting style and steal his techniques. As a result, I always enjoyed fighting and couldn’t wait for the kumites to start. I took pride in my kumites and the fact that I never feared anyone so much, that I wouldn’t attack them. I worked very hard on my defense right from the start, having noticed that Sensei always stopped you, before he attacked. I believe that, if you can develop an excellent defense, then you can make use of one of the tenets of Isshin-ryu's Code, “Only strike when the opportunity presents itself,” since, if you have just stopped an opponent’s attack, they are usually in an awkward position for a moment. That makes them vulnerable for a second and you may attack successfully. I took very little punishment over the four decades that I continued to fight, as I got older and they got younger, at least with my own Black and Brown Belts, up to the time I was about 65 years of age. At one point in my forties, the joint behind my right big toe became so bad that I saw a Podiatrist and after x-rays, he told me the joint had splintered years before and needed reconstruction. I had him operate as soon as possible. Six weeks after the operation, one of my Black Belts, Ken Leskowski, another skinny terror, had a get together of several dojos for a day of Isshin-ryu. I was to narrate for the audience. However, when the kumite started, all of the students and Sensei's paired off and it was a wild scene, stopping only to change partners. I watched, till I couldn’t stand it any longer, excused myself from the microphone, jumped down to the floor and confronted Kenny, the host, with a bow. We started to fight, I made a shoulder feint and through a front snap kick, into a roundhouse kick. Unfortunately, his head moved to the side just as I threw the kick. It hit him on the bony part of the head, above and behind the temple. He dropped unconscious and I stood there realizing that I just crushed my reconstruction. Back to the Doctor and a plastic replacement joint. We traveled all over the country, packed into old jalopies and stayed in cheap hotels, just to fight at other dojos or tournaments. My team were my best buddies and we enjoyed the travel together and, of course, the matches with strangers, in other styles.
However, in the mid-sixties I began to live a dual karate life, becoming an Emcee at tournaments around the country and actually got paid to have fun with the audience. Since fighting was fun for me, I made the tournaments light, easy to understand and fun for the audience. I became known as, “The Voice of Karate.” The magazines ran with that and Official Karate gave me the second Cover Article of their magazine. Beyond the enjoyment of bringing the matches to the audience, blow by blow and interspersing some humor, it gave me a chance to get to know all the popular fighters of the sixties and seventies and become friends with many of them. There was Chuck Norris, a young, blond fighter from California , who was one of the great gentlemen of karate. When he fought in New York , he and I would get together for dinner, with our wives. I got to know him, as a well-spoken, straight talking individual who, for all his celebrity was humble and thankful for his rise to fame. I would imagine that he has not changed, with his exposure to Hollywood . He had a quick, engaging smile, which was genuine and demonstrated his real pleasure with what ever was just said or happened.
One of the highlights of that time was teaming with Bruce Lee, at the microphone at ringside, in Madison Square Garden . He also seemed unaffected by his popularity, joking easily with me for the three hours we worked the tournament. He had a real American sense of humor. For instance, he was starring in “The Green Hornet” series on TV, at that time. When the tournament wrapped up, he asked a few of us back to his hotel and Master Kim, from Washington , D.C. and Bill Chung, the top Sifu and close friend of mine came along. There was an enormous crowd of young girls waiting for Bruce to exit, so a Garden executive showed us an underground route which brought us right out into a parking lot, where Bill Chung’s car was parked. Somehow, the girls knew about the tunnel and thousands of them were rushing toward the car, as we quickly jumped into Bill’s Volkswagen. They were now around the car and rocking it back and forth. Bill was frantically trying to get the car started, when Bruce said, “I have to tell you Bill, this is no “Black Beauty,” the car that Bruce, as Kato, drove in the series. The car started and we edged out of the crowd slowly and then drove off. When we arrived at his hotel suite, we sat around and talked about, what else, the martial arts, played sticky hands and did tricks like grabbing coins out of each other’s hands. The tournament itself had two highlights, first, a demo that Bruce did, where he took his jacket off and stated that he was very slim and wouldn’t be able to scare anyone and then suddenly went into dynamic tension and his entire upper body seemed to explode into a mass of muscle. He then demonstrated his speed with his hands and feet. He got a standing ovation. Secondly, the Grand Champion of Aaron Banks triumphant success came down to the lightweight Champion Chuck Norris and the Heavy weight Champion Joe Lewis. Lewis had predicted an easy victory; coming off a string of tournament wins, with a left side thrust kick, that was so fast and powerful that even if you knew it was coming, it couldn’t be stopped. At a previous tournament, I had warned Tom LaPuppet, formerly a SSgt, in the Marine Corps, who served in my outfit and whose real name was, Tom Carroll, about the kick and told him what to do if Lewis got into a left Seiuchin. It didn’t matter; Joe hit him with two straight side kicks, within moments.
With Chuck, he was a bit more cautious. If you watched Chuck, you could see that, in his mind, he was playing a chess game, to get his opponent in the position he wanted, for a certain type of attack. He was always four moves ahead of his opponents. Chuck Norris was a stalker, even when he was moving away or pulling back, you knew he was still stalking his prey. Chuck was a cerebral fighter and I admired that trait. It was how Sensei Nagle taught me to fight. Lewis suddenly went into a series of side thrust kicks, from both sides, followed by backlists, which by that time were no longer the sole property of American Isshin-ryu. And then, against the ropes, where Bruce Lee and I were sitting at the ringside table, Joe savagely attacked and as quickly, Chuck Norris threw a few short punches and Joe dropped to the canvas. He appeared to go into convulsions, in front of us and I called for the doctor to get into the ring. As the doctor climbed in, Joe suddenly woke up, jumped to his feet and totally disoriented, attacked and clubbed his Sensei in the ring. No one ever knew whether he meant to do this because he lost to Chuck, or was still half out of it. That night was really great, except for one personal downer. My good friend, Ed Parker was sitting in the front row of seats, with David Carridine, the star of “Kung-Fu” on TV. That was supposed to be Bruce Lee’s vehicle, but Hollywood geniuses felt that he was too Oriental to play the part of an Oriental, despite the fact that this story was Bruce Lee’s idea. I walked over and shook hands with Ed Parker and chatted about a demo that he had done in Seattle a few months before, with me at the mike. It was then that Carridine leaned over and whispered in Ed’s ear. Ed pulled me forward and said, “David told me to tell you that he does not want to shake hands.” I looked at David, who was sitting there, with a typical linen suit of the 60’s, with an oriental neckline, that needed dry cleaning badly and he himself seemed to be unkempt and in need of a shower. I turned to Ed and said, loudly, “I didn’t wish to touch Carridine in any manner, for fear of catching something.” Then I turned and walked away. Bruce could have taught David lessons in civility and manners. Within two weeks I received a short, but funny letter from Bruce Lee, with an autographed picture signed, To my friend, Ed. He was a true star and a gentleman. He also filled the dojos of America , with new students. He was a one-man bonanza.
It behooves me to say something about Mr. Aaron Banks, who believed he could put on extravaganzas that would overwhelm the audiences and so he did. He was the first person to hire the main area of Madison Square Garden and fill the seats, with over 20,000 people. Between matches, there would be demonstrations of karate drill teams, robotic kata, breaking and other skill sets, such as Moses Powell, a massive man who would run across the ring and do a cart wheel on his index finger. It was wild and a bit bizarre, but the audience loved it. It was like going to the circus, when you were a child. You could never say that Aaron didn’t think BIG.
Grand Master Peter Urban was not only an outstanding teacher and fighter in Goju-ryu karate, having studied in Japan with Gogen Yamaguchi, known as the “Cat Man,” for his vaunted ability to stand with his back to a five foot or six foot wall and leap up onto the wall with little effort, but a Master Urban was a showman, as well. He used that ability, in front of the crowds at tournaments, to stimulate interest in karate and in his persona, at the same time. His manner of refereeing was theatrical and fascinating, and became part of the show. They actually came to see Peter referee. I must admit, I was fascinated by his performances. Then, there were his demonstrations, at tournaments. At every tournament or demonstration in the 60’s, there was a portion of the demo that was dedicated to a breaking contest. Blocks of wood, ice, cement or bricks would be piled between two platforms and individual martial artists would attempt to break massive amounts of these substances. Peter Urban went them one better. Rather than have the advantage of well and solidly held and positioned blocks, Master Urban would demonstrate a new and unique principle, he would throw 12”x12”, 1” boards up in the air with one hand and snap them in half with his other hand, in mid-air. This demonstrated that his speed was such, that focus was achieved, despite the fact that the boards were in a free state . The crowds went wild and couldn’t wait to see it again. Over time, Master Urban himself became bored with the demo, as he had always performed it. Therefore, to the astonishment of the crowd, at one tournament he brought out a can of lighter fluid, with the boards. He laid out the boards in a row and sprayed them thoroughly. He then lit them and with them blazing fire, he grabbed them one at a time, threw them into the air and snapped them in half. As the boards hit the deck on the stage, his students ran to cover and smother the fire. Master Urban had hit the nail on the head again and once more had the crowd loving him. Beyond all of these demos, however, he was a prodigious fighter and a model teacher, turning out one masterful fighter after another, who left the dojo to bring back the trophies. Finally, we were at the China Town School House, when Sensei Urban attempted to do his fire breaking demos. I was right in front of the stage, seated next to his number one student, Al Gotay, who was an NYC police officer and was assigned to the Police Academy to teach the recruits self defense. Suddenly, when Master Urban started to break the flaming boards, the excess fluid flowed down his arm and gi top, as well as the stage. His arms were in flames, as well as flame on the front of the gi. I turned to Al and said, “Come on, we have to do something.” Al looked at me, with an amused look on his face and said jokingly, “Wait a second, I could be the head of Goju-ryu.” Then we leaped onto the stage and put out the fire on the Master. Sensei Urban was totally calm and told us to calm down. He felt that he was not in danger. That was Peter Urban and, of course, Al Gotay was only joking, since he revered his Sensei and was always at his side, in the good times and in the bad, as well. That is the measure of a man’s character. What I realized afterward was that this must have happened on other occasions, with Mr. Gotay present, when Master Urban practiced this dangerous stunt. That is why he remained calm, while I wanted to call the fire department.
Of course, for many, the match between Masters Nagle and Urban was the tournament highlight. There would be no points counted and no judges. The match would not be stopped at all, until the time allotted had run out. The match was highly anticipated and took place at the Manhattan Center , in Gary Alexander’s United States Championship Tournament, still the longest running tournament in the U.S.A. The house was packed to the rafters and was buzzing. While I was at the mike, during the entire tournament doing my usual blow by blow call, I turned the mike off, right after announcing the two Masters, since I felt it would not be appropriate to call such a match between two peerless leaders of their styles. The match could stand on it’s own. The match was beautiful to watch, since the styles were totally different in the manner that they approached kumite. Each man was the Master of his style and the styles top fighter, both men were Legends. It was a beautiful match to watch, since the Sensei's maneuvered and you could almost feel them attempting to ascertain the others next move. Both defensive geniuses, it was difficult for either man to score a clear-cut blow, with focus. The match ended to a standing ovation, for the courage they showed, in that, they were both the top Masters of their disciplines in the United States and under that circumstance most other Masters would not endanger their reputation, in such a match. No score was announced; they bowed to each other and then hugged each other, as the close friends that they were over many years. Ever since, I have been asked who I thought won the match. I never answer that question, only saying that it was a privilege to be there.
Gary Alexander, was one of the most prolific tournament entrepreneurs and among the earliest to bring to the stage the top personalities that karate audiences wanted to see, but also created local fighters from the East Coast to star status, attracting a full compliment of writers and photographers from Al Weiss’s Karate Illustrated, who highlighted these tough and crafty fighters. They included Tom LaPuppet, Thomas Bodie, Bob Engle, Hawk Frazier, Toyataro Miyazaki, Malachi Lee and from the Wild West, Chuck Norris, Alan Steen, Skipper Mullins, Ed Parker, Danny Pai and more. The tournaments that Gary presented have always contained a definite connection to the original Marine Corps’ place in the historic birth of the Art of Isshin-ryu, with a Marine Corps Honor Guard opening the ceremonies, during the National Anthem and a Piper playing the Marine Corps Hymn. The tournaments also proceeded with the precision of a Marine Corps drill squad. He had fought in tournaments, making his own name, as the first North American Champion and knew what he wanted to see at his own presentations.
The Sensei's who contributed to these tournaments, on the East Coast, with the fighters they trained and with their time and sweat refereeing and judging, for hours. It was always the same crews at every tournament who volunteered for duty; Fred Hamilton, John Kuhl, George Coffield, Ron Duncan, Sensei Nagle, Sensei Urban, Joel Bucholtz and, in the 70’s, Nick Adler and many others.
Steve Armstrong, one of Tatsuo Shimabuku’s original Marine students, was the main Sensei in Northwest United States, with dojos in Seattle and Tacoma . He was an impressive gentleman, at 6’ 5” and about 250 pounds and not easily beaten. He was tough as rawhide and fearless, having previously been a Champion wild Brahma Bull rider in Rodeos. However, he was typical of the gentle giant, in person, as long as you were not on the deck with him. He was also one of the funniest men I have ever met. I was asked to be the Emcee of his Tournament on two occasions and both events were excellent. The crowd was enthusiastic and enjoyed my light approach to deadly free style fighting, in the ring.
Steve used a combination of matches and demonstrations, such as one put on by Master Ed Parker and his students, in Kempo karate. It was fast and deadly looking self-defense, done in a theatrical manner, by Mr. Parker.
On my return, for the second year, upon Master Armstrong’s introduction of me, the audience actually gave me a standing ovation and I realized that many of them were at the first tournament. I felt great and, as a result, we all had an enjoyable afternoon, with Sensei Parker again bringing the crowd to their feet with his dynamic exhibition. Unfortunately, there was an incident the following morning, in the hotel lobby that nearly got out of hand. Mr. Alan Steen, a tough hombre from Texas, had his lovely wife with him. We were all sitting in a circular group, Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Steen, Chuck Norris, Don Bohan, Skipper Mullins (one of my favorite fighters) Super Foot Wallace and a few other Sensei's, when the Washington Alumni Football Team arrived in the lobby. They were there to play the annual Alumni vs. Varsity Team game. One of these buffoons made an insulting remark about Mrs. Steen. When Don Bohan told him to apologize, he made a crude remark to the Gunny and the fight was on. There were about twenty of them and twelve of us, but it only lasted a short period time, since several of them went down quickly and the others realized what they were fighting against, when they saw the manner of our fighting. The next thing we knew, the police were in the lobby and we all sat down. One of the Bell Hops told the police what had happened and who started it. The first individual was arrested and one other fool who gave the officers a hard time left, with him. The rest of them left the lobby. Unfortunately, Master Armstrong has been hospitalized at the Veterans Administration Hospital , in recent years, following an operation on a brain tumor. My prayers and good wishes go to him, a gentleman and friend.
Master Sihak Henry Cho, a Tae-Kwan-Do Instructor also stepped into the tournament scene, in a big way. He utilized excellent venues, such as, Madison Square Garden and the New York Hilton Hotel, as well as, the Waldorf Astoria. One of the best and most controversial matches took place at the Waldorf. The final match for the Grand Championship was between Joe Tiani, a talented East Coast Kick-Boxer and Mike Stone one of the toughest Finishers to get in the ring. I was on the microphone and the score was two points for Stone and one point for Tiani, when suddenly Mike stumbled, catching his foot in a crease in the canvas. He was obviously in great pain and I motioned the doctor into the ring. He examined Stones ankle and said that he felt it was broken. He said that the match could not go forward. Mike vehemently disputed the ruling. When he was unable to change the decision, he came over to me, at the mike. I turned the mike off and Mr. Stone asked me to talk to the doctor and Master Cho. I called the Dr, and Master Cho over to me. Once gathered, I told Mr. Cho that he had insurance coverage and that Mike had signed the usual form, giving up his right to sue. Then I told the doctor that he was hired to help anyone in pain, but stopping a fighter, unless further fighting could lead to imminent death, was not under his control I said that it was up to the fighter. With that decision turned around, the fight started again. Tiani was a veteran and knew that Mike Stones maneuverability was limited, so he decided to make a swift attack, from the side. When Joe moved, Stone jumped to the side, onto his good foot and struck Mr. Tiani in the solar plexus with his foot that had the broken ankle, driving the kick in as hard as he could. The referee called for point and all the judges raised their flags in unison for the winning point, giving Mike Stone one of the gutsiest Championships I have ever watched. Mr. Tiani, always a gentleman, shook Mike’s hand and told him that he was the best. Mike Stone, Ed Parker, my wife Gene and me went to the Bull and The Bear restaurant, with Mike in a wheel chair and hoisted a few cool ones to this tough competitor.
The best day I have had at a tournament was with my team, at Harrisburg , Pennsylvania . Ralph Lindquist ran the tournament. We came by bus and then stopped to rent a car, to get to the tournament site. We stopped into Hertz, walked up to the counter and asked to rent a car. We were told that all of their cars were rented. There were about fifty cars in the lot and it was 8:30 AM . I told the man at the counter that must be a mistake. He stated in a severe tone, that they had rented all their autos. We walked outside and I was flabbergasted, but some of my guys simply smiled and said that I had just felt bigotry for the first time. I was with most of my guys from my South Jamaica dojo, which was 90% African-American. I wanted to kick the windows in at Hertz. They were wrong; by the way, I had come across bigotry while stationed at Camp Lejeune , N.C. I was running a convoy up to Norfolk , Va. , to go aboard an LST for Lebanon , in 1958. It was pouring rain and we pulled in at about 8:30 AM for some breakfast. We pulled into a diner and my Marines and myself went into the diner. The woman at the counter smiled at me and said that she could seat me and my white troops, but the Nwords had to eat outside. I started to make a fuss, stating that this was 1958 and these men were all members of our Armed Forces and they were all my Marines. With that, a Sheriff and two Deputies who were eating breakfast at a table in the corner of the diner, walked over. The Sheriff and his men all popped the leather thongs off their revolver hammers and put their hands on their weapons. He said, “Get them outside before someone gets killed.” I was pretty sure they meant me. My other troops sat down and I took orders from my men and myself and sat outside in the rain on the running boards of our trucks. Oddly enough, it bonded me with my entire platoon. But the fact that it was happening in the late 60’s was a shock and we were not in the Deep South . We then went to Avis and I went in with another student. No problem and we got the car. I pulled it in front of the rental door and out of nowhere my guys piled into the car. We gave the confused guy at the counter a big smile and wave. Once at the tournament, the seeds for matches were announced in Black Belt and my best fighter, Bob Baker, drew Joel Pennywell, a student of Lindquist’s’. Bobbie asked me how to beat him, because he was known as the “Mongoose,” because of his defensive skills and the number of tournaments he had won. I turned to Bobby and said, “Nothing, he is going to kill you, unless you fight smart, aggressive and fast.” Bobby groaned and I said, “Now go out and beat him.” Bobby scored two points on him in about a minute and a half, for the win. Bobby took second place in Black Belt, but I didn’t care, because he had beaten Joel Pennywell, whom I respected as one of the best in the country. I knew that Baker had just stepped up.
Near the end of the 70’s, the tournaments took a bad turn, with judges who often showed obvious prejudice, trophies that became grotesque and demonstrations that were more like a carnival, missing only the Geek, who eats the live chicken. There were exhibits where chains were wrapped around the neck of a strong man, who performed at Coney Island . The man was about 80 years old at the time. Then four people grabbed the chains and tried to strangle him. Another performer allowed people to come in the ring and punch him as hard as they could, in the throat. He would wind up with purple bruises all around his neck. He also had people kick him in the groin, to no effect, except the possibility of future blood clots or worse. Finally, a Korean Sensei had ramps laid across his stomach and another person rode a motorcycle back and forth over him. At the same time, the uniforms were becoming more grotesque at each tournament, with American Flag designs, tiger stripes and others with so many patches you no longer could see the uniform under it. At one of Nick Adler’s tournaments, held in Brooklyn, I turned to Barry Steinberg, one of my top students and at that time a Sensei in his own right, and said that if someone ever comes into a tournament in a black leather gi, I would stop coming to tournaments. At that very moment, the doors swung open and in walked George Coffield, from the Tong Dojo, in a shiny black vinyl gi. Not leather, but close enough, it was three years before I attended another tournament.
The worst time I had at any tournament was one booked into the NYC Town Hall . I can’t remember who booked it, but it was a horrible venue, for a karate tournament. I believe it may have been Aaron Banks, attempting to upgrade our facilities. It took place on a Sunday and obviously the advertising appealed to a new element in the city, the Hoi Polloi, or rich, pseudo-intellectuals of New York , thinking that this would be one of those new experiences they enjoyed on a Sunday afternoon. Once seated, when the curtain opened, revealing a Marine Corps Color Guard, for the National Anthem. When they did not stand for the Anthem, I immediately knew this was not my audience. A formidable silence settled over the auditorium. When the matches were fought and ended, there was no buzz, no applause and no matter what I said, there was absolutely not a sound from the seats. With the lights in my face, I could barely make out the audience, but in the front seats, I saw only men in suits and women in cocktail dresses, with furs draped over their shoulders. Finally, I remember, during the Black Belt matches there was a particularly good pairing with some of the fastest movement, from one technique to another. Even I, who had witnessed and fought in probably ten thousand kumites by then, was excited with this one. Suddenly, one of the contestants threw a roundhouse kick aimed at his opponent’s stomach, while the opponent was spinning to face in the opposite direction. The result was that the kick hit the fighter in the backside, with a resounding sound. I said, “That is considered an insult, but not a point.” Nothing, but dead silence. Trying again, I lifted my comment to their level, quoting Shakespeare with, “Sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Dead silence! We were nearly at the end of the tournament and I was almost positive that they had not brought any rotten fruit or vegetables with them and therefore could not injure me or soil my suit, so I asked over the mike, in a loud, incredulous voice, “Turn up the house lights, I want to see if there is anyone out there.” The tournament started and ended in total silence. When I came off the stage, my wife came over to me and I said, “Get me a gun, I don’t know if I want to kill myself or start shooting them.” We never used the Town Hall again.
During that time, because of exposure in magazines, I was contacted by Leeming-Pacquin, a subsidiary of the Pfizer Chemical Company. They asked to see me, about a product photo shoot. I was only a few years after being Honorably Discharged from the Marine Corps, as a result of a knee injury that tore every ligament in my knee, tore the cartilage in pieces and cracked the kneecap in three places. I was in the Naval Hospital for seven months rehabilitating. I was out of my beloved Corps and in the job market. In those days, there were no laws against not hiring people with disabilities and I was still finding it difficult to bend my left leg. I was working, but money was short. I had a wife and child, Lisa, who was born in the Quantico , Va. Naval Hospital. She cost us $6.00 and has been well worth it, ever since.
So if this meeting with Leeming-Pacquin meant some type of payment, I would kill anyone they wanted killed in Macy’s window. It turned out that they had just come up with a new men’s cologne, an after shave and a foam conditioner, taking advantage of the karate craze that we karate-kas, with a boost from Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris, had created. The product was named “Hai Karate.” I was paid the extraordinary salary of $100.00 per hour to put my hands on the bottle of cologne and my photo on the gift box, doing a flying sidekick. They took a full sheet of my both hands in various poses and ended up with the fingertips up, in a shuto type defensive pose. That was not hard work, but a bit boring. The next shoot, on the same day, was a different story. To get a good shot of a flying side kick they gave me some poor go-for to stand still and I was to jump high enough to bring the kick to the side of his head. That meant that my kicking foot would be about six feet in the air. That was eminently doable. However, the photographer was not getting the shot he wanted because he could not get the kick snapping short of the man’s head, due to it’s speed. I didn’t know how to go into the air, six feet up and throw a kick slowly. It took sixty kicks to get his shot. When we got to about fifty-five kicks, I said, “If you don’t get it in your next few shots, we should have you and this poor guy over here wincing, every time I jump in the air. Finally he signaled success and I was able to get some water. I guess I made about $300.00 in one day and I don’t think any Vogue model ever worked any harder than I did. However, $300.00 was an enormous amount of money in those days, in the mid-sixties. The Senior-Vice President of the Company had seen the shoot and chatted with me. The result was that they wanted me to accompany them around the country to their major Cities of Distribution, to introduce the new product to their sales staff. They wanted a full demo at each stop and, as a result, I was required to book a team of karate practitioners at each city, to put on their most dramatic demo possible. They ask how much it would take and since I was now a professional, I stated an amount which would cover a 50% split for the team in each city and 50% for me, as well. They also wanted all of the marketing personnel to wear gi's. I bought them and marked them up. Overall, the trip took a week and I made $3,000.00 clear and had an exciting time. The Senior-Vice president of sales and marketing followed us to each town and found out that at each meeting, after the demo, I had made a speech boosting the sales staff’s excitement about the product and it’s marketability. The result is that he hired me, as a salesman for the company, without even mentioning it to the Director of Sales in NYC. For a year I had a ball and realized that I was made for sales. Unfortunately, the Senior VP, who seemed to think of me as a son, was accepting a better position in California and despite the fact that I might have gone with him; I was a dyed in the wool New Yorker. When he left, the Director of Sales, who was given no say in my hiring, fired me. That was okay; I had another sales job within a week.
As the Hai Karate man, I also received several jobs for other companies. For instance, I worked the New York Toy Show in Manhattan for a week, with my team, including my Sensei, Don Nagle, as a way to thank him for what he had done for me. I got to work for the people who produced a rock-em-sock-em karate robot game. Roger Staubach, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback, at that time, was there for his new football game and I talked him into playing the foil guy for our karate skit and demo. He walked onto the stage with a beautiful student of one of my Sensei's from another dojo. I played the bad guy. When I went after the girl, Roger acted like a wimp and the girl, who was a brown belt, beat the tar out of me. She then reassured Roger and walked off the stage arm in arm with him. He was great and one of the true gentlemen in sports. If you wanted your son to emulate a sports figure, they couldn’t make a better choice than Mr. Staubach. He was so good on the field, that he had every reason to be a snob or a strutting jackass, but instead he was a quiet and respectful person. We also met with Jackie Stewart, the top racecar driver of the time, who had a racecar set named for him. This little Scotsman was betting with people who wanted to race a tiny racecar against him. I assumed that he made enough money that he could get along without betting on toy racecars. Further, Jimmy The Greek a former gambling tout was on hand and since one of my friends was losing a fortune racing Stewart, The Greek told me that Stewart had a juiced up car and you couldn’t beat him. I mentioned it to my friend, who was a former line backer, in front of Jackie and his car disappeared.
All of this was a good deal of fun and helped my family, until things got a good deal better for me. I was lucky, thank God, that I made a very good income for a long time, allowing me to teach karate for the sheer joy in Isshin-ryu and not worry, whether or not I made or lost money doing it. This was in good keeping of the tradition I had learned from Sensei Nagle, who didn’t care if the students paid him on time or at all. The fact was, he was a Police Officer on the Jersey City Police Dept. and was overwhelmed with money. He didn’t care, it was all about Isshin-ryu. It still applies. I am not saying that if you work as hard as Master Passero does in fostering the children in his care for decades, that you shouldn’t be well remunerated for it. This is, after all, America . Despite that, Mr. Passero does not make much out of his dojo. Just remember that this is an art and sometimes artists suffer for the benefit of the art. Money is good, but not the end all of being.
While I have been reminiscing upon the tournament scene, of the past, I think the entire milieu has undergone a basic change. The tournaments of the Eastern states are, on a whole small neighborhood or area events. The Don Nagle AOKA, Inc. annual tournament is a good example of a Tri-State tournament, but well attended by a coterie of dojos outside it’s primary arena, who have become accustomed to take part for the sake of the memory of a “Legend In His Own Time.” Mr. Passero and his group of faithful Black Belts contribute to ensure that the tournament is well run and accepted. There are others much like this on the East Coast, such as Gary Alexander’s Championship, Larry Isaacs Camp Lejeune Tournament, which keeps the promise of exciting old time type fighting. Master King’s tournament in New Jersey is always well attended and scrupulously executed. There are many of these tournaments that seem to be guaranteed a future. But the days of the mammoth Madison Square Garden meets have become extinct, for all intents and purposes.
I believe that the fact that the tournaments of past decades were allowed to get totally out of control diminished the stature of tournaments to a carnival atmosphere. I believe that the tournaments on the West Coast are now emulating the decade of the mid-seventies to mid-eighties, with bands, cheer leaders, musical presentation of katas, katas performed that have absolutely no relevance to karate or fighting arts. Weapons katas utilizing weapons that street gangs might use, but have never been connected to the Oriental arts or the agricultural or every day implements used by the Asian farmers and seamen. Louder, Light show glitz will not make up for a lack of ability along the traditional lines, to the point where they should not be linked in ads, to the martial arts. Sooner or later, the audience will become disillusioned with these circus performances. Or perhaps I am wrong and the Hollywood mentality will prevail, embracing the tawdry and arrogance of perversion of arts that are centuries old, simply because the promoters are raking in big dough, as well as the many of the competitors and stars that appear. I hope that someone, Chuck Norris, for instance can step up and turn the Circus Wagon around and back to the meaningful tournaments that he participated in decades ago. It will take someone like him and the media of the martial arts, such as, Black Belt Magazine to return to the past.
The tournament fighting ability has taken a dive over the last two decades, with fighters untaught in defensive tactics. There is no defense to speak of, with fighters bowing in and rushing forward, to pummel each other, until the referee breaks up the clash, when in the flurry of unfocused punches the judges are somehow able to discern an actual strike, which could be designated as a point. The alternative is the fighters who circle each other endlessly, until one dashes in and reaches outside his normal strike posture, to tap the opponent on the shoulder or chest. Disgusted and bored judges call a point, simply to get it over with, so they can go home and eat dinner. The Sensei's who are teaching these fighters are embarrassing themselves, when their students behave in this manner. The days when we fought to injury, in order to win a match, were taught to strike with focus and when finally and thankfully, full contact was regulated out of tournaments, those same fighters were able to pull their focused punches, within a hair’s breadth of the skin or even lightly touch the skin without damage. That was the mastery of fighting that was taught in Okinawa in the old days and brought here by Sensei's like Don Nagle and Steve Armstrong. Kumite was a finely honed skill, not a platform to show off with a spinning jump back kick that would be impossible on a wet or snowy surface. We were taught not to fight outside ourselves, in other words, KISS, keep it simple stupid. If you wouldn’t try it on ice, don’t throw it. When was the last time you saw a fighter expertly evade a good kick and catch it, with an immediate strike, while holding the opponents leg. Those kicks now simply hit the opponent, but usually, since they didn’t have the patience to wait for an opening the kick bangs off a shin or knee. We were also taught in Isshin-ryu, to move to the oblique when we were attacked, opening the opponents’ side and back to attack. But Sensei's decades ago, just as they did to kata, taught their students “tournament fighting” which is a euphemism for “play tag and then run,” for the rest of the match so you don’t get tagged. If these people get in a real fight with a street tough, they will not be able to defend themselves. The only reason these Sensei's taught tournament fighting, was to get trophies by the bushel, so that they would be considered as important Sensei's. Sensei Nagle taught you to fight to win a street fight, for your life. If someone had a knife, he told us to take a cut on the arm, to get a good kick in on the weapon wielder’s groin, ending the fight. That was when karate was” for killing or maiming your assailant,” not to get a trophy. The future of meaningful karate is behind us, in the past. It is time to “get back to the past, for the future of karate.”
Larry Cureton's 10 Demandments
Larry Cureton's 10 Demandments | ||
These are 10 things we have to DEMAND from ourselves:1) I will respect my elders and all that earn my respect.2) I will not make excuses for my failures, my attitude, nor my accomplishments.3) I will keep my attitude in control at all times.4) I will always stand for what's right, no matter what others think.5) I will always keep an open mind and learn whatever I can from whomever I can.6) I will keep the balance between fear and desire under control.7) I will always think positive and stay away from negative thinking people.8) I will always believe in myself, because if I don't believe in myself, no one will.9) I will stay focused once I make up my mind to do something.10) I will discipline myself to make the sacrifices necessary to accomplish any goal. |
The Original Isshin-Ryu Karate System by Chris Thomas
A MUST READ article
....In this setting, the art that Shimabukuro was teaching would require two outstanding qualities:
1. It would have to be a straightforward style, which was quickly and easily taught to soldiers;
2. It would have to be absolutely devastating. This is the cauldron in which Isshinryu¹s simple, direct and linear approach was developed.
by Chris Thomas Black Belt Magazine, January 1996
Virtues of the Samurai - Sent to Master Ralph Passero from Grandmaster Harry Smith
Virtues of the Samurai | ||
DON NAGLE'S |
'JARHEAD' Defamatory to the Marine Corps by Gary Alexander
'JARHEAD' Defamatory to the Marine Corps | ||
Dear Colleagues,I saw 'Jarhead' the movie last Friday night. I was embarrassed by the way that the Hollywood 'Communist' (ala Jane 'Hanoi' Fonda, Michael Moore, ACLU and now, 'Universal Studios directed by some 'Maggot' by the name of Mendes) once again attempt to defame another of the finest institutions in America - The United States Marine Corps.Where are the 'McCarthy Hearings' revivalist when we need them.This garbage production is being shown worldwide and portrays our Marines as a bunch of out of control, sicko, psychopaths, who when there is no enemy to sadistically fight, beat on each, other for drill! The 'F's', 'MF's' rule the script, as mentioned above, there is no story line outside of making the so-called maggots portraying Marines to look like an out of control orgie of killers.If you spend $9 (as I did) to see this trash, it will be $9 contributed to the defamation of the Marine Corps.The movie (in my opinion?) should be Black Balled by not only Marines, but by any that call themselves true Americans.If you do venture in, don't mind walking out halfway, because it doesn't get any better. Most of you got my letter of last week! Media, is attacking the Marines!!!Semper Fidelis |
Jeff Wilson Honored For Saving Life
Jeff Wilson Honored For Saving Life | ||
| IIKA News Up-Date Chairman: JC Burris President: Tommy True Board Members: Jerry Smith, David Gabbard, Sandra Strong, Carol Burris, Mike Lewis, Bruce Guillaume, Jim McDonald, Phil McElroy, Willie Wilson, Don Bordinger, Melbert Lee, Kelly Markham Release: All IIKA Personnel Subject: Jeff Wilson Honored For Saving Life
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Official Certificates of Don Nagle
Grand Master Don Nagle | |||||
Here are the Official Certificates of Don Nagle:
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Don Nagle's Obi
Grand Master Don Nagle | ||||
Don Nagle's Obi
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Presentation on Grand Master Donald H. Nagle by Ed McGrath
Grand Master Don Nagle | ||
Presentation on Grand Master Donald H. Nagleby Ed McGrath, a student and friend of Sensei Nagle for over four decadesOn August 23, 1999, the death of Donald H. Nagle, a native of Jersey City, New Jersey, brought an end to an era of excellence in the global world of the martial Arts. After four decades of teaching Isshinryu karate, both in the United States Marine Corps and as a civilian, Don Nagle, acknowledged by his peers and other masters as the Grand Master of Isshinryu, had become a legend. Indeed, such were his skills that a myriad of his students also became well known competitors and Senseis. His students number in the thousands and his stature and presence will remain as long as there is an Isshinryu school, where stories of his awesome skills and matches will be told. There was never anyone quite like "our teacher" and it will be many decades before we see his like again. |
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