Having been contacted by Masters Council thought you may be interested to see their thoughts. This is their June news letter. They are an association that has gathered high ranking Martial Artists together to promote the art world wide. Included is Sensei Terry Wingrove, some will recognise the name from seminars we have attended.

Have a read see what you think....

Martial Arts Brotherhood and Masters Council Newsletter ~ June 2009

I hope to find you and your loved ones well. Firstly, thanks to everyone that expressed his or her opinion and views on the first Newsletter that was sent out in April 2009. I was especially pleased to realise that the Newsletter has the potential to reach out to over a quarter of a million martial artists worldwide. Even more pleasing is the speed in which more organisations and individuals have requested to be added to the mailing list over the last few weeks.

1. Over the last few weeks I have been in discussion with several of the Masters Council and have researched views and opinions that that have been sent to me from people all over the world. I was surprised to note that there are many out there that are looking for something that their current organisation or affiliation does not offer its membership.

Many telephone conversations and emails later we have decided to create a new organisation that will iron out any problems. The new body is called the World Budo Development Society and the majority of the masters within the Council have agreed to help with this. It is a multi-styled group that will act as an advisory body to its membership and the ‘knowledge pool’ across so many martial arts is staggering.

Many organisations and individual instructors have already expressed an interest but before this goes out to the press, I thought I would give you the Newsletter Readership an opportunity to see what is in store. If you are interested please let me know and I will forward the documentation. I hope that some of you may consider joining and even helping in advisory capacities, as this is a worldwide group that is starting.

2. I have been receiving lots of emails from instructors abroad that are looking for teachers that are able to assist in teaching ‘bunkai’. If you can assist I am happy with your consent to forward your email address to them if you can help? For some reason, the majority of the requests have come from African nations.

3. Calling all devotees and masters of Ju-Jitsu. I have been asked to compile criteria on what should a particular school of Ju-Jitsu entail. In other words, should a Ju-Jitsu school teach kicks, should a school teach weaponry etc etc. I have noticed over the years the great diversity from one school to another, but should there be some type of uniformity regardless of the school of thought? I welcome your comments and would be grateful if I could use your responses in the next newsletter with your consent of course.

4. I have had a pleasing response from the members of the Masters Council regarding holding multi-style seminars shortly. The intention is to bring together two masters and have one teach in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Again, I shall let you know when and where and the cost. I hope you will support this if you can.

5. Another issue that I would like to cover in the next newsletter is to whether karate competitors should have the benefit of a ‘video referee’. I know sports over the years have started to use this to over-rule or assist the human referees. I welcome your thoughts, and again, request your consent to print and let the other Newsletter Readership see your comments.

6. This month I asked the Masters Council what they thought of junior black belt holders. Please see some of their comments below from

Stan Schmidt ( Shotokan Master)
Ross Iannoccaro (7th dan Ju-Jitsu)
Brian Nelson (5th dan Lau Gar)
Alfie Lewis (8th dan Freestyle)
Terry Wingrove (9th dan Ju-Jitsu, 8 dan Karate)
Roy J Hobbs (10th dan Shorin Ryu)
Fumio Demura (9th dan Shito-Ryu)
Vince Morris (8th dan Kissaki-Kai)
Allan Tattersall (8th dan Ju-Jitsu, 6th dan Iaido)

If they have put in the time and are up to standard they should be permitted to take the Shodan Test. For example: If a youngster starts Karate at the age of say six years of age and he or she trains regularly, two to three times per week; and goes through all of the preliminary tests including the sub-Kyu and Kyu levels; then after "running the race" for six to seven years, there is no doubt that this dedicated karate-ka should be allowed to do a Shodan Test at thirteen years of age.
Some adults achieve Shodan after a mere Two years of training.
Sho-Dan, in my opinion, is a gauge of technical ability ie. Strong and focused Kihon; Excellent Kata performance of the required Kata; and competent execution of Go-hon, Kihon-ippon; and Jiyu-ippon Kumite ( Standard sparring confrontations and drills).
For me, Sho-Dan is a technical Dan (the first rung on the ladder to the next Dan levels). San-Dan in my opinion is the "Fighting Dan" and here the grading candidate should be mature and resilient enough to face up to other strong adults of all shapes and sizes. The minimum age I would put on San-dan would be 18 years of age ; with at least 10 years of regular training experience behind his or her belt. ~ Stan Schmidt
Having received a black belt in Judo, and Jujutsu at 16yrs old I was fully aware that although theoretically and technically I was able to match any adult black belt of same ranking in our club, I didn’t however possess the strength or physique of an adult which was reciprocated by my fellow senior black belts who respected my limits but always encouraged me to do my best.
In my association I have a junior black belt syllabus which allows under 16yrs to achieve a junior black belt, (Black with White stripe) and takes approximately 5 years of unbroken training. At the age of 16+ they then take an intermediate Black belt which is a Black belt with Red Stripe which is automatically changed to senior Black at 18yrs. This system allows my clubs to protect and develop the juniors in a caring and progressive manner.
Some of Japans top masters achieved black belt status at a young age and that was only their second grading as the old system of grading’s didn’t have a coloured belt system.
“Master I have been training 10 years when am I going to get a black belt ? ” When you stop washing it !..Ross Iannoccaro
Well to me black belt holders under 16 depend on who ever passed them for that grade, taking their age in consideration.

The person who would have done the grade I think should take in the maturity of that person at a young age considering whether they are capable of showing they are confident and mature enough whether in a fighting roll or a teaching role...Brian Nelson

A black belt at any age should hold the same status and level of physical expertise and mental awareness as an adult. So it is a matter of age. More important is the student able to reach the required level of competence and show the mental maturity since there is a burden of expectation that comes with it. If the examiner sets the bar high and does not lower it to accommodate the age then this is okay. So in short age should not restrict the talented student.

My students are graded over a week and at the end are set a two-hour grading examination. All students must have read and have an understanding of two books (the Book of Five Rings and the Art of War). They must also hold a first aid certificate and submit an essay about a specific aspect of the martial arts of their choice. If they pass they will not be given a certificate for one year. ~ Alfie Lewis

I have a firm belief that the whole grading system needs a complete overhaul and should return to the early 1900’s when only 3 types of certification was available, namely, competent, advanced and teacher. This whole system of kyu grades plus its sub-divisions has been driven by a desire to award students some token of their ability while at the same time it has become a cash cow for a number of Associations and teachers. They see grades as a good source of income especially if the kyu grades are sub-divided and the students pay for every grade which means in some cases 14 or 15 grading tests (providing you pass every one first time) to reach shodan. All this provides income for the Association and/or the instructor.
To compound this we have the question of Juniors (under 16 yrs-old) holding a dan grade, as far as I’m concerned ability is not distinguished by age and a competent 15yr-old should receive grading but should be re-examined at 18 yrs -old as an adult . I think all juniors should stop grading at shodan and continue at this grade until re-graded as an adult. This stops these ridiculous circumstances of 12 yr-old 3rd dans. The emphases should be on quality not quantity. ~ Terry Wingrove
When I began studying Budo/Bujutsu one had to be at least eighteen before testing for Shodan. Now, as a general policy I do not promote anyone to Shodan until they are at least sixteen. However, I must admit, I am considering instituting a Shodan-Ho grade for teenagers below the age of sixteen. ~ Roy J Hobbs

In my group we don’t use black belt for under those under eighteen. It is very important to understand this is a martial art and not just a sport ~ Fumio Demura

When I started Kissaki-Kai I originally wanted to have no belt rank system other than White until Black Belt standard, then - that's it - just keep the Black Belt until in time it returns to white again with wear. Because - belts hold up your pants, they don't fight for you, and frequently the real meaning of the shodan rank is perverted from signifying "serious first level student" into some kind of master or expert.
However, it seems that in western society some people work harder when rewarded with signs of progress. So, I changed my mind and initiated the same ranking system as that of the Butokukai, with so many years designated between ranks. Children certainly do seem to be motivated by achieving rank, and - if a child has trained correctly for the requisite number of years I see no problem with them achieving Black Belt rank. However - this is certified as a Junior rank, and does not automatically carry over after the age of 15. At this stage the student is asked to retest at what is assessed as a suitable for that student.
Encouraging young people to train consistently in Dojo is far more desirable than them roaming the streets. It is important, however, to teach them the proper meaning of the rank system. ~ Vince Morris
There is no such thing as a black belt under sixteen. They are in affect a ‘mon grade’ doing the junior syllabus. Any type of this level would wear a black belt with a white stripe through it ~ Allan Tattersall
That’s it for this month and I hope you have again found it an interesting read? I look forward to any submissions you may wish to include in the newsletter. If you would like membership details of the World Budo Development Society please drop me a line.
Regards

Neil Horton

for those who were able to attend here are some photos kindly sent by Sensei Tony. follow the link bellow

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/springwood96/KobudoTraining27thJune09#

A recent grading saw 3 of our seniors gain their respective belts.
Fred came back from a serious foot injury to gain his Blue Belt 3rd Kyu, he demonstrated excellent jujitsu, his techniques where strong and accurate. Also put through their paces were Paul and Steve both demonstrated very clean and precise syllabus techniques, who have now achieved their yellow belt 6th kyu.
The three of them also had to last 2 rounds of sparring, 2 rounds of ground fighting and also circle and semi-circle Randori,(multiple attackers). All passed with distinction and the knowledge they performed outstandingly, a hard and grueling but rewarding night they can hold their heads high as proof that hard work, determination and dedication to the art can pay off.
Well done to Fred, Paul and Steve and congratulations keep up the hard work the next belt is easier PROMISE maybe!!!!!

Just to let you know the details of a Kobudo course being held by Springwood Karate club at
Springwood High School,
King's Lynn
PE30 4AW.
27th june 2009
Time: 10am to 1pm
Fee: £5.00

It will be covering mainly Bo and Nunchaku plus some Sai and Tonfa.
Any one interested can give me a call for details

any one interested in finding out more about sports jujitsu in England can olloe the link below to the AMA jujitsu squad.
you may need to copy and paste to your browser.

http://englandsportjujitsusquad.sports.officelive.com/default.aspx

Our Kings Lynn students Jamie and Jake put on an amazing display of ability and technique to gain their yellow belt 6th kyu. They had to demonstrate their syllabus and kumite ability and did so with ethusiasm and style. their technical ability was to a very high standard and showed control and skill with randori and ground fighting.
Congratulations to both and keep your warrior spirit strong.
WELL DONE!!!