Head Instructor doesn't remember his teacher's name?

[Silo42]

Thank you all for your input. I understand it's suspicious, that's why I was wondering if anyone knew him or knew more about him. Honestly, to see if I was overlooking something. The Judo thing I mention again because I don't see a teacher anywhere in his bio. I will post some links...

[Silo42]

About his Ju Jutsu instructor:

http://knightflowermartialarts.com/Work/flournoy5.html

What they offer:
http://knightflowermartialarts.com/W...atweoffer.html

I see a Judo "book" here:
http://knightflowermartialarts.com/Work/flournoy.html

Where he starts teaching "jiu jitsu" now called "ju jutsu"-
http://knightflowermartialarts.com/Work/flournoy6.html

[cualltaigh]

My question is about being able to teach Ju Jutsu. If you are qualified to teach it wouldn't you know your teacher's name and history? I don't see Ju Jutsu being taught to him by anyone else, or even Judo for that matter.

-Look under the "What we offer" tab for Judo etc.

simply, yes. If you are qualified then you will remember. Even if you are a little hopeless with names, their name will appear on your qualification.

Also, to gain sufficient proficiency in a martial art in order to teach it, it takes years of diligent weekly practice. If after several years and hundreds of hours of training one on one with someone you are undable to retain such simple information as the name of the person you've been spendign all this time iwth, how could you possibly retain more complex information about the application of martial techniques, let alone be able to pass them onto someone else?

[lutherc]

What makes these people think they'll get away with anything in the age of the google?

[Silo42]

I think with the general concensus I got my answer. It seems to be what I thought.

[sevensidekicks]

I dont even have to read the whole story he forgot who taught him sounds like he is an idiot

[Savage Randy]

You would have to sceptical of anyone who claims they cannot remember the name of their instructor they learnt from. In the age of the internet it is very odd indeed. Who wouldn't bother to learn the name of the person you spent several years learning from??

[Cake of Doom]

But, on a little street near China Town, Mr. M. Shuragowa (I doubt my spelling so I’m just going to call him Sensei.) taught jiu jitsu in the basement and back yard of his home.

From the page address in your first post. This does not prove or disprove his claims of learning Ju Jutsu but he did provide a name which takes care of this bit:-

The kicker is the person claiming to teach it, Larry L. Flournoy, says he was taught Jiu jitsu/ Ju Jutsu by a person in their basement, in Chinatown but, he doesn't remember their name.

[Rock Ape]

This next bit sets off an alarm for me:
"Iaido is perhaps the most philosophically oriented of all Japanese martial arts, and it is also one of the least understood. One reason for this may be that the practical aspects of the art overshadow its true essence: perfection of character through commitment to martial practice."

To me, this implies that they think you will learn to fight from a martial art that isn't based on fighting. I have never heard of this martial art before (not saying it doesn't exist), but it seems to be a lot like the Ki Ju Jutsu they offer which they state is like Tai Chi.

If you've never heard of Iaido before, how the **** can you comment on how it apparently sets off your alarm ?

Iai is a generic Nihongo term referring to Japanese swordsmanship - specifically the skills which include how to employ a sword which is not yet drawn from a scabbard.

There were literally hundreds of legitimate schools around Japan during the feudal era, some of which still exist to this day.

Now, your definition of "fighting" will almost always differ from that of a student of a koryu (old school) martial tradition, primarily because those skills contained within koryu - in this case, a sword system, are not practical for self defence or competitively orientated in a modern sense. So, your self-confessed lack of knowledge in a traditional Japanese martial tradition should have required no comment on your part, because, frankly, you're talking out of your ass. (again)

Had you known what you were talking about, the real question to have posed would have been, what method of Iaido is taught and what organisation do they belong to. These questions would relate (in part) to the authenticity and quality of the study.

[Rock Ape]

To address the question of Iaido within the context of the thread:

Having looked at the website I assume they study Zen Nippon Kendo Renmai Seitei Iai - this is a gendai (modern) form of iaido created by a committee of high ranking Japanese kenshi (swordsman).

Seitei Iai has a fundamental focus on self development and perfection of form however, it's original purpose was to teach shinai kendoka the means of operating with a Japanese sword rather than just the bamboo shinai used in training and competition.

Seitei Iai has however developed into a discipline in it's own right with a separate dan grading syllabus to that of Kendo. Although a modern system developed after the Meiji Restoration, it is based on much older kata from Koryu iai.

I can't comment of the quality of the instruction given at the school in question however, seitei iai is supposed to be a universal system of learning thus, one school should resemble another without variation on form. "Seitei" simply means standard or uniform.


I can't likewise comment on the instructor's qualifications to teach the Seitei Iai however the ZNKR maintains all legitimate dan grades, you can contact them in English here: http://www.kendo-fik.org/english-pag...-top-page.html