Jon Alexander - Zen Shin Budo Kai / Zen Shin Budo Alliance, Cornwall, UK.

[Larus marinus]

This thread is intended as a spin-off from the thread concerning Christopher Allen, of UKMA/Tring Martial Arts, which can be found here:
Christopher Allen TMA - No BS MMA and Martial Arts

During the course of the investigation into Mr. Allen, information was discovered online about Mr. Jon Alexander of Zen Shin Budo Kai (now Zen Shin Budo Alliance) of Cornwall, England which suggested to me that a separate thread was warranted to look into several of Mr. Alexander's claims and instructional practices.

Firstly, an archived version of a site belonging to Alexander (no longer online) was discovered, where it appears that he was offering intensive, 'fast-track' courses in various arts, such as KATANA, GOJU KARATE, BOJU, SAI, KYUDO, TAI-CHI-CHUAN, WING-CHUN, KICKBOXING, FREE STYLE KARATE, FILIPINO ARTS and TAI-CHI SWORD, which would allow a prospective student to obtain gradings and certifications following a two-day course, along with a statement that a prospective student may become a 'Professional, Fully Qualified Martial Arts Instructor', 'providing a valuable public service by this time next month' and be 'could be the 'Founder and Chief Instructor of the next World-wide Martial Arts style.'

From an archived (2008) version of a belt registry, which listed Alexander as 'Shihan' and 'Founder', it was noticed that Mr. Alexander was also claiming a rank of 9th Degree in Karate, Kenjutsu, Tai Chi Chuan, Kobudo, Kyudo, Kung Fu, Kendo and Aikido.
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA


Scepticism of the general skill level and teaching ability of Christopher Allen, a martial artist graded to the level of 5th Degree Master in Tai Chi by Alexander was then expressed by Sri Hanuman, an experienced practitioner of Tai Chi/Taiji.
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA


HenryT then asked the pertinent question - 'Who is Jon Alexander 9th dan?' and expressed scepticism as to his training history and qualifications, which then led on to a further examination of his claims:
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA


Mr. Alexander's MySpace page was discovered, on which he stated:

Jon Alexander is now 66 and has been training for 50 years in all aspects of martial arts. He has also advised and instructed on numerous films, which include martial arts. Jon is the highest graded Japanese Swordsman within the Zen-Shin-Do-Kenjutsu system and he has mastered many other Oriental arts including Kyudo (Japanese Archery), Sai (Prong Fork), Kendo, Rokushaku-Bo (Long stick). Jon is also a Master and teacher of Tai-Chi-Chuan, Jade Mountain Style Shaolin Kung-Fu and Zen-Shin-Goju-Karate.


Jon Alexander, 9th Dan has trained in and developed many styles of martial arts and is a 5th Dan in Sai, Bo, Kendo. 4th Dan in Tomiki-Aikido and holds ranks in various other martial arts. Jon formally trained with Sensei ITO-KUNIMITSU, 9th Dan., KENSHIRO-ABBE 10th Dan. and MASAFUMI-SUZUKI, 10th Dan., as well as many other prominent martial art teachers, most are unfortunately now deceased. A great many famous martial artists and instructors owe their first ever Dan grade to Jon. Many instructors have gone on to formulate their own styles and methods based on Jon's original tuition methods and Kata.

In addition, a thread from e-budo.com from 2006 was discovered, in which a complaint was made by a user on that site that Mr. Alexander was selling 'black belt' courses on eBay:
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA


At was at this point that Hugo Stiglitz, an experienced practitioner of Aikido and Japanese sword, expressed scepticism that Alexander ever trained under Kenshiro Abbe, based on his previous knowledge.
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA


Several more web pages were found from Alexander's old websites using the Internet Archive:

Statements located there which on face value appeared concerning and worthy of further investigation included:

"So, to say that one could achieve 1st Dan Black Belt level is quite realistic on a weekend or weekday course with your chosen instructor, as there is a very, very long way to go after that. "

"In all cases, please do remember, that you will need to do a minimum of 2 days per subject to get a grading at black belt level."

"When the student in question asked his Sifu
if he could do a teacher training course, was told, “You will have to train for many years yet to consider that position". That student is now a professional coach making a good living, enjoying life after training and qualifying after a Fast Track course."

"I can tell you that there are several self-appointed “ governing bodies” but there is no official governing body or set rules about Tai Chi training. To set rules and to enforce extended training periods is totally unreasonable. No one has the right to say how long it takes to become an Instructor. Who has the right to set these extended training periods? Extended training periods are in my humble opinion a get rich, money-making system with extensive on-going costs. To set rules, conditions and extended training periods is against the whole principal of Tai Chi."

"Zen–Shin-Kyudo-Kai offers a 1day short, intensive course on Japanese Archery with certification."

"We can offer an intensive 1 or 2 day course in a variety of weapons and providing that you have some experience and practice of other weapons we can usually add a second or third weapon to your armory of weapon skills. "

...and the statement that Alexander had graded a student to 5th Degree in Muay Thai and 3rd Degree in Kali - arts which typically do not use such belt systems and arts which Alexander has not (as far as I am aware at this point) previously stated instructor-level ranking in himself.
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA


Another black belt registry, online as time of posting repeated Alexander's claims of 9th Degree/Dan in Karate, Kenjutsu, Tai Chi Chuan, Kobudo, Kyudo, Kung Fu, Kendo and Aikido.
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA


Hugo Stiglitz stated, in reference to Alexander's advertised 4th Dan in Tomki Aikido that

If the claim of a Godan in Tomiki style is associated with Abbe as the issuer or teacher, then it's instant bollocks. The grades Abbe ultimately issued for Aikido were ratified from Hombu Dojo, Tokyo through Ueshiba Morihei himself. Not Tomiki Kenji.

It is unclear at this point if Alexander is claiming that his advertised rank in Tomki Aikido is actually related to his claimed 'formal training' with Kenshiro Abbe.
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA


Sri Hanuman and It is Fake, an experienced practitioner of Chinese Martial Arts stated their opinions on the Tai Chi form in which Mr. Alexander claims rank:

To say that he received any rank in the 24 movement Beijing form of Taijiquan should right away raise an eyebrow.

The 24 movement form was put together by the Chinese Sports Commission in the late 50s as part of their wushu movement, and was intended strictly for health and fitness with pretty much all other aspects ignored. That answers that question for me. A martial art it is not.

I hope that isn't what he is using to claim rank in Tai Chi. The 24 is standard fare you can learn online, video tape and books before the internet became popular. That is not something to claim any type of rank for in the first place.

No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA


Hugo Stiglitz pointed out errors in the Japanese terminology used by Alexander when discussing Japanese sword on the archived versions of his website:

..Also with regard to the Sword system Alexander seems to have invented.

I'd need to see some video footage to be in with a chance of establishing what it's based on because Alexander fails to mention what orthodox koryu-ha or gendai sword systems he studied to gain sufficient knowledge to formulate his own bullshit.

However, What stands out is his incorrect use of Nihongo.

Modosu 戻 in Japanese means to restore, to put back, to return - here he's trying to use this word to mean NOTO, the correct sword term for returning the toshin (blade) back into the saya (scabbard)

Similarly, he's using Shutsu 出 which means to leave, pull out - as the word for NUKETSUKE, the correct term for drawing and initical cut of the sword.

Both modosu and shutsu are incorrect terms contextually when describing sword techniques.

No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA


YouTube videos were discovered, featuring footage of Mr. Alexander demonstrating various martial arts techniques, including Japanese sword and Tai Chi.
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA


It is Fake, Hugo Stiglitz and Neil G, another experienced Japanese sword practitioner stated their opinions on the sword skills displayed by Mr. Alexander in the YouTube videos. They were extremely unfavourable.
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA


It is Fake and Sri Hanuman stated their opinions on the Tai Chi techniques displayed by Mr. Alexander in the YouTube videos. They were extremely unfavourable. Sri also found issues with the language used in relation to the Tai Chi training offered on Alexander's current website.
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA
No BS MMA and Martial Arts - View Single Post - Christopher Allen TMA


As stated previously, I believe that this is now worthy of its own thread. I've attempted to summarise the 'story so far' but I do recommend that you read the Allen thread in its entirety, in case I've missed a few relevant things out.

Apologies if I've misrepresented the views or MA backgrounds of any of the named users above - it wasn't intentional. Feel free to correct me/expand on my statements.

[Larus marinus]

Just to bring this up to date, this is what Mr. Alexander and his associate Chris Pearson are currently offering and claiming on the Zen Shin Budo Alliance website (from my post over on the other thread).

http://martialartstrainer.org.uk/index.html

List of styles they offer:
http://martialartstrainer.org.uk/3.html



Anyone ever heard of this Chris Pearson (7th Dan in Budo) fellow who's listed as the instructor for some of the courses above?
http://martialartstrainer.org.uk/2.html



Current prices for these 'fast-track courses':
http://martialartstrainer.org.uk/7.html

[Larus marinus]

Hmmmm. It seems that Jon Alexander was discussed (briefly) on this site in 2005.

Become an instructor within a month - No BS MMA and Martial Arts


Also a couple of threads about him on other sites:
http://www.planetjitsu.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=13784
Information on Kenjutsu - Sword Forum International

According to posters on those threads (from 2005), Alexander stated that he was 'principle sword coach', or 'one of the sword advisors' (depending on whether you listen to 'Lee Byrne' or 'pressurepoint') on the film, The Last Samurai.

I am unable to find any current online claim of such nature from Alexander, however it's probably worth noting here in case someone who's trained with him can provide any more info. He is not listed in the credits for the film on IMDB

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0325710/fullcredits

and Google returns nothing relevant to connect Alexander with the movie, outside of the two threads linked here...

[Rock Ape]

Good show.. this topic was on my list of to-do's for the wiki, let me know if you wish to do the formal write-up yourself or, if you want me to write it with credit to you, your choice mate.

[Rock Ape]

With reference to the film claim...

http://www.nichigetsukai.org/geino.html

Nichigetsukai Geino


Services and fees are considered on a case-by-case basis to the entertainment industry in regards to Japanese martial history/ fight consultation, fight choreography, acting, and performances for various special events. The principal members of the Nichigetsukai have extensive experience in the entertainment industry, having worked for companies such as Warner Brothers and DreamWorks in the areas of feature film (live action and animated) and television (live action and animated), in a variety of capacities.

2002 - "The Last Samurai".
Hired to choreograph and perform a paired Japanese style sword fight scenario (approximately 20 seconds long) to be used in a Flash animation intro to the official "The Last Samurai" feature film webpage. Scenario was performed both with and without full Japanese reproduction armor. Contractor had specifically requested authentic and dynamic techniques.

Raw footage available upon request. Finished footage no longer available on the "The Last Samurai" web site.

Client - Varas Photo Media; 2830 South Robertson, Los Angeles, CA 90034. L. Varas (contractor) - 323/ 937-3793 office.

2003 - "The Last Samurai".
Hired for services as a Japanese Historical and Martial Arts Consultant (Meiji Period) for early Japanese sword fight sequences shot between star Tom Cruise and various adversaries (choreographed by Nick Gillard). Advice was offered based on daily footage provided.

Consultation feedback partially available on The Last Samurai web site - "East/West"; "Learn More" and "Principles"; "Learn More".

Client - Mojo; 9000 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 600, West Hollywood, CA 90069. J. Lamont - 310/ 777-6700 office.

[Larus marinus]

Good show.. this topic was on my list of to-do's for the wiki, let me know if you wish to do the formal write-up yourself or, if you want me to write it with credit to you, your choice mate.

It would probably be best if you did the write-up, TBH. I've seen your writing style (and liked it), and I know how short my attention span can be if I'm put in a situation where I need to sit down and write more than about four paragraphs... :toothy10: Born procrastinator, me. Besides, all I've really done is spend a few hours Googling, searching the Internet Archive, cutting/pasting and taking screencaps...

Just found this - it's an account of training karate with JA in the 70s from one of his then students. I've only skim-read it so far - but there is indeed a mention of him knowing/associating with Okimitsu Fujii back in the day.
http://www.rogersheldon.com/Shinseid...te/story1.html

[Rock Ape]

Ok mate no worries, keep feeding the thread with information you find and we'll take it from there.

Time to write to the 70 year old Alexander or, to one of his seniors to get a reaction.

[HenryT]

Mr Alexander claims to teach Ogasawara Ryu Kyudo specifically, and hints at personal knowledge of "the late HIDAHARA OHNUMA of MINOTO KU in Tokyo." Presumably specific claims like this are so easy to check you'd have to be a damfool to make them if they were false. The following is the address of the All Nihon Kyudo Federation:

KISHI MEMORIAL HALL
1-1-1, JINNAN, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO
150-8050 JAPAN
TEL: 81-3-3481-2387
FAX: 81-3-3481-2398
E-mail:mailto@kyudo.jp

Anybody want to be bothered?

[HenryT]

Fujii Okimitsu, who is the 'patron' of Mr Alexander's Zenshin Alliance, has a dojo in London. Presumably he can verify a lot of what Mr Alexander claims, and, as patron, approves of what he's doing. I haven't found an address for Mr Fujii, but this is the address given for the Kendo department of the London dojo: philippe.negri@hotmail.co.uk

[Sri Hanuman]

I must make a disclaimer here.
I am not an experienced CMA practitioner (I have been practicing Taijiquan only since ~2006,) I am marginal at best. I am however, very familiar with the history and the theories/principles of the art.

I consider myself well read on the subjects, and have the resources and references to back my opinions on the matter. My apologies if there have been misconceptions on this issue.