Mirror: TOO DEADLY TO SPAR? OR JUST AN EXPENSIVE GAME?

 I am putting this article on the Black Dragon Ninjitsu Blog. It was first encountered on Facebook. 

The link is below:

By Sumiko Nakano

TOO DEADLY TO SPAR? OR JUST AN EXPENSIVE GAME? 

 

THE BUJINKAN CULT 

At first, it seemed like there might be something real behind all the talk about ancient warrior traditions and secret ninja techniques. The idea of training in something with deep history, something passed down through generations, had a certain appeal. But the more I looked, the less sense it made. The training felt staged, full of choreographed movements that only worked because the partner let them. The explanations were vague, wrapped in mystical nonsense that sounded profound but meant nothing. And the worst part? No one seemed to notice. They just nodded along, repeating the same patterns, never questioning why none of it was ever tested under real pressure.

Then there were the ranks. People walking around with double-digit dan grades, handed out like cheap participation trophies. No real skill, no proof, just a number that meant nothing outside their own little fantasy bubble. And if you dared to ask why none of this was ever put to the test, you’d get fed some garbage about how “true warriors don’t need to prove anything” or that the techniques were “too deadly for sparring.” At first, it seemed like they actually believed it. But the longer I watched, the clearer it became—some of them knew. The ones running things, the ones making money off it, they weren’t just deluded. They were frauds.

And that’s what makes this whole thing worse than just a harmless fantasy. Because it’s not just a bunch of people playing dress-up in a dojo. It’s an entire system built on deception, convincing people they’re learning something real when they’re not. The moment one of these so-called warriors steps outside their controlled little training hall and reality doesn’t follow the script, the entire illusion shatters. And reality isn’t forgiving. It doesn’t care about ranks, about ancient scrolls, about made-up histories. It just steamrolls right through the bullshit.

The Bujinkan martial arts organization has long traded on exotic myths and untouchable mystique. But scratch the surface, and an ugly reality emerges. This critique pulls no punches, attacking Bujinkan’s claims and practices from every angle—its bogus history, ludicrous training methods, non-existent combat effectiveness, cult-like leadership, ninja fantasy marketing, and internal corruption. The organization boasts nine ancient ryūha (schools) including the famed Togakure-ryū ninjutsu with grand claims of unbroken lineage to feudal Japan. In reality, there is zero solid historical documentation to verify these ninja lineages existed before the 20th century. None of Bujinkan’s ryūha are recognized by Japan’s legitimate kobudō organizations, which authenticate classical martial lineages. In fact, evidence suggests the “history” was concocted in modern times by Takamatsu Toshitsugu (Hatsumi’s teacher) and Hatsumi himself to appear far older than it is. The Bugei Ryūha Daijiten (an authoritative encyclopedia of martial schools) bluntly states that Togakure-ryū’s genealogy was newly put together by Takamatsu, complete with embellishments to make it seem ancient. In other words, the ninja lineage Bujinkan sells as 800 years old is about as authentic as a comic book storyline. For decades, Bujinkan has peddled a fantasy narrative of ninja warriors passing down secret techniques through the ages. The truth is that Takamatsu recreated or outright invented Togakure-ryū in the 1950s, likely cobbling together bits of classical jujutsu and folklore. The unverifiable genealogy, listing names of supposed grandmasters back to 1162, exists only in Bujinkan’s own materials—independent historians find no trace of these figures in reputable records. This is genealogy by creative writing: a marketing ploy to lure enthusiasts with the romance of learning “ancient ninja secrets.” It’s telling that even the Iga-ryū Ninja Museum in Japan (an establishment dedicated to ninja history) recognizes no one from Bujinkan as an authentic heir to ninja traditions, naming someone else entirely. When actual scholars and historians examine Bujinkan’s claims, they conclude it’s a fraudulent lineage crafted to sell a story, not a bona fide martial legacy. The organization essentially packages myth as history—a dishonest sales pitch that insults the intelligence of anyone seeking genuine historical martial arts.

Perhaps even more damning than its fake history is Bujinkan’s atrocious training methodology. Walk into a Bujinkan dojo and you’ll see choreographed kata and one-step drills where uke (partners) obligingly fall over or freeze in place as the practitioner goes through the motions. What you won’t see is hard sparring, resistance, or pressure-testing of techniques. Full-contact sparring is virtually non-existent in the Bujinkan curriculum. Instead, training is a cooperative dance: attacks are fed with unrealistic slowness, partners play-act reactions (like dutifully doubling over from an indicated strike that never actually landed). The result is a delusional sense of effectiveness. Students rack up black belts without ever facing an unconstrained, resisting opponent. They’re like script-rehearsed actors who have never been in a real fight scene—primed to panic the moment the script is thrown out. Bujinkan apologists often trot out the tired excuse that “our techniques are too deadly to spar with.” This is nothing but a convenient cop-out. Eye-gouges, throat strikes, and groin kicks are found in many arts—yet those arts still spar by modifying or excluding the most dangerous moves. The truth is Bujinkan’s techniques fall apart against resistance, so the organization avoids live sparring to save face. Without pressure-testing, practitioners never learn timing, reflexes, or the ability to actually apply their moves on a non-compliant opponent. As a result, Bujinkan dojos become fantasy bubble environments. Students leave class believing they’re lethal ninja warriors, but this confidence is built on zero substance. It’s false confidence in the highest degree—and it will shatter upon contact with reality. Contrast this with training in proven combat arts: Boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Kyokushin Karate—these arts forge skill through contact and resistance. Practitioners spar hard, get hit, struggle against full force throws and submissions. They learn what it’s like when someone doesn’t play along. A judoka knows how to prevent a throw because her partners actively try to throw her every practice; a Bujinkan practitioner only knows compliant partners who politely flip when the throw is attempted. The difference is night and day. Bujinkan’s soft, compliant training produces what can only be called martial arts cosplayers—people going through ninja-esque motions in a comfortable dojo, never experiencing a punch in the face or a choke under pressure. It’s an insult to call it “training” when it so studiously avoids the one thing that actually builds fighting skill: resistance. Little wonder that those who cross-train in alive arts immediately recognize Bujinkan’s drills as pretend-play that wouldn’t last a second against a real attacker.

Given the above, it’s no surprise that Bujinkan techniques have a laughable track record in real-world combat. In fact, “track record” is being generous—there virtually isn’t one. You won’t find Bujinkan champions in MMA rings, kickboxing tournaments, or even full-contact karate competitions. Why? Because Bujinkan practitioners know better than to test their fantasy in a venue where failure is undeniable. Those few who have tried quickly discover that their eye-pokes and stylized kata falls don’t mean squat when a trained fighter is coming to take your head off. The lack of sparring and pressure means a typical Bujinkan black belt has never experienced the adrenaline dump and chaos of a real fight. When confronted with an aggressive, resisting opponent, they freeze like a deer in headlights, with no reliable skill to fall back on. Decades of rehearsed wrist-locks and choreographed responses prove useless when the opponent doesn’t follow the script. The over-choreographed, compliant training ensures that Bujinkan techniques are untested theories—fancy-looking moves that fall apart instantly under real pressure. It’s telling that even some experienced Bujinkan folks privately admit the art is a dead end for fighting skill. As one observer bluntly put it, “You won’t learn how to fight in Bujinkan. You’ll learn a lot of techniques, but not how to use them reliably in a fight.” Ouch. Real-world self-defense demands stress-tested tactics, quick reflexes, and adaptability—qualities Bujinkan simply does not cultivate. Instead, practitioners are spoon-fed a false sense of security: mystical philosophies about fighting without fighting, or defeating enemies with secret pressure points. It’s all smoke and mirrors. When reality strikes—whether a mugger’s punch or an MMA fighter’s takedown—the Bujinkan practitioner crumbles, overwhelmed by an assault they never prepared for. We’ve seen it time and again: people with walls full of Bujinkan certificates who can’t even throw a decent punch or defend a single-leg takedown. The claim that Bujinkan is practical for real self-defense is beyond absurd—it’s downright dangerous. It gives gullible students the confidence to try this stuff in a real confrontation, which is a quick route to getting knocked out or worse. If your martial art never pressure-tests its techniques, you have no business trusting it with your life. Bujinkan fails this most basic litmus test of a martial art, disqualifying itself from any serious self-defense conversation.

The tragedy is that many well-meaning people have wasted time and money in this organization, genuinely wanting to learn self-defense or connect with Japanese tradition—only to be sold snake-oil in the form of bogus lineages and ineffective techniques. Meanwhile, the Bujinkan leadership continues to laugh all the way to the bank, spinning ever more fantastical tales to keep the cult alive. If you’re considering training in Bujinkan, open your eyes. Don’t buy the hype. Recognize the glaring problems laid out above. Realize that wearing a black belt and calling yourself a ninja means nothing when it hasn’t been earned through blood, sweat, and resistance. In a real fight, your attacker won’t be impressed by your ancient lineage certificate or your Grandmaster’s autograph—they’ll just kick your ass if you haven’t trained for reality. In short, the Bujinkan stands as a stark example of everything that can go wrong in the martial arts: history distorted into fantasy, training devoid of realism, gurus elevated to godhood, ranks divorced from skill, and commercialism trumping integrity. It’s high time the martial arts community stops giving this organization a pass. The emperor has no clothes. The “ninja” grandmaster is peddling illusions. And the sooner people walk away from the Bujinkan’s cultish dojo halls and seek out real martial training, the better off they’ll be. But of course, the moment anyone dares to call out this nonsense, the same predictable responses come rolling in—personal attacks, weak deflections, and the classic “who are you to judge?” argument.

I already know what some of these Bujinkan defenders will say next. “Oh, but who are you to talk?” “What have you accomplished?” “I bet you couldn’t last five seconds against a real Bujinkan master.” It’s the same predictable nonsense every time, as if my argument somehow collapses just because I’m not a world champion. So let’s get that out of the way now—I don’t claim to be some top fighter. I’m far from it. I’m an amateur, and I have no problem admitting that before anyone thinks they’re making a clever counter-argument by taking shots at my skills. Go ahead—laugh, call me inexperienced, tell me I have no right to criticize. But here’s the thing—even as an amateur, even with all the flaws in my own game, I know the difference between reality and bullshit. I train under pressure. I’ve been hit. I’ve been thrown. I’ve been choked. I’ve sparred with people trying to take my head off, and I’ve felt what it’s like to be completely outclassed by someone better, stronger, faster. And no matter how much that sucks, no matter how humbling it is, it’s real. It makes me better. It forces me to adapt, to improve, to survive.

That’s the difference. I don’t need to be some world-class fighter to see that Bujinkan is nothing but a fraud wrapped in mysticism and delusion. I don’t need a championship belt to know that training against a compliant partner who willingly falls over isn’t real. I don’t need to be the best in the world to understand that if you never spar, never face resistance, never get tested under real pressure, then what you’re doing is worthless. The fact that I’m an amateur and I can still see through the nonsense should tell you everything. Because even at my level, I know one simple truth—if something doesn’t work when it’s tested, it doesn’t work, period.

That’s why I have no respect for the frauds at the top who know exactly what they’re doing—peddling lies, collecting money, and keeping people trapped in a system that will fail them the second they actually need it. They aren’t just misguided; they’re predators. They take people who genuinely want to learn how to defend themselves, who want to connect with something real, and they sell them an illusion that won’t hold up outside their little dojo bubble. And if you still want to waste your time chasing shadows and bowing to fake ninja masters, that’s your choice. But don’t expect reality to care when the fantasy crumbles.

Because at the end of the day, skill isn’t built on myths, and fighting ability isn’t earned through certificates. Either what you train works, or it doesn’t. And if it doesn’t, what’s the point?

Cyber Ninjitsu: The upcoming work on Black Dragon Ninjitsu's Emerging Cyberware Doctrine...

 Cyberspace is a difficult and dangerous place. Criminal Hackers are stealing private information and stealing people's money. Though most of the crime is conducted by what is called Social Engineering. I was recently hacked, and it has been difficult to say the least to maintain my work as both a writer and my regular 9 to 5 job, but shying away from adversity won't get anything accomplished. 

At most hacking me only delayed my efforts, but so much has been recovered and my work continues to move forward. We have about a month or maybe 2, before Trump puts tariffs in place against China which will hamper your access to cheap Chinese electronics. 

The whole premise behind Cyber Ninjitsu, is to establish a docturine of ethical hacking for those who have bought thr Black Dragon Ninjitsu series of books. And if you haven't, the free pdf is on Scribd here: (https://www.scribd.com/doc/61198315/32627774-Black-Dragon-Ninjitsu-Home-Study-Course). And I made it available online, using an older version that has less information than the current paid for version. Though, I still reveal how to make ninja flash and smoke bombs, poisons, and herbal medicine. The more up-to-date version was written with the idea of ticking off those frauds who want to argue lineage online, while they LARP ninja jujitsu (taijutsu), and pirate historical information from the published historical ninjutsu documents made available through the hardwork of Anthony Cummins and the Historical Ninjutsu Research Team. These "ninja secrets" are publicly available online for the other "ninja masters" to take elements from for their own (also fraudulent) systems.

Ninjutsu doesn't exist like it did and while many ninja became the root of the Japanese police forces, investigators, and "secret police" for a time, ninjutsu wasn't widely maintained. Like some of the Bushi who became bandits and pirates unable to gain employment as a retainer (samurai), it may have found a place among the criminal underworld. Or, so I was told, but can you really believe a bunch of criminals?

And while many people are blaming Hackers, seeing Hackers as a bunch of criminals and amoral cyber geeks. I see Hackers and hacking as the next phase of modern ninjitsu training and doctrine. So what would make my Cyber Ninjitsu so valuable a tool?

First, Black Dragon Ninjitsu has an extreme small teams combat doctrine in Army of Shadows, which addresses and expands on the maneuver warfare principles of the paid for version of Black Dragon Ninjitsu, as well as a brief study of espionage tactics and doctrine for the ninja student. Yet, as World War Three kicks off with cyber warfare, and such, Black Dragon Ninjitsu as a Strategic-Combat-Survival Art, being more than a martial art, embraces the nee modern battle space of cyberspace and combines it with that extreme small teams doctrine for combat.

Secondly, Black Dragon Ninjitsu's cyber warfare doctrine involves a purpose driven system based on a custom Cyberdeck built from two Raspberry Pi 4s, a Hack RF One portapack, and a LoRa messaging system that allows it operate as a man portable communication, Cyber infiltration, and field base command and control node. And, the cheapest access to the required electronics is in China which will make their acquisition more expensive post Trump Tariffs.

Don't think I am dissing or, against Trump, these Tariffs are a self-imposed injury that requires both the pain and the release of a much more dangerous burden on our nation. The burden of foreign control of American manufacturing. Remember what China did during covid, the government commandering the masks need to help slow or prevent the spread of covid. The company was American owned, but had a cheap manufacturing base in China. And, I don't blame China for doing what it felt was needed to protect it's own people. I blame American companies for moving their manufacturing overseas and the politicians who have made it more acceptable to do so.

It's honorable to see that China was looking out for its citizens, and disgusting to realize that our own politicians were not. Certain things that are critical to the functioning of our modern technological society should be based in our own national borders; things such as medical equipment manufacturing, medicine manufacturing, and, yes, electronics that can maintain, and our communication and emergency support infrastructure. Regardless, I am not made of money and, will use any available resources for my own advantageous ends to have a better position in my life, than I had yesterday. 

So, Cyber Ninjitsu is going to be progressed by the availability of cheap electronics. And, while this void of domestic electronics infrastructure can be filled and should be filled by American companies that can supply its national needs behind the national defense of the country that spends more on national defense than the rest of the world combined, it will likely be filled by Indian companies that produce these products in sweat shops at a far cheaper labor cost than American manufacturers. 

Regardless if you are interested in what I have developed for a cyberwarfare doctrine. I am still working on it; and it is a complex system of custom hardware, custom designed software based on the Kali-Linux OS, and a liberary of Black Dragon Ninjitsu material. This system uses a multi-layered morphic encryption system of my own design called Himitsu (the Japanese word for secret). I've tested it against AI, and even AI can't crack it. With other tools and systems from other GNU-Linix based OSs, for privacy and anonymous networking, and cyber defense. 

I call it Kali-Black OS, Kali-Linux + Black Dragon Ninjitsu = Kali-Black. A Black Hat Hacker custom built and espionage, sabotage, assassination, scout reconnaissance, and extreme small teams guerrilla warfare based OS. The book is based on my own self-study program for learning to use Linux Commands, Ethical Hacking, and Cyber Security to add tools to my toolbox as a 21st Century "ninja."

That said, let make something perfectly clear to you the reader... I don't think any Ninjitsu school is legitimate, and I am a veteran of the US Army as an 11B; imfantryman. I am not going to claim traditional ninjutsu and trach you information that you can get by buying Anthony Cummins translations of historical texts. I already know most people in the martial arts community, especially the MMA goons, think anything ninja is either good fiction or hokey BS...

So I am using that for "smoke screen" to teach those who need it, those who want it. Functional, effective, and both historical and modern, ninja-themed skills related to strategy, combat, and survival training. Let the world think of it as fraudulent and hokey... pretend to be like the other ninjas on the playground, LARPing away with ninja taijutsu/jujitsu, and in their under estimation you will have the advantage of training in something that is so much more than a martial art. 

Stay tooned and look in the secret places for how to get access to Kali-Black.

The Shinobi Survival Manual: A SERE manual for the mosern ninja.

 SERE school is a classified military school that is a requirement for Special Operations Units, fighter, bomber and spy plane pilots, and certain other groups. The CIA may have something similar for their people or they may use the military SERE school. 

SERE stands for Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape. Sounds pretty ninja right? Well I explain to the reader all the core principles of how a ninja infiltrator would operate behind enemy lines, including the resistance part going over tracking and counter tracking, how to escape handcuffs and shackles, primitive and historical ninjutsu methods of survival, along with modern methods of cache supplies. How search patterns work and how to beat them. 

I recently pulled it when I realized that I didn't include the information on evasive driving like how to counter the pit maneuver and the rolling road block. This book contains the Black Dragon Ninja's EDC kit; every day carry kit and how to use it. 

Survival is more than a ninjutsu practitioner's ability to use boy scout level field craft or more advanced bush craft. In a way it is all of that and more. While I am adding to what I already wrote, I will also update Army of Shadows and the Shadow Hunter Manual for Black Dragon Ninjitsu Sniper Program (good thing that the Trump Sniper never read it), as I also address how to hide from night vision and thermal devices. 

Black Dragon Ninjitsu is not a martial art but, a strategic combat survival system that contains elements of martial arts and battlefield strategies and tactics both historical and modern. The ninja is not a member of the now non-existent warrior caste trained in skirmish and guerrilla tactics, though that statement is historically accurate. Nor is the ninja a practitioner of Japanese jujutsu in a black gi. The ninja is an archetype of the elite warrior-assassin-spy who uses low tech, no tech and even 21st Century high-tech tools for a single purpose; to serve the highest standard of self-discipline, self-improvement, self-actualization, and Self-sacrifice. 

That last line may appear selfish, but it is the self that puts everything into motion. It is the self, the individual who begins training and who keeps training and who seeks to improve their training and their skills adding more tools to their proverbial toolbox. So self-discipline is the first step in learning to control the desires and emotions of the individual to resist the trapping of their enemies, including the worst enemy of all their self. Self-improvement is built on the foundation of self-discipline and, self-actualization is the purpose of training; to put training and self-improvement into action and, becoming a hidden influence upon the world around the individual. Finally, comes Self-sacrifice; the willingness to work in service to a higher goal beyond the self. The Individual must be willing to die for what they believe in, but not just die; die in a way that serves and promotes that higher idea. Because whatever you are willing to die for, you must also be willing to live for it too...

Thus, all the self-empowerment is thrown away as you are living and dying for something greater than yourself. In this way, your life and your training becomes an act of selflessness.

Taiso: An understanding of Fitness and Martial Arts.

 Taiso "Body Hardening" sometimes translated as "Physical Conditioning" or "Physical Exercise" and mostly reflects Calisthenics, aerobic exercise, cardiovascular, isometric, and anaerobic exercise that condition the Taijutsu/Jujitsu practitioner to excute their art with Speed, Power, Precision, and Endurance for the Physical Trials of the Art.

However, Taijitsu meaning roughly "Body Art" is sole aspect of Physical Exercise. The application of context must be applied to the name of the Art. So what is the context of the "Body Art"?

Jujitsu or jujutsu, is the "Yielding Art" roughly translated and the inferred context is the "Yielding Art" to Overcome an Adversary in Self-defense or (as where the needs of the Samurai who invented it) Combat. So to can the translation of Taijutsu assume the same inferred context, using the "Body Art" to Overcome an Adversary in Self-defense or Combat. Taijitsu or Taijutsu is the Art of Using the Body to Overcome an Adversary. Taijutsu was defined as another form of Jujutsu by Jugaro Kano the founder of Judo, who helped to promote Japanese Martial Arts to the World outside of Japan.

Taiso, is the Hardening of the Body for this single purpose, and by hardening the body, by conditioning the physical form of the Martial Artist to Give and Take injury and pain, one also conditions the Mind/Heart of the Taijitsuka (Taijutsu practitioner) to Harden the Will and Focus the mind to push through pain, fatigue, and tiredness of the body.
Taiso makes use of stretching, body weight exercises, running, swimming, muscle tension, weighted conditioning, and repetition drills to develop the body to perform at its peak or near peak performance level. This is combined with other forms of training in techniques and tactics, that allow the principles of tactics, and biomechanical functions to maximize your physical ability with physics and mechanics of moving your body to focus mental intent, through physical action.

Though pushed to the extremes of Physical Exertion, the Taijutsu or jujutsuka, is stressed to maintain mental focus, emotional control, and discipline even when feeling exhausted and worn-out. Discipline takes many forms Attention to Detail, to Traditional Customs, Posture, and Personal Hygiene.

Other exercises include simulating life threatening events, which will push the Jujitsu/taijust practitioner to push through pain and fatigue, sleep deprivation, and hunger. During the Winter months Kan Geiko December (usually January) to February from 5 to 7 am, involve Taiso and Randori practice, in cold weather outside. As a form of mental conditioning Kan Geiko forces the student to face and overcome the challenges of training outside in cold winter mornings. Likewise, Shochu Geiko is between June and August, mostly July, from 1 to 3 pm, where students wear heavy duty clothing and train during the hottest hours of the day, so that students are faced with being hot, sweaty, and fatigued engaging in Taiso and Randori. These types of essentric hard style training camps, develop mental toughness since complaining is not allowed and quitting (unless a medical emergency) is seen as a sign of weakness. A minimum of 5 days of Geiko training is required and it can last for up to 30 days.

Shugyo is a kind of "Knight's quest" that Samurai went on. Actually, it was a time before the Samurai became a samurai; as in a loyal retainer of a Lord or Daimyo, shugodai or, higher ranked samurai, spent as a Ronin. The Bushi was to live by performing manual labor, sleeping outside regardless of weather conditions, and engaging in duels and serving Ronin mercenaries in other Domains wars and battles, developing a reputation, and, with luck, being offered the position of Retainer, or Samurai.

In Black Dragon Ninjitsu, it is a period of 3 to 6 months where a student is sent away to train at another school, gym, or dojo. During that time they are to enroll in the school and train in that style. They are permitted to spend a year total on the Shugyo. The "Wandering Ronin" returns to the Dojo and teaches the other students about the other schools style and techniques. It also allows the student to test themselves against people who are trained in the same system.

Shugyo is also the term for Ninja Missions that Students can be sent on to advance their own stealth, infiltration, and intelligence gathering skills. Sometimes these missions are to train in another Martial Arts school and write a Report on the style of Martial Art, techniques and philosophy, the composition of the class students, and the psychological profile of the instructor and their teaching style, as well as elements of style that would benefit a Black Dragon Ninjitsu practitioner and, an assessment of how a Black Dragon Ninjitsu practitioner could exploit the styles weaknesses as they provide a comprehensive list of the styles weaknesses. The student then gets to teach the class what they learned of the style, while they teach their fellow students how to exploit the weaknesses of that style. As well as expressing the dangers of facing someone using that style. 

During the time that the student is teaching this infiltrated styles methods, taiso would also mirror that of the other martial arts style, to allow students and instructors to gain understanding of the conditioning system of the other system and, let instructors get a feeling of how to advance their own Taiso conditioning system, while they develop their own fitness and exercise routines.

The core principle of Jujutsu is yielding to overcome, and yet as much as Jujitsu practitioner is taught to yield, to be soft, they are also taught to harden their body through exercise and physical conditioning. 

Interview with "American Shaolin" Chris Friedman

 I am going to welcome Chris Friendman to my Blog he has written a one book for Shadow Warrior Press and revised and improved it before self-publishing it in China and offering it directly on Amazon, trained in Shaolin Kung-fu in China, as well as, other Chinese martial arts. He also writes for JetLi.com and a kung-fu magazine. You also offer a travel service to train in Kung-fu in China as well. Not to mention other styles of martial arts here in the states... Thats certainly a list of accomplishments, is there anything I left out?
Hi Ron well I am now embarking on the role of a novelist writing my first novel in the true crime genre.

Now I was thinking of not putting you on the spot but, no... The hell with it, I am gonna put you on the spot. You used to train in the Bujiinkan, as well, didn't you?
Yes, I trained in Bujinkan for about seven years. During that time I also crossed trained in several style. I have always used free sparring as part of my training and as most know traditionally in the Bujinkan they don’t spar, as part of their training. So I would train in systems like Sambo and Judo during that time. I reached the rank of Shodan then, transferred over to the Chinese arts. I was always slightly more interested in the Chinese culture and, liked the idea of having many solo drills and routines to do as part of my training.

Now you've seen the bad with it and I am not ask you about it. Its been discussed publicly on Facebook and privately. I am not going to beat a dead horse. Your instructor was a pretty amazing guy and you talked about him in your book, would you share that story?
Several of the Bujinkan instructors I trained under worked in security and law enforcement. One worked as a guard in Rykers Island and told many stories of using the stuff in real life. There were a couple of other instructors they had brief brushes with adversaries on the streets also with interesting stories to tell.

Now to be honest, I wanted to get that story out there because regardless of the art, he seemed like a very good guy and a highly skilled martial artist. I want to use him as an example of what the good Bujinkan Instructors look like...

So can we agree to leave all that under the bridge and talk about you and China?
Well, that particular instructor was very humble and friendly. He obviously had a lot of real life experience and, was not puffed up with false prestige. Sure I love to share my adventures here with anyone who is willing to listen.

Now, lets start with why you went to China? And how long you been there?
I always wanted to train in Asia. I grew up watching kung fu movies on channel five. I would put on a karate gi after and, go into my backyard in Long Island, New York do kata and imagine I was one of those guys in the movies. I got my first chance to take a two week trip there to train. Loved it, met a friend while there and, made the plan. I have been living here about eleven years already.

What is it like coming back to the US when, you have been living in China so long?
I feel really nervous. The people their behavior everything. The thing that makes me most nervous is how easy it is to get into a conflict with people in the states. Very different from China.

Have you met Jet Li yet? What's he like?
I never met Jet Li. I did do some extra work on films in the past but, never got to meet any of these big wigs.

 What are your instructors like in China?
They have all been really nice and open with me. I will only train with teachers whose personality suits mine. That goes for in the states as well. I don’t need a Master to tell me how to live sleep and eat. Just someone who is friendly easy going and willing to teach me what I’m looking to learn.

Now you wrote an article for this blog, detailing the differences in how the training in China is so different from the US would explain that here?
In the states there is more real life violence. Here they fight as in Sanda but it is mostly for a living like a job. Very few people get into fights on the streets here. The motivation is different. The basics are very solid in China, they have more patience and discipline you can say. Also usually there is less cross training. The country isn’t as open as in the US. Both are good and have their benefits.

So the Chinese arts you have studied do stress Sparring Correct?
Since I have been in China I have studied three system each has its own story. Baguazhang in Beijing. I took private lessons and every once in a while I would have a partner and do some application. As far as I know his group classes didn’t spar. Back in the state where I did Bagua Zhang they spared every week, and did special drills as well. Shuai Jiao (Chinese wrestling) which is  like a very aggressive version of Judo, where you wear short sleeve jackets and, very aggressively grab yank pull and throw each other. I trained with professional fighters the majority of the time and, the wrestling sparring was very rough. I got my ass handed to me weekly.

Within Songshan Shaolin all the school do Sanda as part of their curriculum. School levels in Sanada vary. I train once a week with full time Sanda fighters and, also spar with my traditional Shi fu students. Sanda is like most other forms of kickboxing but, also has throws. I also had a couple of real incidents but, we can save those stories for another time.

And how do they feel about Grappling? They are not all limited to just striking as seen in many forms of competition like Sport Karate?
Sanada has throws but, many schools these days seem to be neglecting them and, focusing on purely kickboxing aspect of it. Qin Na which has always been an integral part of Shaolin and, other styles of kung fu, has become very rare around here. Luckily I have found an old school teacher that knows the stuff well. Qin Na has all kinds of locks holds and escapes, even some ground fighting.  The Baugua Zhang had lots of locks escapes and thows, but no ground fighting. Shuai Jiao was all throws.  One of my Shuai Jiao coaches went on to become a MMA fighter. Because he came from a Shuai Jiao background when he began to cross train in BJJ, he picked it up real quick. He is a Beast on the ground weighs 125 pound and, can just destroy me on the ground and I’m 170 pounds and, was at one time a decent ground fighter.

So you've read the Shadow Warrior version of World's Deadliest Fighting Secrets, what are your thoughts on the Book in general?
Very interesting read. Count Dante was quite the character. I heard he was a very good fighter so there is no disputing the guy had skills and, was tough. I don’t agree with his philosophies. Firstly, in my opinion, martial arts are more than just fighting and, if you learn to control your mind and emotions you can not only avoid many fights but, improve health. I think if you had an option of using your martial arts to live a long healthy life or, a reckless dangerous one, the former is better. The fact that he died young and, even one of his students were killed says something about this point.

How about Count Dante and, his view of martial arts and racism in the martial arts?
I agree with him on that point. Prejudice suck and is evil in any shape or form. To fight against it is righteous and courageous.

Did you have any experiences with Racism in the Martial Arts, in China?
It is very subtle and sneaky form. They won’t come out and, say something but, they are very insecure around foreigners as they call us here.  Especially, around their woman. As far as martial arts training no. On the contrary my teachers have been very happy to have such a dedicated and, sincere student.

 I would say when have grown a lot more beyond that here in the US, wouldn't you?
Both have been important parts of my growth. I had a wild up bringing and, now to be in the strict environment of Chinese life style helps to balance things out. But, for people growing up in China it is like they are in a bubble. They are very limited to what they experience and, know about the rest of the world. I also am very grateful to have lived in another country, it teachings me a lot, to see things from other perspectives.

 In fact, I think the world of martial arts has opened quite a bit in our life times. I mean we have experienced a flowering and, openness to be able to learn martial arts as we have in the years since Dante's time but, we have also seen a rise in frauds and invented lineages as well... But, have you seen the same patterns as well in China?
In China if someone creates a new branch of an existing style, for example my Bagua Zhang teacher did. It comes from the traditional stuff and, not some imaginary linage. But that is my only experience with that subject. There might be people in China making up lineages. I don’t even really think making up a style is so bad, if the artist is gifted, the problem is they often lie about the history to seem more legit.

Now these adventures, seems the only word which comes to mind, you sell. Allowing people to come to China and train there, is amazing. I mean its living the dream for many martial artists... Its not just site seeing, its hard style training. Very serious stuff right?
Yes, the training is hard but you can do as much as you feel comfortable with. Many student here are young and, train full time so if someone older and, don’t train for a living, they will understand the fitness level won’t be the same. So it will be up to the student to decide how hard they want to push their bodies. If someone comes to train with us, they can learn Shaolin Basics, forms, empty handed and weapons, sanda (kickboxing), two man conditioning drills, qin na self-defense, shi suo (a traditional tool similar to a kettle drum), meditation and qi gong (health qi work). Or they can choose to specialize in any of the mentioned skills.

 In fact, the Chinese have a different view of rank don't they? How do the Chinese view rank in a martial art?
It varies and, if it is a government run organization, they have pretty formal ranks but, I never went that route so can speak much on it. With my teachers it is usually student and instructor. I have reached instructor level and, been certified by two of my Shaolin Shifus already. The term master is a tricky one, usually it is a term used by others who respect your level. Of course these days people call themselves "master" and, put it on their business cards even in Asia. I prefer the term Shifu which is just used for martial arts teachers. I have had a few foreign guests here call me Master, which is flattering but, I don’t take it too seriously. I never heard my teachers call themselves master either. I also don’t like calling anyone master because I practice Hinduism and, that is a term reserved for God.

 In fact, I am very late in getting this interview up... So I have to  cut it short, which is a bad thing... In any event, I would like to thank you for Interview and, want to ask if there is any links to your articles with Jetli.com, Shaolin Tai Chi Magazine and other sources so readers can follow you online?

Ah yes my YouTube channel and my latest article on JetLi.com, A Day in the Life of a Shaolin Foreign Disciple.

For everything there is a Season

Well I mentioned the surprise and secret fight with the MMA fighter... Completely stunned a lot of people but, really don't matter...

See it provided a platform for talking about God. I often call certain martial arts groups cults. And they certainly exist within the martial arts community. However, tomorrow is March 5th. The last day for Kristen Keller to respond to law suit, I was told by my detractors would never be served... Until it was served.

I am no prophet but, I was shown God's will because I asked God to show it to me. I know this shocks people but, eh... Your belief or unbelief is not mine to be concerned with. I am here to convince of God's will or, even his existence. That is between you and the God to work out between the two of you.

I can only show what God has shown me or, more importantly... What God has done through me, I can take no credit for anything. No more credit then a hammer can take credit for the work of the craftsman.

I don't expect people to understand why I can basically lose everything and have faith in God. To be honest, sometimes its very hard. I have come to accept two things, 1. That I am were God wants to be for the reason he wants me to be there and 2. That I am fit to serve his will... But, that is why I am here doing just that.

See if I was fit to serve God's will, I would be the person who gets the credit, when it is God doing the work. Does that make sense to you? It is no surprise that I speaking of God, the first edition Black Dragon Ninjitsu has a reference to God and every subsequent edition as well... The hardest thing for me to do is to do nothing, I am my own worst enemy in that regard.

Why am I evem bothering to rype this up for you to read? Probably because right now I am doing nothing... On the way back from Florida my alternator went out, had to drive from autoparts store to autoparts store getting the recharged.

At one point I was getting off the interstate at an exit, one of three that were all camp grounds. And I said, "Its gonna be fine. God will look out for me." As I was coasting down the off ramp onto a mainroad with no street lights and nothing around me but forest, the road dipped and everything was black night. My head lights were even dying on me. But, coasting out the dip I saw the orange flashing lights of a fire stone truck... The driver was there dealing with someone else's trailer that had gotten a flat tire and, wasn't just willing to help me, but charged my battery for 30 minutes with the Jumper cables.

Now some people say it was luck and, it might have been but, who is to say "luck" wasn't God's will. I honestly believe that, my life is weird and bizarre, that there has to be more to it then just me. Faith is a hard thing to have and, it is even harder to keep... Especially, when your life is falling apart. There isn't really anyone I know, who can relate to me and my experience in life. And, I have to believe that my life in that regard serves a purpose...

I just don't always or completely know what that is... All I know is, tomorrow is the last day for Keller to respond. So far she has not &, silence is an admission of guilt... A $25 Million Dollar admission of guilt.

 

Last updated 03/02/2018... 

That was Friday.

 

So here is my question, what does everyone think they will say if and when, Kristen Keller doesn't answer and, doesn't explain why she violated WV Code 27-6A-2 (b) does that mean I am right and that she falsified evidence... Or is it just $25 Million Dollar luck? If she mailed a response and it shows up post marked before tomorrow what happens next?

I present to you a question of faith...

So once again, MMA fighters become the factor. Since I am making a prediction about events and with it comes a planned secret video. I fight with a local MMA fighter, no holding back and very little rules.

How is it a secret if I am telling you? Well, I met this man at buddy Tim's birthday party and kept fucking with him all night. Yeah I was drunk but, I saw this man for what he was. My end... He can and will put me down and I have to straight up admit it... This isn't some Icy Mike bullshit where he isn't going to give it his all and, I will get fucked up.

God has designs for this man and, he is a man on fire. He is the kind of man who isn't old enough to buy alcohol &, still deserves to be called a man. Well the video is a secret because we drunkenly agreed to fight each other. It will be filmed and, we hold onto the footage. He might be a chance to rekindle my dying embers of fighting spirit and faith. Which is why I really want to fight him. Now, this is a full tilt fight without anyone holding back. The fight hasn't happened yet but, so the video doesn't exist... Yet.

But, it will...

My predictions and my secrets are already here:

Last updated February 25th 2018... Started on the 24th and then I left my phone at Timmy's. I saw him and, knew God sent him to me. Never met him before, that night but, yeah thats my guy. Same size and build as me, bigger then Icy Mike and about the same weight.

This is simple proof I can bang and, with someone who isn't holding back. Why? Because, Icy Mike held back and, as much as it was an insult to him that I didn't even try to fight back... It was just as much an insult he didn't give it his all... Ah but, this man. This man, is not going to insult me or himself.

Why am I saying this?

The one, thing I never questioned about this man... His faith. I don't question it now, I know better and, I didn't question it then. No, I have faith in him. I have faith in the God who sent him to me...

Just I have faith in the other trials and tasks put before me;

And, this fighter who's name I haven't mentioned. Don't worry, I don't have to, he is another "better man then me type." A hero type, a grenade jumper, if I ever saw one.