James Mitose's Aikido 10th Dan

Discussion in 'Kenpo' started by Matthew Barnes, Jun 22, 2004.

  1. Matthew Barnes

    Matthew Barnes Valued Member

    There are plenty of stories about James Mitose, seminal figure in Hawaiian Kenpo/kempo history. One 'historical tidbit' that gets brought up is his status as '10th dan and remonstrant of aikido for all america'.

    There's a featured article at:
    www.kempojutsu.net

    that delves into the mystery of his aikido rank, citing a letter by the person who gave it to him.

    Please read and comment.

    Matt
     
  2. kajupaul

    kajupaul New Member

    mitose

    This is a first.I've read that he may have trained in Kodokan Judo a little but never Aikido.Sounds like bull to me.
     
  3. kempo penguin

    kempo penguin New Member

    i think the point of the article was that he didnt train aikido, he just kinda got a 10th dan in a very dishonorable way.
     
  4. kajupaul

    kajupaul New Member

    this very common unfortunately.some high profile martial artists tend to get 'honorary ranks' and it gives recognition to the art.B.S if you ask me.
     
  5. Matthew Barnes

    Matthew Barnes Valued Member

    I guess that article was too generous

    Reverend Kensho Furuya has offered his recollection of the events. The article is at:

    http://www.aikidocenterla.com/2004/9/22.html

    or you can go to:
    http://www.aikidocenterla.com

    and then click on Sensei's Message, and on September 22nd.

    It paints an interesting picture.

    Matt
     
  6. getgoin

    getgoin Idiot Savant

    It was all b.s.. He got by conning the head of aikido at the time. Fortunatly or unfortunitly rather, he was sent to prison before he could do real damage. Mitose was a conman and criminal his whole adult life. He ran numbers and was enforcer along with the cons he pulled. I have the utmost respect for him as a martial artist, but as a human being I find him falling short.
     
  7. JohnnyX

    JohnnyX Map Addict

    10th Dan, and not dead? :confused:

    :D
     
  8. KenpoDavid

    KenpoDavid Working Title

    A lot of people don't even have that...
     
  9. getgoin

    getgoin Idiot Savant

    My Professor was promoted my Thomas Young, direct liniage (sp?) and all that.
     
  10. KenpoDavid

    KenpoDavid Working Title

    I didn;t mean to imply any style was not good or legitimate. I'm sure Jimmy Swaggert actually got some souls saved :Angel:

    False founders can found true styles. Isnt that an interesting paradox. I wonder what it says about the concept of a "style".
     
  11. getgoin

    getgoin Idiot Savant

    I hope you didn't think that I took offense or anything. I was just clarifying my statement.
     
  12. KenpoDavid

    KenpoDavid Working Title

    no, I didn't... but the defenders of Bruce (not Lee) are ubiquitous and defensive and I didn't want to start another discussion about him and his organization.
     
  13. powerof0ne

    powerof0ne Valued Member

    wow

    Wow thanks for the link...I never knew much about Mitose to begin with but he's obviously a piece of crap after reading that crap about him.
     

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