My introduction to the martial arts came about 1957 while in high school. I had a friend who had traveled in Japan with his Army family, and had experienced some training in the art of Judo. I could find very little printed material on the subject, but I knew I must know more.
I met my first real martial arts instructor in 1959. While taking a Red Cross Lifeguard course at Ft. Knox, I discovered that my swimming instructor was also a martial arts instructor, and what a remarkable person he was. SFC Raymond Ancho, was attached to the Special Services at Ft. Knox. Sensei Ancho is a native Hawaiian, speaks several languages and holds three rankings in the martial arts. He agreed to teach us the art if and only if our lifeguard training was satisfactory. We made sure we did a good job, and were rewarded with an introduction to Kodokan Judo. Sensei Ancho went on to distinguish himself in the military service and the arts. Within the last few years I have discovered he is now associated with Master George Dillman, of Ryukyu Kempo, and lives in Ohio. I shall forever be grateful to this beautiful person for stirring my interest in the martial arts.
I now find myself a freshman at Georgetown College. My friend Jimmy Jones, a weight lifter from Harlan County, and I made friends with a very shy Japanese exchange student. Hiroshi Wada was from Tokyo and had just come to the United States, and spoke very little English.
During a conversation with Hiroshi, I inquired if he had a martial arts background, imagine my delight when he advised me of his Nidan in Kodokan Judo. Hiroshi took Jimmy and I on as his only students. For the next few semesters we practiced regularly and were awarded Yonkyu, my first rank. Hiroshi returned to his native country, but left behind a fan club of two. As he drove away the last advice he gave me was, "Practice Judo!"
During the summers I was an instructor at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimmaron, New Mexico. While there I was trying to stay in shape, when some visiting scouters noticed my work out and asked to participate. So in the beautiful mesa land of Northern New Mexico, Judo was center stage. One outstanding personality during this period was John Hunsucker of Louisiana. John had no previous experience in the arts, but the bug bit him at Philmont. We corresponded for several years, John became a black belt and a Ph. D. at Louisiana State University.
Continuing my study under the guidelines of the Amateur Judo Association, I transferred my academics to Campbellsville College. There was a Judo club at the college with a black belt instructor, oh yes, I joined immediately. The instructor was Takayuki Ebisuya, a Sensei Sandan in Kodokan Judo, from Nara, Japan.
The Takayuki Judo Club was registered with the Judo Black Belt Federation, aligned with the Kodokan Judo Institute, the mother school of Judo. Tak was a great teacher and could throw as hard as anyone, and taught me great respect for the Tatami. This club participated in tournaments with; the University of Kentucky, Western Kentucky University, and Cumberland College. We attended and competed in the First All-Kentucky Judo Tournament in Louisville in 1964. Registered with the Amateur Athletics Union, I met some great Judoka. Tony Odo and Richard Falls from the Louisville YMCA Judo Club, as well as, Shihan Hiro Fujimoto and Shihan John Osaka of Konan Yudanshakai.
I was awarded Sempai Ikkyu by Sensei Ebisuya, and placed in charge of the club during his absence. Sensei Ebisuya had been honored to participate in the clinic to choose the USA Olympic team for the 1964 games in Tokyo. Another outstanding personality was to come my way in the person of Sensei Wesley Hughes of Evansville, Indiana. He was the regional representative of Konan, and awarded me Dojo-Ho while serving as instructor. By now the JBBF had become the United States Judo Federation, and all ranks were registered and certified.
College days behind me, Pat and I moved to Western Kentucky. Part of my assignment while a District Scout Executive, was to be advisor of Alpha Phi Omega of Murray State University. While there I met Sensei Meyers who taught Kempo on campus. He invited me to class, and for the next few months I was introduced to Kempo. While my first love was Judo, I gained valuable experience in other aspects of the martial arts thanks to Sensei Meyers, who was a truly dedicated and worthy martial artist. Little did I realize that Kempo was destined to come my way again!
That assignment completed, our next move was to Bardstown. Desiring to keep up my teaching, the Bardstown Judo Club was formed in 1970. Registered with the USJF, this was a great time for all. Willing to learn and eager to achieve, was a tall, bright eyed, young man named William Paul Durbin, Jr. Now in retrospect, perhaps my greatest martial arts accomplishment was to award Bill Durbin his first rank. Neither of us could know what adventures awaited us!
The Kudu Martial Arts Association was formed in 1984 and registered with Juko Kai International, under the expert direction of Dr. Rod Sacharnoski, Soke. Bill Durbin had introduced me to this outstanding organization, and today I enjoy life member status. This club enjoyed having Bill return and give outstanding clinics. To date the Kudu Kai has awarded four black belt status, one of which is my son Jeff who is a Kyoshi Sandan, and is a member of the staff of Lindenwood College in Missouri. Dr. William Durbin, now Soke of Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Bugei, has never failed to remember his former instructor, and honored me with the promotions and titles he felt I deserved. Together Bill and I attended the National JKI clinic in Florida in 1988. There we were privileged to meet Shian Toma, Soke of the Seidokan of Okinawa. Soke Durbin was honored for several accomplishments at the clinic and the Kudu Kai was named outstanding Dojo of the year.
Advancing through the JKI ranking system, I now serve as Shihan and technical advisor of Kudu Kai, with Godan rank. My Kyoshi Charles Montgomery instructs the club in Nihon Tetsuken Ryu Karate and Juko Ryu Jujutsu. We celebrated our tenth anniversary in 1994, we are small in number, but rich in traditional spirit.
During my association with Soke Durbin, he introduced me to Bill Wallace. I attended several clinics with this dynamic artist, and quickly learned that this was no less than the top of the line. I often refer to Bill and Bill as the "Dynamic Duo"! With all of Bill Wallace's accomplishments, he will tell you he values his friendship with Bill Durbin as priceless.
I have been most fortunate in my career to say the least. I believe in the total martial artist, who is well rounded in both martial and literary skills, and have continued my bookwork with JKI. In 1992, I completed the Doctor of Oriental Philosophy of the Asian Martial Arts program. My recent promotion to Hanshi Hachidan by Soke Durbin, at the last Soke Clinic, was a pleasant surprise, and I will do all within my power to live up to the award.