WHCMA

SHODAI SOKE RULES AND REGULATION

 

 

1. Each Soke must Master the four Koryu Katas

2. Each Soke must incorporate these Katas into the New System

3. Each Soke must demonstrate their New System before the Board

4. Each Soke must learn basic Etiquette & Ceremonies

5. Each Soke must learn the history of Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu

6. Each Soke must make it clear they are a branch of Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu

7. Each Soke must use the Saigo Ha Lineage as their only Lineage

8. Each Soke must cut all ties with any “outside Soke Boards”

9. Each Soke must only advertise the rank they hold through the WHCMA

10. Each Soke must wear the proper costume for public affairs

11. Each Soke must not award ranks above 6th dan within their ryu without approve of the WHCMA board of advisers

12. Each Soke must register their designated successor with the WHCMA

13. Each Soke must register all their students (there is no charge for this!)

14. Each Soke must not confer cross grades to anyone outside the WHCMA

15. Each Soke must not use the term “Grandmaster” for themselves

16. Each Soke must not advertise ranks held outside the new style

17. Each Soke can only register one Style/System

18. Each Soke cannot recognize others as Sokes

19. Each Soke cannot recognize anyone as a Grandmaster or their ranks

20. Each Soke must only issue ranks in their main style

21. Each Soke must concentrate on developing their New Style

22. Each Soke must agree to be on probation for 2 years

23. Each Soke must register their Dojos with the WHCMA Hombu

24. Each Soke must show humility in their actions

25. Each Soke must not draw attention toward themselves

26. Each Soke must purchase proper certification from Hombu

27. Each Soke must support WHCMA functions

28. Each Soke must learn and follow WHCMA rules & regulations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must Master the four Koryu Katas

Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu has maintained four basic katas that have been passed down through the last five Gunshi’s ! These are known as :

• Tachi Zuki No Kata

• Satumi Zuki No Kata

• Tachi Keri No Kata

• Setumi Keri No Kata

* Each of these derived from the Sawari Wasa (knee-waling katas of the Aizu mansion taught by Tanomo Saigo!)

Each Soke was required to Master these in order to have a common tie to the Gunshi and his personal System, which was different from generation to generation. When Tanomo Saigo passed his Gunshiship to his son Shiro Saigo, these Katas were included, likewise they were passed on to Nishio Takeda/ Yamashita Houei, Lin Po, Pok Shen and to the current Gunshi, Dr. Williams who all passed them on to the Sokes under them as was tradition, but, each Gunshi modified them slightly to help the arts evolve.

To be a legitimate Soke, one must Master there Katas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must incorporate these Katas into the New System

Since these Katas have very basic techniques unique to Daito-Ryu, it holds they should be included in all the branches of that art (each Soke’s systems). The WHCMA requires each Soke to integrate them into their New System.

• It does not matter how they are used, just as long as they are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must demonstrate their New System before the Board

No new system operates out of view of the others! Gunshi Williams has an in-depth knowledge of most major martial arts systems out there, so, he can evaluate any new system to assess it’s merits, not judgmentally, but technically, to advise and monitor it’s progress, to assist the new founder in creating a work of art.

As such! Even though many new founders might think they created a wonder, or invented something new, the reality is that every single technique, every single training method, every single application, is always just a modification of something already out there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must learn basic Etiquette & Ceremonies

Each new founder is being granted an exclusive right to be part of a 1200-year-old traditional Japanese Martial Arts system. In that 1200 years, thousands of samurai lived and died to create a legacy that was unique and exclusive.

Not to be confused with the millions of Kindai Youshiki ( modern western) systems out there today, which pretend to be legitimate by using Japanese titles, names, symbols and fake gestures, yet, all offer nothing more than a hybrid mishmash of unrelated techniques amounting to mere goshinjitsu (basic self defense moves), those who are allowed to be part of Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu Aikibudo, are, in effect, being indoctrinated into a family with proven lineage and history that was the real Samurai lifestyle.

As such! It is fitting that each new founder learns the very basic Etiquette & Protocol that these samurai used on a daily basis! Simple things like how to dress, how to act, how to carry themselves in society.

There are things that few of these self proclaimed founders even know that was a matter of life and death to the samurai, such as in the seated position, why the right big toe always was placed over the left big toe, why the senior students were always to the left of the master, and hundreds of other things...

For these reasons, each Shodai Soke will be taught these very basic skills so they do not embarrass the ryu, the Masters or the Gunshi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must only advertise the rank they hold through the WHCMA

When you become a Shodai Soke you will be awarded a 10th dan rank in your new style ! The reasoning is simple: Who knows more about your new art than you? It would make sense that all other ranks you hold are ignored or put on your resume, not advertised or flaunted, because all pale in comparison to your 10th dan rank.

Ranks can be ego creators! They can make one think they are better than they really are, and in reality, they mean very little in the real world where the belt is nothing but a decoration used to impress others.

Will you be a 10th dan in Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu? Yes, in a way, not that you are qualified in the main style or the other sub styles, but, the position of Shodai Soke automatically comes with a 10th dan status rank by its very nature.

Many do not realize what a great honor this sponsorship is! You are actually given the chance by a very prestigious peer group to show the world that you have the ability to create new fighting system, and it will be you option to develop it in any way you deem appropriate.

The honor is not the rank you hold, but the fact that you are respected enough to be given that chance at greatness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must wear the proper costume for public affairs

As a Shodai Soke with the Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu you are becoming part of an established family that is reaped in history and tradition, it carries with it a very precise code of conduct, including a very distinctive dress code.

Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu is an art that only very select members of Japanese society belonged to during the Era it was created. This elite group of martial artists were the cream of the crop of society, highly educated and successful as businessmen or in politics.

Their dress code reflected that! They wore the “Hakama” and elaborate top kimono with their various family Mons (crests) which adorned them and brought pride to their followers.

A Shodai Soke in Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu inherits the very same dress code as those who preceded him/ her for 1200 years, a simple white Hakama with a white kimono (gi) top, with their respective Kamon (crest) on the left front lapel, plus the Minamoto Mon which is on the rear Hakama back plate, along with a red belt without any kanji written on it which is worn under the Hakama, the red belt color showing only on the side slits of the Hakama.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must not award ranks above 6th dan within their ryu without approve of the WHCMA board of advisers

A Shodai Soke is an apprentice founder. They are creating a new martial training system! The system is in the developmental stages and will only be finished when the creator dies or retires due to age or health, as such! They are overseen and guided by a board of advisers, headed by a Iemoto, for their entire creation period.

They are awarded an honorary 10th dan in their new system as a sign of respect and peer group acceptance regardless of their age or experience, and to place each Shodai Soke in the position of a peer among peers, equals among equals, bases.

In a traditional martial system, a Soke is equal to all other Sokes, none are above the others because, regardless of their age and experience, none are an Iemoto yet, each are exactly the same thing, an apprentice in the process of creating a new martial art system which has to survive them after death through a successor to be valid.

Because some of these Shodai Soke might have more experience than others, or less, it was the custom to set the limit of just how high a license they should award to their students and still look creditable.

The problem is that in feudal Japan, there were no dan ranks, just teaching licenses, so, there were never any issues as to what a Shodai Soke should award, but, today, with the Yudansha grading method, it becomes a problem in light of the creditability issue, so, the Gunshi has issued a ruling that requires each Shodai Soke to interact with the Advisory board and the Dai Yokoyori in conferring any / all ranks of 6th dan and higher to their students.

The procedure is very simple: The Shodai Soke sends in the background stats (age & experience) on his potential student to be graded to 6th dan or higher to the Advisory board, who place their seals on the enclosed grading cert, to be issued. (The advisory board has no say in what the candidate must master, that is the right of the Shodai Soke to determine the grading requirements used in his/her new system)

Since the world is watching, it is very important to set a minimum age limit for all 6th dan & higher ranks issued by these Shodai Sokes, else, Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu will look like a diploma mill, so, being that this is all about creditability, a modified version the old FAJKO rank-age format will be used.

 

6th dan – 35 years of age

7th dan 40 years of age

8th dan 45 yeas of age

9th dan 50 years of age

10th – Shodai Sokes only

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must register their designated successor with the WHCMA

In the past, there have been several instances where a founder dies and there are suddenly senior students who claim to be the successor of that system, usually causing it to fragment into splinter groups, each claiming to be the legitimate successor.

This is not a purely western phenomenon, it happens in well-known Japanese systems as well, and has occurred very recently in Gindai Daito-Ryu as well as several major karate styles.

To prevent this, all Shodai Sokes & Iemoto in Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu must register the name and address of the person they designate to succeed them if they die. This must be done prior to the awarding of Sokeship licensing.

The Shodai Soke can change this at any time through the Yokoyori B.O.D. by merely sending the info via registered mail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must register all their students (there is no charge for this)

The Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu central registry keeps records of all the students taught by the Shodai Sokes to monitor possible fraudulent diploma sales (to prevent anyone from running a diploma mill).

There is no charge for this! But, there are also no exceptions to this rule by anyone. Everyone who studies Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu through any of it’s Shodai Sokes must register every single person they teach, even if it is only for a few weeks.

This information is sent via email to the Hombu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must not confer cross grades to anyone outside the WHCMA

Cross grades are a form of fraud! Those receiving cross grades can easily use these phony ranking to defraud the paying public and bring shame to Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu,  * Although they are usually issued as a form of showing respect, all too often, they are misused and abused.

Gunshi has cross grades in close to 50 different martial arts, all issued by qualified masters, but, not once has he ever advertised them or even made them public because he is not qualified to teach these arts, they are just honorific.

All the Shodai Sokes are requested not to issue cross grades to anyone outside the Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu organization (where the recipient can be monitored.), nor does the Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu organization recognize cross grades by its applicants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must not use the term “Grandmaster” for themselves

A Grandmaster is someone who oversees an established Martial Arts System with a documented history and tradition. A Shodai Soke (new founder) does not yet have history or tradition to pass on to his students because the art is still in the building stages.

When the Shodai Soke dies, his successor will become an IEMOTO and will then have the historical background and it’s associated tradition to pass on to the students. He/she will then be qualified to be called a Grandmaster, although, no Grandmaster ever refers to himself as such because that is a display of ego and self praise.

The IEMOTO has an obligation to sell the qualities of the initial creator as the real point of interest to the students, it was the Shodai Soke who earned the right to be in the limelight, the center of attention in the ryu, the Iemoto is merely the conveyor of that message, never the message itself.

A respectful IEMOTO refers to the Shodai Soke as the only real Grandmaster of the System, and allows others to bestow that title on himself (this is all about humility!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must not advertise ranks held outside the new style

Every Shodai Soke comes into the Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu system with an established martial arts background. Most will already hold high ranks in various martial arts systems, most are highly accomplished in their own right.

That being said, they have now gone to the next level, the top of the heap, the cream of the crop, they have gone beyond mere ranks in someone else s arts, to the position of becoming the head of their own art, they are now Shodai Sokes, a position miles ahead of merely being holders of ranks.

Plus, with this position comes the highest rank possible, a 10th dan. So! The most difficult task facing a Shodai Soke is to let go of the past and move into the future, to use these previous ranks as part of your resume which will be listed on the Saigo Ha website, but, to tout your new 10th dan rank with pride and the joy it rightfully warren ts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke can only register one Style/System

Nothing looks phonier than a person who claims to be a master of several arts. Even more phony looking is a person claiming to have created several different arts, each with a 10th dan ranking, it just rakes of inflated ego and efforts at getting attention.

Firstly, the way an art is created is by mastering an established system, studying other different systems, drawing on your life experiences, and combining everything under one umbrella to create something new and unique. Not, to create separate sections as a single entity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke cannot recognize others as Sokes

A Shodai Soke cannot recognize, certify or license anyone else as a Soke! The reason is quite simple: They are only apprentices, creating a yet to be completed new martial art system, plus, in feudal Japan, only a Gunshi had that authority.

And today, in a world full of bogus Soke Boards, there is still only one legitimate Gunshi, one legitimate certification board, and one single Yokoyori board to screen, recommend, and help guide new founders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke cannot recognize anyone as a Grandmaster or their ranks

A Shodai Soke cannot recognize anyone as a Grandmaster or certify ranks these persons already hold or claim. The Dai Yokoyori and members of his advisory board can recognize ranks and appointments of other WHCMA members as a sign of respect, but, they must do this with approval of the Gunshi. (The Gunshi does not sign anything but the Shodai Soke Kyoju Dairii and sponsorship certificates).    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must only issue ranks in their main style

Shodai Sokes should include all his martial arts expertise in his main style, but, he can issue ranks in any of his sub styles if it opens doors for competitions. (as an example, say the Shodai Soke holds a high rank in a style like karate or judo, and wants to allow his students to compete in these sports, he can issue them ranks, however,  it is best to send them to the school of another Shodai Soke who heads a style of that type, provided he has the sport connection.

We leave this up to the Shodai Soke to decide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must concentrate on developing their New Style

It is very important that the Shodai Soke devotes his efforts to constantly improve and develop his New Style. There is no such thing as a “finished” style, each style is ever changing and developing, and the founder must seek out to all available venues to access things to improve his style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must agree to be on probation for 2 years

Since not all candidates have the ability to create a great style, it holds that they must be on probation for a few years to assure their motives are honorable! So, to discourage paper collectors or ego seekers, each applicant is placed on probation to assure they agree with all the rules and that they contribute to the WHCMA.

After the probation is completed, they will be registered as a lifetime member of the WHCMA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must register their Dojos with the WHCMA Hombu

Every Shodai Soke must register all their schools with the WHCMA (there is no charge for this) * If they desire a school charter, they can purchase it from the Hombu, but that is not required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must show humility in their actions

The whole philosophy of the traditional martial arts is to be humble. To be taken seriously by the Japanese and senior masters requires that one gets rid of their ego, that they cease from bragging, boasting, seeking attention!

There is no stars here! No head honchos, grand pubba, just a family of masters working to preserve the 1200 years old arts! There is a pecking order, but, this is family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must not draw attention toward themselves

As stated elsewhere, everyone has to step back and take notice of what they are part of: Nobody has to draw attention to themselves because they can get the glory from realizing what they are part of, they can be proud that the like of Yoshimitsu lived and died a hero, that Tanomo Saigo was the last samurai, that his son was the very first MMA fighter in recorded history, that there were hundreds of real warriors that were so much greater than anyone in the WHCMA today, (or the modern arts worldwide), this is what we are all about, not dreaming of greatness but of being grateful we are part of history.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must purchase proper certification from Hombu

Without the proper certificates, one is not part of the family, it is ones license and sponsorship, which is why, each Shodai Soke must acquire the proper certification.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must support WHCMA functions

Each Shodai Soke must interact with the others in the WHCMA! They must train with and share their experiences in brotherhood and family, they must try to attend functions, events and gatherings, and meet the others, in particular, they must meet the Gunshi and the Dai Yokoyori.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Soke must learn and follow WHCMA rules & regulations