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VERSION OF KENPO HISTORY IN EUROPE (Part 1)
On 31/1/08, Mr. Rainer Schulte posted on the web a picture taken in
Jersey in 1981 of what he claimed were the first European IKKA black
belts under the rules and regulations of the IKKA at the time. This
claim caused much confusion within the Kenpo community and is in direct
conflict with the Kenpo history books, ‘Irish Journey’, and ‘European
Journey’ published by Mr. Martin Carey and Miss Amy Louise Carey. With
such contradictory claims, how are we to find the truth? Well, if there
are two contradictory views, only one can be right, therefore, my
primary aim here is to try and present the truth by presenting evidence
and argument for it. I will try my best to educate those who seek the
truth by presenting the facts as I know them.
I have decided to
approach this task by arranging statements and claims by Mr. Shulte
alongside my own views in a kind of question/statement/answer format. I
hope this format will assist you to able to see the truth more clearly.
Because this is rather long, I have numbered the sections so that
time will be saved when quoting or searching for relevant information.
I joined the first kenpo school in Europe on its opening day at
no 40 Upper Fitzwilliam St Dublin on 22/2/63 – though the first kenpo
class actually started on 26/2/63. I have been involved in kenpo since
the beginning, and believe I am well placed to provide you with an
honest, accurate record on the history of kenpo in Europe.
Mr Schulte has made a number of posts on the website, officialinternationalkenpofellowship,
from 31/1/08 through Feb. 08, questioning my instructor’s (John Mc
Sweeney) qualifications and black belt cert. He questioned if John Mc
Sweeney did kenpo and claimed that the black belt certificates Ed
Parker had sent to the first four black belts in Europe in 1965 were
meant for lower grades and that these certs could be had through all
kinds of channels. The following is my attempt to address these issues.
1. On 11/2/08 on the officialinternational kenpofellowship website Mr Schulte said. “I am only stating historical facts as I was there at the time”.
2. Reply:
Incorrect. Mr Schulte was not “there” at time I am referring to. John
McSweeney left the U.S. in 1962, (as Ed Parker said in Infinite
Insights –Vol 1. pg .40. “John Mc Sweeney was the first of my black
belts to introduce kenpo outside the of the continental U.S. He
pioneered kenpo in Ireland while attending school there in 1962. By the
time John Mc Sweeney had completed his schooling he had developed four
black belts. He left the reigns of kenpo in their hands when he
returned to the U.S. This foursome, headed by John Conway, and acting
under the umbrella of the IKKA then formed the Irish Karate
Association. John Conway now resides in the U.S. and is one of the
selected few who train with me directly.” McSweeney returned to
the U.S. and opened a second school in 1965, and only then did Mr
Schulte become involved in kenpo –as a beginner, I presume
3. Mr Schulte stated. “Mc Sweeney decided to move to his native Ireland.”
4. Reply:
Incorrect. John McSweeney was born in New York. Ireland was no more
John’s “native” country than America is Schulte’s “native” country
5. Mr. Schulte
stated, “There was no IKKA at that time,” that it came into being in
1964
6. Reply:
Incorrect. Refer to 2/. Above Infinite Insights. Vol 1, page 40, Ed
Parker wrote,
7. I possess a
letter written by John Mc Sweeney on 30/9/63 stating. “I opened this
school here in Dublin on Feb 22nd this year. Coming from Los Angeles
California as European Director of the International Kenpo Karate
Assn. I hold the rank of Nidan (2nd degree black belt instructor and
have been involved in karate as a student and instructor since 1951”
John Mc Sweeney also refers to two books as authoritative sources. “(1)
Karate by Nishiyama. Chief instructor of the Japanese Karate Assn. (2)
Kenpo Karate by Ed Parker Chief Instructor of the International Kenpo
Karate Assn.” John signed as” President of the Irish Karate Assn.
And European Director Intl. Kenpo karate Assn.”
8. John Mc
Sweeney brought with him to Ireland his IKKA certificate signed by Ed
Parker, along with the IKKA Constitution, compiled in 1962 stating the
names of the following Officers: Ed K. Parker (President). Mills L.
Crenshaw (Chairman of the Board of Regents) Stanley A. Hall. (Executive
Vice-President) and Charles K. Sullivan (Secretary and Treasurer).
Points 2. 7. & 8. directly contradict Mr. Schulte’s claim.
9. On 29/1/08,
Mr. Schulte stated “Nobody disputes that Mc Sweeney got his black belt
from Ed Parker”? But ten days later, on /8/2/08, Mr. Schulte said,
“John Mc Sweeney was rightfully father of Irish Kenpo. Question is was
he teaching kenpo.? As the EPAK had not evolved.”
10. Reply: Mr Schulte asks, “Was he
teaching kenpo”? (We are relating to 1963-64) I know for a fact, that
John was teaching kenpo, because I was there from day one. Mr. Schulte
states. “As the EPAK had not evolved” Of course not! So if it had not
evolved, then how could Mc Sweeney or Ed Parker teach it.? The EPAK did
not exist then. So Mr Schulte asks a non question. John Mc Sweeney
taught the same kenpo to me as was taught to him by Ed Parker. Is Mr.
Schulte seriously suggesting that all of Ed Parkers first black belts,
i.e. Jimmy Ibrao, Rich Montgormery, Rick Flores, Ed Tabian, Al &
Jim Tracy were doing kenpo, except John Mc Sweeney. John taught kenpo,
not “Irish” kenpo. There is no such thing as “Irish Kenpo”
11. Mr Schulte said. “In the early
days ShoDan Ni-Dan San Dan were used. Mc Sweeney got Sho_Dan not Degree
1962. He went to Dublin. Must have been after receiving Sho_Dan
he was still under KKAA and not IKKA as IKKA came into being in 1964”
12. Reply: Incorrect. In stating the
above, Mr. Schulte contradicts Ed Parker, C, Sullivan Mills Crenshaw,
Stan Hall, the Tracy Bros, John Mc Sweeney and the IKKA Constitution.
Mr Schulte was not there at that time. See above
13. Mr Schulte claims McSweeney had
already left Mr Parker to go with the Tracys before receiving Sho dan.
14. Reply: Incorrect. Please refer to point 2. and 7. Above
15. Mr Schulte said about McSweeney,
“If he would have been an IKKA member he would have got an IKKA first
Degree black Belt Cert. Point is, even though he had an IKKA cert it
was made out as Sho-dan.”
16. Reply: Incorrect again. Article V.
Rank and Designation. Section 3 of the IKKA? Constitution states, “The
Instructors ranks and designations as they should appear on the
certificates are. Sho-Dan. Ni-Dan. San-Dan.” And continues to Ju-Dan.
Which is 10th Dan. Let me remind Mr. Schulte that his
remark, “Having a Constitution was squat, as anybody could have gotten
one if they requested one at that time” is irrelevant. Mr. Schulte, the
important point is what is contained in the Constitution itself, not
whether one possesses it.
17. Mr. Schulte wrote, “Question is,
was Mc Sweeney authorized to promote black belts on IKKA certs?”
18. Reply: John Mc Sweeney did not
promote black belts on IKKA certs during his stay here. John never
actually promoted, awarded, or gave a certificate of any description to
anyone in Ireland while he was here. In 1964 John tested the four
of us, and recommended us to Ed Parker for promotion to black belt, and
it was Ed Parker who signed and sent the certs.
19. Mr Schulte said, “He (Mc Sweeney)
had stated several times that he did not teach Ed Parkers Kenpo”
20. Reply: Incorrect. In his last
interview with G.M. Frank DeMaria on the net . John Mc Sweeney said
that he had joined Parker in 1959 and went to Ireland in 1962. He said
he had learned forms along with Ed Parker, Jimmy Ibrao, Rich
Montgormory, and Al Tracy from Jimmy Woo. When he taught in Ireland it
was strictly the same kenpo that Parker taught him, and that, with the
exception of a few minor changes he made on the finer points of
technique – something every good teacher does – he had not altered
Parker’s essential teachings whatsoever. Furthermore, Mc Sweeney said
that he was still in Parker’s Association right up to one year after Ed
Parker had died. (Mr. Schulte is probably referring to the EPAK. Not Ed
Parkers kenpo, or (Parkers kenpo) as it was generally known then.
21. Mr Schulte said that” Ireland never got Ed Parkers Kenpo, only some of his poorest examples”
22. Reply: I wish to state very
clearly here that if John Conway or John Mc Sweeney were alive today,
Mr. Schulte would find himself in some serious trouble for making such
a disgraceful, ill-conceived remark; but for the sake of keeping this
discussion respectful and on topic, I’ll hold my tongue – for now.
Besides, how would Mr. Schulte know what style of kenpo was being
taught in Ireland since 1963, as he had never set foot here until 16/1/
81? Is he seriously suggesting that when the Irish Karate Association
(The longest established kenpo Assn in Europe) brought Ed Parker to
Ireland for the first time in 1974 that he, Ed Parker, had taught or
had witnessed his poorest example of kenpo? Ed Parker had nothing but
praise for the high standards of Kenpo he saw at that time. Personally
speaking, Ed Parker had no problem with my standards, as he said “The
next time I come to Ireland I want all of you to be sparring like
Jordan.” Therefore, what evidence does Mr. Schulte have to support such
an outrageous statement?
23. On 4/2 /08. Mr. Schulte wrote,” “Jordan said he got his black belt from Mc Sweeney?
24. Reply/ I have
repeatedly said that the four of us, J. Conway, M. Mahon J. Rice and I
were tested for black belt by John Mc Sweeney and recommended to Ed
Parker for black belt grade in 1964. But since we had not the expected
quota of teaching hours in, as required by the Constitution, it was not
until the following year, April 1965, that I received the black belt
certificates from Ed Parker.
25. When the web administrator, Mr.
Carey suggested to Mr. Schulte that he could send him copies of my
black belt cert, signed by Mr Parker with a school code, Mr. Schulte
replied. “Most schools had a bunch of certs to use, but these were
meant for lower belts, that’s why he signed them ahead of time not to
be bothered for every small grading that took place around the World.”
26. Reply: Incorrect. Mr. Schulte
forgets that there were no other schools “around the World,” These
certs represent the internationalization of Kenpo, and recognize, not
some “lower belts”, but a historical moment in Kenpo history – the
first four black belts in Europe. Let me repeat, John Mc Sweeney never
requested, possessed, or issued IKKA certs to any student in Ireland
during his stay here Clearly, Mr. Schulte must be referring to a
later time frame since he was not involved in kenpo at that period I am
discussing here.
27. On 11/2//08, Mr. Schulte stated
“The IKKA only had one Rep for each Country and one for Europe and not
three. These gentlemen were probably told they could represent their
own club but not the country”.
28. Incorrect again. Note his use of
the word “probably,” he obviously doesn’t know, so let me enlighten Mr.
Shulte. I have a letter signed by Ed Parker, 25/4/78, stating that IKA
located at 38 Upper Fitzwilliam St Dublin whose committee consists of
T. Jordan, J. Conway and J. Rice is the only authorized Assn in Ireland
to represent the IKKA in Ireland and only rankings recognized by this
Association”
LETTERS
29. I have in my possession a number
of significant letters written by Mr. Schulte during the period
1980-1982,which, when read alongside what he has posted on the
officialinternationalkenpofellowship web site in Feb 2008, serve to
entangle him in a web of confusion and contradictions.
30. The Irish Karate Association had
been representing the IKKA since 1963; however, at a meeting in Jersey
on 31/10/80 Mr. Schulte stated that individuals were chosen as
representatives for the various countries in Europe. Consequently, the
IKKA European board of black belts selected Mr. Ambrose Moloney as the
representative for Ireland. Following this decision, Peter Coyle and I
went to LA to have a meeting with Ed Parker on this issue. Ed Parker
decided to restore representation to the IKA on 22/11/80. In a letter,
which he wrote, copies were sent to Mr. Conroy, Dept, Education, and
J.Booth Sec of ONAKAI. “After evaluating further documentation
presented to me by the Irish Karate Assn. Mr. Tom Jordan and Mr. Peter
Coyle. I find many discrepancies from what was told to me by Mr.
Ambrose Maloney. I acted in good faith at that time because of the
information supplied me. Accordingly I am now conducting a full
investigation of all the facts in determining the truth of the whole
situation. In the mean time it is my decision that all IKKA authority
in Ireland revert back to the Irish Karate Assn. Until my investigation
is thouroughly completed”
31. On 12/12/80, Mr. Schulte wrote a
letter to my home address in which he stated.“ Dear Mr. Jordan … I have
been commissioned by Mr. Ed Parker to investigate different claims made
by different individuals or organizations to be representing the IKKA.
Please submit to me any or all-pertinent information with regard to
your organization claiming representation of the IKKA in Ireland. I
will be in Dublin from Jan 16th to Jan 19th 1981 and will render a
decision at that time.” Mr. Schulte has said that I had invited
him to have a conference with me. On Feb/1/2008 Mr. Schulte said “These
guys wanted to have a meeting with me” and on 11/Feb/2008 Mr Schulte
wrote. “Why would Jordan ask for a conference with me” The above letter
clearly shows this not to be the case. No invitation was ever issued by
me to Mr. Schulte.
32. A similar letter with the same
content, re conducting an investigation was sent to Mr. G. Conroy at
the Dept of Education.
33. On 5/2/81, Mr. Schulte sent a
letter to the Irish Karate Assn. (addressing Mr. Rice, Mr. Jordan, Mr.
Coyle and Mr. Quinn) in which he states.“ After evaluating the facts
gathered from my recent investigation) in Dublin. It has been the
recommendation of the European IKKA board of black belts that we uphold
the nomination of Mr. Ambrose Moloney as our legal rep in Ireland”.
34. Based on the above letters one
could be forgiven for thinking that Mr. Schulte had actually conducted
an investigation of sorts and evaluated the facts gathered from his
investigation to be placed before the IKKA European board of black
belts for them to uphold the nomination of Mr. Moloney, but you would
be greatly mistaken. On Feb./15/ 2008 on the net. Mr Schulte said. “I
never conducted an investigation per se. I had decided to make
Moloney my rep and that was it” When challenged about his alleged
investigation, he later said, “Why should I have contacted Jordan or go
see him teach I did not know who he was”? So which Tommy Jordan did Mr.
Schulte believe he was writing letters to?
35. I have stated many times in the
past that Mr. Schulte never conducted an investigation, to decide who
should be the representative for the IKKA in Ireland. I now believe I
have not only proved my point but also shown how very precautious one
should be when reading what Mr. Schulte has to tell us about the
history of Kenpo in Europe.
I will address some issues brought up in Mr. Miller’s book in part
2. One cannot expect to please everyone or answer every ridiculous
accusation, but I hope that we will eventually get to the truth of this
very important matter. Tommy Jordan
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