What Does It Mean To Be A Grand Master By Floyd Smith Sr., Sensei, (Grand Master) Black Martial Artist Correspondent, Philadelphia Front Page News fs04276@gmail.com (267) 770-6635
In America, the term grant master is loosely used. When a person is a "grand master” that means that their skill level is far above the rest.
I sometimes go to martial arts award ceremonies and banquet gatherings and term is used there.
There may be more grand masters at these functions than in all Japan.
I have been studying for sixty years and I don’t consider myself a grand master but many of my
colleagues refer to me as a grand master.
I must admit that it feels good to hear colleagues giving me that honor.
The truth of the matter is that most of them never saw a real grand master.
Let me give you an example of a skilled master.
When I was stationed at Marine Air Station, Iwakuni Japan 1957, the judo club would practice in the gym’s boxing ring.
I had a friend of mine in the navy named, Davis, a 2nd degree black. His teacher was Mr. Nakano, a 9th degree black belt.
David had been training about four years and never was able to throw Mr. Nakano. One day he did and in his excitement, he laughed. He didn’t mean any harm but he was just excited.
Now this is a different time era; to laugh at your instructor was a no no, a sign of disrespect.
Mr. Nakano got back on his feet smiled and politely bowed for Davis to continue.
In that style of Judo there were 51 different throws. Mr. Nakano proceeded to throw Davis 51 times and never the same throw.
Now that’s old school. Mr. Nakano at his skill level didn’t consider himself a grand master.
A grand master is the best of the best. Their skill level is mind boggling. Most of them go way past the physical. They usually keep away from the public eye.
These great path-makers of the martial arts are too busy taking their training to the next level.
The highest rank in the Japanese martial arts system is a 10th degree title, Hanshi “Teacher of Teachers”.
The term grand master is a generic term used mostly in the United States.
I knew Mr. Nakano personally; I had many conversations with him. He would talk about the great masters of old.
I was young and asked many questioned every time I got a chance to talk to these great legends.
Twenty years later, I went back to Japan for advanced training... I looked them up again; Mr. Nakano was included in my list of names.
My question was “Could you control and move someone without touching them?" I was all over the place talking to all masters that I could muster.
They all led me to the same person and I knew him. I met with him and he told me what I wanted to know.
To be continued in my next chapter, “What does it mean to a grand master?"
In America, the term grant master is loosely used. When a person is a "grand master” that means that their skill level is far above the rest.
I sometimes go to martial arts award ceremonies and banquet gatherings and term is used there.
There may be more grand masters at these functions than in all Japan.
I have been studying for sixty years and I don’t consider myself a grand master but many of my
colleagues refer to me as a grand master.
I must admit that it feels good to hear colleagues giving me that honor.
The truth of the matter is that most of them never saw a real grand master.
Let me give you an example of a skilled master.
When I was stationed at Marine Air Station, Iwakuni Japan 1957, the judo club would practice in the gym’s boxing ring.
I had a friend of mine in the navy named, Davis, a 2nd degree black. His teacher was Mr. Nakano, a 9th degree black belt.
David had been training about four years and never was able to throw Mr. Nakano. One day he did and in his excitement, he laughed. He didn’t mean any harm but he was just excited.
Now this is a different time era; to laugh at your instructor was a no no, a sign of disrespect.
Mr. Nakano got back on his feet smiled and politely bowed for Davis to continue.
In that style of Judo there were 51 different throws. Mr. Nakano proceeded to throw Davis 51 times and never the same throw.
Now that’s old school. Mr. Nakano at his skill level didn’t consider himself a grand master.
A grand master is the best of the best. Their skill level is mind boggling. Most of them go way past the physical. They usually keep away from the public eye.
These great path-makers of the martial arts are too busy taking their training to the next level.
The highest rank in the Japanese martial arts system is a 10th degree title, Hanshi “Teacher of Teachers”.
The term grand master is a generic term used mostly in the United States.
I knew Mr. Nakano personally; I had many conversations with him. He would talk about the great masters of old.
I was young and asked many questioned every time I got a chance to talk to these great legends.
Twenty years later, I went back to Japan for advanced training... I looked them up again; Mr. Nakano was included in my list of names.
My question was “Could you control and move someone without touching them?" I was all over the place talking to all masters that I could muster.
They all led me to the same person and I knew him. I met with him and he told me what I wanted to know.
To be continued in my next chapter, “What does it mean to a grand master?"
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