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About Dr. William P. Durbin
Ranks and Certifications
In 1970, I began training with Richard Stone, in my hometown of Bardstown, KY. The primary art taught by him was Kodokan Judo, though he taught elements of Aikikai Aikido and Nippon Kempo, as well. I studied with Mr. Stone until the fall of 1971 at which time I went to Campbellsville College. During my time with Mr. Stone I also assisted in teaching. Over the years as a student I returned periodically to my first instructor to gather more knowledge and information from him.
I attended college from 1971 until 1975 graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible, Religious Education, and Psychology. During that time I organized a self defense club with Bob Setser, a Shotokan Karate student, and Bos Bosmer, a fellow Kodokan Judo practitioner. Among the arts I studied at various times over those years were: Shotokan, Kodokan, Isshin Ryu, Goju Ryu, Shorin Ryu, Aikikai, Ninjutsu, Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, and Shaolin Chunfa. Each semester I offered self defense classes in order to share my knowledge and to learn others arts. During the summers I worked various jobs and after four years at Campbellsville College had taught self defense in Ohio, Michigan, as well as, Kentucky.
While studying religion and philosophy in college, I began to learn about the concepts of Oriental philosophy. I learned about the Chinese Taoist concepts of Yin/Yang, with Yang representing the positive aspects of the universe. From my continued martial arts training I learned about Ki, the divine spirit; the principle of Ju, the gentle, yielding principle of the Japanese martial arts; and, Te the skill of Okinawan self defense, combat arts. Around 1974, while teaching self defense in Michigan, I coined the phrase Ki Yang Ju Te as my personal teaching philosophy for the martial arts.
Over the next four years, I perfected the philosophy, so that when I joined Juko Kai Kokusai Remmei in 1978, Dr. Rod Sacharnoski approved me using my personal philosophy while teaching his arts. It was also during 1978 that I met and studied with Bill "superfoot" Wallace, a master of Shorin Ryu Karate and the World Middleweight Full Contact Karate Champion. From Bill I learned the importance of physical fitness, flexibility, and good form in the practice of the martial arts. From Dr. Sacharnoski I learned the mental aspects of the martial arts, including many of the Okinawan concepts of focus, concentration, and visualization. Richard Stone has always been my spiritual mentor, helping me to understand the relationship between Christianity and the martial arts.
In 1980, I was awarded my Shihan in Okinawan Goju Kempo Karate. Dr. Rod Sacharnoski noted that I had something special in what I taught, thus with his approval and assistance, I began to develop the philosophy I called Ki Yang Ju Te, into a tradition, the basis of a Ryu (system). Over the years I established a complete philosophical tradition, teaching syllabus, and curriculum for a system of martial arts.
Finally, in 1982, Dr. Rod Sacharnoski sponsored before the Zen Kokusai Soke Budo/Bugei Remmei, the International Board of Soke, which recognized me as the Soke Shodai, headmaster-first generation, of what was called at that time, Ki Yang Ju Te Ryu Kempo. I was authorized to grade in Kempo, Karate, and Jujutsu, up to the level of Judan, tenth degree black belt.
In 1983, the International Kosho Shorei Association, under the direction of Thomas Barro Mitose, the twenty second generation headmaster, and son of James Mitose who was the first person to teach Kempo in the United States, certified and recognized me as Soke of Ki Yang Ju Te Ryu. Later they reissued the certificate to reflect the formal pronunciation of Kiyojute Ryu, and the expansion of the art as Kempo Bugei.
One of the greatest honors I have had as a Soke, is that my first instructor, Richard Stone, and Bill Wallace, both joined and received ranks in the Kiyojute Ryu. Both men have brought to the system over twenty years of experience. The support and love these men give me have helped me in my growth and development as the Soke of Kiyojute Ryu. They serve as technical advisor and help the system stay stable and strong.
In 1986, the Zen Kokusai Soke Budo/Bugei Remmei, at my request due to the increased contact I have with Japanese and Okinawan martial arts organizations, issued a certificate recognizing the formal Japanese pronunciation, Kiyojute Ryu. And once again, Dr. Rod Sacharnoski honored me by sponsoring me before the Dai Nippon Seibukan Budo/Bugei Kai, which gave me formal and direct recognition of my Soke Shodai of Kiyojute Ryu.
Being one to never stop studying I have maintained close ties to all my instructors, continuing to learn all I could in regard to the martial arts. In the year 1988, I achieved the highest levels left for me to earn. First, after an exhaustive three hour exam I earned Shihan Godan in Juko Ryu Toide, and Yodan in Seidokan toide, when Dr. Sacharnoski visited me in January. Then after the National Clinic, that August, where I was able to demonstrate my skills during classes and at the Masters Demonstration, where I gave a stretching and kicking exhibition, Dr. Sacharnoski awarded my Kaiden, indicating that I was a master of all traditions. In a letter clarifying this, he stated my skills and demonstrative abilities, showed the highest levels, thus earning me Hanshi in both Karate and Jujutsu, along with Shihan Godan ranking in Juko Ryu Aikijujutsu. This marked the point where I had achieved Shihan grading in all Japanese and Okinawan arts; Kempo, Karate, Toide, Jujutsu, and Aikijujutsu; which allows me to teach them all under the Kiyojute Ryu system.
In 1989, Dr. Sacharnoski requested that I realign my past ranks with his current associations. Thus he recommended me for promotions in Kempo and Karate under the Seibukan and Seidokan respectively. Thus I was awarded my Shihan Godan in Nihon Ryu Kempo by Kitahara Tatsuo Suzuki and Shihan Godan in Shorin Ryu by Shian Toma. In 1990, Dr Sacharnoski awarded me Hanshi Hachidan in Juko Ryu Kempo. Kenshinkan Shorin Ryu was one of the original systems involved in the International Okinawan Martial Arts Union, under Dr. Sacharnoski's recommendation I was awarded Rokudan in Goshinjutsu and Kobudo under their authority in 1991. Then in the year 1996, I received my Kudan in Nihon Ryu Kempo and Judan in Juko Ryu Kobudo/Kobujutsu.
The classification of the original five arts of Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Bugei changed in 1993. Students were confused in regard to all arts being a part of Kempo yet with dissimilar names. To alleviate the problem I chose to rename the five arts in a manner consistent with the historical development of the martial arts. The main art will be called Shogei Toitsu Kempo, meaning "all arts beginning in one fist law". This is to show that all true martial arts developed from the Kempo of the warrior monks. Juho Kempo Jujutsu, the gentle principle fist law gentle art, will be used to signify the Jujutsu skill of the Ashigaru, Samurai foot soldiers. Aikiho Kempo Jujutsu, "harmony of spirit principle fist law gentle art", will represent the Aikijujutsu method of the Japanese Bushi, high level Samurai who fought in armor. Goho Kempo Karate, "strength principle fist law empty hand", will represent the Karate of Okinawa developed from the striking skills derived from the Chinese martial arts. Shuho Kempo Karate, "taking principle fist law empty hand", will represent the Bushi Te, warrior skill, of the Okinawan royalty. Finally, Bukiho Kempo Kobujutsu, "weapon principle fist law martial arts", will encompass the ancient Japanese and Okinawan method of teaching weapons through Mukei and Jiyu Kata, respectively.
In 1994, upon receipt of certification from Nimar Hassan of the level of Shihan in Koppo and Ninjutsu, the final art of Kiyojute Ryu was established, this being Nimpo Kempo Kobujutsu, "patience principle fist law ancient martial art", which will represent the Nimpo/Ninjutsu as developed by the monks and taught to the Jisamurai for protection and spiritual development, as well as, clandestine maneuvers.
Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Bugei is a total martial arts system, teaching the arts of Japan and Okinawa. The six empty hand arts mentioned above form the curriculum, with traditional weapons being taught at each level of each art. Kiyo means "the spirit of all that is positive in the universe" or more simply, "the spirit of the divine man". As a Christian, my idea of the divine man is Jesus Christ, though it must be noted that all living religions have some concept of the divine man. Basically, this means that we should practice with the ideal to perfect ourselves. Practicing in the spirit of the divine man.
Jute means "the gentle hand". This is my philosophy of life. To all men I extend a gentle hand, even if attacked, my hand stays gentle, never using more force than is necessary to end a confrontation. This is the secret of our Kempo Bugei.
Ryu means "system" in the Oriental sense, which is a tradition that is carried on by a group of people who join together as a family. The Ryu is a tradition, a way of life that improves every aspect of a person's life. Thus Kiyojute Ryu is "the spirit of the divine man, gentle hand system", or perhaps more appropriately, it is a peaceful way of life that helps us develop into "spiritually positive, gentle people". It is a tradition based on seeking perfection through the spirit of the divine man most appropriately seen in an active love.
Dr. William Paul Durbin, Jr.
Ranks, Awards, and Associations
1) RANKS AND ARTS:
Shodai Soke--- Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Bugei
Kaiden--- Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Bugei
Soke/Kiyojute Ryu--- Shinjo Ryu Iaijutsu/Kenjutsu
Hanshi--- Juko Kai Karate
Hanshi--- Juko Kai Jujutsu
Judan--- Juko Kai Kobudo/Kobujutsu
Kudan--- Nihon Ryu Kempo
Hanshi Hachidan--- Juko Ryu Kempo
Shihan--- Koga Ha Kosho Shorei Ryu Ninjutsu
Shihan--- Koga Ha Kosho Shorei Ryu Koppo
Rokodan--- ISTJ Judo
Rokudan--- Kenshin Kan Shorin Ryu Kobudo
Shihan--- Dai Yoshin Ryu Aikido
Shihan Godan--- Shorin Ryu Karate
Shihan Godan--- Juko Ryu Karate
Shihan Godan--- Juko Ryu Toide
Shihan Godan--- Juko Ryu Aikijujutsu
Shihan Godan--- Okinawan Goju Kempo Karate
Shihan Godan--- Oikiru Ryu Jujutsu Bugei
Yodan--- Seidokan Motobu Ryu Toide
Yodan--- Seidokan Motobu Ryu Karate
Samdan--- Kwihan Ku Sik Tae Kwon Do
Si Bak--- Shaolin Chung Kuo Chuan Shu Kwoon Tai Chi
2) AWARDS
Presidential Sports Award-Karate
Presidential Sports Award-judo
Kentucky State Police Instructor
Senior Police Self Defense Instructor-All Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate and Kobudo Federation
Order of Kentucky Colonels
Who=s Who in Karate
Who=s Who in American Martial Arts
Juko Kai Outstanding Achievement Honor Award.
Outstanding Young Men in America
International Okinawan Martial Arts Union Historian
Zen Kokusai Soke Remmei Historian
Seidokan Historian
International Martial Arts League Technical Advisor
International Okinawan Martial Arts Union
(Juko Kai, Seidokan, Kenshin Kan)
International Kosho Shorei Association
Sei Kosho Shorei Kai
Koga Ha Kosho Shorei Ryu Kempo
Japan Martial Arts Society
Dai Nippon Seibukan Budo/Bugei Kai
Zen Kokusai Soke Budo/Bugei Remmei
International Martial Arts League
