Interview with James H. Coffman 7th Degree Black Belt in Okinawan Shorin

A interview with Sensei James H. Coffman in 1999 about his training in Okinawa Shorin with Sensei Kise and Soken in the early 1960's

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Karate
• Shorin
• Shorin-ryu
• James
• H.
• Coffman
• Kise
• Soken
• Smoka-usa
• Black
• Belt
• Okinawa
• Belt.

[Godan55th]

Well, guys good discussion. You are both right. In Okinawa the people don't look at training for a rank just for the knowledge and that's a way of life. In the U.S. we have the art that has a start and an ending. The rank is the important thing. A perfect example is Greg Lazarus of Dover, NH. he was promoted to 8th degree black belt by kise this year and the guy has the ability of a mid level brown belt and that may be giving him some...... but he visits Okinawa each year.. That's worth an 8th..

[uminchu7th]

Sure he was one of the first of Kise's students but there were a handfull of other American servicemen who took from other masters from back in mid-late 50's.. they just never were known as they didn't teach. Kise runs a business and it continues to this day.. even in early 60's he gave servicemen Shodan in 1 yr. How long did it take Mr Coffman to attain 7th dan? 3-4 yrs? For business reasons? Yes, I agree he is skilled now, but it takes 30+ yrs in Oki to get 7th dan for Okinawans.

[OkinawanTemple]

Greg Lazarus an 8th Degree!!! What a Joke. I tested him 3 times for his Sho Dan rank and busted his nose the first 2 times we sparred. 2 years later he asked for a Ni Dan promotion. I ordered him to start training seriously or I was going to demote him back to Brown Belt. This insulted his EGO so he began studying (or visiting really) other Black Belts under Sensei Kise. Greg is, and always will be a average skilled Brown Belt.

Al Gagne

Roku Dan

Loyal Student of Sensei James Coffman

[neshamatelohim]

Eizo Shimabukuro was promoted to Juan at the age if 34. Skill is skill and this man possesses it. And as for Kise his Judan was awarded by a panel of Judas and its very clear how he attained it

[jiggahippo]

@uminchu7th not true. I know a few okinawans that have 7 dan and been in practice for only 10 years. But then I heard lots of stories of people getting dans in months or years, who knows and who cares. if ur good ur good and if u suck it will show. I have no clue anymore and I no longer argue u will never win no matter ur evidence. Just practice ur system and enjoy.

[Specter1957]

@Mikes2357 With whom did you train?

what federation was he with?

Is he a member of the Okinawan Ken(Okinawan Karate preservation society)?

Your statements sound a bit like sour grapes from your teacher.

I was on Okinawa during the 1980's(and training) and have seen Kise sensei at numerous events sponsored by the Okinawa prefecture Government,and also the Okinawa Ken.

I do know for a fact he wouldnt be seen at a Chubu Shorin Ryu event.

[bitchcuntnugget]

Besides if hohan soken saw what kise did to the system I do not think kise would be any more

[bitchcuntnugget]

no it probably took him 20 or so years to obcheive that belt, so how about you meet the man at his dojo before puting him down .Maybe his karate is shit maybe it is not,but how can you say anything without meating and training with this man face to face.

[mccarthysensei]

uminchu7th,

RU the gentleman who us fishing in 1997?

[uminchu7th]

I have lived in Okinawa since 69 and studied karate here for 37 years and am of half Okinawan decent, so I speak the language. Some sensei will promote foreigners quickly to help them establish organizations. These guys know this deep down, but hate to admit it. I'm not stating that they suck, but it is different to practice in Okinawa for 30 yrs vs studying 30 yrs ago and returning for a two week refresher course and promotion every 4-5 yrs. Not the same. They don't teach foreigners in depth.