I don't know if I know any one on the World Soke-ship...(Blah-blah). 1st of all, it's an utterly long & STUPID name. What I can say w/ confidence is that it's way easier to get into that group than be recognized by REAL international MA legends (not the Chuck Norris/Jackie Chan variety).

Being a student isn't good enough for some.

Sorry Ames,

Didn't mean to snuff out conversation. I just saw that as a great place to end that discussion. I was my opinion that he had summed up what was being discussed in a nice neat package that wouldn't require further comment. If your opinion differs from mine... feel free to continue. Wasn't trying to step on toes; just my way of complimenting/agreeing with Prize's post.

No worries. Apologies if I touched a pet peeve of yours or broke forum etiquette.

ps - all the gremlins were there as an attempt to show that I was being very over the top silly with that post. No need to take it to heart. Sorry, sarcasm and the like don't work too well in written form.

JM--no problems. I think that was a crabby day for me, lol.

In terms of further thoughts on the issue, I mostly agree with Prizewriter on this one. The only think I would say is that I don't think there is anything wrong with someone giving their art a Japanese name, provided that they are honest that they have made the art up themselves. Especially if someone's training mostly comes from JMA, I think that in some cases it might make sense: you are honoring and paying homage to the country whose martial arts have provided the basis for your new art.

--Chris

Just to point out, a comment made early said the Sokeship Council doesn't clearly describe what they teach, the council doesn't teach at all.

They are a Council made from various founders and heads of family from traditional arts they decide if a "new" style is unique enough to be its own full system.

As for not knowing anyone "legit" or noteworthy on the council, I would assume anyone interested in this type or art would know the Gracies, they are members.

There are also the people who brought the arts from japan and the east to the west and united states listed as members. One would think the most influential ones would be considered legit.

If people would actually go and look up information before making uninformed assumptions about buying titles, and assuming an art teaches X because it has a name similar to Y instead of just reading a description about the style from the instructor folks might be a little less put off if it isn't what they expected.

As far as multiple black belts goes, its not that hard if you study multiple arts at the same time. I'm in the process of working on three different black belts. If you reread the part Master Cates has black belts in three styles(other then his 4th which he founded) that you could say are very similar: Judo, police tactics, and a self defense style. They probably used very similar technique and could be learned at the same time. Also note he has been doing this for a very long time.

Sorry if I'm being a little defensive, I study Neko-Ryu Goshin Jistu (yes i agree the name is a lil wonky)as instructed by 6th dan Chris Spruielle.