I have been instructed to announce that there will be a mandatory meeting of the senior members of the Yudanshakai during the Super Camp in Chicago this June. Please email me or contact GM Al for details.

Ted

So…is this an invitation for the members of the organizational body to be present and sit in on an open meeting of the leadership of our system as they discuss important issues? Maybe even participate in an open forum with the intent of bettering and strengthening the system as a whole?

-John

" there will be a mandatory meeting of the senior members of the Yudanshakai"

Does that sound like an invitation to "the members of the organizational body to be present" or for anyone other than those particular individuals to "sit in on an open meeting of the leadership of our system"? And as a self proclaimed "Kenpo ronin" with no ties to any organization and beholden to nobody for your rank, why would this meeting be of interest to you? Just curious as to why you are so curious.

Ted

“Kenpo Ronin” … did I say that?

I apologize for giving you the wrong impression on where I stand on matters relating to the Tracy Kenpo System.

I have been a loyal member of the Tracy’s Kenpo System for 30-years now. (since I was 14-years old) I have held Dan level ranking for coming up on 27-years now.

My Dan ranking is registered with the Tracy’s organization, as is the rank of all my Dan level students.

I hold a Master Instructor credential from the Tracy’s organization. All of the instructors in my school, which have completed instructor level training, hold Instructor credentials.

My school has maintained full certified membership in the Tracy’s International Studios of Self Defense since it’s opening in 2001.

My school attends, or supports, all seminars and gatherings held by members of the Tracy’s organization, within our ability

As far as I know; I am currently in good standing with the Tracy’s International Studios of Self Defense Board of Directors. I don’t know of any reason why I wouldn’t be.

I don’t see how much more closely tied to the organization I could be; without moving to Kentucky and following the Grandmaster around throughout his day opening doors for him and fetching his coffee.

As for not being beholden to anyone for rank; I am afraid that you are mistaken about that. I consider myself absolutely indebted to the following persons for the privilege of wearing a Tracy’s Black Belt;

Grandmaster Al Tracy (System Head)
Master Ted Sumner (Teacher of my Teacher)
Grandmaster Ray Arquilla (Teacher)
Hanshi Bruce Juchnik (Teacher of my Teacher)
Kyoshi Dave Kovar (Teacher)

I do not consider the rank I wear to truly be “mine”, I wear it at the discretion of my teachers and the leadership within my lineage. At any point, if any one of these individuals would like my rank returned, all they have to do is ask. I would immediately deliver said rank (Belt and Diploma) to them in person without question or retort.

As a relatively senior ranked Dan (and its all relative); a senior instructor with a school that is actively training a significant number of students; coupled with being basically a life long member of the Tracy’s organization, you can imagine that I have a vast amount of interest in a meeting of this type. That does not take into account the fact that owning and operating a martial arts school that teaches Tracy's Kenpo Karate is my fulltime occupation, and the path I have chosen as my given profession.

I was asking a serious question in the hope that there was going to be some meaningful and open dialog within the system regarding its current status and the future.

-John

I stand corrected sir. You are a pillar. I apologize for any misunderstanding or mischaracterization. I will advise as to the detail of the meeting as they are forthcoming.

Ted

Mr. S.,
Who, exactly, are the Yudanshakai? Is there a list of these representatives? Is it belt rank driven, or perhaps related to the most senior "active" members? Could this be related to who is considered a "Tracy's Kenpo senior"?. Enquiring minds would like to know.
Thank you, Sir. Milt G.

Milt,

That is a very good question. I personally do not know who all the members of the Yudanshakai are. I know some; but not all. Only the Grand Master knows the entire board. It is intentionally designed this way in order to enable members to function in their capacity as advisors to the head of the system without duress. Membership is not ensured based upon seniority or rank, but rather by the value a member proffers as a trusted advisor to the organization and head of the system. There are members throughout North America, Europe and Australia. Beyond that I can only offer that the exact composition and function of the Yudanshakai is intentionally kept somewhat vague, obscure and mysterious. It certainly makes it more interesting this way.

Ted

Mr. S.,
Thanks for the reply and Info... I appreciate it. I have been curious about the Yudanshakai group and program.
Milt G.

I think there is a lot of curiousity about it.  It's part of what makes it so cool, the secrecy and all, don't you think?

Many organizations have their elite, board of directors etc. I would think that is what the order is more connected to, a CEO and the board of directors.

Not like this secret organization that might do more harm than good in todays political climate.

http://www.skullandcrossbones.org/articles/skullandbones.htm

I think it is normal for a organization to have something similar, some are named others are not.

A collective group of senior Dan ranks...Makes sense if you want things to run smooth if something out of the ordinary might happen to upset the boat.

Gary

Mr. Hopper,
I do agree! Some mystery is interesting and adds another dimension...
Thanks,
Milt G.

Request that you ask about it and show some curiosity for their existance, if you don't ask they figure you really don't care. The ones who ask are more inclined to be out going and more secure in their own self, I would think. To be rebuked in a manner that is rude or threatening speaks for its self.

"""Curiosity killed the cat is a proverb used to warn against being too inquisitive lest one comes to harm. A less frequent rejoinder to 'curiosity killed the cat' is 'satisfaction brought it back'."""

Regards,
Gary

Wrong heading

Hi,
I received this from Will Tracy because of a misconception that is now being mentioned by Larry Tatum about the Yudanshakai:
***********

Gary;

I just got a call from my brother Al, who told me he has heard that
Larry Tatum is claiming that Al Tracy personally promoted him through
the Yudansha to some rank. You can post this anywhere you want.

First, the Dans of the Yudansha do not generally go around telling
people they are Dans.

Second, I am the only member of the Yudansha who made such a public
statement and that was in regard to the founding of the Yudansha in
1961, when I was the lowest ranked and least senior member.

Third, when one is promoted to a Dan rank by the Yudansha, he/she thus
becomes a member of the Yudansha.

Fourth, no individual Dan, no matter what Yudansha rank he/she holds
can confer a Yudansha Dan ranking on anyone. That requires the body of
Yudansha to agree.

Fifth, Larry Tatum is not now and never has been a member of the
Yudansha; and therefore, he does not now and never has held any rank in
the Yudansha.

Sixth, who says Al Tracy is a member of the Yudansha? Only members of
the Yudansha know who the other members are; and if Al Tracy is a member
of the Yudansha, he could never have personally promoted Larry Tatum or
anyone else to a Dan rank in the Yudansha, no more than I could promote
anyone in the Yudansha.

Will

At the GOE 2001, many people who were considered ronin(?) tested for dan rank, and the certificates presented to them read something like "Yudanshakai International". Don't remember everything that was on the certificates.

How is this related to the Yudansha?

Larry Tatum was one of the testing officials, as were Al Dacascos and Eric Lee and Al Tracy----among others.


Thanks.

KJ

I believe the Yudanshakai and the Yudansha are not one in the same.
I can get some clairification for you though if no one else will answer your question.

Yudansha are the folks who are the (somewhat) secret leaders of the Yudanshakai

Gary