William Durbin
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215823201
2008-05-29T21:24:57Z
DumZiBoT
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{{Cleanup-afd|Kiyojute Ryu Kempo|date=March 2008}}
{{Infobox martial art group
| logo = Kempo_tomoe.png
| logocaption = The Kiyojute Ryu insignia, referred to as the Tomoe.
| logosize =
| image =
| imagecaption =
| imagesize =
| name = Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Bugei<br>(気楊柔手流拳法武芸)
| aka = Kiyojute Ryu
| date founded = c.1982
| country = {{flagicon|USA}} [[United States of America]]
| founder = William Durbin<br>(born 1953)
| head = William Durbin
| arts = ''[[Kempo|Shogei Toitsu Kempo]]'' • ''[[Karate|Goho Kempo Karate]]'' • ''[[Jujutsu|Juho Kempo Jujitsu]]'' • ''[[Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu|Aikiho Kempo Aikijujutsu]]'' • ''[[Okinawan kobudo|Bukiho Kempo Kobujutsu]]'' • ''[[Ninjutsu|Nimpo Kempo Kobjutsu]]'' • ''Shuho Kempo Karatejutsu'' • ''[[Tai chi chuan|Tsung Shih Tai Chi Chuan]]''
| ancestor_arts =
| descendant_arts =
| ancestor schools = Juko-ryu • [[Goju-ryu]] • [[Shorin-ryu]] • Mobutu-ryu • [[Judo]] • [[Kosho Shorei Ryu Kempo|Koga ha Kosho Shorei Ryu]] • [[Aikido]]
| descendant schools=
| notable pract =
| website = www.kiyojuteryu.org
}}
{{Primarysources|date=January 2008}}
'''William Durbin''' founded {{Nihongo|Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Bugei|気楊柔手流拳法武芸|Kiyōjūte-ryū Kenpō Bugei}}, meaning "spiritually positive gentle person system of martial arts", a form of [[Kempo]], in [[1982]]. It is a [[Gendai Budō]] [[martial art]] in the [[James Mitose]] lineage intended to provide for all aspects of self defense. Its [[Hombu Dojo]], or headquarters, is in [[Frankfort, Kentucky|Frankfort]], [[Kentucky]]. It currently has nine [[dojo]] throughout the southern and midwestern United States{{Fact|date=January 2008}}.
==Biography==
Durbin began his martial arts studies in [[Bardstown, Kentucky]] with instructor Richard Stone, originally learning [[Kodokan]] [[Judo]]. When he left for college in 1971, he along with Bob Sester (a [[Shotokan Karate]] student), and Bos Bosmar (also with the Kodokan) started Campbellsville College Martial Arts Club at [[Campbellsville University]].<ref>McKinney, Joah (October, 2005). [http://www.campbellsville.edu/news/images/cvilliansept05.pdf "Tiger Tracks"]. ''The Campbellsvillian'', p. 21</ref> During these years, he studied a number of martial arts including; Shotokan Karate, Kodakan Judo, [[Goju Ryu]], [[Shorin-ryu]], Aikikai [[Aikido]], [[Tae Kwon Do]], [[Hapkido]], and [[Tai Chi Chuan]].{{Fact|date=March 2008}}
[[Image:Mastering Kempo.jpg|thumb|left|''Mastering Kempo'' a book by Durbin]] In 1974, while teaching self defense in Michigan, he coined the phrase "Ki Yang Ju Te", to reflect a teaching philosophy toward the martial arts he was developing. In 1978, he (along with Richard Stone) joined with [[Rod Sacharnoski]] of [[Juko Kai]] and began to study with [[Bill Wallace (martial arts)|Bill "Superfoot" Wallace]], a master of [[Shorin-ryu]] [[Karate]] and the World Middleweight Full Contact Karate Champion.<ref>{{cite book |last = Schlesinger |first = Tom |title = Fighting Strategy |date = 1982 | |isbn =0-86568-035-3 pages = 49 }}</ref> After joining Juko Kai, Durbin demonstrated his skill to Rod Sacharnoski and was granted rank in Juko Kai{{Fact|date=January 2008}} and started teaching Juko Kai using his philosophy.{{Fact|date=January 2008}}
In 1979, Durbin moved to Frankfort and began to work as an instructor of martial arts at [[Kentucky State University]] and for the [[Kentucky State Police]].{{Fact|date=January 2008}} He continued to work for Kentucky State University throughout the early 1980s{{Fact|date=January 2008}}.
In 1980, Durbin was awarded his [[Shihan]] ranking from Juko Kai in Kempo.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} Also in 1980 he experienced what he describes as a ''Tenshin Sho'', a "divine illumination" where his perspective on religion and his practice of martial arts changed. Instead of being a minister who practiced martial arts, he now considered himself a "martial arts minister".<ref>Paladin Press (November, 2004). [http://www.paladin-press.com/authormo_1104.aspx "Author of the Month William Paul Durbin Jr."]. [[Paladin Press]]. Retrieved on [[2007]]-[[7]]-[[9]]</ref> He was encouraged by Sacharnoski to pursue this further and began to develop a curriculum and codify his philosophies and teachings in preparations for opening his own school and founding his own system. He opened his dojo in Frankfort the next year in 1981 under the auspices of Juko Kai.
Durbin has Shihan rank in Kempo,{{Fact|date=January 2008}} Karate,{{Fact|date=January 2008}} [[jujutsu]],{{Fact|date=January 2008}} [[Aikijujutsu]],{{Fact|date=January 2008}} [[Kobujutsu]]{{Fact|date=January 2008}} and a [[Sibak]] rank in [[Tai Chi Chuan]] through Juko Kai by Rod Sacharnoski{{Fact|date=January 2008}}, and a Shihan rank in Koga ha Kosho Shorei Ryu [[Ninjutsu]] under Nimr Hassan{{Fact|date=January 2008}}. He also has earned a 1st Dan rank in the Budo Taijutsu of the [[Bujinkan]] under John Willson{{Fact|date=January 2008}}, and a 1st Dan rank in [[Taekwondo]]{{Fact|date=January 2008}}. He also holds a 3rd Dan rank in Kodokan Judo{{Fact|date=January 2008}}.
In [[2001]], Durbin published ''Mastering Kempo'', a general textbook of Kempo history, philosophy and technique. Also in 2001 he co-wrote ''Judo Techniques and Tactics'' with [[Jimmy Pedro]]. In [[2004]] he wrote ''Koga Ryu Ninjutsu'', a book on the history and basic techniques of ninjutsu, and in 2007 he wrote ''Renzoku Ken: Combat Combinations of Kempo''. Since 1989 he has also written several dozen articles for various martial arts magazines, including ten articles published in [[Black Belt Magazine]].<ref>Durbin, William. [http://kiyojuteryu.org:1084/soke/published.shtml "Articles by the Soke"; Kiyojute Ryu website.] Retrieved on 2007-8-9</ref>
==Creation of Kiyojute Ryu==
Between 1980 and 1982 Durbin researched the history and techniques of martial arts in preparation for founding of a school, drawing on elements of each of the arts he studied, especially those arts he held Shihan ranking in. During this time, he was awarded an unaccredited Masters and Doctorate degree by Juko Kai{{Fact|date=January 2008}} through their diploma mill, the University of Oriental Philosophy in [[Murphy, North Carolina]].
In 1982 the Zen Kokusai Soke Budo/Bugei Remmei, a board operated by Juko Kai to recognize martial arts, acknowledged him as Shodai [[Soke (martial arts)|Soke]] (first generation headmaster) of Ki Yang Ju Te Ryu Kempo{{Fact|date=January 2008}} (In 1986, by request of Durbin, the board reissued the certification under the proper Japanese romanization, Kiyojute Ryu{{Fact|date=January 2008}}). In 1986, Kiyojute Ryu opened its first dojo in Frankfort, as Durbin's own dojo switched from officially being a Juko Kai dojo to being a Kiyojute Ryu dojo.
As a [[Baptist]] minister{{Fact|date=January 2008}}, Durbin has tried to create an art that reflects his spiritual and moral values, and places an emphasis on self defense, compassion for ones fellow man, and responsible use of force rather than on aggression, destruction, or hurting others. Durbin is fond of noting that historically, great martial arts masters such as [[Morihei Ueshiba]] combined spiritual training along with physical training, and that many great masters were also clergy.[[Or]] Durbin was inspired in what he describes as a ''Tenshin Sho'' or where he received a divine inspiration to teach the martial arts. His teachings and techniques were devised in an attempt to pass along this inspiration and as he describes it "how to love and live at peace". He describes this in his writings as "seeing the light". [http://kiyojuteryu.org:8084/soke/articles/kensho.shtml]
Durbin states,{{Fact|date=March 2008}} <blockquote>I know God personally. I have met him face to face. God is not something I think exists, or believe in, but 'The Source Being' with which I have a personal relationship. Jesus has been part of my life since I was seven..The Tenshin Sho which lead to the creation of Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Bugei, was a personal experience with Jesus. God sent him to give me the message upon which I had based the teachings of Kiyojute Ryu. This was a personal experience with Jesus..I created the Christian Martial Arts Association, so that the Christians who study Kiyojute Ryu could have an avenue for promoting unity and sharing Christ during the practice of Kempo..</blockquote>
Kiyojute Ryu Kempo is built on the philosophy developed by Durbin in the 1970's. He coined the term "Kiyojute" to describe this philosophy of martial arts. The stated goal of Kiyojute Ryu is to train person through martial arts to have a closer relationship with God, a positive and healthy outlook on life, and to be gentle and compassionate in their actions with their fellow man, hence "spiritually positive gentle hand/person".
===Recognition and Endorsements===
Durbin has written that he considers it very important that his students understand that he is not a "self proclaimed" Soke and that he is acknowledged by other members of the martial arts community as a legitimate headmaster of a Kempo system. To this end he has sought recognition from other prominent martial artists, especially those in the training lineage of James Mitose.
The back cover of his book ''Mastering Kempo'' includes quotes of endorsement from Bill Beach and Bill "Superfoot" Wallace as to the martial arts skill of Durbin.<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0736003509/ref=sib_dp_bod_bc?ie=UTF8&p=S058#reader-link link to copyright protected image]</ref>
There, Bill Wallace is quoted describing him as "one of the leading practitioners of Kempo" and Bill Beach describes him as "I have studied his methods and worked and practiced with him for five years. His skills and abilities in the martial arts, especially Kempo, are fascinating." <ref>[https://www.humankinetics.com/products/showproduct.cfm?isbn=9780736003506 Mastering Kempo - Human Kinetics<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
===Expansion===
The first dedicated Kiyojute Ryu dojo was opened in 1986, and as early as 1988 additional dojo began to open with Brad Gardone going on to open a dojo of Kiyojute Ryu at the [[University of Louisville]] and later a separate dojo in [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]] away from the University.<ref>Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Bugei Clubs of Louisville. [http://www.louisvillekempo.com/LouisvilleClub.html] "Louisville Club Dojo". Louisville Club Dojo. Retrieved on [[2007]]-[[9]]-[[9]]</ref>. In the 1990's several more dojo would open, including [[Lexington, Kentucky]], [[Cleveland, Ohio]], the [[University of Kentucky]]<ref>{{cite news | author = Tom Soper | title = Club sports offer competitive options | publisher = [[Kentucky Kernel]] | date = [[2002-06-06]] | url = http://media.www.kykernel.com/media/storage/paper305/news/2002/06/06/Sports/Club-Sports.Offer.Competitive.Options-254952.shtml | accessdate=2007-07-08}}</ref>
, [[Urbana, Illinois]], [[Chicago, Illinois]] and [[Cleveland, Ohio]].<ref name="c">{{cite news | author = Fran Henry | title = In Self-Defense Hit Your Attacker Where It Counts | publisher = [[The Plain Dealer]] | date = [[1992-05-05]] | url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/plaindealer/offers.html?url=%2Fplaindealer%2Faccess%2F100247292.html%3Fdids%3D100247292%3A100247292%26FMT%3DFT%26FMTS%3DABS%3AFT%26date%3DMay%2B5%252C%2B1992%26author%3DFRAN%2BHENRY%26pub%3DThe%2BPlain%2BDealer%26edition%3D%26startpage%3DNOPGCIT%26desc%3DIn%2Bself-defense%2Bhit%2Byour%2Battacker%2Bwhere%2Bit%2Bcounts%2BCallers%2Bto%2Bour%2Beverywoman%2Bhot%2Bline%2Bhave%2Basked%2Bfor%2Binformation%2Babout%2Bhow%2Bto%2Bprotect%2Bthemselves.%2BWe%2527re%2Bhappy%2Bto%2Boblige. | accessdate=2007-07-08}}</ref> In 2002 a dojo was opened in [[Hendersonville, Tennessee]] by a martial artist that had been a regular reader of Durbin's magazine articles and books and sought him out for training{{Fact|date=January 2008}}.
===Training===
The instruction is in a family atmosphere, where students train as partners instead of adversaries. Training is relatively informal, with little ritual aside from formalized bowing to begin and end class and a formal ceremony involved with belt tests and promotions. This is done with the intention of recreating some elements of pre-Meiji era martial arts schools.<ref>Pruitt, Robert (July, 2007). [http://arawakagekan.com/ask_bob/traditionalism "Ask Bob: Is your martial art practiced in a traditional way?"]. Arawa Kage Kan. Retrieved on [[2007]]-[[7]]-[[9]]</ref> Part of the family atmosphere is the practice that its dojo are not widely distributed, and the Ryu does not aggressively expand, and there are only (as of [[2007]]) around a dozen dojo{{Fact|date=January 2008}}, spread throughout Kentucky, [[Ohio]], [[Illinois]] and [[Tennessee]]. Part of the atmosphere family and mutual respect of Kiyojute Ryu includes the members of the class hugging each other after class.<ref name="e">{{cite news | author = Daniel Souder| title = Kempo Club Helps with Self-Defense | publisher = [[The Kentucky Kernel]] | date = [[1996-03-22]] | url = http://www.kykernelalum.org/1996/spring/0322/n7.html | accessdate=2007-09-12}}</ref> Kiyojute Ryu Kempo has no "tournament" or "sport" aspects, and training for competitions is never conducted.<ref>{{cite news | author = Catherine LaRoche | title = Club RSOs provide something for everyone | publisher = [[The Louisville Cardinal]] | date = [[2007-05-08]] | url = http://media.www.louisvillecardinal.com/media/storage/paper964/news/2007/05/08/Sports/Club-Rsos.Provide.Something.For.Everyone-2896671.shtml | accessdate=2007-07-08}}</ref>.
== Religion ==
Durbin is a Baptist minister{{Fact|date=March 2008}} and teaches Kempo from a Christian perspective and refers to his own dojo as the "Christian Martial Arts Association", which is also the name of the non-profit organization that Kiyojute Ryu is legally incorporated as. While he personally teaches from a Christian perspective, he states he is open to teaching students of any religion, quoting the style web site FAQ he explains how religion is handled:
{{cquote|
Like most martial arts masters, at least in the classical sense, I am a very religious person. Actually I am an ordained Baptist minister. But this is no different than Morihei Ueshiba being a [[Shinto]] priest and Michiomi Nakano (So Doshin) being a [[Zen]] [[Buddhist]] priest.
However, like those masters, I teach Kiyojute Ryu Kempo openly to people of all walks of life. The only requirement I have is that a person should have a fundamental belief in God in some form. A person who just does not believe in God cannot possibly reach the highest levels of the martial arts, since they are of a spiritual nature.
In Japan the martial arts have been called Shin Ken, meaning divine fist. In Okinawa they were known as Kami Te, divine hand. In both cases the belief is that the martial arts are inspired by [[God]]. I believe this with all my heart. But I know that God loves all people in all countries, so that he has reached out in many ways to touch the lives of His children. Thus as long as a person has some concept of God, they can reach the highest levels in Kiyojute Ryu with no problem.
If you ask me my personal experience with God, you will learn about Jesus Christ, for this is how God touched me, through His son Jesus. However, we have students in Kiyojute Ryu who are of all Christian faiths, Buddhists, [[Hindu]], [[Sikh]]s, [[Bahá'í Faith|Bahá'í]], and even [[Wicca]].
The only people who have ever had any trouble with the philosophy of Kiyojute Ryu have been people who do not believe in God at all. But in all my years, this has only been two people. So as long as a person believes in God, regardless of any other aspect of personal belief, they can easily learn and train in Kiyojute Ryu.<ref>Durbin, William [http://Controversial.org:1084/faq/ Kiyojute Ryu Frequently Asked Questions] Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Website</ref>
}}
However Durbin also states, " A person who just does not believe in God cannot possibly reach the highest levels of the martial arts, since they are of a spiritual nature.".<ref>Durbin, William [http://kiyojuteryu.org:1084/faq/ Kiyojute Ryu Frequently Asked Questions] Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Website</ref>
The belief that Christianity is not unlike other religions such as Buddhism for purposes of the spiritual growth required for advanced-level practitioners of martial arts is not a belief unique to Kiyojute Ryu, [[Masaaki Hatsumi]] of [[Bujinkan]] has written that the spiritual goals with regards of the martial arts of Christianity and Buddhism are the same.<ref>Hatsumi, Masaaki (1988). ''The Grandmaster's Book of Ninja Training''. Chicago, IL: ISBN 0-8092-4692-5, pp 48.</ref>
==Footnotes==
{{Reflist|2}}
==Publications==
* {{cite book|author=Durbin, William|title=Mastering Kempo|location=Champaign, IL | publisher=Human Kinetics|year=2001|id=ISBN 0-7360-0350-9}}
* {{cite book|author=Pedro, Jimmy and Durbin, William|title=Judo Techniques and Tactics|location=Champaign, IL|publisher=Human Kinetics|year=2001|id=ISBN 0-7360-0343-6}}
* {{cite book|author=Durbin, William|title=Koga-ryu Ninjutsu|location=Boulder, CO | publisher=[[Paladin Press]]|year=2004|id=ISBN 1-58160-459-9}}
* {{cite book|author=Durbin, William|title=Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Handbook|publisher=[[Lulu.com|Lulu]]|year=2007|id=ISBN Unregistered}} ([http://www.lulu.com/content/617266] Print on Demand/Download link)
* {{cite book|author=Durbin, William|title=Renzoku Ken: Combat Combinations of Kempo|location=Burbank, CA | publisher=Unique Publications|year=2007|id=ISBN 086568264X}}
==External links==
* [http://www.kiyojuteryu.org/ Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Bugei Home Page]
* [http://www.martialarm.com/history/kempo.html Kempo Karate History]
{{Karate schools}}
[[Category:American martial arts]][[Category:Kenpo]]