martialarts.myfreeforum.org

Q · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 29 Location: Bagborough

This one may be of interest to a few - I attended courses in 1996-98 organised by this chap and he is excellent at organising events. However, he produced grade advancement certificates for himself and got Japanese dignitaries to present the certificates at these events. When he was exposed on ebudo it transpired that he only had a real grading of 1st Dan in Wado many years gone. However, he claims his organisation reward differently i.e. I know one of his teachers that was either a 1st or 2nd Dan in 1996 is now a 7th Dan. Maybe he should only be a maximum of 4th Dan considering the time span. See: http://martialarts.myfreeforum.or..._traditional_karate__about47.html

In 2006, after exposure on the internet of Mr Grayston for self awarding all his grades above 1st Dan to eventually 10th Dan (which would normally take 57 years of training to get to) and other discrepancies, the Shindo ryu closed it's website and Mr Grayston has stated on an internet discussion forum that he has withdrawn from the martial arts world.

The original link to the exposure with 800 replies –
http://www.e-budo.com/forum/showt...hp?t=34523&highlight=grayston

However he has now returned and back to his old tricks...

http://www.e-budo.com/forum/showt...?p=465532&posted=1#post465532

http://www.shindoryu.org/

http://www.aikibudo.org.uk/
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"Q might have done the right thing for the wrong reason, perhaps we need a good kick in our complacency to get us ready for what's ahead" -- Captain Picard

Tadakatsu · Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 114 Location: Mikawa Province

Bad Budo, BAD BUDO!

It seems to me that he thinks that the world of martial arts is about grades, if your the highest in whatever discipline then you will gain more repsect, students and or money. I've always said to myself and always will, its not about the grade its what you learn and gain for whichever art you practice.

Our way of life within martial arts is corrupted by many a con-artist, but with anything popular and or something that can bring in money and power, theres always a corrupt side to it. For example, sports e.g. football. Two teams play eachother to see who is the better team. But its not as simple as that, theres always an underworld with these things, bribary, corruption, con-artistry so on so forth.

Perhaps with this particular '10th dan' maybe a test would be in order to see if he is really worthy of such a grade. I know within the Kendo grading, to achieve 8th dan has below a 1% pass rate and you MUST be over a certain age. I beleive I posted the video on how to achieve 8th dan in my random video thread.
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Rag Behag · Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 6 Location: taunton

I too attended a course by Grayston-hanshi. It was on 24/08/2003 and he was then a 9th Dan. I have to agree, it was an excellantly run course on Kihon and Kata and was fully supported by the rest of the Sekai Shindo-Ryu Karate-Do Renmei instructors.
I was then a 9th kyu and had only just started karate again after many years abscense but thoroughly enjoyed it, so it was with some sadness that I read your posting. I do however remember him talking about his gradings and in particular the fact that they were presented to him by high ranking Japanese officials.
He was very charasmatic and confident (although a little arrogant) but I remember at the time thinking he was very young to have achieved the rank of 9th Dan.
Still, it's good to know that sometimes fraudsters and charlatans are exposed and get thier just deserts. Although the fact he seems to be back in action is a little disturbing.

Q · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 29 Location: Bagborough

Rag - It may be worth looking through the original ebudo exposure on the first posting above. Yes I thought he was ok back in 1996 when I was 2nd Kyu but I never actually saw him teach a session - it was a multi art seminar.
The original ebudo exposure reads like a modern soap if you have the time to go through the whole thing (It took me about a week of lunchtimes in work).
I personally know Graham Chuck - a well established Wado instructor who on occassions trained with him back in Essex in those days - he contributed on the forum as "Chucky".
Last time I trained with Mr Chuck (who is now in Plymouth) he joked that perhaps I should have joined "Bunga" and I would be a 6th Dan by now.
Also his top student/instructor at the time Craig Finch left in about 1997 and found another sensei.
I think the only original instructor that is with him now is Mark Shelley who now holds a 7th Dan!
But we all know that grades don't actually matter, it is a fairly new concept in martial arts.
I think the power and self belief of Mr Grayston has gone to his head since - reports are that he got more arrogant over time.
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"Q might have done the right thing for the wrong reason, perhaps we need a good kick in our complacency to get us ready for what's ahead" -- Captain Picard