Ko Sutemi Seiei Kan

[OnlyAnEgg]

Ok...it's back to class tonight. Missed Monday because of Halloween. My off day workouts have been

three basic blocks, 100x with 2 lb weights
Middle, Upper and Hook punches 100x, no weights
Upper body light weights 20x-50x, low weight, 2 sets
Katas, Fug ich and ni 5x
Kicks, front, side, back and roundhouse 10x x 3 sets

It's been a tough couple weeks making it to class. Too much family stuff going on. I should be back to 3x week next week, though.

 

[The Kai]

Dude that's a great workout

I admire your zeal

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

well, I try to do something well-rounded when I can't make class. And, I need to say, that's not all at once. The upper body, kata and kicks are done in a group; then, after a bit of cooling down, I'll do the punches and blocks. They tire me; but, the weights make for speed, I'm told. Much later, I'll do some stretching watching the tube. At 44, I need to do what I can when I can or significant progress won't materialize.

 

[Flashing Dagger]

Hello, I live here in Chillicothe, Ohio and Mr. Madden's dojo is just around the corner from my house. I have studied the art of kenpo for several years and while I have never been a student of Ko Sutemi Seiei Kan I have heard his name thrown around for all of my life it seems.

I think Don Madden is legit and his daughter is a well respected sport JuiJitsu champion. I am friends with several of his students and I have no beef with them. However, Mr. Madden's art seems to focus very much on competition sparring. Coming from a purely self-defense point of view, as kenpo does, it seems silly when one of Madden's students tells me that the backfist should "go the side of the head where the judge will be standing". I would hope that they are learning more than just dancing around throwing jabs at each other.

However I guess it all depends on what you are looking for. Competition point sparring is a difficult skill to learn, one that you can really delve into and be proud of your accomplishments. But I've always been a little turned off by all of the plaques, trophies and patches at the Ko Sutemi dojo. It makes people think that the fish is bigger than it really is.

By the way, Soke Don Madden holds a 9th degree in his own art.

 

[Navarre]

I agree, Dagger. Ko Sutemi is rather focused on competitions. Still, I have built my martial arts foundation on this system and have found it very well-rounded.

Of course, back in the day (1984 to be exact) my particular sensei and dojo had already become more focused on practical application than tournament wins.

As I have explored other systems I have found that almost everything I learned in Ko Sutemi has been applicable and of value. That which wasn't as valuable has been reduced or removed in my integrated system.

Thus I can't really call it Ko Sutemi Seiei Kan but many of the techniques would be recognizable as originating from there.

It's interesting that you live so close to Mr. Madden. Hopefully he and Heather are doing well. I haven't seen them in years.

 

[Flashing Dagger]

Actually I live on Paint Street in downtown Chillicothe, perhaps a few blocks from the 2nd Street Dojo across from the Majestic theater. I graduated from high school in 1991 and at that time everyone was talking about Tokey Hill, Tokey Hill, Tokey Hill..... I've met both Heather and Mr. Madden a few times although I doubt if they would remember me.

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

Hello, I live here in Chillicothe, Ohio and Mr. Madden's dojo is just around the corner from my house. I have studied the art of kenpo for several years and while I have never been a student of Ko Sutemi Seiei Kan I have heard his name thrown around for all of my life it seems.

I think Don Madden is legit and his daughter is a well respected sport JuiJitsu champion. I am friends with several of his students and I have no beef with them. However, Mr. Madden's art seems to focus very much on competition sparring. Coming from a purely self-defense point of view, as kenpo does, it seems silly when one of Madden's students tells me that the backfist should "go the side of the head where the judge will be standing". I would hope that they are learning more than just dancing around throwing jabs at each other.

However I guess it all depends on what you are looking for. Competition point sparring is a difficult skill to learn, one that you can really delve into and be proud of your accomplishments. But I've always been a little turned off by all of the plaques, trophies and patches at the Ko Sutemi dojo. It makes people think that the fish is bigger than it really is.

By the way, Soke Don Madden holds a 9th degree in his own art.

Thank you for this insight. My initial apprehension has, over the months, been calmed and, indeed, vanquished. I have little doubt of Mr. Madden's legitimacy and have come to accept the emphasis on competition without rancor or worry.

In fact, the idea of rigorous competition appeals to me, somewhat. If that were all Danny was teaching me, I would likely run off because I need a bit more depth. I'm also being taught a measure of self-defence and Jujitsu is on the horizon, as well.

As to current classes, we had some returning adults last night and I had 3 additional people in my weight class to spar with. That's a good thing for me. I left last night with a stoved finger and a well-bruised shin. I felt like I did some serious sparring for a change.

And I hear quite a bit about Tokey Hill, too Sensei is a treasure trove of anecdotes I hope to meet Mr. Madden soon.

:asian:

 

[Navarre]

I met Tokey Hill a long time ago (seems like maybe 1985 or '86). He was friends with my sensei. I was so new back then I didn't even realize what he had accomplished.

He was the guy who taught me the blitz attack. It has since become a vital part of my attack arsenal. ... It also allows me to get the drop on my ju-jitsu classmates before they can grapple and plant me. heh heh

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

Sensei sez we'll have an opportunity to meet Tokey here in a couple weeks. Road trip to Mt. Vernon (I think) to train at a dojo there and he should be there.

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

Last night, we began Pinan Shodan. I added shuto uke to my regular workout as I feel like a dork when I do it; no confidence in exectuting it with force. In Fugyugata ni, it was a smooth, slow move.

Pinan means peaceful mind and that is appropriate. It is my current experience that MA is a perfect outlet for life's aggravations, harangues and harassments. Lately, a one from my past has risen, full-force, to cause me difficulty by any means (currently, it seems to be perjury and fraud). The frustration associated with these events is, indeed, massive. By concentrating and focusing on my MA training, I have been able to disperse these emotions in a healthy fashion. Further, with just a bit more effort, I am beginning to achieve similar control when it pops up and I am not in class.

I am grateful to MA for showing me a path to this control and near-peace.

 

[Randy Strausbaugh]

Hello, I live here in Chillicothe, Ohio and Mr. Madden's dojo is just around the corner from my house. I have studied the art of kenpo for several years...

Flashing Dagger, do you study with Greg Daniels?
Sorry to stray off-topic folks (Yeah, right, Randy. Like this is the first time).

 

[Flashing Dagger]

No, I don't study with Greg Daniels, but I know him. I drive to Columbus for Kenpo now but My previous instructor got his 1st black from Greg. Are you with Greg Daniels?

 

[Randy Strausbaugh]

No, I studied with Jay T. Will, so I can sympathize with your drive to Columbus for lessons .

 

[Randy Strausbaugh]

OK, back to topic.
A thought on the vertical vs. twist punch in Seiei-kan. Egg, you said your instructor studied under George Annarino. I know that both he and Don Madden were boxers in their youth. Perhaps this is the reason why they embrace the vertical fist punch in sparring. Of course, several other arts use it as well (Isshin-ryu springs to mind). Just something to think about.

Sorry, I'm all verklempt. Talk among yourselves.

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

OK, back to topic.
A thought on the vertical vs. twist punch in Seiei-kan. Egg, you said your instructor studied under George Annarino. I know that both he and Don Madden were boxers in their youth. Perhaps this is the reason why they embrace the vertical fist punch in sparring. Of course, several other arts use it as well (Isshin-ryu springs to mind). Just something to think about.

Sorry, I'm all verklempt. Talk among yourselves.

Yes, Not only was Mr. Annarino a boxer, he was raised by a boxer. I can't deny the effectiveness, in kumite, of the straight jab.

On another topic, I purchased Karate-Do Kyohan this weekend. A wholly remarkable book. Now, I have both of Funakoshi's seminal texts on karate. Having read through the first part, I can see how invaluable they will be to me.

 

[Flashing Dagger]

Perhaps this question belongs under a JuJitsu thread, but since we are talking about Don Madden and his group, I was wondering if they still teach Sei Kan JuJutsu. I have in my possession 2 locally written books on the subject (vol I and vol II) by Mr. Madden and Bo Kimly (who my friend and I used to jokingly refer to as "the Big Swede"). I must admit I've always wanted to learn a competitive martial art and since their dojo is so close I may want to go down there and check it out.

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

Perhaps this question belongs under a JuJitsu thread, but since we are talking about Don Madden and his group, I was wondering if they still teach Sei Kan JuJutsu. I have in my possession 2 locally written books on the subject (vol I and vol II) by Mr. Madden and Bo Kimly (who my friend and I used to jokingly refer to as "the Big Swede"). I must admit I've always wanted to learn a competitive martial art and since their dojo is so close I may want to go down there and check it out.

Sensei sez, now and then, that we'll pull out the mats and do some jujitsu. He's referenced those two texts a couple times. I have yet to find them, myself. Heck, I've got enough to learn right now anyways

If you have the opportunity to visit Mr. Madden's dojo, I would be interested in hearing your tale.

 

[jujutsu_indonesia]

Perhaps this question belongs under a JuJitsu thread, but since we are talking about Don Madden and his group, I was wondering if they still teach Sei Kan JuJutsu. I have in my possession 2 locally written books on the subject (vol I and vol II) by Mr. Madden and Bo Kimly (who my friend and I used to jokingly refer to as "the Big Swede"). I must admit I've always wanted to learn a competitive martial art and since their dojo is so close I may want to go down there and check it out.

Interesting.. what is this Seikan Jujutsu and how it was created? What was the root arts of this Seikan Jujutsu style? Or did Mr. Madden simply combined techniques from Karate and Judo in order to be able to compete under current JJIF rules (which are very much Karate rules+Judo rules)?

 

[Navarre]

I might be way wrong on this, being out of the official Seiei Kan loop for so long, but I believe Mr. Madden never had any jutsu in the art at all until it became popular via UFC and such. Then I started seeing it's incorporation into the art.

I believe it, like most of Seiei Kan, has been adapted from other systems. Again, I'm fine with this because Seiei Kan has always had an open philosophy towards finding techniques that work. The style was previously lacking in this area and it has changed that, so I say Good.

 

[Flashing Dagger]

The two books that I have are entitled "Seiei-Kan Ju-Jitsu Vol I and Vol II", copyright 1994 with text by Bo Kimley and Donald Madden. I believe there was a time when Mr. Madden and Sensei Kimly teamed up together. It was Mr. Kimly that brought his own Ju-Jitsu program and syllabus to Mr. Maddens' dojo, but somehow the name "Seiei-Kan" became attached to it instead of the name of Mr. Kimly art from Sweden.

I don't know if he is still connected with Madden's group but just a few years ago I sat in and watched a Ju-Jitsu class at the Chillicothe dojo and it was taught by Heather Madden.

This is a bio of Bo Kimly from the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation website:

Bo Kimly
Member, Board of Directors
US National Coach 2000-2001

Shihan Kimly is a 7th Dan in Ju-Jutsu and the Kumite fighting system Coach USA Ju-Jitsu Team.

Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Shihan Kimly is the author of two books; Seiei Kan Ju-Jutsu - Vol. I & II. He is now living in Columbus, Ohio.

Shihan Kimly started his martial arts training in 1964 and has been a professional instructor since 1988. He is the founder of six Ju-Jutsu Clubs in Stockholm and three in US, the Martial Arts Alliance, the Ju-Jutsu Club @ Ohio State University and the Ju-Jutsu Club @ Ross County Y.M.C.A.

A National Referee in both Ju-Jitsu and Karate, Shihan Kimly has also been a successful coach on the international level, coaching Nick Wolak to become World Champion in Sport Ju-Jitsu 1996. In 1999, Shihan Kimly coached in 1999 the USA Ju-Jutsu Team at the World Kobudo Federations World Championship in Quebec City, Canada and in 2000 four students from Martial Arts Alliance to become US Champions and US Team Members. Coaching the US Ju-Jitsu Team in 2000, Shihan Kimly's efforts resulted in the US Team taking all Gold against Canada at the Continental Championship in Canton, Ohio. Also coached the US Ju-Jitsu Team at the World Championship in Copenhagen, Denmark in November, 2000, and the North American Championships in 2001.

Not limited to competitive Ju-Jitsu, Shihan Kimly is also an Instructor of Police Defense of Tactics and Police ASP Baton.