Q6.  Of all your fellow dojomates, who stood out the most during that time in regards to all around ability?

 

A6.  "It's hard to pin point any one person but I think Harold Mitchum was the most respected.  I think of Mitchum for his fighting, Advincula for his kata's, Bohan for his strength and Armstrong was the organizer. Sherman Harrill, Ed Johnson and I were the rookies."

 

 

Q7.  Are there any interesting stories about Soke that you would like to share?

 

A7.  "I remember doing a demonstration one night at an N.C.O. (Non Commissioned Officer) club and Sensei was doing a Bo form. A Marine in the front row was snickering half way thru the kata. Sensei had zeroed in on this guy and fired out his Bo within an inch of this guys face, the whole front row was backing up."

 

 

Q8.  You took a break from the mainstream Isshinryu Karate scene for 17 years, what was the biggest change that you noticed when you started traveling again?

 

A8.  "The volume of high ranks mostly, the tournament rules had changed, such as the gear worn for sparring and more decimals scoring kata."

 

 

Q9.  From your training days in Okinawa, whom have you trained with the most and whom do you consider your closest friends.

 

A9.  "I spent a lot of time with Don Bohan and Rick Niemira.   My close friends are endless but I stay in touch with Harold Mitchum, Harvey Hastings, Wayne Wayland, Toby Cooling and others, we all go back a very long time."

 

 

Q10.  What is your favorite weapon, and weapon kata?

 

A10.  "The Bo, Tokomeni No Kun No Dai."

 

 

Q11.  Of all the Isshinryu empty hand kata, which was the hardest for you to learn?

 

A11.  "Chinto, I have a hard time getting into a good cat stance."

 

 

Q12.  Describe an average day for you at home.

 

A12.  "Three days a week, I get up at 4:00 a.m. and go to work at the airport as airport police.   I get back home at 8:00 a.m., feed the stock and myself and then return to the airport at 10:45 a.m. until 1:30 p.m, then get some chores done, feed the horses, mules and donkey's at 4:30.  I get much busier in the summer, in addition to my job, we grow our own hay.  This requires irrigating pasture and mending fences.  When there is time, I go to brandings and help out, or go on cattle drives, my favorite."

 

 

Q13.  Of all the Isshinryu fighters you’ve seen over the years, who is your favorite?

 

A13.  "Days of yesteryear was Don Nagle, later came Harvey Hastings and I judged Scott Shamblin many times, he could be hard to beat."

 

 

Q14.  What was the best kumite match you’ve ever seen?

 

A14.  "Bill Wallace and Fred Wren in Ocean City, Md."

 

 

Q15.  Last year you traveled to Louisiana to attend a seminar for Harold Mitchum and Ed Johnson, how did you like training with them again?  Any surprises?

 

A15.  "It was great, kind of like old times.  We are still on the same page doing our kata's.  It was a fun workout and I enjoyed meeting those that attended."

 

 

(Grandmaster Harold Mitchum promotes Ed Johnson and Tom Lewis to 9th Dan, April 23, 2005)

 

 

Q16.  I understand you cross-trained with the Bando system, how was that?

 

A16.  "Bando was hard for me because of the low stances such as, the tiger form etc. I enjoyed working with the Bando people and there was a lot to be learned from Myuang Gyi."

 

 

Q17.  What were your feelings about some of the Isshinryu stylists switching to the Bando system?

 

A17.  "I think the reason for some of the Isshinryu guys training in Bando was that Isshinryu had gone in so many directions, were as Bando, had one leader, that in turn had created a brotherhood. However, none of us left Isshinryu, and we still trained in Isshinryu and wore our patches proudly.

The original Isshinryu people were, myself, Don Bohan, Rick Niemira, and Harvey Hastings (my student). I think Bob Hill may have trained with Harold Long before Bando."

 

 

Q18.  Can you give us some insight into some of the better-known Bando practitioners such as Bob Maxwell, Harvey Hastings, Mark Bjishkian, Dale Minor, Dr. Gyi and others?

 

A18.  "The Bando Association is a very small but very tight group with enormous amount of respect for Myuang Gyi. As with any organization, everyone has their favorite friends. There were several different stylists in this group, and everyone had something to offer. I became very close to people like Bob Maxwell, Dr. Bob Hill, Mark Bjishkian and Gyi."

 

 

Q19.  I found the attached picture on the website and if you can describe the event for us?

 

 

A19.  "Harvey Hastings and myself, organized The Friendship tournament.  The picture is me presenting Rick with a special hand-carved walnut trophy for being an outstanding karate-ka.  My guess is that Miriam still has it.  The Friendship Tournament was all pulled together by just making phone calls, there were no trophies given out and no overhead.  It was held in the school where I graduated at no cost.  Rick Niemira had been diagnosed with cancer and had no idea that this tournament was to raise money to help on his medical bills.  It was attended by people like, Allan Wheeler, Gary Alexander, Don Nagle , Bob Maxwell , Ed McGrath , Wayne Wayland and many others.  At the after tournament party held at my dojo in Salisbury, Md., Rick was presented with almost $5000.00."

 

Q20.  Is there anything else you would like to say to our readers?

 

A20.  "I have said this before, but I still feel that there is camaraderie in Isshinryu like no other system, despite the differences.  Perhaps, because it all started with a hand full of Marines.  I, like many others wish we could narrow down the differences and travel the same path.  The advantages would be enormous, i.e. a structured rank system, uniform kata's, etc.  In order for this to ever happen, there has to be mutual respect and set aside some egos. Until then, we will never be under the same roof."

 

 

 

"In closing, just remember--------Never squat with your spurs on " Tom Lewis.

 

 

 

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