Grandmasters of Kosho - Ryu

James Mitose

James Mitose, working out on the makiwara. Believed for the development of big knuckles and developing a hard punch or kick. The Grandmaster believed it was to take the evil in oneself and to punch it out.

The 21st Honorable Great Grandmaster James M. Mitose, the head of all Kosho - Shorei Temples was loved and respected by all who knew him personally. He believed that for some reason, instructors were not teaching the Kenpo philosophy with Kenpo techniques, inept which has a very beautiful underlying philosophy is incomplete if not taught as a whole along with the physical aspects of the self-defense part of the system.

Born in Hawaii, at the age of four years old, James Mitose was sent to Japan to study the family art. The family art which had been the art of Chuan Fa (Chinese), Kenpo, or Kempo (Japanese) which Mitose Masters had modified successively, until it became Kosho - Ryu (old pine tree style) Kenpo. A complete system of self-defense (Kosho - Shorei) which includes religion and training in the arts and humanities in addition to the actual self defense techniques (Kosho - Ryu).

Following fifteen years of training, James Mitose returned to Hawaii, deciding to share the family art with people of all races. Opening a school, he found that with the rigors of the system. Involving the training in religious philosophies in addition to actual fighting techniques, very few students mastered the system.

After fifteen years of teaching, only six students would be awarded the rank of Shodan (Black Belt). These were Jiro Nakamura, Thomas Young, William Chow {later known as Professor William chow of Kara Ho Kempo}, Paul Yamaguchi, Arthur Keawe, and Edward Lowe. It was in 1953 that James Mitose retired from active participation in the martial arts. Reasons are not clear even today. However, it is believed that James Mitose saw that his students were unable or unwilling to live their lives within the Kosho - Ryu philosophies. Other rumors have surfaced, but never confirmed. It is not really known exactly why Mitose decided to stop teaching.

{1950}

Top row from left to right: William chow, Paul Yamaguchi, Harry Pang, Woodrow McCandle

Thomas Young , Honorable Great Grand Master James M. Mitose, Paul Pung.

To understand James Mitose's beliefs, one must understand the Philosophies of the Mitose style. What is the difference between "True Self-Defense" and "Self-Defense"?

True Self-Defense, is no body contact or violence, not to touch the opponents body in anyway. One should be happy when knowing he, or she has a chance for escape from any harm. Having a clear conscience of knowing they have not harmed others and, building their own mind and spirit. The true object is to surround, ones self with peace, confidence, and harmony.

Self-Defense, is widely believed and often preached, that a person when defending themselves must injure or kill the person who is harming them or their loved ones.

The physical aspects of True Self-Defense are essential to the mental aspects. Humanity is spiritual and physical, so do not deny one in favor of the other.

" IS THERE ANY HIGHER FORM OF TRUE SELF-DEFENSE THAN THAT OF PEACE AND HARMONY? "

March 27, 1981, a sad day in the history of Kosho - Ryu. The Honorable Great Grand Master James M. Mitose passed away while serving a sentence at Folsom State Penitentiary. Yes, it is true that this humble and religious human being, that dedicated his life to the martial arts, died in prison. Why was he incarcerated? It is shrouded in confusion and mystery.

Depending on whom you get the story from, is how one is to believe what happened to cause James Mitose confinement. If listening to the District Attorney's theory, one would believe James Mitose deserved to be incarcerated. To hear James Mitose's side of the story or to know him, would be of another feeling altogether and call out for true justice to be served.

To this day, no one can factually state or determine the entire truth, and it can be expected that the truth will never be fully revealed. From the day the 21st Great Grand Master retired to the day of his passing away it is noted that he never opened a school. However, he did teach selectively still trying to pass on the philosophies of the style of Kosho - Ryu.

22nd Great Grandmaster of Kosho - Ryu

Thomas B. Mitose

1940 Honolulu, Hawaii James M. Mitose has a son. His first, and this child would grow up surrounded by mystery, obstacles, and controversy. Life for a normal child is happy and prosperous. However, it was not to be, for the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the lives of the Mitose family would change forever. Unfortunately in times of war it effects families and this did not leave out the Mitose family. Father and son separated, and it was not until Thomas was six years old that he would see his father, and sadly would not even know it was his father.

Unknowing to Thomas, was that the Barro family has adopted him through an arrangement made by the midwife who had delivered him. This was done due to hard times of the Mitose family and being such it was thought that by having Thomas adopted by a family that was not having the struggles as the Mitose family was having. Thomas could live in comfort and would have the chances in life to prosper.

As young Thomas was growing up, he found out through a schoolmate that he was adopted. Finding this out he would not believe what he heard, so went to his parents to seek the truth. Arrangements were made and Thomas was to meet his real mother, who was by this time separated from his real father. His real mother in talking and explaining the circumstances of the time informed him who his real father was and that he had left the islands.

Years passed and Thomas Mitose grew into a young man who left the islands to seek his fortune in life. Settling in the San Francisco area, Thomas became interested in the art of Kajukenbo, his instructor being Mr. Joe Halbuna.

It was at the age of twenty that a relative of a close friend informed Thomas that his true father was residing in Los Angeles, California. It was just a short time later that Thomas would take off and meet his true father. Meeting his father has been described as a heart felt and emotional reunion. With father and son reunited, Thomas commenced his training under his father, the 21st Great Grandmaster of Kosho Ryu Kenpo.

Thomas eagerly absorbed the knowledge of the family's art in all aspects of the philosophies and techniques, as handed down from generation to generation. Constantly sharpening his skills and understanding of the concepts that make the art one of the most thorough martial arts of today.

Unfortunately, again father and son would separate, this from a personal family matter. It was not until James Mitose was imprisoned at Folsom State Penitentiary that father and son would reunite putting differences aside. Thomas in visiting, with his father, would discuss the future of Kosho Ryu. James would talk of coming out of retirement and with Thomas open a school to teach the family art of Kosho Ryu again.

It has been thought way hasn't the son of James Mitose ever been awarded certificates in rank for the knowledge passed on to him by his father? This was once brought up to the Great Grandmaster by Thomas and others, and with a smile he replied, "you do not need any certificate because you have my blood in you, being my son." There are instructors that claim to know everything in a style, however, James Mitose disagreed with this, stating that "unless one comes from the blood line of a Grandmaster they will never have full knowledge of that art." To have one-hundred percent of a family art only the blood descendants know all.

Many would think that the most dedicated of students would surely gain the trust and love of a Grandmaster and in doing so gain all the knowledge of the art. However, there is a belief among masters from china and Japan. As the story is told, the reason for this practice was that if a Grandmaster taught all of his art to a student, this student could cause trouble for that Grandmaster. This would present problems, which at times was hard to control. So it is said that outsiders where never taught all of the art and in this way no difficulties would arise. For blood does not turn on blood in the whole of life.

During conversations and letters with his father, James Mitose would urge his son to reclaim his family name. To him, this was a way of correcting the wrong he had done his son. So it was that Thomas legally regained his correct family name, keeping the Barro in honor of his adopted parents memory of raising and giving him the chances in life to grow and prosper.

" The Re-establishing of Kosho - Ryu Kenpo Organization "

Controversy is nothing new to Kenpo practitioners. As far back as time can record, there have been disputes between Grandmasters on origins and the true beginnings of the arts. The 22nd Great Grandmaster of Kosho Ryu would find no difference. Finding himself embroiled in controversy with various people who had contact with his father emerging and claiming to be his fathers successor.

Once his father the 21st Great Grandmaster James M. Mitose of Kosho Ryu, had passed away. His son Thomas B. Mitose became the 22nd Great Grandmaster of Kosho Ryu, following the bloodline of the Mitose family. And was charged with ensuring that the beliefs, philosophies, and traditions would continue as they had in the past.

The 22nd Great Grandmaster was to learn that his troubles were only beginning. Shortly after his father had passed away, the problems commenced to develop. Inheriting the Kosho Ryu system, as has done in the Mitose family throughout time, he also became the head of the [IKSA], which was created to help James Mitose while he was in prison. Due to other people claiming the successorship of the style, difficulties in the organization were becoming apparent and causing unrest.

During James Mitose's life, he had much contact and interchange with many different individuals. Some issuing various certificates, for various reasons. Some emerged, claiming that they were the leaders of the Kosho Ryu system. Thomas began to receive pressure from other prominent martial artists to come forward and act accordingly in support of his families art. And as the hereditary leader of the system, preserving his father's traditions was incumbent upon him.

In 1987 the time had come to act, Grandmaster Mitose called a meeting, which was to become the turning point for the Kosho Ryu organization. It was the commencement of reorganizing and reinforcing the philosophies and aspects of Kosho Ryu Kenpo as handed down from generation to generation. This was done on a diplomatic level, without challenging the integrity of others. An additional factor complicated the situation, because there were a vast majority of individuals who had contact with the 21st Great Grandmaster. And were advanced martial art practitioners, and had incorporated much of their previous training in other martial arts into their current teachings.

The result in the reestablishment of the supporting members and the belief that Kosho Ryu Kenpo is a complete martial art system of ethical self-defense that teaches humility respect for the rights and beliefs of others. With the coordination and the development of the mind, body, and the spirit, knowledgeable in the physical art of Kenpo, and to know that one only uses the techniques only if necessary when threatened with bodily harm.

At this time the Kosho Ryu Kenpo system is growing throughout the world, teaching its philosophies as handed down through the Mitose family. Also to be noted is that the [IKSA], has been reorganized and established as the {MIKKA}. This is due to the Kosho Ryu Kenpo organization being recognized throughout the world and is now a International organization.