06. The International Kyokushin Budokai
In 1980, Jon Bluming was saddened by the
politics and policies of the so-called 'budoka' of
the Kyokushinkai Kan that had not, and likely would
not, achieve anything. Further to an invitation from the Dutch Navy and their
coach, Shihan Jan de Bruin (7th Dan), Jon Bluming broke away from the Honbu
in Japan and founded the Kyokushin Budokai. With the addition of the first Budokai
Dojo, operated by two of his pupils, Shihan Tom Eikmans (7th Dan) and Shihan Frans van Wijngaarden (7th Dan),
the Kyokushin Budokai was
truly born.
The Budokai has been busy for more than
20 years and has developed into a solid group.
Each associated dojo "is it's own
boss" and makes only a small single payment for a lifetime membership plus
a small annual contribution. Whilst the Budokai is
not a federation with a union, everyone has the ability to raise issue with the
IBK. The process is simple: Bluming is the Kancho and he determines what will happen. However, he
works in co-operation with a committee that grades 1st – 4th Dan. Individuals
can be nominated for higher grades but Kancho makes
the decision. In difficult cases he consults Kenji Kurosaki, 10th Dan and
Honorary President (Kurosaki is Kancho's former
teacher and fellow student under Mas Oyama).
In co-operation with Shihandai Dave Jonkers (8th Dan), the Kyokushin Budokai later developed into the International Kyokushin Budokai Kan. The Budokai style is highly effective and realistic. It is
'street-real' for use in both competition and self-defence
situations and should be considered a 'no-nonsense style'.
In January 1989, Bluming received a
promotion from Japan. He was promoted to 9th Dan.
In November 1993, Akira Maedo (8th Dan Budokai) came to Kancho's
hometown, De Bilt in the Netherlands, and informed
him that Mas Oyama had sent
him (due to his intended collaboration with the Rings Freefight
Organisation). Mas Oyama wanted Jon Bluming
back. Bluming
was offered the presidency of the World Kyokushinkaikan,
he was assured that he would manage a training program for all that were
willing to start 'all round fighting' (many were keen to do so). Bluming accepted
the offer on the condition that Loek Hollander be
expelled from the organization (Bluming believes that
Hollander had only a 'financial interest' in Karate); the expulsion of
Hollander was a problem. That these events took place is without question.
Akira Maeda is still alive today.
In April 1994, Bluming receive a message
from Maeda. Mas Oyama had
suddenly died. Bluming was so saddened that he
travelled to Japan to bid farewell to his former teacher in the Honbu.
On September 4th, 1994 – Jon Bluming
experienced the most emotional day of his life. He received a fax from Kenji
Kurosaki in Japan. The decision had been made to award Bluming
the Dan-grade of his deceased teacher Mas Oyama. Jon Bluming was now
allowed the grade of 10th Dan.
Kenji Kurosaki and four other prominent Honbus
had unanimously agreed that Bluming deserved the honour. As a result
of this decision: Bluming
was now the first foreigner in the Kyokushinkai Honbu to receive the 6th Dan (in 1965) and the 10th Dan (in 1994). His grades were awarded and recognised by the greatest Honbus
of Japan. Additionally, he was awarded 9th Dan in Judo (in 1988) and he is the
only person in the world, including Asia, to receive two such grades from
Japan.
There are now many Dojos around the
world working together under the International Kyokushin
Budokai. Wherever possible, Bluming
continues to travel the globe; educating others with his ideas about fighting,
competitions and self- defence.
It is an important fact to note: Jon Bluming
is one of the most complete fighting machines to walk this earth. He is recognised as such by the most respected Honbu's throughout Japan and the world. His is one of
the few Grandmasters to prove his
ability not only through martial arts ‘practise’ but
also in all manner and aspects of competition and in the 'real world'.
In 1963, by way of self-defence, Jon Bluming hospitalised five
attackers in the The Hague. One of the five was at
deaths door from 10 o'clock in the morning until 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
Fortunately, he later recovered. Bluming was later
cleared of any charges since he had not started the conflict and had finished
it alone. Back at the Dojo – we got 80 new members in the old Budokai within days....