11. Jon Bluming, Founder of Kyokushin Budo Kai,

President of the International Kyokushin Budo Kai

 

 

Jon Bluming was born on the 6th of February 1933 in Amsterdam East. Following his birth, his family moved to the very poor, deprived and desolate section of Amsterdam South called 'the PIPE'. In 1936 the family moved again to a place that was 'a little better' just a few blocks up the road called 'old south'. The area was populated by many shop owners and diamond cutters. Those who lived in 'old south' were mostly of the Jewish faith.

 

When he was seven years of age (May, 1940) he watched from the street as the German Luftwaffe attacked the Schiphol Airport. That same day he stood close to the Berlage Bridge and watched as the German Army entered the City of Amsterdam. This was the start of the five year German occupation of the Netherlands.

 

In 1943 he watched the Germans take away all of his school friends and neighbours (only one person came back after the war – the son of a couple that were taken – Harry v.d. Kar). He watched with a friend at the Amstelkade as the Germans threw an elderly Jewish couple from the third floor window onto the streets – simply because they could not walk the stairs. The Germans laughed as they threw the elderly couple into the truck with the others.

 

On another occasion, as the young Bluming walked with his parents to church, they passed a Jewish Theatre. It had been converted into a holding centre for Jews that were to be shipped to the concentration camps and he heard his name being called out by some of his school friends. This left a very deep impression with Bluming and it was to be the beginning of the moulding process that has made him the man that he is today.

 

In 1994, came the winter that has become known as 'The Hunger Winter'. There was hardly any food left and he had to beg from house to house in the better parts of Amsterdam. Together with his sister, he was trying to keep his mother and grandparents alive, as his father had already been taken to Germany as slave labour. Bluming became a dedicated thief and beggar who learned, at such an early age, to take care of himself and others.

 

In May 1945, Bluming stood at the same bridge as he had stood back in 1940. This time, he watched as the English and Canadian Armies entered Amsterdam and knew that the war was finally over. He spent the next 6 weeks in a youth 'health camp' – he was terribly undernourished.

 

At thirteen years of age, he went to the then famous boxing school of Cosman.  This was Bluming's first experience of a martial art and he got his first broken nose in the process.

 

At sixteen years of age, he applied to the Marines and was accepted in July, 1949. He went to boot camp in Doorn.

 

In the summer of 1950 war broke out in Korea.  The newspapers published a request from the war ministry asking for volunteers for the 'Heutzregiment' (a unit specially founded for the Korean War). He applied and was accepted.

 

From November 1951 until 1959, he was a soldier attached to the Dutch Battalion of the US Second Division, 38th Regiment.  He was wounded in action twice during his time with the 38th.

 

He was first wounded during the surrounding-manoeuvre of the Battalion in Hoengsong and the first attack on Hill

325. Three 'Medals of Honour' were awarded as a result of these manoeuvres. Bluming was hit in the right leg by two bullets from a burpgun and was sent to Tokyo, the Annex hospital. For this he was awarded his first purple heart.

 

During his stay in Tokyo he went on an Army tour of the city. There, for the first time in his life, he saw Judo being practised as they visited the Kodokan in March 1951. At the time the Kodokan was in Suidobashi street. He witnessed a demonstration by a very small, elderly man, with a red belt.  He knew there and then, "that's for me." In November 1959, that elderly man would become his head teacher in the new Kodukan when Bluming became a member of the famous 'Kenshusei', the twenty five best fighters in Japan.

 

The second time that Bluming was wounded was during the assault on Inje where, this time, the North Koreans and some Chinese were surrounded. During the conflict he was hit by the shrapnel of a hand grenade and – again - he spent about six weeks in the MASH.

 

Before the Battalion could return to Holland (around August, 1951) they had to wait several weeks for the troop ship to arrive. It was at this time that he trained in a small Korean Dojo where he 'screwed around with a kind of Tae Kwon do' with a Sensei called Park in Yong Dong Po.

 

A few months after his return to Holland it was clear that he couldn't get used to life as a civilian.  When authorities

 

asked for volunteers, this time as occupation troops, he went back to Korea. Whilst he was on board the troop ship to Korea, war broke out again. This time it was worse than before and Jon Bluming was 'screwed again'.

 

In August 1952, he was back at the frontline and names like 'Old Baldy', 'Alligator Ridge' and 'White Horse' made their way into the history books.

 

It's now October 11th, 1952 at the Real Outpost Arsenal (75 meters off the Chinese mainline). Bluming's buddy, and now life-long friend, Hans Crebas volunteered as Scout Rangers. Along with a full company, the Scout Rangers were going to take the hill next to Arsenal to relieve the pressure a little. Unfortunately, when they went up the hill the Chinese fell back from the hill, moved around and then went back up the hill after the Rangers. Then 'all hell broke loose'.

 

Bluming was behind a 30cal on Arsenal when he heard the incredible noise. He told his LT that he was going down to see what had happened to his friend Hans Crebas.

 

Fully loaded with firepower, he went down into the dark valley (which was eventually fully lit by the hand grenade, mortar, artillery, tank and small-arms fire). The screams of the fighting Rangers were 'real loud'. Bluming later said that he 'nearly pissed his pants' but he didn't want his friends’ body left alone in that mess.

 

 

After a while, Bluming found Hans helping wounded Rangers. There was a quick bear-hug and that night 'their covenant was sealed' when both Bluming and Crebas cared for the wounded and got them out – under fire.

 

When Bluming finally got back to the outpost he was wounded - again - by a mortar that dropped right behind him in the trench. His flack jacket saved his life and he landed in the MASH for the third time - this time with shrapnel behind his left knee. Both Bluming and Crebas were recommended for the Silver Star. The next day however, all they got was promotion to PFC.

 

On the last day of the war Bluming's group went out and were ambushed. Nearly all were killed that night. He was not with them because his time had been served and he was rotated back to Holland.

 

In his first platoon:  8 men were lost – KIA.  More than 70% were wounded. On his second tour: on the last day, again, 8 men were KIA.

 

Upon his return to Holland, Bluming refused to make a career of the Army and returned to civilian life.

 

Many years later justice was served. During one of Bluming's seminars, a Budoka in Seattle read Bluming's book about Korea. The Budoka's name was Kregg Jorgenson – a SGT of the Vietnam War. He had received a Silver Star, was decorated more than nine time for bravery and was wounded in action three times.  He was also Chairman of the Decoration Committee of the Rangers.

 

Jorgenson thought that Bluming and Crebas had also received the Silver Star.  When he found out that they were not decorated – he researched the facts. Finally, many years after the War in Korea, both Bluming and Crebas were decorated with the 'Forgotten Hero Award'.

For Hans Crebas it came too late.  He died in Bluming's arms in a Hotel in Bunnik Holland on the 28th of April, 200. During Bluming's second time in Korea (in 1952) he tried to find that dirty little Dojo in Yong Dong Po but it was not

there anymore.  However, back in Holland he found – by chance – the Judo Club would change his life forever.  In November 1953, he was taking his girlfriend home when he noticed a little street poster for the Tung Jen Judo Club. He went to the Dojo and joined-up. Judo became his foremost hobby and later it became his profession.

 

Bluming's phenomenal gift for Budo came to light during his amateur Judo period. His Sensei, Dr. G. Schutte gave him his first Dan after only 12 months. He then became Captain of the Tung Jen team and won the European Championships in Bellevue, Amsterdam, in September of 1956. 'Opa' Schutte was a fourth Dan from the famous Tokyo Hirano at that time.

 

In 1955, bluming got his 2nd Dan and in 1956 he was the first Dutchman to receive Kodokan membership (no. 4179) from Ichiro Abe (then 6th Dan) in La Baulle Franche.

 

In 1957 he received his 3rd Dan from Toky Hirano at a summer camp in Holland. Bluming threw 75 Judoka, from 4th Kyu to 4th Dan, in 26 minutes – despite the fact that he had broken his right big toe. His right was his favoured leg but he threw all the Judoka from the left.

 

Shortly afterwards he broke his right knee and went into surgery. Weeks later, he had his last fight at the Amateur Championships in Haarlem. He threw 10 black belts with his right knee tightly bound with a bicycle innertube!

 

He was then invited to train a Police Dojo in Berlin and a Private Judo Club.  He did that for several months and used

 

the money to get to Canada. Bluming's dream was always to return to Japan. However, in the time immediately following the WWII that was almost impossible.

 

He went to the Canadian Embassy, threw his medals on the table asked to get to Canada. He got his wish and in January 1958 he arrive in Halifax. Unfortunately, he had not 'read the small print' and when he left the ship he did not get the $800 that he expected. This was reserved for married couples only. Bluming had THREE CANADIAN DOLLARS and he knew that he couldn't buy a house with that. He was taken in by an old friend and was introduced the next day to Dalhousy University. There he began his career as a professional teacher. His lessons cost two dollars an hour.

 

He founded the 'Maritime Judo Association' and became a life time honarary member when he left.

 

He organised the first Maritime Judo Championships and won the 'All Cats' and 'Heavyweight' title – although he weighed only 79 kilos at the time!!! You should see the pictures in his book!

 

His Dojo won the team title but Bluming was NOT allowed to compete in the Canadian Championships.

 

In January 1959 he set off for Japan. He headed out with his students who were truck drivers and they drove him all through the USA – from Maine to San Francisco. He stopped in many of the big cities and visited all the Dojos. He faught with all that he met. He lost only to Micky Tchutchida in San Francisco. Later, he met Mickey in Tokyo. This time he cleaned the tatmi with him – they are still friends.

 

He finally arrived in Tokyo (via Hawaii) in February 1959 and he stayed for around three years.

 

Blumings 3rd Dan from Hirano was accepted by the Kodokan and he fought right away in the 3rd Dan competition. He NEVER lost a match in all those years in Judo – and later in Karate too.

 

In December 1959 he had to leave Japan for a short time, to renew his Visa, so he went to Korea. The Korean Good Will Team had visited the Tung Jen Dojo in Amsterdam and Bluming knew them all from those days. He also had introduction letters from them. He was taken in and did his grading for the 4th Dan where he was matched against the Korean Heavyweight Champion, Kim (5th Dan). Bluming threw him with a left Osotogari. The next day he was matched against the 2nd Dan Korean Champion, the 2nd Dan Champion Student of Korea and the 3rd Dan Champion Student of Korea, Sup Lee. They all went in seconds – Sup Lee with a Shime Waza when he drove home with a Kosotogari. Bluming just sat on his backside and strangled him out.

 

Bluming got his 4th Dan and his first Teachers Certificate from Asia on the 19th of December 1959.

 

Back in Tokyo, he started to train under the guidance of the famous Donn Dreager. He trained with weights for Judo and Karate and finally got what he always wanted. Bluming was now a heavyweight. He was 102kilos solid – a far cry from his 79kilos in Canada. From this point on it was clear that no one was going to stop him because he retained his middleweight speed (as Dreager has taught him).

 

In May 1960 he defeated the Japanese Champion, Kaminago – again with a strangle hold which knocked him out cold. During the Olympic Training Summer of 1960 – he finally threw Isao Inokuma, his very close friend and training partner, with Uchi Mata Makikom after a full hour of fighting.

 

Bluming also got his 4th Dan from Kodokan – in competition.

 

In April 1959, Donn Dreager asked him to train with him at the police Dojo in order to gain more of the background of Bushido. They trained there under the famous 10th Dans Shimizu and Kuroda in Bojitsu, Kendo and IiaiJitsu.

 

During the All Japan Police Kendo Championships – they were asked to give a demonstration of Bojitsu. They got a standing ovation and a 3rd Dan in both disciplines from the Japan Kendo Federation.

 

Bluming then did another examiniation with his Sensei Ichitaro Kuroda for Iaijitsu and got his 3rd Dan from the JKF – also for Iaijitsu.

 

Bluming and his lifelong friend, Bill Backhus, got the Gold Police Medal from the Japanese Police HQ for apprehending some dangerous criminals who had stolen a car. The criminals had made the mistake of drawing very small knives on Bluming – who then knocked them out cold before the police arrived.

 

 

In 1960, Bluming left Japan - again to renew his Visa. This time to Manilla.

 

He gave seminars at the Manilla Judo Dojo and there he met a member of the ASU who's name cannot be mentioned (for reasons which shall become obvious).

 

 

In 1961, Bluming was invited to participate in a 'gonin gake' (a match against five 3rd Dans) in the place of Inokuma. Inokuma was, unfortunately, in hospital with a serious back injury. Dreager suggest to Bluming that this would be good for Bluming's reputation and indeed it was! Bluming finished his opponents in less than four seconds per match!

 

Then a letter arrived from Holland. Opa Schutte wanted Bluming to return to Holland to teach in the old dojo and the Amateurs Association for on a one year contract. It was a good contract and by this time Bluming's name was legendary in Japan. He was unbeaten in Judo and Karate. Bluming returned to Holland to teach some old friends, meet some new ones and participate in the Paris Franche (December 1991). Of course, things went a little differently than planned.

 

Bluming became coach of the Dutch Amateur Judo Association and made his name throughout Holland and Europe. Unfortunately, Bluming was not permitted to participate in Paris. Bluming was in dispute with the Judo Union of Anton Geesink. The Union was responsible for spreading malicious 'rumours' to the press about Bluming. However, Geesink refused to meet Bluming on the Judo Tatami anywhere!  Due to these false-allegations that Bluming was prevented from participating in Paris.

 

The press didn't have a 'field day'.  Rather, they had a few 'field months'!  This was especially the case when Bluming was introduced to the NAJA Blackbelt's as their new coach in the first week of December 1961 (in Bloemendaal). Bluming went to the mat against all comers – some eighy Judoka from 1st Dan to 4th Dan – and threw each Judoka within about four seconds.  All this under the eyes of the press.

 

The next day the press published that Holland would come first and second in Paris and that Bluming MUST be aloud to fight...

 

Unfortunately, it didn't help. Bluming was not allow to compete and he watched as Anton Geesink attained a well deserved victory in Paris. It made Bluming so miserable that he stopped competing and turned his attention to teaching.

 

The success of Budoka such as the following can be accredited, in large part, to the teaching methods of Bluming:

 

Chris Dolman:

Four times world champion, Dutchman with the most titles EVER in fighting sports, free-fight champion in Tokyo (1993) at the age of forty-eight.

 

Willem Ruska:

Double Olympic champion (1972), three times world Judo champion.

 

Ottie Roethof:

World champion in 'soft-style-karate', world champion (team event).

 

Sem Schilt:

K1 fighter and three times winner of the Daido Juku and three times 'King of Pancrase'.

 

Jan Plas (Vos Gym):

Who subsequently passed his knowledge on to Ernesto Hoost and Peter Aerts.

 

Pat Adelaar, Jan Kallbach:

Who were not permitted to fight in the '100 Man' in the Honbu.

 

Bluming himself was also prevented from competing in the '100 Man' in 1961. Mas Oyama told the press, "there were not enough ambulances available in Tokyo." Bluming returned to teach throughout Europe and founded the European Kyokushinkaikan. The first karate union in Europe was founded by Bluming on January 2nd, 1962.

 

The first ever Karate Championships in Europe were help at the Krasnapolsky Hotel in Amsterdam (1965). The first European 'inter country' match was held between the team of Steve Arneil (a student of Oyama) and Blumings Budokai Team in 1967. The Budokai team were victorious.

 

Bluming challenged Anton Geesink seven times. The first time was via the Amsterdam newspaper 'Het Parool'. The last time was with during an interview with the Dutch TV personality Mies Bouwman (during a drive on TV for those with disabilities). Bluming certainly never claimed that he could beat Geesnik easily – he just wanted the CHANCE and they NEVER gave it to him. For this reason, Bluming put all his efforts into making champions and good teachers; following in the footsteps of his Sensei Mas Oyama and his friend and fighting teacher, the famous Kenji Kurosaki (10th Dan).

 

1965 was an important year for Bluming. On the 15th January 1965, Bluming was the first foreigner to be awarded the 6th Dan in Karate from Mas Oyama of the Kyokushinkaikan Honbu. In those days, the world of Karate was not quite as big as it is now and it’s members were shocked. How could it be possible that a foreinger could receive such an honour?  Until this point ONLY Japanese had EVER been appointed 6th Dan. Who was this ‘Bluming’ anyway?

 

Mas Oyama decided to put a classical samurai end to the discussions. He made an astonishing announcement to the Karate world:

 

“If anyone had the courage, they would be permitted to step into a boxing ring with Bluming, man-to-man, with NO RULES.”

 

He further announced:

 

“Anyone that was able to beat Bluming would get $100,000 from Oyama. Oyama would quit Karate and he would take away Bluming’s 6th Dan.”

 

The Karate world suddenly became very silent and not one person came forward to accept Oyama and Bluming’s challenge.

 

It was also in 1965 that the newly founded Dutch Sport Federation announced quite bluntly that the many Judo Organisations in the Netherlands must work together to create ONE federation.  If they did not do this, then they would receive no further funding.  When this newly formed Judo union came into being Bluming was the first coach. Later, in 1969, Bluming also became coach for the Dutch karate team.

 

Again in 1965, Bluming received a telephone call from a  former student who happened to be in Amsterdam.  He told Bluming that he wanted to meet his old army friend, the famous Captain Ramon Westerling (Indonesian Wars 1945- 1950). He wanted Captain Westerling to work for US Intelligence because of his understanding of the Asian Adat etc. He also wanted Bluming to work together with him and once again it was 'interesting times' for Bluming!

 

He went to East Berlin and - at that time - it was certainly not healthy to work for the US. Eventually, in 1972, he went back to Bangkok and ended his work with the US Military. For his service, he received the Army Commendation Medal and the Joint Achievement Medal. In total, Bluming has received 28 military decorations since 1951.

 

In 1966, a Budoka from Korea came to Blumings dojo and in a dignified manner challenged Bluming to fight. The Budoka’s name was Kwan Mo Gun, 5th Dan Tae Kwon Do and Heavy Weight Champion of Korea. Bluming admired him because Kwan had already fought with Jan Kallenback (who knocked Kwan out cold), then Kenji Kurosaki (the poor man had never heard of Kurosaki and was knocked out cold) and now he wanted to fight Bluming. Bluming admired this evidence of true spirit and real Karate. The fact that Kwan lost his match with Bluming could never take away from this fact. Kwan had KOKORO (spirit) in capital letters!  Bluming knocked him out with a shotei (for which he is still famous) and Kurosaki stopped the fight. Kwan was the only man, in the more than fifty years since Mas Oyama’s challenge, that really came to fight Bluming in the true Samurai manner. No rules, no bullshit – a real man.

 

In 1971, Bluming quit as coach of the Dutch Karate team. He was truly disillusioned with the way in which the Dutch Karate Organisation wanted their karate system managed. He felt like a sniper that was no allowed to hit the bulls eye. At that point, Bluming decided to ‘go it alone’ and began expanding upon his own ideas of Karate.

 

In 1980, Bluming founded The Kyokushin Budokai.

 

Why did he choose the name Kyokushin Budokai? Firstly, because of his Sensei (Oyama) who had given him Kyokushin, an art which further changed Bluming’s life following his development in Judo. Secondly, because of Trevor P. Leggett, a pre-WWII Kodokan Judo 6th Dan.

 

In 1946, Leggett and an American called O’Neill, became very tired with the politics and jackasses that were only interested in making money from Judo and positions of power for themselves. And this, for the most part, without having done anything themselves in Judo.

 

Leggett decided to found the BUDOKWAN in London and his rules were very simple:        Anybody who was genuinely interested in doing real JUDO was welcome.

      Speaking of politics (Judo, world, race, religion etc.) was strictly forbidden.        Those who ignored these rules were expelled.

when his Sensei Opa Schutte related the story to him, these principles left a big impression with Bluming. Opa and Leggett were good friends back in Manilla and students at the US Embassy. ‘No politics’ remains a standing rule in all IBK Dojos throughout the globe.