Welcome to the Official Black Dragon Fighting Society Newsletter. This publication was authorized by the Patriarch Council at our annual gathering this year in Chicago, the birthplace of the American chapter of our martial arts fraternity. Our mission is to notify members and report current events of our fellowship. If you have an event scheduled and would like to promote it, if you have graduated students or participated in charitable activities, if you want help or can offer it, we would be honored to include your news item in this forum. Submit for publication to: blackdragonnewsletter@gmail.com   Follow the link below to subscribe to the BDFS Newsletter, a FREE service to our fellowship:  https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/bdfsnewsletter/info?mem_type=email&email=dojopress%40aol.com&iref=qdbwysykcpb3wr1ozpngvi3ayrchaanc BLACK DRAGON REUNION IN CHICAGO 2015 The event was hosted by Grandmaster Darrell Lassiter and presided over by Head of Family Rev. Dr. Don Miskel, one of Count Dante’s original students from back in the day. There was a general meeting of the members Friday afternoon and an awards banquet that evening where twenty-five of the attendees were inducted into the Black Dragon Fighting Society Sport Karate Hall of Fame. Saturday seminars featuring Original Taekwondo Grandmaster Len Kirschbaum certifying referees for the next day’s Kumite and future BDFS Sport Karate Inc. matches; Sensei Ashida Kim teaching Count Dante’s Dance of the Deadly Hands from 1968, one of the few acceptable self-defense forms that qualify an applicant for BDFS membership. Grandmaster Irving Soto and Grandmasters Jim Grubb and Jim Washington providing instruction in grappling and ground fighting techniques; Dr. David Harris sharing his great knowledge of Dim Mak and healing methods with the assembled junior and senior belts. Grandmasters Sky Benson and Hanshi Frank Dux, on whose life the classic martial arts film Bloodsport was based, teaching the Dux Ryu Fighting System; as well as Grandmasters Jay Blanton and Larry McFadden presenting the BDFS Anti-Bullying program. Sunday was the tournament. It began with synchronized kata, then individual forms and weapons. In the afternoon came the Kumite, which as explained by Hanshi Dux, “is not for the spectators nor even the judges, but for the fighters themselves; there is no experience like stepping on the mat and facing a determined opponent, to see who is, on this day alone, the better fighter; because even a champion can be beat, and courage is not just about facing your fear, but also about persevering and never giving up. ” Once again, the Black Dragons had come to Chicago, to change the world, and we have. By the example we set for others, by the fellowship and honor we hold so dear other martial artists and civilians can come to know that what will happen in one’s life is already written, but we must choose to be there, to participate, to grow and learn and dedicate ourselves to making the world a better place, so that all may benefit by our lives and harm come to no one. The 2016 BDFS Annual Conference will be held in Lexington Kentucky on October 7, 8 and 9th. This will be an event to show our respects to past head of family Dr. Lawrence Day. Details are being set up for an exciting weekend. Friday will be the dinner and awards banquet. Saturday will be the point karate tournament. Divisions will be as followed - Women's black belt will be first degree only, 2nd to 3rd degree, and then 4th degree and up. Men's black belt 1st degree only, then 2nd to 3rd degree, and then 4th and 5th degree. Masters 6th to 7th degree. Grandmaster 8th and 9th degree. Grandmaster 10th degree. Then we will be holding a special event Saturday night at the fight. We will have up to 15 cage fights promoted by Dr. Day's brother Doug Day. Also we will be doing nunchaku point match demo and flex sword point match as well for special seminar. There will be forms and weapons tournament as well. Sunday will be seminars of some of the greatest Grandmasters in the world. You dont want to miss out. This will be a costly event and we encourage down payments ASAP. We will give more details to come with location and times. Pricing is as follows - Tournament will be $40 to enter, $10 for additional divisions. Saturday night fight tickets will be $25. Seminar will be $50. Annual dues are $120 and Friday night dinner is $40. Hotel will be $270 total room cost will be up dated as soon possible. This will be a great weekend and a memorable time for under $500 dollars, you don't want to miss out! Dr. Len G. Kirschbaum   The Black Dragon Fighting Society exists as a congress and confederation of martial artists for the purpose of preserving, practicing and promoting the martial arts. To qualify, an applicant must present certifiable documentation of rank or be an expert in one of the few acceptable self-defense forms recognized by the brotherhood. Many World Famous Champions have been unable to meet the strict extrance requirements and have failed to gain admission into our forbidden fraternity. The Black Dragon Fighting Society does not arbitrarily award rank. Graduation and rank advancement require evaluation of credentials and skill by the IFAA Promotions and Review Board. But, we do recognize rank that you have earned, time-in-grade, natural skill and ability, military and law enforcement training, mixed martial arts, life experience and techniques learned on the street. This is an entry level affiliate membership. Full Membership is by invitation only and requires sponsorship by an active member of the Brotherhood and approval of the Grandmasters Council. The exact membership, and training procedures and occult teachings in the most savage and terrifying fistic and grappling arts known to man are closely guarded secrets of the fellowship, who are sworn to a Vow of Silence and joined together in an initiation ceremony of blood. We are not "recruiting new members." We are inviting our fellow martial artists to join us in this noble mission. •Be part of a global fraternity and growing network of diverse martial artist that is currently recognized by the Mongolian and South African governments and has representatives in the U.S. and dozens of other countries. •Ability to tap into our strength by being a martial art family of one that protects against racial bias, virtual online bullies, political entanglements and cultivate a kindred spirit for the arts. •Register your current rank and be globally recognized via network of affiliate Dojo. •Access to international resources from the Society's instructional library. •Ability to petition for rank advancement testing in current style from qualified masters. •Opportunity to participate in the growth of our Society and receive honors and financial rewards in the process. •Receive discounted entry to our Black Dragon teaching seminars and our annual Fellowship Meeting. •Opportunity to mingle, learn and associate with pioneers and giants in the industry. •Future benefits will include group insurance for your school and personalized IFAA credit card. You will receive: *11 x 17 parchment Certificate of Membership signed by nine Grandmasters of the Black Dragon Fighting Society, including Hanshi Frank Dux, Dr. Lawrence Day and Sensei Ashida Kim, recognizing you as a Registered Martial Artist of our fraternal order. Please indicate your rank, style and name spelling as you wish it to appear on the certificate to be kept on file as part of your Permanent Record. *One each embroidered Official Black Dragon Fighting Society Membership Patch, Official Identification Card signed by the Head of Family-Patriarch Council, and 4 x 8 inch History Scroll. *Registry of IFAA Grandmasters including History, Traditions and Mission Statement of our Brotherhood. *Your Name, Rank and Contact information will be added to the Official Black Dragon Fighting Society Webpage, verifying your membership, valdating your rank, and enabling new students to find and contact you. For an additional One-Time-Only fee of $35 your picture and biography will be added to the yearly Black Belt Registry. *Password to the Black Dragon Fighting Society Online Library including over 2000 Martial Arts, History, Qi Gong, Health and Longevity texts in PDF format, for an additional One-Time-Only fee of $35 your book will will be added to this Collection, if you do not have a published text Dojo Press will help you produce one. *Free Subscription to the Black Dragon Newsletter, a quarterly online martial art newsletter that services our global community, to which you can submit articles, advertise your Dojo and services, schedule of seminars, and event reports to share with fellow members, and that will keep you informed of BDFS activities and details of our Annual Gathering. Apply for Membership now: http://dojopress.com/catalogms3.html Please support our Facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/groups/776108752534733/;  Black Dragon Legacy; Black Dragon Sport Karate Inc and Anti-Bully Program: Sensie Bully Ryu Anti-Bullying Program For Kids; IFAA/BDFS Anti-Bullying/Conflict Resolution Program

Grandmaster Lawrence Day                  We Thought of you with Love today But that is nothing new We thought about you yesterday and days before that too We think of you in silence We often speak your name Now all we have is memories And your picture in a frame Your memory is our keepsake With which we'll never part God has you in his keeping We have you in our heart The Legacy of a Martial Arts Master The terms master and grandmaster are overused in the martial arts. Shihan, Hanshis, Sokes. Professors and Doctors abound in our ranks. Some are deserving of those titles, some not. Some have earned the degrees and honorifics, some haven’t. Some titles are honorary and some earned. When you see the titles attached to someone’s name there is no explanation to go with it. I shouldn’t complain. I am refered to most of the above by my students and peers and I have been thusly recognized by several organizations and various governing bodies. My degrees are earned and as such are authentic but I have several honorary degrees to go with them. Whether or not I’m deserving of the titles I wear would be according to who you asked. Since I don’t put much store in titles anyway it’s no problem with me. Those who accept any of us accept us. Those who believe in us believe in us. In the end it is our skill, ability and knowledge that describes and justifies us. Aside from the many titles floating around there are some who are more than worthy of the titles they wear. I have had the opportunity in my martial art career to study with several well thought of and celebrated masters. Several of those that I have been affiliated with are not as well known and less appreciated by most of the martial arts community. Some have shed the limelight and some have been steeped in controversy. More often than not the controversy had nothing to do with their ability or validity. These men are masters and grandmasters in their own right and are as accomplished as the more decorated of their brethren. That makes them no less worthy of their titles or the rank that they have achieved. Some of you have heard of the death of one of the martial arts luminaries and unsung heroes. Those of you who haven’t will hear of it in the days to come. I speak of my senior grandmaster, teacher and friend, Dr. Lawrence Day. Dr. Day has worked quietly in the realm of the martial arts seeking little fame, fortune or recognition. He was just satisfied to do what he did, namely to study, train and teach. Dr. Day studied under some of the best martial arts masters available. His initial training was with the old World Karate Federation, The United States Karate Association and the Black Dragon Fighting Society. His teachers in those august organizations were Jim Konservic, Douglas Dwyer, John Keehan,  Robert Trias, Don Madden and Master Tanaka, all sensei, masters and grandmasters in their own right. Later he studied with several Chinese kung fu, chi kung and chaun fa instructors such as Sin The and Yuzee Yeh and was expert in northern shaolin kung fu and several of the internal Taoist systems such as Tai Chi, Hsing I and pua kua. Dr. Day was a superlative martial artist and a philosopher and historian. He taught and mentored many martial artists, myself included. Dr. Day and I came up through the ranks together and though we started with the WKF and the BDFS at the same time he was older than me and was able to test for his black belt sooner. Black belts weren’t given to students under eighteen and dan level students were privy to techniques and training that weren’t available to kyu level students. Thus Dr. Day became one of my seniors. I was blessed to know Dr. Day from our involvement with the WKF and BDFS in the mid sixties. We have been friends, associates and brothers in the arts since that time. Though I branched out into other areas of study I still consider Dr. Day of my seniors, teachers and mentors. In my martial art career I have only called one man sensei and two master. Dr. Day was one of the former. I am richer to have known him and I’m proud of the years of association with him. Dr. Day was the IFAA Official Black Dragon Fighting Society’s head grandmaster and keeper of the flame. When others of us had gone in our several ways he retained and maintained the vision of the BDFS founder John Keehan, AKA Count Dante. Without his faithfulness there would be no BDFS today At our reunion in October Dr. Day said that I was the ‘Head of Family’ because of my more lengthy association with our founder but in all truth that position was his and rightfully so. I bow to him and the seeds that he has sown into my life and the life of many others. Aside from being one of the Patriarchs, original members and senior grandmasters of the IFAA BDFS I am its chaplain and counselor. I am also a licensed and ordained minister and pastor. In that capacity and at the behest of the family and the BDFS organization I will have the honor of performing Dr. Day’s memorial service and funeral. I will be doing that with my colleague, fellow pastor and BDFS member Dr. Sam Lonewolf. We will come together not to mourn the death of a friend and comrade at arms but to celebrate the life and the time we were privileged to share with him. My brother has entered into the next phase of his life career and has been called home to his eternal reward. God bless you and rest in peace, my beloved brother and friend. OSS. Details of the service for Dr. Lawrence Day will be released in the near future. He will be eulogized and laid to rest in Lexington, Kentucky. Rev. Dr. Donald Miskel

The Black Dragon Fighting Society "REUNION" October 5th, 6th, 7th Lexington, Kentucky

Exciting News !!!!Update!! Update!! Update!! Update!!

Emerald Coast Seminar 2009

Training with KaJuKenBo Grandmaster Ron Pierce 19 September-Saturday Sunny Florida was the stage for Grandmaster Ron Pierce. It was the annual End of Summer seminar hosted by Shotokan Master Joe Cayer through Emerald Coast Martial Arts of Ft. Walton Beach FL Grandmaster Ron Pierce A true martial arts pioneer Grandmaster Pierce has 48 years of experience training martial artists, law enforcement and military personnel in a variety of diverse arts. He is a first generation Black Belt in the Sijo Adriano Emperado KaJuKenBo Fighting System. The first American martial art, founded in Hawaii in 1947. He is an original member of the Black Dragon Fighting Society and a Grandmaster of the Black Dragon Fighting Monks Society as well as co-founder of his personal KaJuKenBo art, Pierce Family Gung Fu, which is composed of forms and techniques thousands of years old, adapted for modern day use. These methods have been taught by Grandmaster Pierce to police departments and military personnel all over the world. As he explained, “I have often played the victim. Some staggering old bum people think they can rob. Sometimes the cops don’t get there in time to rescue me quick enough and I have to kind of explode on the bad guys. That’s why it’s good to know forms, but surviving the parking lot is also good health.” Other grandmasters in attendance included Doug Dwyer, one of the original Black Dragon members who had trained with John Keehan and Robert Trias in the early days of American Karate and founder of the Midwest Yudanshakai in the early nineteen sixties. Grandmasters Ron Pierce, Stoffel van Vuuren, Frank Dux and Doug Dwyer Grandmaster Lawrence Day 10th Dan Grand Master Lawrence Day, who began his Martial Arts journey with the Black Dragon Fighting Society under Count Dante whose real name was Grandmaster John Keehan was there. Most of the teaching was done by Grandmaster Doug Dwyer, John's best friend in the late or mid 60's. In the 70's and mid 80's he studied with Grandmaster Sin The, Grandmaster Robert Trias and Grandmaster Don Madden. He has studied Tai-chi and Chi-kung from Yuzee Yeh. He has also studied with Grandmaster Tanaka. Dr. Day was honored by being named a 37th generation Warrior Monk under Grandmaster Young Di of the Shaolin Temple. Dr. Day continues teaching and learning Tai-chi, Chi-kung and his passion, Chi-ma, or Fa-ching poison hand for over 45 years. Hanshi Frank Dux Frank Dux, of Bloodsport fame, was present. From 1975 through 1980, Frank Dux honed his personal protection skills to the point it where they transformed him into the first truly Ultimate Fighting Champion. He held the title of Kokuryukai World Full Contact Kumite (no-holds-barred) Champion, retiring undefeated after establishing 16 WORLD RECORDS; many of which have remain unbroken for more than 25 years. As a result he has been inducted into five Martial Arts Halls of Fame as a “Living Legend.â€� His name became so world renowned in the underground fight world that it came to be immortalized by the 1988 motion picture based upon his early life achievements, entitled Bloodsport, responsible for launching the film career of Jean Claude Van Damme - it is a cult classic, globally popular - attributed to Frank Dux inspiring story and implementation of a new, realistic type of fight choreography, Hollywood film makers adopted and still use today. While visiting Ft. Walton Beach Hanshi Dux also stopped by the Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast’s Okaloosa County Teen Center. He didn’t speak to them to tout himself or relive the glory days that made him famous. Instead he offered advice and wise counsel. “The point of martial arts is not the mastering of others, but the mastering of yourself,â€� explained Dux, who received the California Youth Karate Dragon Award for his humanitarian work with disadvantaged and disabled children. “Whenever I go to a new place, I try to either visit with veterans or kids,â€� Dux added between autographs. “It’s just who I am as a person.â€�  Grandmaster Ernie Reynolds, another original Black Dragon member, traveled from Tennessee to participate and brought his number one student. Kendo player, Judo player, bodybuilding champ, grappling expert, karate master and Martial Arts Hall of Famer are just a few of the accomplishments of Dr. Reynolds. He is a member of the I.M.A.A. and the N.R.A. and is a certified weapons instructor and V.I.P. Bodyguard who has protected many famous celebrities. He has appeared in many books and has a series of 25 video tapes on Iaido, quick-drawing of the live blade. As an instructor he has taught countless children and adults. He has taught many handicapped children martial arts as well. Blind, deaf, autistic, not one was ignored. His personality and dedication never fails to inspire. Grandmaster David Harris, honored this year by the Martial Arts Hall of Fame as the founder of the Shun Shen Tao style, recipient of the Wong Fei Hung Excellence in Martial Arts Award, and Black Dragon member, was there as well. He had brought his cups and rods and Dit Da Jow and Chi Kung skills to demonstrate the subtleties of traditional Chinese medicine on those willing to endure the treatment. Mysterious Ninja Photographer And, there was a strange Ninja figure some said was Ashida Kim, lurking about the crowd, quietly videotaping the seminar as a memento of the event and a notebook for those who attended. These DVDs are available through Master Joe Cayer. There were Black Belt students from Kentucky, Louisiana, Georgia and Alabama. No one wanted to miss an opportunity to train with the legendary Grandmaster Ron Pierce. The Seminar The class was called to order at 9 a.m. Grandmaster Pierce went over the syllabus of the day. He began by explaining the movements, meaning and symbolism of the KaJuKenBo bow used to start the first practice form. It was Palama #9 One of the kata or formal exercises of the Hawaiian based system. KaJuKenBo is an American style martial art created by Professor Adriano D. Emperado. The name stands for the styles from which it was developed: Ka - Karate; Ju - Judo Jujitsu; Ken - Kenpo Karate; Bo - Chinese Boxing. It was founded in 1947 at the Palamas Settlement on Oahu, Hawai with the aid of several other martial artists, by Professor Adriano Emperado who founded the Black Belt Society, which consisted of black belts from various martial arts backgrounds who met to train and learn with each other. This was the beginning of an evolutionary, adaptive style designed to combine the most useful aspects of the arts. The emphasis during training was on realism - so much so that students routinely broke bones, fainted from exhaustion, or were knocked unconscious. Grandmaster Pierce demonstrating the practice forms The practice forms, however, are performed against imaginary opponents. This is part of the practice, to visualize the opponent and the vital and fatal points of his anatomy. In each of these combinations, the technique begins with a block and finishes with a hand weapon strike to a specific Dim Mak Target Point, any one of which will render an opponent unconscious with less than ten pounds of pressure. Then the applications are practiced with a partner to discover the subtle actions of balance and leverage thatenable the secret fighting arts methods to be so highly effective and deadly. This was the first “dance of death” to be learned that day. After ninety non-stop minutes and many repetitions Grandmaster Pierce was satisfied that most of the Black Belt class had grasped the sequence sufficiently to move on. As he explained he was not demonstrating any new techniques, only new combinations and ways to use strikes and takedowns with which most in attendance were familiar. The class was relaxed and familiar, with his good humor making the time go swiftly. When he asked if they were “ready for number two?” All snapped to attention and made the appropriate response, “Yessir!” And, they moved on. There was no break, no need to rest, no one was tired, they were all enthusiastic. In another hour, they paused and Grandmaster Dwyer walked among them and explained some of the subtle points of what his friend had been showing. He spoke of how speed was a weapon that could be used to break the opponent’s balance. And, pointed out that what appeared to be a simple blocking action was, in fact, many small movements, all contributing to the opponent’s downfall. Everyone listened with rapt attention. For these were words and teachings from men who had fought for there lives many times. In alleys against gangs, on the streets against muggers, in the ring against fighters many times there size. And, they had prevailed. You can’t buy experience and wisdom like that. You can only hope to learn from it. Before lunch they practiced the Snake Style, sinuous, shifting movements back and forth, twisting to and fro to tone the stomach muscles, the symbol of the Earth element, represented by the snake. It is an ancient kung fu form. In modern times many martial artists seek to “invent” a new kata. They string their favorite techniques into a chain and work to make the transitions between the combinations smooth. But, true kata conform to the Laws of the Five Elements and the principles of Yin and Yang. The snake is only one such example. And, Grandmaster Pierce instructed them in the use and concealment of a simple Kung Fu weapon, easily manufactured anywhere in the world and easily hidden on the person in such a way that it can be quickly drawn in self-defense and slash any attacker to the bone with a single swipe. As the grandmasters agreed, it is not about the fame or the fancy footwork or the notoriety. It is about being able to defend yourself and survive. And, no one would leave any of these classes without that ability. After a quick review of the first two forms, everyone took a break for lunch. Grandmaster Pierce demonstrating application of the techniques When they returned Grandmaster Dwyer taught the class Uke Gata Waza. This is a dynamic blocking technique used to pull an opponent forward off balance into a devastating secondary strike. Every student had an opportunity to try his hand at unbalancing the master so they could learn firsthand with actual experience the hidden meaning and application of the technique. He also discussed the importance of breathing and breath control, explaining the relationship between rapid breathing and heart rate and how this releases pheromones that can be sensed by many animals in nature and those who have practiced martial arts. It is the smell of fear. And, it could cost you your life. To overcome this the ancients have taught to breathe slowly and deeply. That too is part of the formal practice of kata. Grandmaster Pierce then taught the fourth Dance of Death form that he had come to share with us- Tai Chi Chuan. He demonstrated how even to seemingly softest and most flowing movements, when directed by intent to harm the enemy, could transform such gentle actions as Hold the Ball and Dragon Takes a Step into crippling armlocks and leg breakers. All the while pointing out that each of these exercises was also providing a therapeutic movement for a specific internal organ, the corresponding organ of which in the destructive cycle of Five Element energy was the target point on the enemy’s body. Snake Style being Earth, for example. Earth destroys water by damming it up. Therefore, many strikes in the snake style act at the Kidneys, the organ associated with the Water Element. In the afternoon there was a review of all that had gone before and a question and answer session, with Grandmaster Pierce fielding questions from the class and answering all with good humor and simplicity. The day concluded with group pictures all ‘round and a good time was had by all. The assembled crew gathered at Sensei Cayer’s house thereafter for steak, hamburgers and hot dogs. The party lasted long into the night. No one wanted it to end. Many old friendships were renewed and many new ones formed. There is a brotherhood in the martial arts that is not easily understood by others. You see it in these gatherings. The respect for the old masters, the admiration for what they have accomplished, the eagerness to learn what they know and become better people. To love what you do, and believe it makes a difference, there is no greater joy. For this tremendous opportunity we express our deepest gratitude to Sensei Cayer and Emerald Coast Martial Arts. Grandmasters and students assembled at the end of class (l-r) Grandmasters David Harris, Doug Dwyer, Health Club Director Jennifer, Frank Ashida Kim American Representative DOJO-Academy of Martial Arts

Emerald Coast Martial Arts Summer Seminar   Come join us for our end of Summer Black Dragon Fighting Society Training Clinic   Grand Master Ron Pierce Sunny Florida will be the stage as martial arts pioneer & original Black Dragon Fighting Society member, Ron Pierce leads us in the Emperado method of Kajukenbo (karate-judo-jujitsu-kenpo-chinese boxing).  Sensei is also a Grand Master of the Black Dragon Fighting Monks Society. Day one of the clinic consists of empty hand tactics followed in day two with oriental weaponry training at its best.   Master will lead us through the devastating techniques that he has accumulated over decades of training. Learn street tactics that only a master can provide. Register early! Admission is $125 or $100 if paid in advance Dates: Saturday & Sunday- September 19th & 20th 2009 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Location:  Fitness for Everyone Gym @ #109 Hughes St., Ft. Walton Beach, FL, USA 32548 Contact Master Joe Cayer for further info @ 1-866-636-3309 or BDFSFWB@gmail.com Guest appearances by Black Dragon Grand Masters: Doug Dwyer - Lawrence Day - Jerry Cook - Frank Dux - Ashida Kim All styles are welcome!!