In the future, we hope to interview other martial artist for insights into their arts. Possible interviews are Grandmaster John Pellegrini, Grandmaster John Denora, Grandmaster Hock Hochheim, and others. 

This issue will present the first part of a two-part interview with Master Instructor Eugene Frizzell. 

  AIKIBUJUTSU 
A number of questions have come up over cross ranking in Shen Chuan. There is none. But Professor Lansdale has offered some cross ranking in the past in the Shen Chuan Aikijitsu Division. This was for those who had studied Matsukaze Budo when a portion of it was Aikido and Aikijitsu, before aspects of that art were incorporated into Shen Chuan. 

Cross ranking has been offered for those students who held ranks in other systems of Aikijitsu or were in another similar system and were ready to test for black belt. 

But no more. You must go through our curriculum. If you already hold a black belt in a branch of Shen Chuan Aikibujutsu (Aikijitsu, Aikido¹, or Jujitsu) as well as an instructorship, then you may develop your own curriculum in this division to teach your students. This however, must be demonstrated to and sanctioned by Professor Lansdale or Sensei Coy Harry. 

At that point, Professor Lansdale and Sensei Coy Harry will determine if your inclination in this division is Aikijitsu or Jujitsu or a well-blended combination of the arts. So far, only one instructor has been approved to teach his own interpretation of the art, and that is Sensei Paul Britt, and his approach has been sanctioned under the Aikijujutsu division as Jujitsu. 

   AIKIDO 
We currently require Yoshinkan Aikido ranks. A first dan ranking in Yoshinkan will now be tied to first dan ranking in Shen Chuan Aikibujutsu. So, you will in fact be knowledgeable of and ranked in both if you receive Shodan. You may then continue to be ranked in Yoshinkan if you choose, but Shen Chuan Aikibujutsu will be required. 

This, of course, does not apply to systems not underneath the SHEN CHUAN UMBRELLA taught at LANSDALE'S SELF-DEFENSE SYSTEMS. Like Daito Ryu, Combat Hapkido, Stickboxing or Streetboxing. Nor does it apply to the main body system, SHEN CHUAN. 

The following certifications will be offered as enhancements to existing systems. They are optional. Note from Professor Lansdale: (But they are not optional for Coy Harry, Eugene Frizzell, Ryan DeWitt, Billy Jack Worsham... Sorry boys. Unless you've got medical problems, you got to do em. You're too important to me and to the growth of this organization not to know, or to have been exposed to all this stuff.) 

    CANE 
Professor Lansdale teaches Shen Chuan cane, but is also planning to certify in Combat Hapkido cane once he's certified by Grandmaster Pellegrini (He hopes to take care of this in 1999). If you can do one, you can do the other. 

Professor Lansdale plans to offer both certifications. In Combat Hapkido only Combat Hapkido cane is required at the higher levels, though Shen Chuan Cane certification is an option. 

Shen Chuan students have a choice about cane techniques, and can certify if they choose in either one, or both, or pass on the training altogether. 

Currently, Professor Lansdale plans to present Shen Chuan Cane in two levels of 50 techniques per level. 

First Level in Shen Chuan Cane is offered now. 

    COMBAT JUDO CERTIFICATION 
Professor Lansdale has a license to teach Judo, and though he does not give rank in Judo, he does teach a certification called Combat Judo. This is the use of quick hand and leg strikes followed by Judo throws, and some Jujitsu style techniques. 

This is for the student who doesn't want to study sport Judo, but wants more than an acquaintance with it and its combat possibilities, and would like to learn how to link these techniques to his or her area of specialization. These techniques would be especially beneficial for those in STREETBOXING, STICKBOXING, or even COMBAT HAPKIDO and DAITO RYU. Most, not all, of these techniques are covered in Shen Chuan, but it's a great refresher and specialization course. 

This certification will be offered in the near future. Cost 50 dollars for certification. 

    SHEN CHUAN BASIC WEAPONS CERTIFICATION 
Professor Lansdale will offer training in the use of the short stick (yawara), the rolled up newspaper or magazine, as well as some other general everyday weapons. This is a great enhancement for Women's Self Defense programs. 

(1. For this designation, Yoshinkan rank is also required.)   back to paragraph