Canadian Martial Arts

In today’s Martial Arts culture it is out of respect and acknowledgment that martial arts outside of Asia still use Asian terminology. Teaching the history of a technique should be part of the instructions. This also demonstrates respect for where the technique originated.

Even as a Canadian martial art we use the Asian words Seicho Jutsu. This is not just an acknowledgement of the Asian influences in our art. It is also because the greater mass of the martial arts population on an International level use and understand Asian terminology.

Seicho Jutsu is distinctively a Canadian art. This is why the founder did not want to use names of known Asian arts such as Karate, Kung Fu, Hapkido, Kempo, Judo, Tae Kwon Do… .

The founder felt it just would not be right to be teaching his own system / art using the popular names of existing arts to gain greater acceptance.

While studying Seicho Jutsu all techniques are taught in English, unless the techniques are of a different style. For example many Seicho Jutsu techniques are counters and reversals to Asian based martial arts. We must first teach the Asian technique as it was taught originally, adding the style and Country of the technique. If the technique had a Japanese name, we would explain the name and translate it. We give credit where credit is due.

What separates Seicho Jutsu is our defenses against these other martial arts systems. Even though we may teach aspects of other arts, they are only the starting point to learning Seicho Jutsu.

Our Canadian martial art is not a sport, nor a system of dance routines that judges ones level of development. Our main concern is teaching and guiding one to a greater development of oneself on all levels. The thought of competition, this is better than that, or our lineage goes back 3000 years is irrelevant to the reason we study.

The physical application not only develops one physically, but also teaches one to be aware of every movement as well as cause and effect of every action - reaction. These concepts once understood through physical techniques can be applied to everyday life.

The mental application using theories and strategies have been in use with every army that has been to war. It is the awareness of these strategies that prevent one from falling susceptible. The theories of motion through emotion makes one aware of the physical changes our bodies go through while we are emotionally unbalanced. When one becomes aware of these strengths and weaknesses, one will learn to use them for oneself, not against oneself.

Our philosophy and spiritual enlightenment will open ones eyes to a greater understanding of life and spiritual development which can be directed towards anyone’s own personal belief.

We study for the advancement and awareness of ourselves. We acknowledge, respect and pay tribute to other arts which have inspired us, but do not fall into their categories.

Stage 1) Basics of the Arts

Stage 2) Techniques of the Arts

Stage 3) The Way of the Art

Stage 4) Masters techniques

Because some of the training tended to tear clothing apart, the use of martial arts Gi’s were adopted. It has always been the intention to have a personal uniform created for Seicho Jutsu practitioners, but it has never been a priority. We have the design, but have yet to strike a deal with a manufacturer. We are fine making use of what is available.

In keeping with the individuality the practitioners only wore gray belts. This was because no other martial arts systems used gray belts in the early 1980’s. Why wear belts some may ask? The answer is easy. It wasn’t to hold up their pants, only to keep the jackets closed. When some one pulled you by your lapel, instead of ripping your jacket, it was just pulled out of your belt. The use of these uniforms were for practicality, not for wanting to look like other martial arts styles.

A student would wear a black stripe on the end of their belt to indicate the stage of training they attained. After a number of years went by some other martial arts added gray belts to their systems.

Since there is no comparison or equivalent to the Seicho Jutsu curriculum under other martial arts styles, the use of gray belts slowly faded out. The first stage "Basics of the Arts" requires more training than most Black Belts in any other style, so this became more or less ones first grading. After this it is very hard to find the equivalent degree of Black Belt in comparison with our other 3 stages of training.

To further state these differences. The system was created with 4 stages of training in 1981 and still has only four stages of training. Some of the schools broke down the Basics of the art into sub categories to make it easier for junior students to conform to other styles. This was just to make things easier to participate with events of other martial art styles.

After the 4th stage there is a new beginning. The levels of development are all personal and can not be compared or acknowledged by any others who have not been before you. To attain higher levels in Seicho Jutsu is only known by oneself.

Even in today’s Martial Arts world of 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12,… . Degree Black Belts NO one is certified with a higher level than 4th stage in Seicho Jutsu. This does not mean training stops at the 4th stage. Like stated before, 4th stage is a new beginning in ones personal development.

A) The founders 10th Dan is not in Seicho Jutsu, throughout the years his skills have been recognized by many great Masters and Grandmasters. He has also been studying Ninjutsu and other forms of martial arts his entire life. To deny this would not be honest and actually show disrespect to the teachers who honored him with their recognition. Actually there are Asian based martial arts systems, that have now adapted Seicho Jutsu techniques and theories to their curriculum. Ranks are not as important as the people, knowledge, self growth and understanding taught in Seicho Jutsu.

Q) Since the Kama is traditionally a Japanese weapon, not only that but highly unpractical in todays world. Why do they teach the Kama in a Canadian art such as Seicho Jutsu.

A) The techniques taught in the Seicho Jutsu Kama system were first developed with a claw hammer in Canada by GM. Daniel Verkerke. These techniques can be applied with axes, hatchets, garden hoes, crow bars and tire irons. The use of the Kama for these techniques was only first adapted in 2001. This was meant to share these techniques with other martial arts styles. It is the techniques and understanding of body movements which are most important. Once learned, this can be applied with any of the tools listed.

Q) How did GM. Verkerke manage to be graded to a 9th dan in Ninjutsu with Grandmaster Mc Eaddy in relatively a short period during the 1990's.

A) Grandmaster McEaddy was reviewing Seicho Jutsu and was amazed to see many of the parallels in technique as well as philosophy, so he contacted GM. Verkerke and invited him to visit and share there mutual understanding and interest . This was the beginning of a long lasting mutual relationship which resulted in the expansion of both systems. Since GM. Verkerke was an exceptional martial art Master with over 20 years training, including 10 years teaching experience at the time, it did not take him long to adapt to the differences between systems. In relationship between systems, experience, techniques, spiritual development and philosophy GM. Verkerke proved himself worthy of this certification 4years later in 1994. In the year 2001 GM. Verkerke received his 10th. dan for his continued work and development of all aspects of the art.