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 Prof.
George Kirby [1944---], Black Belt
magazine's "Instructor of the Year" for 2007, holds the rank of Judan, is an internationally recognized martial arts instructor
and
author. He has been teaching Ju-Jitsu since 1967. He was the head
instructor at the Burbank YMCA from 1968-75 and the Burbank
Parks Dept. from 1974-96. He is currently teaching Budoshin Ju-Jitsu
classes through the
Santa Clarita Parks Recreation Dept., Santa Clarita, CA, [about 35 miles
north of Los
Angeles], and at College of the Canyons, also in Santa Clarita. Prof. Kirby was awarded the title of Hanshi in 1997 and his Judan grade in 2000. He taught Ju-Jitsu at Olive Vista Jr. High School, Sylmar, from 1976-83, as an elective and alternative to regular physical education classes as a fully credentialed school teacher. He has taught seminars throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Israel. Using his skills as an experienced professional high-school teacher, Prof. Kirby has had the opportunity to write a number of books, magazines, and even a videotape series. His published books include Ju-Jitsu: Basic Techniques of the Gentle Art [Ohara Publications 1983], Ju-Jitsu: Intermediate Techniques of the Gentle Art [Ohara 1985], Jutte: Power of Ten Hands Weapon [Ohara 1987], Budoshin Ju-Jitsu; The Big Book 6th ed [2002], Jujitsu Nerve Techniques: The Invisible Weapon of Self-Defense [Ohara 2001] and Advanced Jujitsu: The Science Behind the Gentle Art [Black Belt Communications 2006]. In 1992 Panther Productions released the 8-videotape instructional series, entitled Black Belt Ju-Jitsu. Prof. Kirby has also written numerous articles for Black Belt, Inside Karate and other martial arts magazines. In addition to his instructional responsibilities, Prof. Kirby is very involved in the governance of Ju-Jitsu, serving chairman, board of directors for both the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Dojo Inc. [a non-profit educational foundation] and the American Ju-Jitsu Association [an amateur athletic association and governing body for Ju-Jitsu and amateur competition in the U.S. as recognized by the U.S. government] He is also the founder of the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Yudanshakai, an educational foundation. Prof. Kirby is also active in a number of other martial arts organizations. He is affiliated with the Shorinji Ryu JuJitsu Association, World Head of Family Sokeship Council, Budo Centre International, Dai Nippon Seibukan Budo, and International Federation of JuJutsuans. He is also the primary liaison between the American Ju-Jitsu Association and it's international affiliates. As a strong believer in community service, Prof. Kirby was selected to serve as a a Defensive Tactics Consultant for the Los Angeles Police Dept. in 1994, serving on their Civilian Martial Arts Advisory Panel, and and continues to serve in that capacity. He also developed a Defensive Tactics program for the state of Nevada in the 1980's and has taught arrest control techniques to private security firms and a variety of local and national law-enforcement personnel. In 2006 Prof. Kirby became a certified POST [Police Officer Standards Training] instructor. In 2007 Prof. Kirby was selected to be a member of FLEOA [Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association] and ILEETA [International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association]. Prof. Kirby was a public school teacher for 39 years, since 1967 until his retirement in 2006. He has a MA degree in Social Science/Political Science, Standard Secondary Teaching Credential, Standard Jr. College Teaching Credential, and Administrative Services Credential from the state of California. He was the chairman of the Social Science Dept., U.S. Grant High School, Van Nuys, from 1992-2006, where he taught Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Honors Economics. While Prof. Kirby may have retired from teaching for the Los Angeles Unified School District, he strongly believes that "retirement" is relative thus has not retired from teaching. As of in August, 2007, Prof. Kirby is teaching Budoshin Ju-Jitsu at College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita, CA. Students will be able to take his class up to four semesters [state maximum] of this Physical Education Course, and earn CSU/UC transfer credit for each semester completed.
[Return to top of page.]
 Professor
Sanzo Jack M. Seki, whose legal name was changed to Jack M. Haywood in
1943, was born in Los Angeles, CA., USA, on July 7, 1914. His father was
Japanese his mother was of Irish American descent. Jack Seki moved to
Japan at a very early age. Although Seki's father, Sanzo Seki [b:1888 -
d:?], was a Ju-Jitsu master himself, he also sent Seki to study directly
under the legendary Dr. Jigoro Kano, an expert in Tenjin-Shinyo Ryu
Jujitsu [Hachinosuke Fukoda, Sensei and Masatomo Iso, Sensei] and Kito-Ryu
JuJitsu [Tsunetoshi Iikubo, Sensei] and founder of modern day Judo. Some
sources indicate that Seki was awarded a sandan in Judo by Kano although
there is no documentation available. After studying under Kano, Seki
returned to master the art as taught by his father. Some sources also
indicate that he earned an Ikkyu grade in Kendo, but that is also
unverifiable at this time. According to some sources Seki may have been
enrolled at Doshisha College in Kyoto, JapanPrior to World War II, Seki was given the option of being drafted into the Japanese army or emigrating to the United States. Fortunately he chose the latter and returned to the U.S. in the mid-1930's. With his martial arts training current information says that he worked for the U.S. Army Air Force as a weaponless defense instructor. It is also possible that he may have served as a translator in the Pacific theatre during the war. Information as of 10/26/2006, according to official records [releasable under the Freedom of Information Act] Seki served in the U.S. Army from 1941-1944 assigned to Company A, 34th Signal Training Battalion. He was awarded the American Defense Service medal, WWII Victory Medal, WWII Service Lapel Button and a Good Conduct Medal. His rank was private, 1st class. More detailed records were probably destroyed in a 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center [Military Personnel Records, St. Louis, MO]. Another reliable source, US Army Signal Center, Ft Gordon, GA,11/14/06] indicates that the Company A, 34th Signal Training Battalion was stationed in Africa, Italy Sicily, thus probably discounting the verbal history that he may have served as a translator in the Pacific theatre during the war.  Some
time after the war was over Prof. Seki went to work for Lockheed
Aircraft Co., where he remained an employee from 1952 until his
retirement in 1986. At that time he retired to Bullhead City, AZ, where
he worked for a helicopter company for a few years. In declining health
from emphysema and severe pulmonary disease caused by years of smoking,
Prof. Seki was eventually placed in a nursing home until he passed away
on April 20, 1998.Seki was an avid martial artist and dedicated instructor. He held yudansha grades in Judo, Karate, Aikido, and Ju-Jitsu, most of which he earned in Japan. He was ultimately promoted to Kudan [9th dan] in Ju-Jitsu. He taught at the Burbank YMCA in the early 1960's and then moved his instructional program to Los Angeles Valley College, where he taught Ju-Jitsu four nights a week [for $1.25/month] through their community service program. In the early 1980's he moved his program to the Victory-Vineland Recreation Center, Van Nuys, until his retirement from Lockheed in 1986.  Seki
was demanding on the mat. Although his physical workouts were strenuous,
his demands upon students' mental attitude was even greater. The higher
you were in rank the more you would be verbally harassed. Seki did this
to weed out students [and black belts] who would get upset with his
harassment. Seki said many times that if your "ticky-ticky" gets hurt by
what people say about you [and you get upset] you have no business being
in the martial arts. This was his way of weeding out those who were weak
in spirit and mind. He took this approach because Ju-Jitsu, as taught by
Seki, was such a devastating martial art. He did not feel that students
who couldn't control their emotions should study this gentle art.[Return to top of page.]
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