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My father entered the United States Army on February 2, 1950 at the very young age of 16. He was promoted to Sergeant Military Police Investigator in Kokura Kyushu Japan after a year of service.

Army Photo 519th Battalion Police Identification card U.S. Army

Around the same time he began practicing Judo and was awarded the rank of Shodan  (first degree) by the Kodokan Judo Institute in 1953. During this time he became acquainted with Mr. Yumio Nawa.

Yumio Nawa Signed Photo

Nawa Sensei is the current headmaster of a martial tradition known as Masaki Ryu. Here is a letter in Japanese from Nawa Sensei describing his first meeting with my father. (English translation by Mizutani Tomonori.)

Yumio Nawa Letter Page 1 Yumio Nawa Letter Page 2 Yumio Nawa Letter Page 3 Yumio Nawa Letter Page 4 Yumio Nawa Letter Page 5

Yumio Nawa translated letter Page 1 Yumio Nawa translated letter Page 2
Yumio Nawa translated letter Page 3

Nawa Sensei is an expert in the Japanese martial arts of Manrikigusari-jutsu (weighted chain).  Here is original Edo Period Masaki Ryu Manrikigusari, from my collection authenticated by Nawa Sensei and pictured in my fathers book entitled Spike and Chain.

Masaki Ryu Manrikigusari
 

Here is a original Meiji Period KinShin Ryu Manrikigusari authenticated by Nawa Sensei in his above letter, from my collection and pictured in my fathers book Spike and Chain.

KinShin Ryu Manrikigusari
 

Nawa Sensei is also an expert in Kusarigama-jutsu (the art of chain and sickle). Here are some very rare Kusarigama from my collection. Note the first pictured Tokugawa Period Kusarigama has a polished oak handle that is wrapped and lacquered. Two retaining rings at top and 1/4 of handle. Kama blade is straight, single edged, and appears to be specially forged. The chain is clearly hand-forged, rare and very difficult to find. The weight is also hand forged.

Tokugawa Period (bakumatsu) Kusarigama photo #1 Meiji Period Kusarigama photo #2 Tanto Kusarigama, an unusual type. Blade may have been remounted. Purchased from a Japanese antique dealer in San Francisco in 1968. Kusarigama photo #3

Nawa Sensei is also a expert in Shuriken-jutsu (the art of throwing small bladed weapons). Here are some various types of shuriken given to my father as gifts from current Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, 34th Soke of Togakure Ryu.

Shuriken photo #1 Shuriken photo #2 Shuriken photo #3 Shuriken photo #2   Negishi Ryu Shuriken  Various Shuriken

His proficiency in Judo combined with his previous experience with knife throwing allowed him to quickly become proficient in these arts. My father was the first non-Japanese to be hold a Masters Instructor's Certificate (Menkyo Kaiden) in the Classical Japanese Martial Arts of Masaki Ryu Manrikigusari Jutsu, Edomachichikata Jutte (a feudal age police art which used a fork shaped iron truncheon), Kusarigama Jutsu (Sickle & Chain art), and Shuriken Jutsu.  Here are some various Jutte from my collection these were obtained in the 1950's and 1960's.

 

Meiji Period Jutte Late Meiji Period sharskin hilt Jutte Modern Jutte from 1950 Early Edo Period brass Jutte. A rotating ring with beautiful engraving. Size indicates implement of rank rather than a weapon Modern Jutte from 1950

 

     

Above is a rare signed and chop stamped fan by Risuke Otake Sensei of the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu (大竹利典源健之). The Kanji on the fan reads Katsu Jin Ken  "Active Life Sword Person."

 

In 1968 my father authored a book entitled Spike and Chain based on his studies with Headmaster Yumio Nawa of the Masaki Ryu. Sensei Nawa and an unknown student are pictured on the front cover according to my conversation with Nawa Sensei. Masaaki Hatsumi, 34th Soke of Togakure Ryu IS NOT pictured on the front cover of his book as alleged. Soke Masaaki Hatsumi was once a student of Nawa Sensei.

Spike and Chain book cover Spike and Chain inside book cover

Here is a rare picture that was painted by Soke Hatsumi for my father back in the early 1960's. They became very good life long friends since they shared the same teacher Nawa Sensei. It reads:

Isshin no Ikkan (Single-mindedness)
For Mr. Charles Gruzanski
Togakure-ryu (ryu here is written as dragon, not school) 34th Soke
Hatsumi Masaaki (kaou - a form of signature used in martial and cultural arts)

 

Click on painting to view a larger image

 

Headmaster Yumio Nawa dedicated an article to me in the April 2004 magazine Hiden. I have attached an English translation of the Japanese article done my good friend Russ Ebert's wife Sachiko. 

Hiden magazine April 2004 Hiden April 2004 page 83 Hiden April 2004 page 84 Hiden April 2004 page 85 Hiden April 2004 page 86 Hiden April 2004 page 87 Hiden April 2004 page 88

 

"The Gruzanski Story - For his Son, Robert Gruzanski translated into English by Sachiko Ebert.

Caption:

"Gruzanski was the person who rekindled the fire of Budo in it's decline after the war"

 “A Gentleman Named Gruzanski”

A large American Soldier stood in front of a house during the year of Showa 30. Nawa Yumio, owner of the house was scared of this man's visit, remembering the time he was captured as a war criminal. At that time Nawa was almost 50 and the American Soldier looked under 30 and Nawa finally made up his mind that there was no harm in letting this young man in. The American entered the house with his boots on. Nawa told him to take his shoes off. The soldier looked startled by his voice and then explained he could not take his boots off because he was on duty. Nawa understood and in turn invited the American into a room that one could enter with their shoes on. Once in the room, his attitudes seem to suddenly change. Nawa was surprised when he bowed deeply, the most polite way and began to tell a story in English mixed with Japanese. The American explained that he ran a Karate dojo in Chicago, Illinois, USA and went on "My name is Charles Gruzanski and I am an M.P. of the 8th Army (?). I was moved to Yokohama and I am visiting you because I want you to teach me an old bujutsu, manriki kusari jutsu of the Masaki Ryu, which you succeeded through your family." Nawa sensei recalls "He (Charles) had brought a white keiko gi with the name "GRUZANSKI" embroidered on it, along with a white belt. I remembered hearing that the GHQ prohibited all of the martial arts. I suspected he visited me to arrest me for practicing Masaki Ryu, so I pretended that I had never heard of that martial art, but he kept asking me. Then the manner in which he addressed me changed from "anata" (you in Japanese) to "sensei" (teacher) and he kept on, saying "Sensei, please teach me. Please teach me how to use the chain. Please." But I kept responding "I don't know, please leave." After that I felt relieved. A week later the doorbell rang and it was the American soldier again. This time I was feeling more sympathetic and I let him into the Zashiki (guest room). He looked at the old weapons and armor in the room and he seemed very interested in these things. He then said "You won't teach me because I am an American Soldier. Now, Japan and the USA should be friends". I was surprised and said that "The reason I didn't teach you was not because you are an American Soldier. I actually love Hollywood movies. I am a big fan of Clark Gable, John Wayne and Maurice Chevalier!" He looked up in surprise at this and then said "I still don't understand the reason you say you do not know the bujutsu that uses kusari". He told me that he had seen a book that told him that I had taught those things. I was surprised at this and lost my words. I thought “It’s in a book? It can't be!!" The fact that I was the Soke of Masaki Ryu kusarijutsu and Yagyu Ryu Jutte jutsu was only known to my family and relatives and they would never tell that to other people. Thinking further, there actually were a few others that knew about this but I was sure that they would have asked my permission to speak about me. However, this serious looking American soldier didn't look as though he was lying. I had no knowledge of the book that had the name of the ryuha, my name and my address. According to him, he saw the book in the office of the American Army, which was hand written in Japanese. He had an interpreter read it to him. He copied my name and address and kept it. His story sounded logical and I had to believe the story about the hand written book. Then I asked him about the American Army prohibiting the martial arts. He laughed and said "There is a rumor like that, but that was a long time ago. Now, a lot of American Soldiers are learning Kendo or Iai. Once I heard this, I thought I didn't have to hide the kusari or the jutte any longer. I also thought this would be a great opportunity to spread kobudo. "Ok, I will teach you how to use the kusari" I said. I was a little worried about the language barrier because I didn't know any English but I couldn't take my words back when I saw him crying"

"The Teacher Student Relationship through Kusari"

 Kusarijutsu is a dangerous bujutsu and there is always some danger in practicing, this is especially true for a beginner who isn't used to the chain. The weight and the length of the chain are very important as well. Gruzanski was very tall, had big hands and was well balanced. He was perfect for Kobudo despite although he was large. A thick rope is used when you start to train in Kusarijutsu instead of a real iron chain. Later on in the training, one will switch to a real iron chain. At that time, as it still is today, we didn't know of any blacksmith that could make a manriki kusari. So when Gruzanski was ready I gave him one of the Masaki Ryu kusari I had at home. This kusari, however, this was too small for him. There once was a kusarijutsu named "Kinshin Ryu" in Okayama prefecture, but this only survived until the first year of Meiji. This ryu had used a long and thick chain with rokkaku fundo. Sometimes I would visit antique stores, so I had acquired some of them. Among them I found one that was long and thick, the perfect sized kusari, and I let Gruzanski use it. A picture of the Kinshin Ryu kusari is in the book written by Gruzanski “Kusari and Shuriken” (Spike and Chain). The kusari and fundo of the Kinshin Ryu are bigger and longer and stronger than the Masaki Ryu chain. I didn’t know how to use Kinshin Ryu’s chain but I gave it to Gruzanski because it fit his size. When I gave the chain to him, he cupped it in both of his hands, placed it to his head and bowed (a sign of great thanks). Then I noticed that both of his eyes were tearing up, which made my eyes tear up as well. That day we talked about the balance of the fundo and the kusari, I wasn’t sure how much of my broken English made sense to him, but he seemed as happy as a child when he left and went home that day.

"An Unexpected Present from the First Student"

 In the early morning of the first day of keiko (training) with Gruzanski, I felt very tense as I had several concerns. Would we be able to communicate? Would he be able to do ukemi on the wooden floor? Would I be able to teach the kusarijutsu well, because this was my first time teaching someone. How long would Gruzanski be able to train with me? When I thought about these things, it seemed as though even more concerns came into my mind. At the same time, however, it could have been that I was excited about having a student. However, this was an even more unusual situation as I would be practicing with and throwing around a soldier from America, the country that had just won the war! Then I heard the sounds I had been anxiously awaiting the sound of a jeep pulling up followed by the doorbell ringing. I went to the door and there he stood with a big paper bag in his equally large hands. Gruzanski entered the hall with a big smile and said in a loud, clear voice: "Sensei! Present". I was surprised and said "What? A Present?" and he answered in his Japanese "In and America and in Japan, you need to pay your instructor. But you told me you don't need money. So I thought I can't have lessons unless I give you a present." and then I said "I see, a present instead of money!" I thanked him and received the present. Gruzanski said "I'm worried that you will not like this present". So I opened the bag and inside was food like flour, white sugar, butter and also a rosewood pipe along with American tobacco. He must have seen me smoking and thought of it. At the time Japanese tobacco was of very poor quality while the American tobacco was so much finer and I really loved it. It seemed like he got these at a P.X., but every single item was extremely hard to get at the time in Japan. Gruzanski’s kind and true heart was in those things, and he kept bringing me these gifts for two years he was with me.

"First Student, First Keiko"

 There are 300 kata for Masaki ryu Manriki Kusari. I started keiko when I was 5, it took me ten years to learn all 300 techniques. Now I was going to try to teach Gruzanski in 2 years. In order to do this, I would have to teach 5 kata in one keiko. I accepted his offer to teach him so I felt I had to do it. Once we started training regularly though, I was only able to teach one or two techniques in one lesson. The language barrier was the reason and both of us had to work very hard in order to understand one another. So, later it was agreed that Gruzanski would return to Japan several times after the first two years. Our training was very intense and rough, several times we would knick and cut each other and shed blood, but in all there were no major injuries. I guess that was because he had good technique and ukemi from his Karate training. Those two years with him means a lot to me and it has influenced my teaching during the past forty years and still does to this day. When Gruzanski had to return home, I wrote up and gave him a Menkyo Kaiden so he could put it on the wall of his dojo in Chicago, although he had not completed the 300 techniques of the ryu at that point. However, I made a promise to him that if he returned to Japan it would be completed. Later, Gruzanski sent me pictures of his students training in Manriki Kusari and Gruzanski teaching students "Jumonji Gurami" of Kusarijutsu. These pictures were included in the book "Kakushibuki Hyakka" in the year Showa 52 (1977) by Nawa Yumio.

"Spike and Chain"

 The Dojo in Chicago grew and it must have attracted many people because it was the first place in the U.S.A. to have taught Kusarijutsu. Gruzanski said he wanted permission to write a book about Shuriken Jutsu and Kusari Jutsu for Americans (English Speakers). I was a little perplexed at the offer. The reason was is because like most other Japanese Kobujutsu, it is strictly taboo to publish a book or write a paper and only appropriate to teach with kuden (verbally). This assured that the secrets stayed safe and kept them from being stolen by outside people. It was at that moment in time that I wished I could have spoken to my ancestors and asked them advice on this, however I know that they would have never approved. I spent sleepless night thinking about this and I finally reached a conclusion. In the two years that I taught Gruzanski, I had noticed that the original Masaki Ryu Chain was too small and some of the waza did not work very well for most Americans (who were taller, had longer arms, legs and bigger hands).

I emphasized this point and told him that if he wanted to publish a book that he should make it an as an introduction and to focus on the kata suitable for the bigger Americans. I also told him that katas which are were learned specifically from training the body should only be taught at the dojo. During the meeting between Gruzanski and the publishing company, the publishers asked him to keep the book very simple, written in an easy to understand manner in plain English while keeping it interesting for the readers. With this, Gruzanski spent many sleepless nights writing, pondering and practicing the techniques he was to include in the book. I came to know this because one day I received a letter in the mail addressed from his newlywed wife Miss Teruko. In the letter she said "...he doesn't come to bed anymore because he is writing all night..." then she added ". He’s gone crazy, would you please have a word with him?" I was surprised at her letter, and I wrote to Gruzanski and told him to please consider his wife's well being. I don't know whether it worked or not. Anyway, the one year that Gruzanski toiled writing was very fruitful and "Spike and Chain" was published as a beautiful book released from Tuttle in Tokyo. The book has pictures and diagrams of the history of Kusari Jutsu and practical kata and in a form that is easy for the American public to understand. On the cover there is a picture of me with Manriki Kusari with my student with a wooden sword. To this day, whenever I hold this book in my hand, I think of Gruzanski writing all night. In my imagination, he is always young, handsome, beautiful and strong, forever. When was running out of tobacco, Gruzanski would always send me some from the USA. He would also send me a little bit of the money he made from Tuttle as well, $5 or so at a time. Spike and Chain sold very well and I told him that he should stop sending me money and to keep it for himself. However, Gruzanski would not listen and he continued to send me money up until the time of his death.

"Farewell to a Gentleman Named Gruzanski"

 The gentleman I called Gruzanski passed away from cancer at age 37, when he was still very young. His wife, Miss Teruko Gruzanski, followed him as she also died from cancer. Along with the death of a personal friend, Masaki Ryu has also lost a precious person. He was an invaluable man to us and he disappeared like a shooting star. I still think of him often, and he is still living with me (in spirit). This is where I will end the Gruzanski story, The chain of events  such as the 8th Army acquiring a handwritten book, Gruzanski finding it and becoming my student for two years, the dojo in Chicago and finally the book "Spike and Chain has allowed for Masaki Ryu Manriki Kusarijutsu is still be continued and practiced today. 42 years have passed since I first met Gruzanski and now we have 4 Shihan and over ten earnest students practicing Masaki ryu Manriki Kusarijutsu and Edo Machi Kata Jutte Hojo every Saturday. We have abolished the Soke system in Masaki Ryu because of extenuating circumstances; therefore it had decided several years ago to continue on with a Shihan system. This now means that each Shihan will succeed the Ryu individually. Everything seems to have happened as though Gruzanski had planned it and led it himself.

My prayers go out to Gruzanski in heaven.

-Nawa Yumio

Here is the follow up article printed in the February 2005 issue of Hiden.

Hiden Magazine Cover February 2005 Hiden Magazine Index February 2005

Hiden Magazine February 2005 Page 76 Hiden Magazine February 2005 Page 77

Hiden Magazine February 2005 Page 78Hiden Magazine February 2005 Page 79

Hiden Magazine February 2005 Page 80Hiden Magazine February 2005 Page 81

Headmaster Yumio Nawa dedicated an article to me in the February 2005 magazine Hiden. I have attached an English translation of the Japanese article done my good friend Atsuko Jones.

Nawa Yumio meets Robert Gruzanski

 

Gruzanski Story - Chapter 2

Martial arts unites two over country and generation.

with his father, Mr. Charles's will',

 

Robert Gruzanski  meets Nawa Yumio

As soon as World War II ended, a young American visited a master of Japanese martial art. Who could tell this encounter will be crucial to foster this old valuable art? Late Charles Gruzanski's will and sincerity sent his son to Japan. It doesn't matter where or when they were born. What strongly connects people is- indeed, a martial art.<page 76>

"Nice to meet you."

"Welcome."

After a little pose, they hugged. That was a moment when Masaki-Ryu chain art united them over country and generation.

Master Nawa started talking when he saw his beloved disciple in a photo handed to him by Mr. Robert.

"Mr. Gruzanski was tall, yet flexible. He performed ukemi form as if he were a cat. We practiced on wooden floor, so minor wounds were inevitable. Though, he never had a serious injury and that's because he was talented."

Mr. Robert said,

"My father really loved Japanese martial arts. He learned Judo, Karate, Yoshinkai Aikido, and so forth. He loved Masaki Chain art the most of all."

Tears were rolling out of Master Nawa's eyes.

Charles V Gruzanski.

He was a man introduced to you all in an article on Hiden April 2004. He came to Japan as a Military Police man after WW II. He learned Masaki-Ryu chain art from Master Nawa in Showa 30's (1955-65). He mastered and studied Japanese martial arts and dedicated himself to their propagation in his native country, America.

He had gone through Kodokan Judo (from Mr. Obata) and Karate (at first, from Japan Karate Association) until he learned chain art from Mr. Nawa. Even after his military discharge, he continued to learn it from Mr. Nawa. His numerous trips from U.S. to visit Mr. Nawa show us his sincerity. And finally, he received his certification. In addition, he achieved fifth degree of Kyokushin-ryu Karate (Mr. Oyama Baitatsu visited Mr. Gruzanski's home several times in 1960's. learned Karate by Mr. Don Buck of Kyokushinkai California for one month. Also he visited Kyokushinkai Hombu Headquarters with Mr. Tadashi Nakamura). He achieved fourth degree black belt in Yoshinkai Aikido and fourth degree black belt in Hakko-Ryu Jujitsu. He taught them in his dojo in Chicago.

He worked in Chicago Police Department. Along with his service, he efforted to found Policemen's Self-Defense Association. He served as a Sergeant and also the Self-Defense Instructor at the Chicago Police Department. On his funeral, President Richard Nixon sent a sympathy letter to his family and praised his contribution.

In November 2004, Mr. Robert C Gruzanski met his late father's teacher Mr. Nawa Yumio.

My late father's will

Mr. Robert brought many photos, videotapes, etc. He confessed he has not known his late father well until recently.

"He really loved Japanese martial arts. He opened his Karate and Jujitsu school in Chicago while he worked as a policeman. He liked cigarette smoking. Lung cancer killed him. When he passed away in January 1972."

As listening to Mr. Robert, Mr. Nawa stared at his beloved disciple in pictures. Most pictures showed Mr. Charles's commitment to martial arts. There were many valuable photos including ones taken in his Chicago gym and ones on Black Belt magazine.

Above all photos, Mr. Nawa picked one on which Mr. Charles in his robe. And he said,

"He was full in spirit and good natured. I felt as if he were my son. I was absent-minded for a week and could not do anything at all when I found he passed away. I wish he still lived. He could have been my consultant."

Listening and nodding to every translation by Mr. Ebert, Mr. Robert said,

"My father was very proud of being Mr. Nawa's first disciple. In his gym, my father decorated photos of masters such as Mr. Mas Oyama and Gozo Shioda and so on. He cherished Mr. Nawa's above all. As for Masaki-Ryu teaching, he selected students. He taught people whom only he judged had potential. He passed away so young. I practiced only Hakko Ryu Jujitsu with him."

Mr. Robert said Mr. Charles was thinking of martial arts literally for twenty four hours.<page 77>

"There was his den upstairs my home. When he was not in his gym, he mostly stayed there for studying and thinking. My mother complained about it. After my father died, my mother shutted the upstairs completely. So I found these photos and books after my mother died. It was a several years ago."

As you read in last "Gruzanski Story", Mrs. Teruko sent a letter to Mr. Nawa. She asked him to calm her husband's extreme devotion down. Mr. Charles's enthusiasm was that great.

Mr. Robert recalled his father and said,

"I only remember him taking me into his gym (laugh)."

Lung cancer had already been taking over his father's health when Mr. Robert was really young. So he remembered mostly spending time with his sick father. Yet, Mr. Charles continued writing about Masaki-Ryu, Shuriken, and knife throwing. When Mr. Robert entered his father's den for the first time, he found his father's hand written manuscripts and resources. Even, there was a letter his father was working on in a typewriter. In fact, Mr. Charles planned to translate resources about Japanese Shuriken to write a book about it. He did not have chance to learn Jutte art directly from Mr. Nawa, however, he planned to apply it to policemen's stick handling.<page 78>

Mr. Robert came to Japan to confirm his father's footsteps, which also leads to a search of "himself".

 A mysterious visitor was a sincere man.

Why Mr. Charles was so passionate about Japanese martial arts, especially Masaki-ryu? That was Mr. Robert's most concern at the meeting with Mr. Nawa.

Masaki-Ryu is a martial art found in Ogaki Clan (Gifu Prefecture now). Mr.   Nawa learned it from his grand father when he was very young. He succeeded to the school as age of fifteen. He never told any other people about Masaki-Ryu. Even when he was in a military, he carried its secrecy in his belly belt, and he never showed it to anyone. Only his relative knew it. Mr. Nawa offered some resources to Mr. Kasutani and Mr. Takeuchi for their "Encyclopedia of Martial Arts" later. However, Mr. Nawa says both of them were not kinds of people who publicize resources without his permission.<page 79>

After a little pose, Mr. Nawa answered to Mr. Robert.

"I quite don't know as a matter of fact. I don't know why Mr. Charles knew I am a Masaki-Ryu successor. He said he had a string-binded book written in Japanese and got it translated. But I don't know what it was."

Mr. Charles saw that book in the eighth Army's office, which he belonged to. It was thick and hand-written. It had Mr. Nawa's name, school name, and address on it.

"Well, I believe I am the only one who succeeds chain art. Only few people know about it. I don't know who wrote the book. And I don't know why he got interested in it. So I was so surprised when Mr. Charles came to me by a Jeep with MP flag at first. Practically, when MP comes, along comes a trouble (laugh). I decided to teach him on his third visit, I suppose."

It is natural that Mr. Nawa suspected Mr. Charles' visit. After the war ended, GHQ (General Head Quarter) exercised martial arts prohibition Act to ban Japanese martial arts. That was well known. However, some people believed GHQ secretly studied Japanese martial arts to get know how while prohibition was carried out in public. Mr. Charles's visit was an interesting episode to conjure up this rumor. Although his visit was utterly from his personal interest.

Spin off from there encounter

Mr. Charles wrote "Spike and Chain" which taught Masaki-Ryu basics. By the way, why "chain art" was translated and explained as ''spike (which means something has pointed end, like big nail)''? (Was it due to illustrate its technique by holding weights in hands?) It seems Mr. Charles was especially passionate about so-called "flying tools". We are not sure whether it came from his experience as a soldier or his study of knife throwing technique in America.<page 80>

As well as knife throwing, chain art is a technique one can surely capture his opponent from a distance using a flexible tool at will. So chain art might match something about Mr. Charles and guided him to Mr. Nawa.

It seems Mr. Charles was originally scholastic, judging from his writings and commitment to police association. Although Mr. Robert said he did not agree with it.

"My father was not originally a writer. Since he was not physically strong, his parents made him quit high school to join the military at his age of sixteen. After he met Japanese martial arts, he later earned a degree from Ohio State  University. I think his meeting with Mr. Nawa changed him all."

This meeting also meant to Mr. Nawa his turning point.

"I had never thought about teaching Masaki-Ryu until I met him. He was really my first disciple. We were both young and practices were severe. Without meeting him, I would not have taught. He was so earnest. Many people came and asked me to "teach", but most of them quitted in midway. There are over 300 forms to learn in Masaki-Ryu. But people said, "it's enough" and quitted in midway. That annoys me a lot. I teach because I want to deliver Masaki-Ryu. Mr. Charles and I had different languages to communicate. Yet he kept a positive attitude toward it. Actually, even after he went back to America, he visited here to learn. How glad I was!"

Mr. Charles wrote about Masaki-Ryu as well. As mentioned earlier, he taught only selected students. He allowed fifty or so disciples to have degrees. Mr. Nawa said,

"Masaki-Ryu is hard to learn even for Japanese. It's quite hard to memorize forms. I always say to students 'Prepare a notebook and a pencil. Take notes in letters as well as pictures to understand body movements'. Oh, he taught in the same way as I did? He really cared it."

Mr. Robert said,

"After my father's death, I entered 'off-limit' room and saw his valuables. I realized how deeply my father devoted into Japanese martial arts through Mr. Nawa. Then, I felt 'I would like to know about him more and someday I will tell my son about him'."

Mr. Rober's son is two years old now.

"Someday, I will tell Cody (his son) about you and him"

"Thank you, really."

A person's will strongly connects people. It connects people no matter what they are or what they speak. And if you really cared, it will even jump over the time and surely connect people. What connects people? It might be beyond martial arts. It might be something fundamental. Perhaps it might be the reason 'why we are here now'.

The meeting lasted for three hours. In the end, Mr. Robert said,

"I appreciate you gave me a chance to meet you. I wish I could come with my father.....

I am here to keep you and my father's memory together."

Masaki-Ryu is still carried on by masters under Mr. Nawa.<page 81>

Captions - From top right to top left in clockwise. pages 77 - 81.

Picture 1

At their meeting. Master Nawa Yumio (right), and  his beloved disciple, late Mr. Charles Gruzanski's son Mr. Robert (left).

Picture 2

He sees Mr. Charles's picture. Tears come up in Mr. Nawa's eyes.

<page 77>

Picture 1

Mr. Robert brought many pictures. Most of them show Mr. Charles's dynamic performances. "My father told my mother to bury resources from Nawa-sensei with him at his death. So his certificates from other masters remain. Though, few from Nawa-sensei."

Picture 2

Mr. Charles's Kodokan Judo first-degree certificate - issued in Showa 28 (1953).

Picture 3

Mr. Charles - demonstrating Judo form to boys, wearing robe Kyokushinkai logo on his back. He taught systematic martial arts.

Picture 4

Mr. Charles mastered Hakko-Ryu Jujitsu. He decorated each master's picture of martial arts he learned. He even decorated drape "Hakko-Ryu His Majesty's service men".

Picture 5

Mr.Charles was also learning Yoshinkai Aikido. This is one of his valuables. It was taken when Princess Alexandra of Britain visited Yoshinkai Head Quarter. We can see Mr. Charles in the back on the right.

<page 78>

Picture 1

At  Mr. Charles's gym. Master Mas Oyama, General of Kyokushinkai was with him.

Picture 2

Every picture of Mr. Charles with Mr. Oyama was taken at his gym in America. Several of them were on the copy of "Black Belt" Magazine.

Picture 3

At Chicago Police Department. With instructors from Chicago Police Self-Defense Association.

Picture 4

Mr. Charles - in policeman's uniform. He was posing with stick. He planned to apply Japanese Jutte Jitsu into policemen's self defense.

<page 79>

Picture 1

Mr. Charles - posing for his book. A valuable one. For him, Masaki-Ryu was especially important.

Picture 2

Mr. Charles's first book - "Spike and Chain" He intended to foster chain art as well.

Picture 3

Mr. Charles's study ranged from Shuriken to knife throwing in America. His study was propagated and carried on to this day.

Picture 4

Mrs. Teruko in later days. Mr. Robert in younger days. His sister on the left.

Picture 5

Mr. Charles and Ms. Teruko in younger days.

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Picture 1

Mr. Charles Gruzanski grave.

Picture 2

Now, the clock started ticking again and it will lead to eternity.

Picture 3

Mr. Robert - holding Masaki-Ryu Manriki Chain in his hands. Is he thinking of his father in his memory?

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Current Photo of Yumio Nawa taken November 2004

Above is a current picture of Headmaster Yumio Nawa that was taken November 2004.

Here is a Masaki Ryu patch given to me by Nawa Sensei.

Current Masaki Ryu Patch

Here is an original Masaki Ryu logo that was designed by my father.

.Original Masaki Ryu Logo

Signed Photo of Yumio Nawa

Above is a signed photo generously given to my by Nawa Sensei.

 

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