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Q1. Master Wayland, in order to set the tone for this interview, give us a
little background on your martial arts experience, including years in the art and
masters that you trained under.
A1. “My training started in the early 1970’s under the leadership of Master
Karl Hovey and continued under the tutelage of Grandmaster Don Bohan up until
his passing in 1998. Under Master Bohan’s guidance and encouragement I have
trained with Master Rick Niemira (first generation student Isshin-Ryu and Bando),
Master Bob Maxwell (first generation student Bando), and Master Miriam Niemira
(Bando). Since the passing of Sensei Bohan, I have trained with a great many people,
but I only see a small select group as my current mentors. Not all my training is in
Isshin-Ryu. I feel that every system has something to offer and I look to my elders
and peers for guidance as needed. ”
(Master Karl Hovey/ Grandmaster Don Bohan / Master Wayne Wayland)
Q2. Now that we have established the fact that you have been on the scene
for a while, what is it about the martial arts that have made you stay involved?
A2. “Master Bohan was not only my Sensei, he was the best friend I’ve ever
had. Being both a student and close personal friend of Master Bohan had many
advantages. One of the greatest advantages has to be the many doors that the
Bohan name has and continues to open for me. This alone has allowed me to train
just about anywhere I wanted and with whomever I wanted for all these years.
The access to learning at all levels has afforded me the kind of Martial Arts education
that some only dream of. Because of my deep desire to honor my Sensei and because
of the graciousness of the many instructors who took the time to help me along my
martial arts journey, I will continue in everyway via my website (www. Bohans-family.com)
to provide as much information to the martial arts community as available. I was recently
promoted and accepted the high rank of Nanadan in Isshin-Ryu. I have the personal
responsibility to continue passing along the knowledge entrusted to me by my Sensei
and my other instructors. I take this privilege and responsibility to uphold the standards
and traditions of Isshin-Ryu Karate-Do very seriously. That’s why now more than ever
I stay involved. ”
Q3. I remember seeing Grandmaster Bohan in the late 60's in Knoxville and the techniques
he used were not from Isshin-Ryu, which implies to me that he was "crosstraining" way
back then. That was not popular at that time so how did he pull it off and still be accepted
in the Isshin-Ryu community?
A3. My good friend H.P. Henry probably said it best and if it's ok with you, I'd like
to use his direct quote. His thoughts on this subject mirror my own.
“Don Bohan in my opinion probably pioneered cross training in the U.S. At the time when
I started with Mr. Bohan, lots of people were dabbling in this and that. Here's an example,
some instructors would learn a few throws/takedowns and state they were teaching judo
or ju-jitsu. Master Bohan didn't dabble, he saturated himself. He would train up to black
belt and beyond and was respected in every community he worked out with. He could fight
any type of fight and was excellent at identifying and capitalizing on flaws in a fighter’s arsenal. “
HP Henry
“To answer your question more directly, Master Bohan was able to integrate other training
methods because he was an innovator and always stayed focused on the final result, which
was, does it work. That was Bohan!” I remember him telling students many times: “Show
me a better way and I'll change in a heart beat. ” I remember putting a similar question to
Master Bohan and he told me that he learned that cross training was expectable from
Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku. The Master had stayed focused on the final result (Isshin-Ryu)
while learning/studying with Master’s Chotoku Kiyan, Chjun Miyagi, Choki Motobu, Taira
Shinken, and others. ”
Q4. How many Isshin-Ryu organizations are there and how many do you belong to?
A4. “I think right now there are about 12-14 associations in Isshin-Ryu. Eight of them
are well-known and the rest are more regionally based. I support all of the Isshin-Ryu Associations
and I think they all have something to offer their members. I only claim membership to one
group and that's the Isshin-Ryu Network (I. N.). This group, although small, has some of the finest
most well rounded martial artists I have seen in all my years in the martial arts. All of the High
Dans involved within the group are what I call "Working Masters". By this I mean that all of
them are still training and teaching regularly, have positive input and outlooks, and are well
respected. Some other points I would like to add are that all of people involved with the I.N.
are likeminded towards training, are independent of a major organization, and most are Nisei
(second generation). We have people from just about every Isshin-Ryu camp. Some of the
lineages represented are Master's Armstrong, Nagle, Long, Mitchum, Bohan, Harrill, Lizotte,
Johnson, Bremer, Bove, Duessell, Malachi Lee and most recently we had Master Tom Lewis attend. ”
Q5. Do you cross train in your dojo now, if so what arts do you practice?
A5. “There is in my opinion no ultimate fighting art no style works everywhere and in every
situation. A good instructor will admit this and offer cross training suggestions to fill the gaps. I feel
that it is a good idea to cross train in the different arts but only after students has a good solid martial
arts foundation first. Cross- training should be about refining the knowledge they already have. Proper
cross training should be about refinement. It should be about finding options within what you already
know... not about adding new "techniques" to the pile. I have studied the Bando system and found
this to be a fascinating art. I still work the Boar katas taught to me by Rick Niemira and Bob Maxwell.
The Bando system has improved my understanding of kumite considerably. I was able to add more
fakes, feints and angular attacks. I also learned how important movement is while sparring.
It has better prepared me for an actual street confrontation by learning techniques such as Thai kicks,
elbows, knees, chokes, and eye gouges. It has helped me incorporate ground fighting in case I get
knocked to the ground. The additional training, which deals mostly with multiple attackers, has also
helped immensely. In closing, if you feel cross training could be for you then by all means check it out.
There is a lot of information out there and it could give you the edge you need. But remember, for every
10 martial arts instructors you meet only one is truly competent. So what you most often learn is how
NOT to do things. ”
Q6. How many tournaments does your dojo support each year and what is your take on the tournament
scene, as it exists today?
A6. “With the success of the Bohan’s and Family website and my dojo there is an ever increasing
demand on my time as it relates to martial arts events. Without fail my dojo supports Master Karl Hovey’s
and Master Carl Martin’s tournaments every year. Both are long-time and very dear friends of mine.
They run first class events as evident by the quality of the judges and participants at each. My students
get to compete in a wholesome and realistic environment, which is a marked departure from the standard
tournament scene. I strongly recommend both. We do attend other tournaments, but mostly to visit with
friends that will be in attendance, support charity benefits, or to get the students some work (see how they
stack up against others their rank). ”
Q7. What ideas do you have for unifying Isshin-Ryu?
A7. “Apparently, many people are under the impression that a single governing body controlling all of
Isshin-Ryu Karate would bring peace and security. They think that the idea of a single overseer organization
would solve problems and bring a clear, unified message.
I think just the opposite would happen. What I see is the desire for everyone to be forced into a single mold
envisioned by a single person so that of Isshin-Ryu will once again be considered by others to be an elite style.
I believe having one umbrella Isshin-Ryu organization would be oppressive. It would limit choice, eliminate
competition, and probably would be the worst thing that ever happened to Isshin-Ryu practice around the world.
It would, in the name of "getting along,” silence all dissent and discussion and replace it with obedient robots.
The concept of a single unifying organization over all Isshin-Ryu is, to me, a horrible idea. I personally would
not want to be a member. It would mean that ideas like those espoused on the Bohan’s and Family site would
be silenced, for how could we write the things that we write or have the ideas that we have in a world where
anyone who is not a member of the Isshin-Ryu Empire is not considered competent to comment. It gives those
who control such membership the ability to silence all political and philosophical detractors. The people among
us who are creative and eclectic would be eliminated as a competitive force. My ability to achieve and excel
would be controlled and reduced to the lowest common denominator. In fact, I would argue that we should all
be saying "Thank goodness!" anytime one of these Karate organizations experiences a hemorrhage that causes
them to bleed members and spawn the birth of three new organizations. This is because from the ashes of the old
organization and its old thinking comes the ability to choose from various options. These splinters are not a
negative. They are a positive. Hopefully, Isshin-Ryu will continue to move away from a governing body and
toward a model in which the CLUB LEVEL is where control lies. One of my friends once asked me if I thought
this problem of splintering amongst Isshin-Ryu associations would ever be fixed. My answer was "I hope not!
The splintering is the fix!"
Q8. I met you last year at Grandmaster Denny Shaffer's Dragon Jam. I was impressed by the fact that everyone
worked in harmony and there was no hint of hidden agendas or politics. Would you comment on what you thought
of the atmosphere at the Dragon Jam?
A8. “This was my first trip to the Dragon Jam, and I was very impressed. I have to say, I truly expected a
hard training/old-time kumite slugfest, man was I surprised! The idea of having each Master take 15 minutes to
show the group his or her own specialized stripped down to bare bones training method was fabulous. No fluff, just
real stuff! The seminars were as unique as the instructors who taught them. The subjects taught were broad
ranged and included kata, grappling techniques, fighting theory, and of course new training drills. The whole
experience was a refreshing, unique, and informative approach to teaching. From the newest white belt to the
most experienced black belt they were all “down in the dirt” (southern term) working their butts off. I thoroughly
enjoyed myself, as did everyone I spoke with. The students were as hardworking and eager a bunch to learn as I
had ever seen. I came away knowing that the term “Working Master” is alive and well and certainly present at
the Dragon Jam! I for one am looking forward to visiting Master Shaffer and the group again this year (hope they
invite me). It can only get bigger and better. ”
Q9a. What effect has Grandmaster Bohan's legacy had on the way you operate your dojo?
A9a. “Grandmaster Bohan would constantly tell us not to forget that our ultimate goal was “perfection”.
Perfection in everything we did. Be it in the dojo or in our personal lives he was always leading by example.
He could always bring out the best in everyone and saw every student as a challenge. No matter how gifted the
student was he would always find ways to improve on them. He truly cared about everything and everyone. When
you joined Bohan’s Isshin-Ryu he tried to make you feel as if you part of the family, because you were. He would
make a brand new white belt feel as important as his number one black belt. He always had time! Pop use to tell
us that he wanted “thinking students” not puppets. He allowed us great latitude in developing into our own and
in turn I’m proud to say that he trained some of the finest people I’ve had the good fortune of knowing. That’s
not to say we ran wild, rather the contrary. If we started veering off the path he would guide us back. You didn’t
want to veer too far, he handled disciplining us personally, all of us, all of the time. After all, it was his school we
were representing, and we took that as seriously as he did.
I really try to convey the same attitudes and goals towards my own students. We train hard and rank is hard to
come by, as it should be. They learn to appreciate what they have learned and earned. I try to prepare them for
all of life’s challenges through the study of Karate-Do. I never expect more of my students than I do myself and I
try and lead by example. I try to be the best Sensei (TEACHER) I can be in and out of the dojo. ”
Q9b. Do you find it hard to keep Master Bohan’s legacy alive and well?
A9b. “I had tears in my eyes as I read this question and within 30 seconds had the biggest smile you have
ever seen. I have to be one of the luckiest martial artists ever. My best friend also happened to be my Sensei.”
Before his passing, I asked Master Bohan if he had any regrets and he answered “Only one. I know Isshin-Ryu
will never be unified under one leader, but I wish I had come up with one idea or thing that all Isshin-Ryu could
have agreed with and worked on. ”
With a little vision, a little luck, and a lot of help from friends keeping his legacy alive has been easy. Not only
have we (Bohan’s Students) been successful in keeping his legacy alive, but also we (Isshin-Ryu) have helped in
fulfilling his dream. For those who thought it could not be done look at the list of martial artists represented on
the Bohan’s and Family web site. I want to thank the hundreds of martial artist from around the world that has
helped in keeping Master Bohan’s legacy alive. And they wonder why we included the word “Family”.
Speaking of Master Bohan’s legacy I would like to announce the Don Bohan / Rick Niemira Memorial Karate
Tournament slated for June 2008 in Fredericksburg, VA. Master Bohan will have been passed for 10 years and
his/our best friend Rick Niemira will have been gone for 20. We are striving to make this event unlike any other
event ever held. ”
(Grandmaster Don Bohan and Master Rick Niemira – 1981)
Q10. Finally, what would you like for your legacy to be as it pertains to Isshin-Ryu karate and the martial arts?
A10. “Well, first and foremost I would like to be remembered as a good student of the art. One that followed
his Sensei’s lead and gave more back to the system than he took. One that took his responsibility seriously, followed
through on a vision, and hopefully inspired others to reach goals that he could only dream of. ”
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