How did you meet Duke Moore?
After I had been training at the Taraval St. dojo for several months with Sensei Rich Leviton, one night in 1960 or 1961 an “older” gentleman (40 something) came in to the dojo. Until then I had never met Hanshi Moore but it was apparent from the deference afforded to him by the more advanced students, that this was someone special. He suited up in a white gi and a well worn black belt. Although he was entitled to wore a red and white belt (he was 7th dan at the time), I don’t recall seeing him ever wear anything other than a simple black belt until sometime in the 70’s when he was a 9th dan and began wearing a solid red belt. (I left San Francisco in 1967 and started Budokai East in Danbury, CT so the details of his own progression in rank are unclear to me). He was a man about my size (roughly 5’-9”, 150 pounds), slightly balding, and wiry. He conducted class that night and I was impressed with his soft spoken sense of command and gentleness in demeanor. However, he honored me to be his Uke for several demonstrations and then I was even more impressed with his strength and speed. His techniques were strong and absolute. When he applied a joint lock, choke or throw, it was final! No need for Uke to sutemi or cooperate in any way…you knew you had been had! Yet, no student was ever harmed or injured by him in any way during his class. That was amazing to me because, as white belts (maybe I was a green belt at the time), we routinely injured each other in some way during our clumsy practice sessions.
At the end of that first class with Hanshi Moore (as described above), and much to my surprise, he asked me to train at the Market St. dojo (the Zen Budokai HQ) with him at least once a week. As far as I know, I was the only one he singled out for that honor. So at that point, I continued training with Sensei Leviton at the Taraval St. dojo twice a week and going to the Market St. dojo once a week to train with Hanshi Moore (and sometimes on a Saturday). Some weeks I attended classes at Market St. more often if something special was planned like a promotion night or a visiting dignitary was teaching. That is how and why I met, trained under, and was ranked by Richard “Biggi” Kim. (But that’s another story).
What was it like training under Duke Moore?
Training under Hanshi Moore was a trip! You never knew what to expect. Some nights we did all Ju Jitsu, some nights we did all Karate , some nights we did all Judo, and some nights we mixed it up. We had three separate but adjoining mat areas in that facility because his father had previously owned a window blind store there and somehow we had use of three adjoining store fronts with half walls between areas so he could monitor all areas at the same time. (He took great delight in telling us that his father was the “blind man”).It was not uncommon to have all three martial arts going at the same time occasionally. Most often however we used the three areas for different levels of rank to work on their own material (e.g. white belts on mat 1; brown belts on mat 2; and black belts on mat 3). For regular training, we worked off charts that were posted on the wall, just as we do today. Hanshi Moore had one annoying habit however. He was prone to change the charts! I remember as green belt, working on my material for months. One night I came in and found that my Goshin Jitsu green belt chart was different. When I complained to him, he said “Oh I got tired of that one”. When I foolishly whined that I wasted all that time learning the previous stuff, his reply was “Not at all, think about how much more you are learning”….and he was right!!
How did he conduct a class?
“Duke”, as he liked to be called, was very informal and casual. He was a modest, humble man and never flaunted his position or knowledge. In keeping with his desires, I will address him hereafter as “Duke”, without any intention of familiarity or disrespect.
Duke’s classes were likewise informal and casual although we did observe the traditional formal custom of an opening and closing bow to the Kamiza, bowing upon entering the dojo, and before getting on or off the mat. We also adhered to a respectful bow to partners or opponents before and after working with them. Duke also taught us the art and philosophy of Zen Mediation and most often, we also practiced Zazen (seated Zen meditation) at the end of most classes.
The Ju Jitsu classes themselves were conducted the same as we do now. After a formal opening, we started with warm up exercises, followed by Karate Basics, which was then followed by Ukemi practice. Then after we were exhausted, we got individual assignments. With a partner, we worked on the chart material consistent with our level, or Duke (or a higher belt) would teach material from a new chart. As we rose in rank, we were increasingly assigned to teach the lower belts, under his supervision of course. What I didn’t appreciate at the time was how important “student” teaching was to our future development. At the time, I just thought it was a way to cover more material in a given class. Over the years however, I have come to realize that it really enhances your own knowledge when you to have to explain and demonstrate something to someone else. It also prepares you to stand up in front of a group and talk on a subject, whatever that subject might be!
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