ASHIDA KIM

'Ashida Kim' is a Florida-based, controversial American martial arts teacher and author, best known for his books on ninjitsu training.

Contents

Academy

Kim's identity

Controversy

"Shit List"

$10,000 Challenge

Published books

See also

References

External links

Academy

Kim operates the DOJO Academy, which he describes as “an internationally famous martial arts fraternity”.^[1] The DOJO website states:

“Among our membership are experts not only in the Way of the Empty Hand, but also of such weapons as the Nunchaka, Sword, Staff, Shuriken, Sai, Jutte, Chain and Sickle, Archery, Halberd, Tonfa, Hanbo, Yawara, and Tanto. Contemporary members are also skilled in the use of firearms and pyrotechnics, and trained in the Art of Commando Warfare, Survival Skills and Anti-Terrorist Operations. Our fellowship exists as a confederation of independent agents for the purpose of preserving, practicing, studying, and teaching the Martial Arts. To qualify for membership, an applicant must present previous certification of rank in recognized fighting system. Or, test in person before a panel of qualified DOJO Instructors for graduation. In the 21st century we have included videotesting as an alternative method.” ^[2]

Ashida Kim's writings and statements have made him a controversial figure in the martial arts community, and have led parties to scrutinize his background.

Kim's identity

Samuel Browning, in an article published on Bullshido.net, draws the conclusions that Kim's real name is 'Radford W. Davis', based on this being the name given in the “Claimant” field on copyright registrations for Kim's books and videotapes, as well as anecdotal evidence from discussions with Sheila Conroy of Paladin Press and others.^[3]
It can be noted that "Ashida" is a Japanese surname, while "Kim" is a Korean surname, although Ashida Kim is Caucasian.

Controversy

On July 6, 1998, Kim filed suit against his publisher, Paladin Press, naming Ethan Ellenberg and Peter Lund as defendants. The case was ultimately dismissed on June 22, 1999 for lack of prosecution.^[4]
Kim's websites were suspended on or about October 5, 2005 when his Internet service provider received a cease and desist order alleging infringement of copyright by use of the term “Black Dragon Fighting Society”, by a pre-existing martial arts organization using that name. While he disputes the merit of the claims, which were never tried in court, Kim removed the offending material from his site as part of a deal with his service provider to reactivate the site, and has explained his side of the story on his website. ^[5]

"Shit List"

Kim, in response to controversy and critics, maintains what he calls a “Shit List” on his website which states:

“We have encountered not a few individuals who, by their bad behavior as well as shabby and rude treatment of others, warrant some attention. In the first book we did on Ninjitsu, we included a Mandamus, a warning, never to steal this knowledge, lest the thief incur the wrath of our astral spies and occult guards, which are everywhere. And how true that warning is. For you and I, my friends, are those spies and guards. And now is the time to deliver our wrath.
Therefore, posted on this site, shall be the names of those who have offended our most noble Brotherhood and the reasons for their dishonor, and the action we shall ask you to take against them, so that all will know how they have earned this disfavor and the justification of the penalty they have incurred.” ^[6]

This list includes Wikipedia and its founder Jimbo Wales, Bullshido.net and owner Neal “Phrost” Fletcher, Paladin Press, Citadel Press, Amazon.com, and others whom Kim considers as antagonists. In the case of Wales and Fletcher, Kim has included personal information to assist people to take action against them.

$10,000 Challenge

In what Kim describes as an effort to quiet his critics and suppress their challenges, Kim has established rules for a “$10,000 Challenge” for those wishing to test his skill^[7]. These rules place significant financial and legal demands on challengers, who are required to pay $10,000 as well as post a $25,000 bond and cover all expenses of the event. In one documented instance, Kim refused to take on a challenger who put up money in compliance with the challenge conditions.^[8]
Furthermore, stipulations regarding the match itself are as heavily skewed against the challenger such as the opponent losing if his shoulders touch the ground for more than 5 seconds.

Published books

★ ''Ninja Death Touch.'' Paladin Press, 1983. ISBN 0-87364-257-0

★ ''Dragon Lady of the Ninja.'' Paladin Press, 1984.

★ ''Forbidden Fighting Techniques of the Ninja.'' Citadel Press, 1985. ISBN 0-8065-0957-0

★ ''Ninja Hands of Death.'' Paladin Press, 1985. ISBN 0-87364-322-4

★ ''Secrets of the Ninja.'' Berkley Publishing Group, 1985. ISBN 0-425-08391-8

★ ''Ninja Secrets of Invisibility.'' Berkley Publishing Group, 1986. ISBN 0-425-08788-3

★ ''Ninja Cloak and Dagger: Espionage and Weapon Techniques.'' Paladin Press, 1987. ISBN 0-87364-419-0

★ ''Deadly Grip of the Ninja: Lethal Throws and Takedowns.'' Paladin Press, 1987.

★ ''Ninja Mind Control.'' Berkley Publishing Group, 1987. ISBN 0-425-09894-X

★ ''The Invisible Ninja: Ancient Secrets of Surprise.'' Citadel Press, 1997. ISBN 0-8065-1873-1

★ ''Iron Body Ninja: The Secrets of Superior Strength.'' Citadel Press, 1997. ISBN 0-8065-1910-X

★ ''The Invisible Fist: Secret Ninja Methods of Vanishing Without a Trace.'' Citadel Press, 1998. ISBN 0-8065-2018-3

★ ''Ninjitsu for Women: Ninja Secrets of Defensive Fighting.'' Citadel Press, 2000. ISBN 0-8065-2145-7

★ ''How to Become a Ninja: Secrets from Ashida Kim's Training Camp.'' Kim, Ashida & anonymous co-author. Citadel Press, 1995. ISBN 0-8065-1558-9.

See also

★ Neo-ninja

References

1. Description of Academy
2. Website description
3. Bullshido.net article
4. Paladin Lawsuit
5. "Black Dragon" name
6. "Shit list"
7. “,000 Challenge”
8. [1]

External links

★ Official website

★ DojoPress

★ Bullshido: “Ashida Kim's Identity and Black Belt Mill Exposed”

★ Book review of Ashida Kim's ''Mugei Mumei no Jitsu''