MICHAEL GOOKIN: A MODERN SAMURAI

Satori-Ryu Budo is the creation of my Sensei, Soke Dale Kirby, who trained under Japanese Masters in multiple styles of Martial Arts. Satori-Ryu Budo is the Way of the Enlightened Warrior, pursuing the Lifestyle of the Modern Samurai.  The Modern Samurai is not one who goes around seeking violence and confrontations.  Being a warrior is not about fighting, it’s not about who is toughest in a fight. Being a warrior is about taking care of your responsibilities. Responsibilities come from many different directions and areas of your life. Those can include, but are not limited to Spiritual Beliefs, family, country, employers, and society.  How you deal with those responsibilities define who you are.  The Modern Samurai is one who is responsible and accountable for their own actions, one who takes care of responsibilities, accepting the hardships and the rewards equally.  Students who demonstrate those standards are recognized by awarding them the title of Modern Samurai. Michael Gookin demonstrates these qualities and this is his story in his own words:

When I was very young, I want to say around 6 years old, I was introduced to the Martial Arts through watching Bruce Lee movies with my father.  I loved the action in the movies but had no clue the impact the martial arts would have on me.  Later on, I watched the movie “Executioners From Shaolin”.  I fell in love with Tiger Style Kung Fu.   I began asking my friends in school about Kung Fu.  During this time there was a lot of mystique surrounding martial arts, but also a lot of stereotypes about Asian people in general and racism was prevalent in a lot of families, so valid information was not easy for me to find.  Around 9 years old I ran into an exchange student who would change my life forever.  His name was Yoshinaka Kiso (note:  this is a Japanese name, so the family name is presented first and the personal name second).  We had a cartoon we loved to watch together: Space Battleship Yamato.  We became friends very fast, and this led to his father, Takahiro, considering me to be like his “American son” and he began training me in their family’s sword style.  It isn’t an officially recognized system; it was just passed down over time.  Also, during this time, friends would show me different moves in what I would learn later was Hung Gar Kung Fu.  Again, no formal training, just things learned from friends, but this would only serve to increase my desire to train.  My formal training would start many years later in Goju Ryu Karate under Sensei Steven Cathey.  It was love at first block.  I had found a martial art I loved as much as I loved training with a katana with Takahiro (Kiso’s father).  As time passed, I had to stop training in Goju Ryu Karate because of my family’s financial strain, but I did not stop trying to pick up all I that I could and training with the Yoshinaka family. 

I started college and had to just keep in practice with what I knew, and sparing with other guys who studied martial arts.  It was my experience that no matter what a person trained in, we martial artists had an instant kinship.  After marriage, I sought out teaching in Wing Chun, but only found another Hung Gar school, and a Tai Chi school.  My “brother” Kiso passed away in a diving accident, so I lost the ability to continue with him, my “sister” died in the line of duty and Takahiro and his wife moved back to Japan.  After divorce I did finally find a Wing Chun instructor.  I was so excited.  I threw myself into training and looked forward to every class.  Daniel also found Sensei Cichon.  He told me about the formalized katana training and my response was to instantly say “Let’s do this!”.   Shortly after starting, Early onset Parkinson’s reared it’s head.  My walking speed slowed down so much that my mother complained that old men can walk faster than I do.  My balance also started to decline.  Eventually the disease made it necessary for me to use a cane to balance myself.  During this time, I would still learn katana, but my ability to attend class slowed. My job also became very demanding, and this further slowed my progress.  Then came the dreaded week where I fell at work 4 times in the span of 5 days.  After learning I had to be put in a wheelchair I was devastated.  I went to work defeated and one of my coworkers made the comment that I would probably have to give up martial arts.  I went with Daniel to class with the idea I would have to resign.  Sensei Cichon, I think, could tell how dejected I was.   All I could do was watch class, I thought.  He told me that I could quit.  I had a good reason to, and no one could say anything about it, OR, if I was willing to try, he could work with you, Soke England, on adapting everything for my being in a wheelchair.  For the first time since meeting Kiso, the fire in me started burning.  I chose to try.  To my surprise, not many of the techniques had to be adjusted much.  Sensei Cichon and my natural brother, Daniel, would work with me to learn the techniques and Daniel worked with me so many times after class and on weekends to make sure I could do everything properly.  Also, Sensei Mike Moore would encourage me to keep training and not give up.  Between those three, and your encouragement, Soke, I had the best support to continue.  Through all the hard work, yes there was that voice telling me I would never make it to black belt.  There were times my tremors would make me drop my sword, there were days I could not even sit up because of the dizziness.  There were hardships like Takahiro passing away because of a heart condition, then his wife a few months after due to Covid 19.  That increased my desire to reach my goal, so that I could honor their legacy.  Then I met Elaine Guilloz.  Another person with a physical limitation.  Her training and pushing through things also inspired me.  The week before testing for Shodan, I was a wreck.  I was so nervous.  The day I trained for was finally here, but would I be good enough to actually achieve the rank of Shodan?  To his credit, Daniel drilled all the sword kata with me and made sure my cuts were on par.   I tested and was told I had passed.  My only regret of that day was that the Yoshinaka family, the very ones that started my journey, could not be physically present.  I like to think that in spirit they were there, and I hope to continue training as a lifelong tribute to them. 

Michael Gookin is a Modern Samurai not just because of his success in the Martial Arts. It is his success in confronting and overcoming limitations. He has faced the limitations because of his disability. But what was even harder to overcome were the limitations placed on him by society. Despite the obstacles placed in front of him, he has achieved his childhood dreams. Michael is an example to other students who face challenges that with determination and perseverance, they too can achieve their dreams.

Michael Gookin has demonstrated, through the successful confrontation with his limitations, the continued example that he sets for others, that he is a true Modern Samurai.