OUR CREATOR, LORD AND SAVIOR HAS GAINED A NEW ANGEL
Soke John B. Burkhardt
March 19, 1943 - July 19,2020
May He Forever Rest In Peace! God Speed Sir!
It is deeply troubling that we have to announce the passing of our Soke John B. Burkhardt on July 19, 2020. Soke Burkhardt was the Founder of this style of marital arts. His loving wife Judy was by his side when he went to meet our creator and his fellow loved ones above. The hearts of many people John and Judy touched are broken at this loss.
Soke Burkhardt trained under the legendary Commissioner Henry Slomanski in Fort Bragg North Carolina and was the base main instructor at one point. Burkhardt trained many soldiers on their way to Vietnam on a Naval ship, and was requested to teach them martial arts by the ships Captain. It was circa 2005 a gentleman in a diner, where Soke Burkhardt lived, recognized him from the ship and his training. He approached John and his wife Judy and acknowledged Burkhardt he knew him and that Burkhardt was in fact the ships marital arts instructor. The gentleman talked about how Burkhardt was solely responsible for saving many of his fellow soldiers lives with the training he taught. Some 40 plus years later this man was still appreciative of what he was taught and for the knowledge of Soke Burkhardt. Burkhardt was always appreciative and respectful of his training under the legendary Commissioner Henry Slomanski and Master Melvin Sauers. Soke Burkhardt always practiced believed in Bushido and insisted his students practice this as well.
Soke Burkhardt trained hundreds of students yet only awarded very few their black belt because of the difficult training and testing it takes for one to make this rank. This style is not the marital arts today, this is a lame and kill marital art that is taught behind closed doors! Soke’s pride was never commercialism and it was always about traditionalism. He never made a profit in his teachings and was offered many financial rewards to impart these techniques even from Hollywood producers. Burkhardt carefully chose who he trained based on their character. If he felt you were not worthy he would refuse to train you.
He started the Dojo Of Self Defense whereby one of his students he personally trained is in the Guinness Book of World Records for what Burkhardt taught him. Burkhardt would always say,” I taught what Henry and Melvin taught me and you must give credit where credit was due.”
He worked with the youth as a police officer in the Borough Of Westville, New Jersey doing DARE before it was called DARE. He was an avid hunter and fisherman in his illustrious life. However, the true love of his life was his phenomenal wife, Judy. This was the definition of a “marriage made in heaven” for 53 years.
He was involved in many different aspect of different businesses as referenced in the attached obituary and was always extremely successful with his brilliant business mind. A man who had foresight where others couldn’t or didn’t see.
Mugoi Gijutsu Karate Do will continue as per Soke Burkhardt’s wishes and will be taken over by his lifelong student and friend Hanshi Les Whinna 8th dan who was designated as the Heir Apparent to succeed him before he died. As with the traditions of Japanese martial arts, Hanshi will take over all the training and oversee the daily operation of this organization and will succeed as the new Grand Master 10th Degree Judan. Mrs. Burkhardt will oversee and have 100% control over all aspects of Soke Burkhardt’s name and marital arts history. Mrs. Burkhardt. who is also a black belt herself will be the confidant and advisor to Grand Master Les Whinna with all dealings pertaining to this organization’s business.
By Order of Grand Master Les Whinna this organization will never use the title of Soke and will only be utilized as it refers to Soke John B. Burkhardt, Founder, in any writings, communications or in any dojo. It is also ordered that Soke Burkhardt’s photo will be posted on all walls of any dojo to honor a man who will always be a legend. Soke Burkhardt will posthumously have the rank of 12th Dan. He will always remain above all others in this style and never shall the 12th degree or Soke be issued again in this style.
All gi’s will be adorned with the patch designed and representing Soke Burkhardt’s name affixed (see below patch) and this Mugoi Gijutsu organization.
Please find the obituary link attached below. We are saddened and heartbroken with the passing of our Supreme Grand Master, friend and confidant. This certainly is a loss for his friends and family, but also the martial arts world. This man was a living legend and his legacy will continue onward.
OBITUARY OF SUPREME GRAND MASTER/ SOKE JOHN B. BURKHARDT:
www.legacy.com/obituaries/courierpostonline/obituary.aspx?n=john-barry-burkhardt&pid=196527289I
SOKE JOHN B. BURKHARDT WROTE HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY FINALLY BEFORE HE PASSED ON JULY 19, 2020 Please Read!!
THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE CLAIMED TO BE TRAINED BY, OR TRAINED UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF HENRY SLOMANSKI, THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE. THE ONLY PROOF OF BEING TRAINED BY HENRY SLOMANSKI IS HIS SIGNATURE AND SEAL ON ANY CERTIFICATE ABSENT OF THESE DOCUMENTS THERE IS NO CREDIBILITY. Grand Master John Burkhardt has connected with so many others to assist him with their personal dealings or experiences while sharing what they have witnessed pertaining to the training of the Grand Master himself and the “BIG THREE”. They have never come forward prior to this.
“ME AND THE BIG THREE : ELVIS MELVIN AND HENRY” will be an eye opening exciting truth filled autobiography.
It is with great news and much enthusiasm, that Grand Master John B. Burkhardt has began writing his autobiography on his martial arts training. His history has been kept behind closed doors the same as the true training is conducted. He was the Main Post Instructor at Ft Benning, GA in 1964 and after that in 1965 became a 4th degree Master Instructor. After 49 years in the martial arts, he has began to write his autobiography “Me and the Big Three” Elvis, Melvin and Henry.
It is important to note that he has never made any money from his dealings with the teachings of “traditional” karate, and this book will be no exception, all proceeds will be donated to an accredited charity in memory of Henry Slomanski. Grand Master John Burkhardt was working with many charities who wish to be the recipients of his generous donations, most likely it will be for military veteran’s causes.
This book will tell the history of Supreme Grand Master Burkhardt’s own story, his up to date training and the legal issues his has been going through with people making false claims and some others who have been very unscrupulous. It will expose how he trained a person in the Guinness Book or World Records, and the many hundreds he has trained, and their place in his martial arts history. All content will be supported with documentation so the reader can verify the credibility of the author, and those who only think or claim they know the truth. The publisher is working on book with many in the martial arts world and Mrs. Burkhardt will be able to meet people who want to know the real truth of the BIG THREE from her late husband. Stay tuned as this will be scheduled to be released in the near future.
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It is with profound sadness and deep regret that we at Mugoi Gijutsu Karate Do Federation announce the passing of Hanshi James Davenport. Hanshi Davenport held the rank of Kudan 9th Degree in Chito-ryu karate-do. Our federation wishes to extend our condolences to his family, friends and to all of his students. Mugoi Gijutsu lost a good friend in the martial arts with his passing.
Soke John B. Burkhardt
Founder
Mugoi Gijutsu Karate Dosu
“. . . Karate means empty or bare handed fighting. In Japan, a karate experts hands are considered so lethal, they must be registered with the police. A trained karate man can drive his hand completely through four inches of solid wood. Social graces are also important in rising to the higher degrees of karate. Only two men in the world out rank me, in karate, both are Japanese over 65 years old. For the past 6 years, I have been the international karate champion.” – Henry Slomanski
Soke Burkhardt enhanced and improved upon his master’s teachings. However, over the years the training and methods Burkhardt was taught by Sauer and Slomanski was passed on and still being taught today the same way as to keep this lineage thriving! Soke Burkhardt oversees and governs all aspect of this lineage as he is a leading expert in the world in the Slomanski training style, rising to the highest rank Commissioner Slomanski promoted in the traditional style.
This style has produced a student who is in the Guinness Book Of World Records for taking full blows to the throat illustrating techniques, from what he was taught by his Master, Soke John B. Burkhardt.
This site is not for a commercial entity or use; we do not sell nor offer any services or make a profit. This is also not an advertisement nor endorsement of any one person or product except Soke John B. Burkhardt and the teachings of his Instructor Henry Slomanski.
This is a costly out of pocket expense, not counting the numerous hours involved in research and development of the websites. We choose to spend time and money out of our own pockets out of respect and admiration to John Burkhardt and his training under Henry Slomanski. Slomanski and Elvis Presley who was a Slomanski student is part of our history and his legacy has been left to all those who trained in this lineage and our mission is to continue on with the teachings. Henry Slomanski has been deceased for many years and has never gotten recognition he earned in his lifetime for his karate accomplishments. Our connection to him allows us to share with the world our story and as history goes we are able to tell the story of the personal trainings of Soke Burkhardt by Slomanski and one of his other Master Instructors Melvin L. Sauer. This lineage was passed down from Slomanski to Soke John Burkhardt to the many hundreds of students Burkhardt has trained over the last 48 years in his Dojos; as is the way and customs with all martial arts it is passed down from Sensei to student. The lineage goes as follows: Great Grand Master Gojen Yamaguchi and Great Grand Master T. Chitose upon their death; the authority and rank was left to Commissioner Henry Slomanski. (See Third Meanest Man In The World) Upon Commissioner Slomanski’s death it was left to Soke John B. Burkhardt.
Although Burkhardt has all the authority in the world, given to him personally from Henry Slomanski to teach for profit if he chose, he never did. Currently this style is not taught for a fee. For example, Wallace Reumann who was a Master Instructor under Slomanski had 27 schools for profit with Henry’s blessing. There was never limitation on the ability of the Master Instructor to teach, promote, or profit from their training and knowledge. However, this is the character of the man, John Burkhardt and left to the discretion of each Master Instructor in the lineage. Burkhardt never charged a fee for profit. As students of Burkhardt, dating back 48 years ago, it was an honor that Henry Slomanski’s name and seal as the Commissioner of Karate for the United States and surrounding territories were adorned on each certificate for promotion issued by Burkhardt and sanctioned by the Commissioner.
Today we disseminate our information through this website in order to honor and share Soke John B. Burkhardt’s story with the world. We share Lester Whinna’s story and training to show that this lineage is alive, continuing, and to have its rightful place in martial arts history. It is in this spirit that we will continue to pass these teachings and history down, and spread the story as far as we can reach.
All information on this site was either taken from public records or with permitted use from individuals who gave and donated them to us for public dissemination. All materials, photos, etc., supplied to us for this website and the continuing education of this art are considered gifts to be used for the sole purpose of this website as the Webmaster deems proper in their sole discretion. ALL MATERIAL DONATED OR GIVEN TO US FOR USE BECOME THE PROPERTY OF THE MUGOI GIJUTSU ORGANIZATION AND CANNOT BE RETURNED.
We try to give credit where credit is due if possible and attempt to be diligent. So, we thank all who have contributed in the past and who will continue to contribute to honor this man in the future.
All facts are accurate and correct to the best of our knowledge. We are not responsible and have NO affiliation to the fraudulent and misleading claims of others that are out there making such erroneous statements! Thank you for reading and we will continue to update this website.