In Memoriam

The martial arts community has experienced a most profound loss. The founder of the American Goju karate system, O' Sensei Peter Urban passed away on April 7, 2004. Shihan Manuel had the privilege to study with him and they were close personal friends. O' Sensei Urban was one of the first to bring the martial arts to America, having studied with the great Okinawan and Japanese masters through the 40's, 50's, and 60's. Technically, O' Sensei Urban is the third in line for our Goju lineage. Miyagi founded Goju, passed it to Yamaguchi, and O' Sensei Urban was Yamaguchi's student, having also studied with Mas Oyama and Richard Kim. O' Sensei Urban started one of the first American karate dojos in, of all places, Chinatown, New York. This was unheard of at the time. O' Sensei Peter Urban was truly a pioneer of the martial arts in every sense of the word. He persevered and taught hundreds of people from all ethnic backgrounds karate - he eventually founded his own system, American Goju. Many of his students have gone on to become distinguished karate masters themselves, always acknowledging the vital role O' Sensei Urban played as their instructor. He was known as "the Great Lion of Karate" and "America's Greatest Career Sensei", having totally devoted his every waking moment to the arts. We must all carry on the spirit of Goju as embodied in our beloved Grandmaster Urban. Here are just a few photos of one of the martial arts greatest warriors and instructors.

It is with the utmost sadness that we must acknowledge the loss of one of our own Modern Bujutsu family, the beloved Master Richard Smith. One of the foremost students of Shihan Manuel, Master Smith was a highly respected instructor and competitor, achieving the noble honor of Godan Renshi, 5th Degree Black Belt. The entire Modern Bujutsu family sends their most sincere condolences to his family and friends. Master Smith embodied the essence of the Goju and Bujutsu spirts and his legacy will forever be found in the many students and colleagues whom he touched with his wisdom and kindness.

We mourn the passing of the beloved Earl Townsend, a member of our Olympic Center / Modern Bujutsu family.

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of the beloved Dr. Wilfredo Matias, master of Modern Arnis and founder of Arnis Karate. on September 6, 2005. Dr. Matias was a leading proponent of Grandmaster Remy Presas' Modern Arnis, a superior martial artist, and a dear friend of the Modern Bujutsu martial arts family. Dr. Matias had been at our dojo just two months ago to share with us his extraordinary knowledge of the Filipino martial arts. He amazed us with his extraordinary technique and charmed us with his warmth and wit. He will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

The Modern Bujutsu Center family under the direction of Shihan Marty Manuel extends our deepest sympathies to the Sayoc family and all who have been privileged to study with Tatang "Bo" Sayoc. We were most fortunate to host a seminar with Master Sayoc several years ago in Vineland, New Jersey. The Sayoc system he shared with us was superb but all in attendance were equally impressed with his kind demeanor and sincere humility, signs of a truly great man. Shihan Manuel and Tatang Sayoc struck up a wonderful friendship and he will be dearly missed by all here at the Modern Bujutsu Centers.