Iss-Hogai, An American Jujitsu is a dynamic system of advanced self defense founded by, now U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee, 9th Dan Duane R. Ethington in 1986. The name is pronounced Iss Ho Guy and means “For Life” or “Pathway of Life”. The name is the only thing foreign about the system as all else begins and ends with Mr. Ethington. The system, itself, is a composite of all Mr. Ethington has learned during his 40 years in martial arts and encompasses techniques from Tae Kwon Do, Jeet June Do, Aikido, Hapkido, Judo, Boxing and Wrestling. Iss-Hogai was officially recognized as a legitimate system by Grand Master Keith D. Yates and the A-Kato (American Karate and Tae Kwon Do Organization) in 1999. Mr. Ethington presently holds the rank of 8th degree black belt in both Tae Kwon Do and Jujitsu and is a former Board of Directors member for that organization as well as a former member of Chuck Norris’ Master’s Council for Kick-Start. After experimenting with Jujitsu for several years, Mr. Ethington began to teach a few of his advanced students some techniques to enhance their regular TKD arsenals. As the years rolled by, Mr. Ethington, learned more and more from various instructors until, eventually, he realized that his knowledge was as broad as some he saw teaching the various systems. Wanting to start his own system, but no wanting to be under the thumb of any governing body or organization of Jujitsu, he began teaching nothing but Jujitsu. In the beginning, he referred to it as “Duane’s Jujitsu” but realized that this sounded too vain. Then one of his black belts, Shannon Harvey suggested Iss-Hogai and the name was immediately adopted for the style. It is called an American Jujitsu because it all stems from Mr. Ethington and is not regulated by a foreign body. Mr. Ethington will quickly tell you that by naming it thus, he in no way means any disrespect to any other system or any other instructor teaching any other forms of Jujitsu. Iss-Hogai is not a ‘grappling’ system, per say, although much ground work is taught within its scope. It is more of a ‘small circle’ system and is closely akin to Hapkido, Aikido and Jeet Kune Do. The curriculum of the system changes periodically to encompass anything new that Mr. Ethington learns and feels will benefit the system, itself. Therefore, through the years, the belt requirements are a bit different for each class. However, the main body of works remains steadfast and is comparable to any other system in the land. The existing board of Directors for Iss-Hogai is as follows:
The Belt Ranking System for Iss-Hogai is as Follows:
(Note: A certain amount of latitude is given by Head Instructors in both belt colors and teaching techniques. However, ALL of them MUST keep the basic structure and techniques "alive" in the system as this is the ONLY way to maintain the high level of integrity of the entire system. NO instructor is permitted to weaken the system by teaching "watered down" techniques or by cutting corners. All materials and belt requirements are set up and approved by Mr. Ethington and the Board of Directors.) A list of current Iss-Hogai Black Belts are as follows:
Presently Iss-Hogai is being taught by Mr. Ethington every Saturday morning at 10:00 am and Monday night at 7:00 pm at the Rowlett Community Center. SEMINARS ARE AVAILABLE BY CONTACTING MR. ETHINGTON AT THIS WEB SITE OR BY EMAILING HIM AT DUAETH@TX.RR.COM Thank you for visiting. |
