Soke Dossett is a man that has been involved in the Martial arts longer than most of us practicing it today have been alive. Here he talks frankly about the way it was and what he hopes will happen for the Martial Arts.

Martin Blakeway - I can trace records going back to 1958, that's 43 years ago - a long time ago - what was the Martial Art scene like back in those days?.
Soke Brian Dossett - It was mainly Judo followed by Karate. And after a few years politics began showing its evil ways and judo and Karate had break away problems. The BJJA and BJJC represented Judo and Karate styles were created. Other art such as Chinese Kung Fu and Japanese Jujitsu & Aikido were hardly heard of although it has been claimed that Judo and Karate came from Jujitsu.

MB - Why do you think this was?
Soke - Like everything different opinions create seeking spirits. When I was in the navy I new there were Japanese Karate Instructors who left Japan as 1st Dan's and got of the plane in London as 5th Dan's opening clubs to the gullible. If you looked oriental you could get away with it due to the myths related to the Martial arts. From this came dictatorship, greed and political interference which led to the foundation of the Martial art commission. Governing body within the UK for Martial Arts.

MB- Are you saying the Instructors were not what they claimed ?
Soke - Yes, even in Japan there were self graded masters and break away styles but in those days Japan and China were far away places so no-one was in a position to challenge the myths. When they were challenged us Brits beat those who claimed foundation and we became world champions - and we are still doing it today.

MB - Are you saying there are no good oriental instructors ?
Soke - Of course not. All I am saying is if you are not allowed to question what is taught - put a question mark on the Instructor. When I asked a question I was told "Grasshopper - you are not ready for answer". I went along with this until I realised there was no answer to my questions.

MB - How do you know this ?
Soke - I challenged Martial art Instructors to catch my left jab and lock it up. They declined knowing whilst my jab would not stay there long enough to be caught - and if it was the right hook was on its way. I studied boxing and compared boxing moves to traditional Martial Arts. Walking up and down the Dojo hitting and kicking thin air in my opinion was great for the body movement and imagination but pointless for real self-defense.

MB - You must have disrupted many traditional thinkers.
Soke - Yes but that was their problem not mine. I threw blinkers away in 1960 when I founded my cross training, free style method - Spirit Combat.

MB - So cross training and free style is nothing new ?
Soke - Not in my opinion because when I founded Spirit Combat I used western boxing techniques, throws of Judo and ground work of wrestling. Our syllabus today is still based on that plus slight revisions throughout the years mainly to cater for the day and age we live in.

MB - Is traditional training necessary today ?
Soke - Only if students want traditions. Martial arts were designed for the battle field but the battle field has changed and in some cases traditions have not. So be it. Traditions, history are important. It is nice to know what the soil is made of that built the tree - but lets not ignore the branches.

MB - What would you call the branches ?
Soke - Martial Means Military. Art means tradition. Martial Arts were born and will remain. Martial Art is the tree. Martial ways are branches from that tree. Most Martial Ways include today's free styles unexpected in the 60's yet booming in with today's society. Spirit Combat was a free style back in 1960. Martial sports - the competitive side of the arts is growing and that is another type of branch. Then there is self-defence. Our Military use unarmed combat and there is little difference between self- defence and unarmed combat. The question is where does self- defence fit in with Martial Arts - ways or sport.

MB - So what do you think ?
Soke - Difficult to define so all I can do is give you my ideas for the future. We have a sports council so Martial Sports should be supported by the Sports Council. Martial Arts should be supported by the arts and self-Defence should be supported by our own British forces. They are three different areas although similar - as is ballroom dancing similar to ballet dancing. Both are dance movements yet both are different. Basketball & Football both use a ball and have teams yet both are different. If ballet & ballroom, football and basketball can have their own governing body then why can't Martial Arts, ways, Sport and self-defence. Our British forces are our Nation self -defence authority & I see no problem other than administration.

MB - You have been involved in Martial Arts for over 40 years. You are 61 and still compete - where will you go from here ?
Soke - With people such as you in my house I have no problem because its the young stallions who will go out and do what has to be done. I will continue competing to test my body and mind. Being over 60 don't mean you remain still. I am here to give all I can to guys like you and at the same time fight for truth, justice and honor. My problem is keeping up with today's technology because in my days we had no TV. All we had was a radio worked by valves and we had to make our own entertainment. Under the street gas lamp. Today there are many blessings but in most cases the TV and computer box has limited imagination which may have led to a brain full of knowledge but a body which is dead.

MB - Soke is there anything you would like to finish with ?
Soke - Just continue to enjoy the day and I am around to do my bit. Do not hesitate to approach me for a chat.

Soke Brian Dossett speaking at the NEC crouds in April 2001

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