Timeline

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1965 Began bujutsu training at age eleven in Sosuishi-ryu Jujutsu under Sandan Robert Dewar

1968 Began Hakkoryu jujutsu training under Yondan John Graves

1970 Awarded Shodan in Hakkoryu at age seventeen by Yondan John Graves

1971 Awarded Nidan in Hakkoryu by Yondan John Graves

1971 Served as an assistant instructor at the Georgia Aiki Kai (Atlanta, Georgia) and assisted Shihan Yamada Yoshimitsu and Sandan Rodney Grantham as they introduced Hombu Aikido in Florida

1974 Founded the Northwest Hakkoryu Kai, Matsukan Dojo in Corvallis, Oregon

1976 Moved the Northwest Hakkoryu Kai, Matsukan Dojo to Spokane, Washington

1977 Awarded Sandan in Hakkoryu under Kaiden Shihan James A. Benko, known as the father of Hakkoryu in the United States

1978 Awarded Yondan in Hakkoryu under Kaiden Shihan James A. Benko

1978 Invited by Shodai Soke Okuyama Ryuho to train in Japan as a Jiki Deshi (direct disciple) and awarded Menkyo Shihan (license of master instructor)

1978 Awarded Menkyo Kaiden Shihan (license of master instructor of the deepest mysteries)

1978 Given the practitioner’s certificate in Koho Shiatsu Igaku (Imperial method of finger pressure therapy)

1978 Given a seat on the Council of Shingi-in (life long judges), a position he held until his passing

1982 Invited back by Shodai Soke to train in Sandaikichu (three great foundation pillars), the most advanced training available in Hakkoryu, received the Sandaikichu title and awarded the Sandaikichu Makimono (scroll)

1982 Moved the Northwest Hakkoryu Kai to Monterey, California

1984 Moved the Northwest Hakkoryu Kai to Portland, Oregon

1986 Received a “Certificate of Appreciation” from Nidai Soke.

1987 Appointed to be Nishi Kaigan Mimawari Yaku (West coast overseer) during Nidai Soke’s visit to Portland

1987 Northwest Hakkoryu Kai was changed to Nishi Kaigan Hakko-ryu Kai and the Portland Dojo was given the name Hokusei Bu Hombu Dojo

1992 Accompanied his two students, Ralph Verde and Steve Glaser to the Hakkoryu So Hombu Dojo in Omiya, Japan for Menkyo Shihan training.

1996 Accompanied his student Gordon Kiyokawa to the Hakkoryu So Hombu Dojo in Omiya, Japan for Menkyo Shihan training.

1996 Received a “Certificate of Appreciation” (and a very nice sword set which was a part of the Hombu Shinden) from Nidai Soke for all of his work for the betterment of Hakkoryu.

2004 Attended the Hakkoryu Taikai in Japan. Brian’s last visit to Japan.

2004 Received a “Certificate of Appreciation” from Nidai Soke.

Much of Brian’s later work involved licensing and copyright work and trademarking the Hakkoryu name to protect it outside of Japan.

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