Mizu-Ryu Ju-jitsu / Soke Marty Ferrick

**sunset plumeria** · 01-22-2008, 21:42

This is my first post here. And I have question I'm hoping someone can answer.

Has anybody heard of Mizu-Ryu Ju-Jitsu and its founder, Soke Marty Ferrick?

I'm asking because I was invited to join a recently formed non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of women in the martial arts. One of the co-founders is the daughter of Soke Marty Ferrick, and, thus, would like to know more about the people I will be associating with assuming I do join.

Thanks for any information.

**Webmaster** · 01-22-2008, 22:58

Originally Posted by sunset plumeria

This is my first post here. And I have question I'm hoping someone can answer.

Has anybody heard of Mizu-Ryu Ju-Jitsu and its founder, Soke Marty Ferrick?

I'm asking because I was invited to join a recently formed non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of women in the martial arts. One of the co-founders is the daughter of Soke Marty Ferrick, and, thus, would like to know more about the people I will be associating with assuming I do join.

Thanks for any information.

Lynn:

I'll do a little research, but just offhand, any Westerner claiming to be a "Soke" is enough to send off alarm bells for me. Soke BTW does NOT mean "founder", and it's use by Westerners with regard to martial arts is pretty much wrong.

If you would like to do a little reading, check out the below article. It explains the use of the Soke title in it's historic context, and I think you'll get my drift from the above paragraph that much better.

http://www.koryu.com/library/wbodiford1.html

**Jonathan Randall** · 01-22-2008, 23:55

Something I pulled up on the gent:

Grandmaster of the Year 2005 (Apparently there were 10 Grandmasters selected):

"From Florida - Grandmaster Marty Ferrick - member World Head of Family Sokeship Council"
http://www.bushido.org/hof/awards05.html

- My suggestion? Do a little research on this group and draw you own conclusions as to whether you wish to be associated with them or not.

**Mekugi** · 01-23-2008, 08:32

I would be VERY skeptical.

There is some video of him on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKD_XDt-W3E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1in6zp6Ao8&NR=1

Here is what a Youtube search produced on Mizu Ryu:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Mizu+Ryu

**Koshu** · 01-23-2008, 11:33

Hi Lynn --- Welcome!

The use of "soke" for marketing and chest-thumping purposes in the west aside, perhaps it makes sense to look into the organization the Mizu-ryu folks are starting (e.g. see their mission, by-laws, verify status as a registered non-profit, etc.). Maybe that has merit, regardless of whether or not the art does. That said, it'd be one thing if they're sincere in their goal to promote the roles of women in the martial arts in general, vs. promoting their eclectic neo-"jujitsu" in particular to women.

On the latter note, found this bio online. Seems his "jujitsu" training amounts to Vee Arnis Jutsu, which has Small Circle Jujutsu influences, though his main arts are TKD and karate. According to the bio, he attained the rank of godan (5th-degree black belt) within just three years (started training in VAJ 1976 or later and got godan in 1979): big bullshido red flag, unfortunately (lots of self-professed shihan and soke like to pass out high ranks to each other like they're in a service club). As you know from studying Krav Maga, or any legit art that has very specific requirements for attaining a black-belt rank, it's hard to get to 1st-degree black belt in three years, let alone 5th.

**Koshu** · 01-23-2008, 17:12

Lynn --- Is this the organization you were asking about? If so, I noticed that it was founded by Ferrick's daughter (who is likewise, argh, inducted into the same soke factory as her dad) and Mike Inay's daughter, so a martial-arts organization for women by women, which at first blush is a welcome thing.

Anyway, be curious to see what other mitigating info Robert, et al dredge up.

**Jonathan Randall** · 01-23-2008, 20:37

Originally Posted by Jeff C.

To a point. Not everyone listed on there bought into their nonsense. Such as....me! Sometimes organizations nominate folks to add credibility to their existence.

Jeff Cook

My apologies, Soke Grandmaster Cook...

Seriously, though, I know they often put high-level and/or well known folks, willingly or not, IIRC, in their "Hall of Fame", but I thought I saw somewhere that the fellow had maid some nominations of his own - thus a greater connection is implied.

**Webmaster** · 01-23-2008, 21:31

It would seem that Mr. Ferrick is not very original and took the name from another group that has already laid claim to it. The Mizu-Ryu that everyone has found links on is for an art taught in Italy. Their website is at http://www.mizuryu.com/it/mizuryu/mizuryu.asp and since I do not speak or read Italian, I cannot tell you a whole lot except that I suspect they are a JJIF related organization.

On the other hand, Mr. Ferrick's website is located at http://www.mrjujitsu.net (I just love the "Mr. Jujitsu" bit"). Anyway, my impression is not too favorable, and I would have nothing to do with them. So the bottom line Lynn is you need to make up your own mind. Since you train in the FMA, how is Mr. Ferrick viewed in that community?

**Mekugi** · 01-24-2008, 07:36

Originally Posted by Webmaster

So the bottom line Lynn is you need to make up your own mind. Since you train in the FMA, how is Mr. Ferrick viewed in that community?

There we go...very impartial. Kudos!

**Dale Lackey** · 01-24-2008, 22:32

Originally Posted by Chris McLean

After reading Mr. Merrick's resume the one question I had come up was about his rank promotions.
It says he parted ways with his instructor in 1985 and founded the Mizu-ryu.
Then in 1995 he was promoted to 7th dan in Mizu-ryu and then in 2000 he was promoted to 8th dan in Mizu-ryu.
My question is who promoted him to the ranks of 7th dan and 8th dan?
Being promoted to a particular rank in a style means a person of higher rank in that style promoted you. This is why most people who create an eclectic style do it after being promoted to 8th dan. Then most have been at 8th dan for decades and have an impeccable lineage.
It is good practice to make available the contact information of your teachers and list their teachers as well just helps to keep the lineage straight for inquiries like this.
The word “ryu” to me suggest that there is a lineage that can be traced back from teacher to student for generations back to Japan, so knowing who the teachers are is critical information if it is going to be a “ryu”.

I've seen this. What happens is, an instructor contacts an organization to sponsor his/her new art. They review the particulars, based on their own guidelines and then either supports the instructor or not and gives him a rank in his/her new art if they do. I've seen everything from 5th dan to 9th dan. From then on, this organization gives him rank from time to time, until he/she gets 10th dan. Pretty simple.

**dunn_ginger** · 01-31-2008, 16:38

Hi Sunset Plumeria!

I am Ginger Dunn, the President of DOTA, the organization you are asking about. I am not responding to influence you in one way or the other. As a matter of fact, I think it is very wise for you to do your homework. However, I would like to provide you with a few facts.

First of all, we are brand new. We've only begun organizing less than 3 months ago. We are still in the process of receiving our own 501 c(3) - Non-Profit Status from the Federal Government, but in the mean time we are functioning as a non-profit by acting as a branch of Suigetsukan, an established non-profit martial arts school. Our website (www.dotaorg.com) has a ton of information on it regarding our personal histories, current events, and even martial arts scholarship information. Because we are so new, we are trying to advertise our name and build our community...many people have not heard of us yet and you may not find a lot of information.

If your looking for references, our closest associations are of course, Mizu-Ryu (my father's system), Inayan System of Eskrima (my co-founder's father's art), Kilohana Martial Arts Association, and Mushin Goju Ryu.

In regards to my history and my father's system...I won't get long winded. In short, I can tell you that he was awarded is rank and title through the World Head of Family Sokeship Council (http://www.bushido.org/whfsc/). You will find his name on their website. You can also read about my father's history on his school's site, www.mrjujitsu.net.

I hope this answers some of your questions. Good luck with your decision and in your training.

Sincerely,
Ginger Dunn

**TonyU** · 01-31-2008, 17:27

Originally Posted by dunn_ginger

In regards to my history and my father's system...I won't get long winded. In short, I can tell you that he was awarded is rank and title through the World Head of Family Sokeship Council (http://www.bushido.org/whfsc/). You will find his name on their website. You can also read about my father's history on his school's site, www.mrjujitsu.net.

Sincerely,
Ginger Dunn

Don't need to be long winded. The above quote says it all.
Miss Dunn, welcome to Budoseek and while I applaude you efforts to explain your organization please do a search here and on other boards on the word soke and the World Head of Family Sokeship Council and you'll get a better understanding how they are viewed by any serious martial artist.

**dunn_ginger** · 01-31-2008, 18:02

I believe we all take ourselves very seriously, sir.

Today is also my first day on this site. I signed on to give Lynn the references that she was requesting.

Now she, or anyone who is interested, can review the information and make their own decisions.

**Webmaster** · 01-31-2008, 20:37

Originally Posted by dunn_ginger

I believe we all take ourselves very seriously, sir.

As much as you'll seem to be into self-important titles, maybe you take yourself a bit too seriously.

Anyway, welcome and do yourself a favor and talk to Jeff. These Sokeship organizations are the kiss of death to your reputation. God knows I have thrown hundreds of invitations to these silly groups in my trash over the years. On the other hand, if you are interested in belonging to a quality organization, with widespread acceptance (across the entire galaxy), try this one out.

**Mekugi** · 02-09-2008, 10:22

Originally Posted by Webmaster

On the other hand, if you are interested in belonging to a quality organization, with widespread acceptance (across the entire galaxy), try this one out.

I hoped they joined....