Kami No Kanazuchi Kai Ju Jitsu

THE FOUNDERS

[left: 1999]------------- [right: Drug Checkpoint 2000]

Shodai Soke Pat J. Merriman, Ph.D

• 3259 E. Sunshine, Suite I
• Springfield, Missouri 65804
• (417) 886-1600
• e-mail martiallaw@hushmail.com

Training:

• General: Began training as a small child in Kansas City, Missouri.  Attained formal ranking in Bushidokan karate at age 16. Began to tournament fight and teach seminars at age 23 and continued saber and foil fencing during college years (1980-83). In 1987, returned to martial arts at Yu’s Academy of Hap Ki Do in St. Joseph, Missouri, and awarded Sam Dan on 11 March 1995. Awarded Nidan in Shiho Karano Ju-Jitsu 14 September 1996. Awarded Godan in Sido Ryu Aiki Ju Jitsu on 29 April 1997. Founded own system of Aiki Ju Jitsu 1 September 1998. Promoted to Head Founder and 8th Dan (professor) by Dr. E.A. Moore and the OLD World Martial Arts Hall of fame on 27 March 1999. In 2000, developed STRAP training matrix for CQC (both US Army and civilian Missouri law enforcement) with Scott Cheek. Promoted to full doctorate in martial arts by Dr. E.A. Moore, March 24, 2001.
• World Martial Arts Hall of Fame: Cleveland Heights, Ohio. 27 March 1999, inducted as Head Founder, Sokeship, Head Families Award Winner; promoted to 8th Dan by Dr. E.A. Moore, Ph.D., SC.D; and named to Soke Board and Executive Board as new Director of Security and Legal Affairs. On 24 March 2001 granted full doctorate in martial arts by Dr. E.A. Moore.
• Kokon Ryu Bujutsu Renmei International Martial Arts Association, 11 May 2001 promoted to Shachi Dan in Ju Jitsu and San Dan in Hap Ki Do by Dr. Burdine and the other members of the Kokon Ryu Bujutsu Renmei International Martial Arts Association. On 10 July 2001, appointed as Missouri State Representative and to the Shihan Council of this august organization.
• United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame & International Martial Arts Counci, 30 July 2005, awarded Publisher of the Year by Prof. Cale, Dr. Netherland and the IMAC governing board. Also appointed as a member of the Grandmasters & Headfounders Board of this elite organization.
• Kami No Kanazuchi Kai (God’s Hammer School of Ju Jitsu), Springfield, Missouri. November 1, 1990, thru present, have acted as senior instructor and owner of local do jang specializing in Hap Ki Do, Aiki Jujitsu, police and defensive tactics. Founded my own system of Aiki Ju Jitsu on 8 September 1999. 
• Controlled Force Tactical Training Systems, Las Vegas, Nevada. December 14, 2007, thru present, Certified Level 1 and Level 2 Instructor Certification for mechanical advantage holds, take-down and handcuffing, Arrest Tactics, MACH baton tactics, In-Holster Weapon Retention, Hand-to-Hand Disruption, Knife Awareness & Defense, Ground Defense & Escapes, Out-of-Holster Sidearm Retention, & Disarming. Also, guest instructor at annual USNSTSA training conference in Use of Force & Liability.  
• Marksman-Observer Certification, 2007 2-time, Missouri POST-Approved 5-day, in-country Certified Law Enforcement Precision Marksman-Observer (Remington, Model 700 R-5 Mil Spec .308); and, 15 April 2007 3rd Place, Old Warrior's Division Assault Course (Bolt Rifle, Sub-Gun & Sidearm) Houston, Missouri. 

Links:

Class Schedules & General Info about the Academy

Christian Martial Arts

The Hall of Fame Page

Legal Updates: Martial Arts & the Law

Soke Merriman's Curriculum Vitae

Springfield, Missouri, Police Department, Springfield, Missouri. February 15, 1990, thru April 1, 1996, certified academy instructor for training law enforcement personnel. Areas of expertise: arrest, search & seizure, narcotics interdiction, report writing, in-court testimony, and hand-to-hand combat. Defensive Coordinator for City Police Champion Guns football.

Missouri Sheriff’s Association Training Academy, Jefferson City, Missouri. January 1, 1995, thru present, senior instructor specializing in: Constitutional Law, Tactical Training, Practical Investigative Skills, Situational Training, Use of Force and Liability. Co-founder of S.T.R.A.P. Control Options program for arrest and use of force. Also, original OTC trainer for corrections personnel, State of Missouri..

The IDORA Group, Springfield, Missouri. June 30, 1994, thru present, owner and senior instructor of consulting group specializing in all areas named above.

FIST, INC., New, York, NY, Senior Instructor since 1995 specializing in all areas listed above.

Education: For Mr. Merrimans curriculum vitae, visit the Legal Updates Link.

Publications:  For a complete list of Soke Merriman's publications click here

Martial Arts

• Highest rank held is 9th Dan in Aka Ryu Shakai Kempo awarded by Dr. E. A. Moore in March, 2000. Also hold: 7th Dan in Shiho Karano Ryu Ju Jitsu from Sijo Dr. Edgar G. Roberts (deceased)-1985; and 3rd Dan in Go Shin Jitsu from Shihan Marvin Sikes (father)-1985. Founder of Sido Ryu Budo Association. Assisted Shinan Pat J. Merriman in founding Kami No Kanazuchi Kai Ryu (God’s Hammer School of Ju Jitsu)-1998.

Vocation

• Priest, Roman Catholic Church. Ordained Roman Catholic Priest 2000. Glorifying God through martial arts.

Affiliations Numerous Christian forums for the Christian faith and the martial arts in general.

SOKE

Sempai and full Instructor, Kami No Kanazuchi Kai Ryu hanbo, Sixth Dan in Aiki Ju Jitsu awarded by Soke Pat J. Merriman on January 13, 2001. Sixth dan promotion in his own karate system Stillpoint Traditional Martial Arts; and inducted into the Hall of Fame in his own right as a Soke, outstanding lifetime achievement, and as Vice President for the Sport's Medicine Division of the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame on March 24, 2001, by unanimous vote of the Board and Dr. E.A. Moore.

David departed this life on Friday, April 13, 2001, in Seoul, South Korea, at 02:00 a.m., leaving his wife of only 5 months Janel. He was donating his time (as he did each year) to work in the local hospital. David we love you and you are sorely missed, my brother.

RENSHEI

• Renshei and Master's License, Kami No Kanazuchi Kai Ryu hanbo, Fifth Dan in Hap Ki Jitsu awarded by Soke Pat J. Merriman on October 8, 2005. Shodan in Shiho Karano Ryu Ju Jitsu from Dr. Clement Riedner-1997. Nidan in Sido Ryu ju jitsu awarded by Soke Scott M. Sikes-1998.
• Original S.T.R.A.P. trainer and expert in police and close-quarter combat for Missouri Sheriff's Training Academy and OTC, Springfield, Missouri.
• Master's Thesis for Godan for tactical use of collapsible baton in its collapsed state.

• Retired Deputy Sheriff, Greene County, Missouri. August 1, 1989, through April 11, 2008. Duties have included all aspects of policing, arrest, search, seizure, etc. in Missouri's third largest jurisdiction.

• Kohai and Full Instructor, Kami No Kanazuchi Kai Ryu hanbo, Fourth Dan in Hap Ki Do awarded by Soke Pat J. Merriman on January 13, 2001. Shodan in Shiho Karano Ryu Ju Jitsu from Dr. Clement Riedner-1997. Nidan in Sido Ryu ju jitsu awarded by Soke Scott M. Sikes-1998. Black Belt Tae Kwon Do 1990.

• Chief Financial Officer, Liberty Bank of Springfield, Missouri.

• Soke Dai and Full Instructor at the hanbo--street fighting, Hap Ki Do and Aiki Ju Jitsu.
• Do Jo National sparring champion (8-10 year olds) Black Belt Division, 1995-97, Kami No Kanazuchi Kai Ryu hanbo.
• Fourth Dan in Hap Ki Do awarded by Soke Pat J. Merriman on June 10, 2006.
• World Champion, World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, men's tiger division in open kumite, March 24, 2001.
• 2004 Inductee into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame as outstanding young, male instructor.
• Varsity wrestling and track, Republic High School, Republic, Missouri, 2003-06.
• 2004 trainer of the year at the hanbo for gold medal winner Julie Kolar, adult women's kumite.
• Creator of the Kami No Kanazuchi Kai Demonstration Team, 2005.
• 2006 Recipient of United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame 4th Dan in Hap Ki Do and certification.

• Deputy Sheriff, Pulaski County, Missouri. Duties have included all aspects of policing including prior employment in Atlanta, GA, as street officer and tactical duties with that department..
• Tactical Trainer, Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri.

• Asst. Instructor in charge of discontinued Women's Division, Kami No Kanazuchi Kai Ryu hanbo, Second Dan in Hap Ki Do and Aiki Ju Jitsu awarded by Soke Pat J. Merriman on September 26, 1998; Third Dan in Aiki Ju Jitsu, December 13, 1998.
• National Cheer-leading competitor in Competi-Cheer International.

• Asst. Instructor, discontinued Women's Division, Kami No Kanazuchi Kai Ryu hanbo, Shodan in Aiki Ju Jitsu awarded by Soke Pat J. Merriman on February 12, 2005.
• Gold medal winner, kumite 2004 World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Women's Intermediate Division.

• Youth Care Worker & Recreational Programmer, Milano House, Nixa, Missouri.
• Candidate for Master's Program, MSU Psychology Dept.
• Married, Traditional Catholic with new son Thaddeus born 2007.