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World Head of Family Sokeship Council (WHFSC)

World Head of Family Sokeship Council (WHFSC) is a martial arts council of international grandmasters and masters. Founded in 1992, the group is the first American grandmasters council. WHFSC represents the various martial arts systems and disciplines worldwide. Its membership is by invitation only and consists largely of martial artists who are ranked 9th and 10th degree Dan, or equivalents.

World Head of Family Sokeship Council
Logo World Head of Family Sokeship Council
Formation1992 (1992)
FounderFrank E. Sanchez
Founded atJacksonville, Florida
TypeNGO
Purpose Martial arts association
HeadquartersJacksonville, Florida
Websitewhfsc.com
Formerly called
American Martial Arts Association
Rebranded: World Head of Family/Sokeship Council (2021)

Contents

History

Founded in 1992, the World Head of Family Sokeship Council is the first American grandmasters council.[1] It was founded by Frank E. Sanchez of Guam and resident of Florida.[2] The membership consists of exclusively those who are ranked 9th and 10th degree Dan, or equivalent[3] and is by invitation or sponsorship only.[1] However, 8th degree Dan and author Tero Laaksonen of Finland was inducted in 2012.[4] The WHFSC is a non-political organization, it respects all martial artists regardless of style or discipline and does not confer or grant Grandmaster status.[5]

In 2000, the organization had 149 members,[6] and as of February 2016, the membership stands at 293 internationally.[7] WHFSC acceptance is based upon verifiable attributes, in 2013, only two of the four nominees passed the review process and were accepted into the Sokeship Council. The WHFSC has no membership fees.[8] WHFSC accepts martial arts that are at least a decade old and practiced in no fewer than five states.[9]

Formally known as the American Martial Arts Association and the American Martial Arts Alliance, international interest caused Frank Sanchez to rename the organization to the World Head of Family Sokeship Council in 1992. Even though Guam is a U.S. territory, there was resistance to Sanchez heading a United States-based martial arts organization. Additionally, reservations from non-Japanese practitioners embracing the term "Sōke" took some time to overcome. In November 1996, Sanchez published an article in Black Belt Magazine, "What's Wrong With a Martial Artist Creating His Own System?"[10] In it he reasoned, that the current traditional systems were at one time considered eclectic and the teachings of WHFSC members like Wally Jay, Remy Presas and Bill Wallace, "...are the traditional systems of tomorrow."[7]

There are only two ways for authentic recognition as a grandmaster. One is to be designated as the legal and official successor to a martial arts system upon the death or retirement of the present grandmaster, and the other is to actually develop a new and different martial arts training style. The Council does not promote or issue rank in the martial arts. Its purpose is only to recognize those who are legitimate grandmasters.

In this world of internet diploma mills, there are many who purchase fraudulent credentials and establish themselves as masters and grandmasters. The Council filters out these unethical individuals and refuses them recognition and membership.[11]

— "The Gathering of Eagles: The World Head of Family Sokeship Council", Combat Magazine (2011)

The World Head of Family Sokeship Council is headquartered in the United States and holds annual Hall of Fame Banquet and Seminars at varying locations.[12]

Additional notes

  • The WHFSC's leadership has included Jackie Chan, Royce Gracie, Jeff Speakman, Masaaki Hatsumi, and Don Wilson since 1997.[13]
  • Founder Frank E. Sanchez was honored by Jacksonville, Florida Mayor, John Peyton in 2004, for the creation of his San-jitsu style, the formation of the WHFSC and his dedication to training for military and law enforcement.[14]
  • In recent popular culture, honorary WHFSC member, Don "The Dragon" Wilson headlines in the film, The Martial Arts Kid (2015). Of the seven additional martial artists hired to ensure authenticity, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace and Jeff Wilson (a personal protection specialist for celebrities) are also honorary WHFSC members.[15][16]
  • In 2015, Sigourney Weaver accepted Honorary Membership into the WHFSC as a red belt, studying under Brian Kula Fung.[17][18]

Further reading

  • The world's martial arts elite : a book of authorized biographies, by Frank E. Sanchez, World Head of Family Sokeship Council (1999) OCLC 45610418
  • World Head of Family Sokeship Council, by Don Warrener, Rising Sun Productions (2008) ISBN 1897307608
  • The Martial Directory North American Martial Arts Instructors Guide 2012: Full Color, by Allen Woodman, CreateSpace (2014), ISBN 978-1479200627[19]
  • WHFSC Grandmaster's Council: a compendium of the world's leading Grandmasters, by Bram Frank, Lulu (2013), ISBN 9781300575672
  • WHFSC GM book vol #2, by Bram Frank, Lulu (2015) ISBN 9781312270756
  • The Indomitable World Head of Family/Sokeship Council: A Gathering of Eagles, by Frank E Sanchez (Author), Jim Arvanitis (Editor), Independent (2021), ISBN 9798708058584

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tullis, Matt (1 December 2004). "Local wins prestigious martial arts recognition". Star-News. Archived from the original on 17 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  2. ↑ "Sokeship Council to Celebrate 10th Anniversary". Black Belt Magazine. 41 (8): 116. August 2003. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  3. ↑ "Livesay inducted into Martial Arts Hall of Fame". The Oak Ridger. 29 September 2000. Archived from the original on 17 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  4. ↑ "Deodorantti siivitti Tero Laaksosen kamppailulajien huippujärjestöön" (in Finnish). Finland: Yle. 21 May 2012. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015. The Turku-based martial arts virtuoso Tero Laaksonen has been invited to join the World Head of Family Sokeship organization. WHSFC is the world's leading martial arts or styles of the founders of the organization. Developed by Tero Laaksonen species is the European Kyusho Jitsu Tuite. He has also written non-fiction books in the field. - A little amazed because the other members have uniformly 9th or 10th dan black belt holders, I'm 8th dan level. Apparently, the creation of its own motion a series of holistic work is paying attention, Laaksonen says.CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  5. ↑ Frank, Bram (13 May 2013). Whfsc Grandmaster's Council: A Compendium of the World's Leading Grandmasters. Lulu Lulu. ISBN 978-1300575672.
  6. ↑ Dyke, Charlene Hager-Van (14 September 2000). "Kudos". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on 17 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Floyd Burk (February 2016). "Frankly Speaking". 54 (2). Black Belt Magazine: 66–69. San-Jitsu founder Frank Sanchez has fought the establishment to spread Guam's self-defense system and promote martial arts brotherhood. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. ↑ Sensei Ken (10 June 2013). "World Head of Family Sokeship Council Event". Kearny Martial Arts. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  9. ↑ Bergquist, Kevin (11 January 1994). "Peorian Named Grandmaster. Hilton Likens Ju Jitsu Honor to Being Named 5-Star General in Sport". Journal Star. Archived from the original on 17 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  10. ↑ " "What's Wrong With a Martial Artist Creating His Own System?". 34 (11). Black Belt Magazine. November 1996: 69–72. Retrieved 14 February 2016. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  11. ↑ "THE GATHERING OF EAGLES The World Head of Family Sokeship Council" (November 2011). Combat Magazine. 31 October 2011. pp. 20–21. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  12. ↑ Julie Cornell (31 August 2015). "Omaha welcomes martial artists from around the globe". KETV. Archived from the original on 15 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015. Next month, Byrne will welcome hundreds of high ranking martial artists from around the globe to Omaha. He’s hosting one of the largest meetings of elite Grandmasters in the world, as part of the yearly meeting of the World Head of Family Sokeship Council. They’re considered experts in every conceivable martial arts style and origin. Their list of members reads like a virtual “Who’s Who” of the martial arts world.
  13. ↑ Carroll, Frank (5 October 1997). "Ceremony Highlights Works Of Art". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on 17 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  14. ↑ "Founder of Sokeship Council Honored By Mayor". Black Belt Magazine. March 2004. p. 112. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  15. ↑ Jerome Maida (12 March 2014). "Glenn Wilson Among 8 Real-Life Champions And Masters Added to "The Martial Arts Kid" Cast". Moviepilot. Archived from the original on 16 November 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015. ....During his [Glenn Wilsion] successful career he has been inducted into six Martial Arts Halls of Fame, including “Inside Kung Fu Magazine” and the “World Head of Family Sokeship Council
  16. ↑ "Ambassadors:". World Head of Family Sokeship Council. Archived from the original on 16 November 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  17. ↑ "INTERNATIONAL FEMALE ACTION STAR ICON AWARD" (PDF). WHFSC. 5 September 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2016. ....Receiving the “International Female Action Star Icon Award”, along with Honorary Membership in the World Head of Family Sokeship Council is the one and only, Ms. Sigourney Weaver!
  18. ↑ "The World Head of Family Sokeship Council Photo Album". WHFSC. Retrieved 14 February 2016. Award winning actress Sigourney Weaver receiving 2015 award and Honorary Membership in WHFSC
  19. ↑ Woodman, Allen. "The Martial Directory North American Martial Arts Instructors Guide 2012: Full Color". books.google.com. Retrieved 21 February 2016.

External links

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