History of the National Karate Jiujitsu Union (NKJU)

                    Master Richard P. Baillargeon, 8th Dan, National Karate and Jiu Jitsu Union (1930-1989)

Richard Baillargeon founded the National Karate and Jiu Jitsu Union in 1974 after having resigned from the Seishin-Kai Karate Union (SKKU). He began his martial arts training in Irumagawa, Japan in 1956. His first instructor was Sensei Kyoshin Kayo, who was then, 4th Dan in Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu Karate-Do and affiliated with the Seishin-Kai Karate Union.  Kyoshin Kayo was a student of the late Shogo (Kosho) Kuniba (1935-1992) who became Soke (Family Head) of Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu. Master Baillargeon also studied with Kuniba Soke until 1964. By then, he had earned the grade of 3rd Dan. 

Mr. Baillargeon returned to the United States in 1964 and became the U.S. representative for Seishin-Kai. He served in that capacity for ten years. By 1974 he had been promoted to 6th Dan by Kayo Sensei. In the summer of 1974, he resigned from his position in Seishin Kai.  Shortly thereafter, he formed his own association, the National Karate and Jiu Jitsu Union (NKJU). In July of 1986 Sensei Baillargeon was awarded 8th Dan in Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu Karate-Do by Kuniba Soke. At that time, Master Baillargeon was one of two men outside of Pakistan that held a master rank in Indo-Pakistani weapons. He also held a 6th Dan in Goshin Budo Jiu Jitsu.

No doubt, Richard Baillargeon is best remembered for his efforts to bring Seishin-Kai and Motobu-ha Shito-ryu Karate-Do to the U.S.  As a returning Air Force Technical Sergeant, Baillargeon was stationed at Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta, GA.  Prior to that, he had spent about 8 years (c.1954-1962) in Japan, mainly at Johnson Air Base, near Sayama, Saitama, Japan (5). 

While at Johnson AB, Baillargeon trained mostly with Kyoshin Kayo, a member of Seishin-Kai. It was through Kayo that Baillargeon met Shogo Kuniba. At that time, Teruo Hayashi (1924-2004) was Kaicho (President) of Seishin- Kai. 

When Baillargeon and his Japanese wife, Kani left Japan, he was appointed to serve as the U.S. Representative for Seishin-Kai Karate Union (SKKU) and established a USA Hombu (Headquarters) in Valdosta. Under Baillargeon's leadership the SKKU-USA branch functioned well for 10 years (1964-1974). He managed to grow a sizeable organization said to be between 4,000 to 5,000 members.  He produced a Head Instructor’s Guide, which he regularly updated and he held annual tournaments; conducted camps, clinics, and seminars; and he published a periodic Bulletin. A little known fact is that he wrote and published a book (circa 1965) titled Karate Katas Simplified, a book that is next to impossiblet o find today. Despite what is generally known about Baillargeon, or “Mr. B.” as he was affectionately called, there still can be found erroneous information which the author hopes this article clarifies.

The issue of Baillargeon calling himself Soke generally goes uncontested. But, it is something that needs clarification. When he left Seishin-Kai in 1974 and formed his NKJU organization he assumed the Soke title as a nickname, instead of the more appropriate title of Kaicho. The Soke title is restricted to the founder or headmaster of a Budo style/system (Ryu/Ha), and almost always, without exception, is not a title one confers upon oneself. The Soke title is often passed on to direct lineage family members, i.e., first born children.  In Mr. B's case, he should have been referred to as Kaicho for the head founder of his organization. Baillargeon was not, and will not be, the only American to misconstrue the Japanese Budo titles.  In any case, to me and others of his time, Kaicho Baillargeon will always be endeared as "Soke."

Mr. B. built SKKU-USA into a solid organization during his 10-year tenur eas USA Honbucho.  Even so, there were flaws in his business model that did not sit well with Kuniba Soke.  Most notably was the fact that SKKU-USA had become an eclectic organization, with members still training in and claiming allegiance to other styles (e.g., Goju-ryu, Shotokan, and most notably, about 70% Shorin-ryu, etc.).  SKKU-USA had an open-door policy, which was a good recruitment strategy; but, when Kuniba-soke saw the state of affairs for the first time in 1971, he did not recognize his Motobu-ha Shito-ryu. He was not pleased to say the least!. He wanted SKKU-USA to be pure Motobu-ha Shito-ryu. That was the primary reason he and Mr. B. didn’t see  eye-to-eye. A second issue had to do with promotion fees that, according to Kuniba Soke were substantially less over the years, than the numbers of students and dojos suggested. Thirdly, as he (Kuniba) traveled from dojo to dojo (state to state), he was angered by the fact that each sensei had to pay a share of his airfare. He felt that the USA Hombu should solely fund his travels. In sum, it was these these three reasons that was said to culminate the parting of the ways between Baillargeon and Kuniba in 1974.  Despite these issues, there is no doubt that Mr. B. made an important and lasting contribution to the growth of the Kuniba arts in the U.S.  He and Kuniba Soke put aside any differences and remained friends until Soke Baillargeon's passing in 1989.  Soke Kuniba remained as Motobu-Ha Shito-ryu Karate-Do Advisor to those who wished to continue their journey in his family system/style.  Kaicho (Soke) Baillargeon was cremated and his ashes were spread at sea off the coast of New Jersey (7).

End Notes:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Dg%C5%8D_ Kuniba 2. Kuniba, K. (1957). Karate-do Bin-ran. (Published in Japan).

3. Church, A.C. (1968). Karate as the Bushido Way. (Publisher Unknown).

4. Altman, V. (c. 1970). Karateka of the Month: Albert C. Church, Jr. Official Karate Magazine. [unable to determine volume and issue number]

5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iruma_Air_Base

6. Bulletin, Seishi-Kai Karate Union (United States Branch), May – July 1971. 

7. http://umaai.com/org/org.html

8. Personal communication from Tola Lewis, June 7, 2007.

9. Craig, D.M. (1981). Iai: The Art of Drawing the Sword. Rutland, T: Tuttle.

10. Joseph, J. (1974, June). Siyogo Kuniba: Japan’s youngest karate master. Official Karate, Vol. 6., No. 36, pp. 14-17.

11. http://www.noogenesis.com/pineapple/blind_men_elephant.html

12. Herndon, J. (1984; 2009). A Primer of Kuniba-ha Karate-do: The Style of Shogo Kuniba. Longwood, FL: Kosho Publications.