8/25/09
In March 2008, I had a friend do a seminar at my school.
I’ve known Jim Harpe for a number of years. We met at Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in West Hartford as blue belts, and travelled to Royce’s Coaches Seminars in North Carolina and Florida.
A social worker for the State of Connecticut and ex-Air Force officer, “Shogun Jim” has a pretty remarkable upbringing in 30+ years of martial arts. He trained with and achieved 2nd Dan under Kancho Ashihara, a full-contact karate pioneer and student of the legendary Mas Oyama (look him up on youtube). As a personal student of Enshin Karate founder Kancho Ninomiya, Sensei Harpe achieved the rank of 4th Dan Master Instructor in that system. Kancho Ninomiya is the creator of the famed Sabaki Challenge, where Mr. Harpe served as a head referee for 10 years.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Agawam MA-based Sensei Harpe went to Brazil to learn Jiu-Jitsu – before most Americans had the chance to study this popular art. Sensei continues to run a school in Agawam, teaching Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, his own Blind Spot Karate, and MMA.
In March 2008, I had a friend do a seminar at my school.
I’ve known Jim Harpe for a number of years. We met at Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in West Hartford as blue belts, and travelled to Royce’s Coaches Seminars in North Carolina and Florida.
A social worker for the State of Connecticut and ex-Air Force officer, “Shogun Jim” has a pretty remarkable upbringing in 30+ years of martial arts. He trained with and achieved 2nd Dan under Kancho Ashihara, a full-contact karate pioneer and student of the legendary Mas Oyama (look him up on youtube). As a personal student of Enshin Karate founder Kancho Ninomiya, Sensei Harpe achieved the rank of 4th Dan Master Instructor in that system. Kancho Ninomiya is the creator of the famed Sabaki Challenge, where Mr. Harpe served as a head referee for 10 years.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Agawam MA-based Sensei Harpe went to Brazil to learn Jiu-Jitsu – before most Americans had the chance to study this popular art. Sensei continues to run a school in Agawam, teaching Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, his own Blind Spot Karate, and MMA.
Sensei Harpe teaching kids at America's Best Defense Norwich
My students loved him. Though he’s pretty much as tough as you can get, he’s very approachable and went out of his way to make sure each student understood the material. He taught 2 packed-house sessions, one to kids and one to adults. His topic was Sabaki redirection and angles for sparring and self-defense, and everyone got a lot out of it.
At the end of the night, I may have embarrassed Sensei Harpe a little. With students watching, I thanked him for coming and lauded his martial arts accomplishments. I also mentioned that he was 52, and would soon be traveling to Brazil to compete in the BJJ Senior Masters International Championship. I thought it was inspirational, and so did my students.
After the seminar, Mrs. Harpe, who had been watching from the sidelines, jokingly asked: “Who is this great person you’re talking about? Certainly not my husband!”
Sensei Harpe just got back from the tournament in Brazil. In short, he won.
He took gold in the 200lbs, 50-55 Purple Belt division. Thing is, he only weighed 182, having trimmed down during intense preparation for the event. He told me he wasn’t sure what weight he’d be when he applied for the tournament, so he aimed high. If you’ve never done competitive grappling, that’s a lot of weight to give up.
He also entered the all-weight “Absolute” division. He won his final match by submission, effecting a quick sweep from guard and finishing with a choke.
At an age when most martial artists are “hanging it up” in one way or another, Sensei Harpe is still extremely active and challenging himself to improve. He weight trains, grapples, spars, and teaches. Though many martial artists brag about “battle scars”, I’ve never heard him complain about a long standing injury. This is a remarkable feat in a sport known for bad knees, shoulders, backs, etc. He trains hard and really takes care of himself.
I wrote this entry to update my students on Sensei’s victory in Brazil, but also to comment on his place as a role model. He shows that Martial Arts is not a “youngster’s sport”, something to retire from early. It’s a lifestyle, a means of personal development and continual improvement. ”Shogun Jim” is a Sensei in the true meaning of the word: “One Who Went Before”. With his example, he’s creating a path for us younger martial artists to follow and look up to.
If you ever get the chance to train with him, or even talk to him, do it. Just don’t challenge him to a leg-kicking contest.
At the end of the night, I may have embarrassed Sensei Harpe a little. With students watching, I thanked him for coming and lauded his martial arts accomplishments. I also mentioned that he was 52, and would soon be traveling to Brazil to compete in the BJJ Senior Masters International Championship. I thought it was inspirational, and so did my students.
After the seminar, Mrs. Harpe, who had been watching from the sidelines, jokingly asked: “Who is this great person you’re talking about? Certainly not my husband!”
Sensei Harpe just got back from the tournament in Brazil. In short, he won.
He took gold in the 200lbs, 50-55 Purple Belt division. Thing is, he only weighed 182, having trimmed down during intense preparation for the event. He told me he wasn’t sure what weight he’d be when he applied for the tournament, so he aimed high. If you’ve never done competitive grappling, that’s a lot of weight to give up.
He also entered the all-weight “Absolute” division. He won his final match by submission, effecting a quick sweep from guard and finishing with a choke.
At an age when most martial artists are “hanging it up” in one way or another, Sensei Harpe is still extremely active and challenging himself to improve. He weight trains, grapples, spars, and teaches. Though many martial artists brag about “battle scars”, I’ve never heard him complain about a long standing injury. This is a remarkable feat in a sport known for bad knees, shoulders, backs, etc. He trains hard and really takes care of himself.
I wrote this entry to update my students on Sensei’s victory in Brazil, but also to comment on his place as a role model. He shows that Martial Arts is not a “youngster’s sport”, something to retire from early. It’s a lifestyle, a means of personal development and continual improvement. ”Shogun Jim” is a Sensei in the true meaning of the word: “One Who Went Before”. With his example, he’s creating a path for us younger martial artists to follow and look up to.
If you ever get the chance to train with him, or even talk to him, do it. Just don’t challenge him to a leg-kicking contest.
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