Dr. Gordon Warner

[rfoxmich]

I'm saddened to have to relay the news that Dr. Gordon Warner sensei passed away in Okinawa last night at the age of 97. He is survived by his wife son and daughter.

See http://kenshi247.net/blog/2009/08/07/gordon-warner/ for a very fine article about Warner sensei.

Ron.

[ben]

Very sad news but then 97 is not a bad innings. "This Is Kendo" was my first kendo book. In Aus in 1983 it was the ONLY kendo book actually. Hard to imagine what it must have meant to be a gaijin kendoka in Japan in the 1930s! He was a kendo pioneer.

Gassho.

b

[Big One]

So sad to hear the news. May God be with him on the new journey. He was like a Kendo God to us.

[Neil Gendzwill]

A fine life, well and long-lived. Nothing to be too sad about, I think. Much respect for Dr. Warner.

[ScottUK]

Sad news indeed, but what a difference he made. His book (Japanese Swordsmanship) with Donn Draeger is one of my favourites.

[Ookami7]

RIP! Safe travels Dr. Warner!
You inspired and helped many kenshi on their journey and a pioneer for all of us.
Condulances to your family!!!!! When you see the big guy, keiko a few rounds w/ him and Izzy for us!!!
Thank you for all that you have done!
With respect, 狼より/ Jeff

[R Stroud]

A treasured photo of Warner sensei and myself. I have a 39Mb mpg audio (28 minutes) file of an interview with him for a radio show, but don't know where or how to post it? Any ideas?
http://www.idaho-kendo.com/kendo/

the following is from my post on iaido-l listserver in July 1998.
...the most famous one legged swordsman of all Dr. Gordan Warner. At 6' 3 (or more) he is still an imposing man even at 85 years old. When I last spoke with Warner Sensei I called him at his home in Okinawa (where he teaches kendo/iaido) and I asked him about the rumors circulating thru cyber space that he had died. He said "What a bunch of nonsense, that's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard", and then quickly added, "so what can I do for you". He is a real treasure.

Warner sensei practiced with Mochida sensei 10 dan, at the Mitsubishi Dojo before AND after WWII. In fact he lost his leg fighting at the Battle of Bougainville. If you look in his book "This is Kendo" you can see his artificial foot in some of the pictures of him doing keiko.

At a kendo taikai at Michigan State University a couple years ago I got to hear him give the opening kendo taikai address. He is very powerful and very driven. If you were to ask him about practicing with one leg I am sure he would say something like ' no real secret, just go to the dojo and train hard. And when it seems impossible train harder '. He told me that if I wanted to do what he had (in kendo) all I had to do was go to the dojo everyday, and survive whatever happens.

Good luck and remember to train hard. Robert "big time Gordan Warner fan" Stroud

[Gessho]

May he rest in peace. He had a good run! The book "This Is Kendo" was also my first kendo book and I still refer to it.

[Tsunemori]

He had a good run!

You do know he lost one of his legs right

[Gessho]

Yes, but the irony of my comment escaped me until you pointed it out just now....

[Tort-Speed]

A pioneer, a wonderful person and a no-giver-upper. His efforts are a treasure for us all, his having 1 leg should help those with lousy ones be glad we got 2. Thank you Stroud Sensei for your comments.

[kendokamax]

I'm really saddened by this.
May he rest in peace.

[Ralutin]

Sad news indeed, but what a difference he made. His book (Japanese Swordsmanship) with Donn Draeger is one of my favourites.

One of my favourite books, as well. Rest in peace, Warner sensei.

[pinksamurai]

He was my sensei's first sensei and very close friend. I was very saddened to hear the news. Listening to all the stories about him, we were hoping he would make it 100. As an uplifting thought, he did 100 suburi everyday up until the end. I hope i can be that awesome when im his age!

[Curtis]

I was given this news as well.

Tadatoshi Haga Sensei, Kendo and Iaido Hanshi 8 Dan has passed away on March 7th, 2010.