On June 26, 2002 I called George Dillman. (During the conversation George's wife Kim was also on the phone.) During our conversation I asked George why he claims or claimed to have studied under Kise and Soken, when I know for a fact that he had never studied under either one of these Great Masters. George stated that he never has claimed to have been a student or studied under either Kise or Soken, but he did have a three hour private lesson with Soken right after the tournament was over.
(1972 Pa.)

George than stated that he had received a private three hour lesson from Grand Master Honan Soken, in Shoken's hotel room. That he would do a kata than Soken would do one. They each did three kata. George stated that what impressed him the most was that Soken did not even break a sweat during or after completing his kata's. George than went on to say that Kise had never impressed him.
Ok, so here we have another story from George Dillman making claims that he thinks can not be verified or will not be questioned.

What is wrong with these statements made by George Dillman???

1st.
There where no eye witness's other than Soken, Kise and George. Very convenient. However Kim (George's wife) says that she and some of their students waited in their hotel room for George to finish his class or meeting or whatever with Soken/Kise, before the long drive home. Now Sensei Soken as we all know has passed away. So that leaves Sensei Kise and George. Now we know what George is claiming. But why does Sensei Kise state that this private lesson never happened. When I have asked Kise several times. Kise says: “Dillman never had a private lesson with either of them, Soken or Kise.”

2nd.
Why would a Grand Master like Honan Soken grant a private lesson to a man that he has never trained, seen nor met before this date. Answer: “he would not have”

3rd.
As we (all of those that were there) know Master Soken became sick during his stay before the tournament and Soken had to leave for Okinawa within a couple of days. Another question: Why would a sick Grand Master give a unknown a private lesson when in fact he was sick. Answer: “He would not have”

4th.
Why would Soken do kata for George Dillman in the first place? Answer: “He would not have” If you went up to Soken or any Grand Master, and asked him to do a kata for you, Would he? ..... NO

5th.
Why would doing six katas, three by Dillman, three by Soken take three hours.
Answer: “It would not”

6th.
Again why would a Grand Master get up and do kata for a nobody when he had his Protegee “Fusei Kise” beside him at all times. Answer: “He would not have” We all know that if in fact any katas were done they would have been done by Kise, Soken's top student, not by Soken. Kise says it did not happen.

7th.
My real question (to George) is this: Could George have gotten his story mixed up from the meeting that Soken, Kise, Jim Coffman, George Dillman, Bob Peters and a couple of others had, in Grand Masters Soken's hotel room, After the tournament? This was where Kise/Soken was giving out weapons as gifts, that they had brought from Okinawa. I picked a set of Sai. George was given a set of Tonfa.
Do you think George has this meeting mixed up with his fantasy dream?

As to the Four mentioned people that are making false claims as to
"Grand Master Hohan Soken" they are the weakest link.

George Dillman: Never studied under or with Grand Master Hohan Soken or Master Fusei Kise. FACT

New! - Glen Premru
"Do ya think he just wants me to go away yet?
Sensei Coffman, you may feel free to use any of this on your weakest link page and feel free to quote me as you like."
-Rick

Glen Premru: Never met Soken or Kise before 1972, and never was promoted to the rank of JU-DAN BY SENSEI SOKEN. FACT
This a response by Sensei James Coffman to the information
on the Okinawa Karate Federation Web Page by Glen Premru. RESPONSE

Tom Hunnicutt: It is my belief that Tom Hunnicutt never really trained under Soken, based upon his karate, and that he made up his system as he states. FACT

Charles Garrett: Is nothing more than a 2nd Degree or 3rd Degree (at best) under the Matsumura Seito system of Hohan Soken. FACT

Raymond Gonthier: Ray never studied with or under Grand Master "Hohan Soken". FACT

However, Charles Garrett is the closest of the four that actually trained with Sensei Soken.

Web address:

                            Dillman: www.dillman.com

                            Premru: www.okf1956.com

                            Garrett: www.matsumuraseitohozonkai.com

                            Hunnicutt: www.geocities.com/colosseum/bench/6102

Disclaimer:

Comments stated on this page and throughout the web site are mine alone, James H. Coffman