Ashida Kim
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| Ashida Kim | |
 Ashida Kim
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| Occupation | Martial artist, author |
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| Website Personal website |
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Ashida Kim is the pseudonym of an individual who has authored a series of books on ninjitsu training.[1] Kim operates the DOJO Academy, which he describes as “an internationally famous martial arts fraternity”.[2] Kim's writings and statements have made him a controversial figure in the martial arts community[1] Published since 1980. Kim's 'ninja philosophy' is reportedly different from that portrayed in the mass media, as a defensive system rather than one used in attacks and assassinations [3]
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[edit] $10,000 Challenge
In order to "defend himself from [...] unwarranted attacks," Kim established rules for a "$10,000 Challenge" for those wishing to test his skill. Challengers are required to pay a $10,000 appearance fee to Kim, as well as post a $25,000 bond and cover all expenses of the event, all though, to date, Kim has refused multiple offers on his challenge.[1][4]
[edit] Controversies
The publishers of Ashida Kim's books have never clarified his actual identity. The Believer magazine suggested that he might be an individual named Chris Hunter who lives in Florida.[1] An investigation by some members of the Internet forum Bullshido.net unearthed evidence that both "Ashida Kim" and "Chris Hunter" are pseudonyms used by one Radford W. Davis who operates a publishing business that maintains a post office box in Lake Alfred, Florida.[5]
Kim states in the Believer interview that he was associated with the Black Dragon Fighting Society after meeting its head Count Dante in 1968 and that he studied that martial arts system.[1] Kim's websites were suspended in October 2005 after his Internet service provider received a cease and desist order alleging infringement of copyright by use of the term Black Dragon Fighting Society. Though he disputed the merit of the claim, Kim removed the offending material from his site as part of a deal with his service provider to reactivate the site, and has explained his side of the story there.[6]
In response to various controversies and criticisms, Kim maintained a list on his website of individuals and companies that he felt had wronged him. The list included Wikipedia and its co-founder Jimmy Wales, Bullshido.net and its owner Neal Fletcher, Paladin Press, Citadel Press, Amazon.com, and others.[7][8] Despite statements on the original list,[7] it has since been been removed and replaced with a general essay on enemies.[8]
[edit] Books
The name 'Ashida Kim' has been used on at least fifteen books[2] that have also been referenced[9] or recommended [10]by authors on ninjutsu and related subjects.
- Ninja Death Touch. Paladin Press, 1983. ISBN 0-87364-257-0
- Forbidden Fighting Techniques of the Ninja. Citadel Press, 1985. ISBN 0-8065-0957-0
- Ninja Hands of Death. Paladin Press, 1985. ISBN 0-87364-322-4
- Secrets of the Ninja. Berkley Publishing Group, 1985. ISBN 0-425-08391-8
- Ninja Secrets of Invisibility. Berkley Publishing Group, 1986. ISBN 0-425-08788-3
- Ninja Cloak and Dagger: Espionage and Weapon Techniques. Paladin Press, 1987. ISBN 0-87364-419-0
- Ninja Mind Control. Berkley Publishing Group, 1987. ISBN 0-425-09894-X
- The Invisible Ninja: Ancient Secrets of Surprise. Citadel Press, 1997. ISBN 0-8065-1873-1
- Iron Body Ninja: The Secrets of Superior Strength. Citadel Press, 1997. ISBN 0-8065-1910-X
- The Invisible Fist: Secret Ninja Methods of Vanishing Without a Trace. Citadel Press, 1998. ISBN 0-8065-2018-3
- Ninjitsu for Women: Ninja Secrets of Defensive Fighting. Citadel Press, 2000. ISBN 0-8065-2145-7
- How to Become a Ninja: Secrets from Ashida Kim's Training Camp. Kim, Ashida & anonymous co-author. Citadel Press, 1995. ISBN 0-8065-1558-9.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Horowitz, Eli. Ashida Kim. The Believer, May 2003.
- ^ a b Description of Academy at dojopress.net
- ^ [1]
- ^ $10,000 Challenge - at ashidakim.com
- ^ Ashida Kim's Identity and Black Belt Mill Exposed, Samuel Browning, at Bullshido.net
- ^ Dojo Politics - an ashidakim.com article about the "Black Dragon" name]
- ^ a b Record of the 'Official Shit list' dated May 04 2006 from the Bibliotheca Alexandrina mirror of the Internet Archive , retrieved April 28, 2008
- ^ a b The essay replacing the list
- ^ "Ashida+Kim"&lr=&as_brr=0&ei=B52BSc3iJ4eyyQSTx_WJDA#PPP1,M1
- ^ [2]
