Kaze Uta Budo Kai Forum Archive

[Moderator Note: I split this off from one of the video lessons. This will be a great discussion topic on its own. -- Kyle]

I hold the rank of Ni-dan in Kachido Aikijitsu, Kachi is the Japanese word for Merritt and of course, Do means "way", so it translates to Merritt's Way of Aikijitsu. He based the system on 10 Aikido techniques: Kote mawashi, Oshi Taoshi, Kote Gaeshi, Tenkai Kote Hineri, Shiho Nage, Gyaku Game Ate, Irimi Nage, Ushiro Ate, Shomen Ate and Hiki Taoshi in that order. He added knee strikes, elbow strikes, front, side, roundhouse and back kicks, and hand strikes making it an effective form of self defense. When you test for Sho-Dan, there are close to 600 techniques in the system.

I never had the opportunity to meet Master Stevens, but studied under a few of his personal students. I was very suprised when I found your website and found information on this remarkable man.

I'm curious, Nick, where did you meet and work with Merritt? I know that you are in Oklahoma and I know that he trained with Karl Geis (?sp) who I believe is form Texas. I live in Ohio and that is where he lived and passed away.

I love your website and spend hours watching your video clips.

Hi Randy -- I only had the pleasure of training with Merritt for 6 days in Houston inthe early 80's -- he was very inspirational-- he shared his system with a big crowd of aikidoka among them my sensei Chuck Caldwell who used Meritt's system as the basis for his own work with women's self defense class and his private work with Oklahoma law enforcment training --i'd love to get togeather sometime and see more of the complete picture -- maybe i'll swing up torwd Ohio one of these days -- peace --nick