Serge Mol (/'sərdʒ 'mɑl /; katakana: セルジェ・モル; Russian: Серге Молл) (born 1970) is a dedicated martial artist, martial arts historian and martial arts book author[1][2] from Belgium. He is among a select number of Westerners who hold authentic Japanese credentials in koryū martial arts. He is the first non-Japanese person who has received the top-rank of menkyo kaiden in Enshin-ryū Iaijutsu, suemonogiri, kenpō, and yawara-jutsu.[3] He also holds the rank of menkyo in Hōki-ryū jūjutsu.[3] Mol has trained jūjutsu for more than 30 years.[3] He has also studied various gendai budō such as the modern kendō, iaidō and jodō. In order to immerse himself in Japanese culture Mol lived for several years in Japan,[4] where he was a disciple of the Japanese grandmasters Fumon Tanaka[5][6] and Atsumi Nakashima.
| Serge Mol | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1970 (age 53–54) Belgium |
| Style | Koryū: jūjutsu, and others |
| Teacher(s) | Fumon Tanaka, Atsumi Nakashima |
| Rank | Enshin-ryū Iaijutsu, suemonogiri, kenpō & yawara-jutsu: Menkyo kaiden; Hōki-ryū jūjutsu: Menkyo |
| Occupation | jūjutsuka, koryū martial arts author & instructor, accountant |
| Website | www |
Mol is also a collector of authentic historic Japanese martial arts manuscripts from various jūjutsu schools and other martial arts. He has also built out a large collection of period Japanese arms and armor.
Today, Mol lives with his family in Belgium, where he is a writer and teacher of classical martial arts. He is one of only three Belgians with known authentic Japanese koryū credentials, the other two being Dr. Guy Buyens (Hontai Yōshin-ryū) and Dr. Carl De Crée (Tenjin Shin’yō-ryū of the Inoue Keitarō-lineage and Owari-ha Yagyū Shinkage-ryū).[7] Mol still regularly travels to Japan to find new sources to underpin his continuing research into the ancient Japanese martial culture.
Bibliography
editLiterature
edit- Mol, Serge (2016). Takeda Shinobi Hiden: Unveiling Takeda Shingen's Secret Ninja Legacy. Eibusha. pp. 1–192. ISBN 978-90-813361-3-0.
- Mol, Serge (2013). Bujutsu densho: Exploring the Written Tradition of Japan's Martial Arts Culture. Eibusha. pp. 1–136. ISBN 978-90-8133612-3.
- Mol, Serge (2010). Classical swordsmanship of Japan: A Comprehensive Guide to Kenjutsu and Iaijutsu. Eibusha. pp. 1–320. ISBN 978-90-8133611-6.
- Mol, Serge (2008). Invisible armor: An Introduction to the Esoteric Dimension of Japan's Classical Warrior Arts. Eibusha. pp. 1–160. ISBN 978-90-8133610-9.
- Mol, Serge (2003). Classical Weaponry of Japan: Special Weapons and Tactics of the Martial Arts. Kodansha. pp. 1–217. ISBN 4-7700-2941-1.
- Mol, Serge (2001). Classical Fighting Arts of Japan: A Complete Guide to Koryū Jūjutsu. Kodansha. pp. 1–242. ISBN 4-7700-2619-6.
References
edit- ^ Beaubien, Ron (2009). "Classical Swordsmanship of Japan: Jacket Text". International Hoplology Society. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
- ^ "An interview with Serge Mol". Koryu.nl. n.d. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
- ^ a b c "Classical Swordsmanship of Japan: Jacket Text". Eibusha. 2010. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
- ^ De Crée, Carl (1998). "Vlamingen in het buitenland [The Flemish abroad]". Kiai (in Dutch). 13 (2). Belgium: 12.
- ^ "Soke Fumon Tanaka and Serge Mol demonstrate with real swords". BBC, United Kingdom. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
- ^ "Soke Fumon Tanaka & Waka-Sensei Midori-Ukyo Tanaka 20th Soké". Toyama-ryu, Sweden. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
- ^ fr:Koryu