Ronald Duncan
Born(1937-06-04)June 4, 1937
Panama
DiedNovember 19, 2012(2012-11-19) (aged 75)
New York, United States
Other namesRon Duncan
NationalityAmerican
StyleNinjutsu, Karate, Jujutsu, Judo
Teacher(s)Charlie Neal, Ernie Cates, Tatsuo Uzaki, Donald Hugh Nagle (Karate)
Years active1937 – early 2000s
Notable studentsFranklin Correa,[1]
Ron Van Clief[2]

Ronald Duncan (June 4, 1937 – November 19, 2012[3]) was considered a martial arts pioneer[4] and master, specifically of Shinobi-no-jutsu or Koga-ryu ninjutsu.[3] Duncan was additionally one of the first blacks to teach martial arts in America.[5] He is considered by some to be the father of American ninjutsu.[6][7]

Personal life

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He was born in Panama and was a U.S. Marine. Duncan immigrated to the United States in 1954.[8] His son Gregory Duncan is also a martial artist.[9] Duncan attended Boys High School.[10]

Martial arts

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Duncan has also studied a number of different styles such as judo, boxing, Hakko Ryu jujutsu, Dai-Nippon Jujutsu Ryu, Sosuishi Ryu, Kin Dai Gakko Ryu, aikido, aikijujutsu, kempo, and kobujutsu (weaponry).[11] He combined his training to create his Way of the Wind system and became one of the first black martial arts instructors in the United States.[5] Duncan was an instructor at the Bushido School of Self Defense in New York.[10] Duncan achieved a 2nd degree black belt in Jujutsu in 1964.[10] He has instructed military and law enforcement students.[12]

Ninjutsu

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Black Belt magazine referred to Duncan as a pioneer in the field of ninjutsu.[3] Duncan began teaching Koga Ryu in 1959.[13] Duncan was the first American to demonstrate ninjutsu to the American public in 1967.[citation needed] Duncan, along with Stephen K. Hayes and Masaaki Hatsumi, helped to popularize Ninjutsu in the United States in the 1970s and the 1980s. All three attended the 1987 Ninja Summit.[14]

Media and honors

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Duncan was featured on various articles as well as the cover of Official Karate Magazine[11] and Black Belt magazine.[15] On his death ''Black Belt'' magazine stated "On November 19, 2012, the martial arts world lost another legend."[3]

Claims of racism

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Duncan has participated in numerous discussions concerning racism in the martial arts including claims that early on, many white instructors were not willing to take on black students.[16] He stated that the reason why there was success in ninjutsu for Stephen Hayes and Masaaki Hatsumi and not for him was racism.[17]

References

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  1. ^ "Ninjitsu Expert/Filmmaker Franklin Correa to release 'Flashdrive'". kungfucinema.com. Retrieved 19 Oct 2014.
  2. ^ "Black Belt Jan 2003". google.com.
  3. ^ a b c d "March 2013 Issue of Black Belt Magazine". blackbeltmag.com. Retrieved 26 Oct 2014.
  4. ^ Jackson Jr., John L. (2013), Thin Description, Harvard University Press, p. 194, ISBN 9780674726253
  5. ^ a b "The Untold Story of American's Karate History". Black Belt Magazine. Vol. 15, no. 6. June 1977. pp. 51, 53.
  6. ^ Black Belt Mar 2001 - Google Books
  7. ^ Thin Description - John L. Jackson Jr. - Google Books
  8. ^ "History". duncanmartialarts.com. Retrieved 1 Dec 2014.
  9. ^ "About". duncanmartialarts.com. Retrieved 18 Oct 2014.
  10. ^ a b c "Black Belt Jan 1965". google.com.
  11. ^ a b "MA-Mags - Magazines".
  12. ^ ATTU Magazine. "ISSUU - Dec Issue 2012 by ATTU Magazine". Issuu.
  13. ^ "Martial Arts of the World". google.com.
  14. ^ "Black Belt May 1987". google.com.
  15. ^ McGee, John T (1969), "1st International Open in New York fights hard to be closed - forever", Black Belt, no. June, 1969, p. 58
  16. ^ "Black Belt Dec 1970". google.com.
  17. ^ "Professor Ronald Duncan discusses racism in martial arts and Black men in martial arts". firstpost.com. Retrieved 29 Nov 2014.
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Category:1937 births Category:2012 deaths Category:American ninjutsu practitioners Category:American karateka Category:Male karateka Category:American male film actors Category:African-American male actors Category:American eskrimadors Category:United States Marines Category:American jujutsuka Category:Martial arts school founders Category:American martial arts writers