Dr. Glenn J. Morris
Hoshin Roshi Ryu Founder
Hoshinjutsu was developed by the late Glenn J. Morris, PhD (1944-2006), a master instructor in the martial arts, organizational psychologist, corporate consultant and author on such topics as martial arts, transpersonal psychology and Taoist meditation. Dr. Morris trained in the martial arts for close to fifty years. He extensively studied such diverse martial arts as Jujutsu, Judo, Tai Chi, different forms of Kung Fu, Savate, Okinawan Karate, Budo Taijutsu/Ninjutsu, Boxing and Wrestling. He earned his first black belt in 1965. He taught self-defense courses in Germany while serving in the U.S. Army. He began teaching his Hoshinjutsu system of meditation and martial techniques at Hillsdale College in Michigan in 1980.
Dr. Morris was a Sifu (instructor) in Tien Tao Wei Shen Chi Kung and a member of the Chinese National Institute of Chi Kung. The Wu Shu Federation of South Africa formally recognized him as a Master Instructor of the martial arts. He held the title of Kyoshi in the Yi Tsung Fighting Society. Dr. Morris earned the rank of Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) in Nihon Karate-jujutsu and was awarded the title of Oshihan in the art. Dr. Morris was also a friend and student of Grandmaster Maasaki Hatsumi, the head of Bujinkan Budo Taijustu, a system comprised of 9 different Samurai and Ninja Warrior traditions, of which Dr. Morris held the rank of Judan (10th degree Black Belt).
Dr. Morris was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He was an elected member of the prestigious World Head of Family Sokeship Council and given the honor of being named the “Soke of the Millennium” in 2000.
Dr. Morris obtained a PhD in Communication with specialization in Organizational and Industrial Psychology from Wayne State University and a Sci.D. in Transpersonal Psychology from Eurotechnical Research University. He continued to gain experience in various subjects pertaining to health and healing including Humanistic Psychology, bodywork, Gestalt Therapy, Rubenfeld Synergy, Chinese Medicine, meditation and hypnosis.
On April 1, 2006 Dr. Glenn Morris passed on and left the Hoshinjutsu system as his legacy. His colorful life, enlightening books, amazing seminars and engaging personality will forever stay in the hearts of all those he touched.
Dr. Glenn J. Morris
Posthumous Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu 10th Dan Promotion
by Shihan Kevin Millis
Greetings fellow friends and Buyu I hope this letter finds you well. As many of you may know my recent trip to Japan had a number of objectives that I was attempting to achieve. Primarily to continue training with Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, my teacher and friend, but also on this occasion I had the very important and solemn task of returning the remains of our Soke and charismatic leader to what would be his final resting place. Along with that sacred mission I was to meet with Hatsumi Sensei, making what would seem to be a personal request for Dr. Morris to receive his 10th Dan grade upon his death, completing his transition from physical to spiritual warrior.
Sunday morning August 20th, brought us to the tatami of the honbu dojo early. It was obvious that training that day was going to be intense as over 93 students took the dojo floor in hopes of finding something personal to reflect upon. Training was progressing well and due to the heat and what would now be called Sunday protocol we took a mid session break. It is typical now on Sunday during this break for Hatsumi Sensei to sit and paint pictures and autograph books for the many visiting students and most of the 93 who attended training formed a line to await their gift from Soke.
Watching the “gift line” with care, I caught Soke as he was finishing his last piece for a student and pulled him aside asking for some time for a “small talk about Glenn”. Sensei spun about still seated and we began to talk with Shihan Mark Lithgow graciously translating our thoughts. Those that know Lithgow Sensei know him as a kind, knowledgeable and generous person who is a treasured member of the Bujinkan. At this time I presented him with the photo memory booklet that was available at Kaizen and the painting that Irena Mandic, Glenn’s widow, had created. Sensei enjoyed the many photos of Glenn and remarked how he was “quite handsome when he was young”.
Sensei then unwrapped the canvas protective wrapping and turned the painting in his hands to view. It was an exotic and dramatically colored spider and Sensei marveled at its beauty. Irena had also cleverly mixed into the paints some of Glenn’s ashes and as I mentioned that to Sensei he looked up at me with eyes glittering quite obviously amused and entertained at the idea. One can only imagine what he must have thought about Glenn’s young, insightful and clever wife. He commented on its incredible beauty and directed us to place it on the kamidana where it will now proudly reside.
At this time Sensei motioned for us to look at the rank tiles that hung above the kamidana of those ryu members that had previously died. Glenn's new 10th Dan tile hung there proudly and Sensei stated that "now all who come to the Bujinkan honbu will bow down and show their respect each time we begin and end our training". Attempting to keep my frayed emotions in check I marveled at this great man, who was as usual, many steps ahead of me and my thought process. Hatsumi Sensei loved Glenn and with wonder I realized I never did have to ask Sensei for anything… he had already done what had been in his heart as well… pay tribute to his friend who was now riding the winds of eternity.
