Cecil T. Patterson
Keeping the Wado Flame Burning |
| By Jim Mahanes
©
2002 |
Preface
I
first met Cecil T. Patterson as an orange belt, though
the exact date escapes me today. He had come to my home
dojo in Murfreesboro, Tennessee to conduct one of his
annual seminars. I was one of about 60 kyu ranks
energized and ready to have my empty cup filled with
knowledge about Wado Ryu from Shihan Patterson’s vast
wisdom and experience.
As we were called to attention, my heart raced. I was
about to get my first glimpse of the man I had heard so
much about.
We turned to face the door to bow, and there stood this
stoic man peering out across the room as if he were
studying every face, every rank. I strained to get a
full view of him from head to toe. His face showed
signs of aging, yet I could see by his stature and frame
that his physical being was that of a man younger than
his years. His presence and aura could be felt by
everyone in the room.
As my
eyes traveled from his face and down his body, I was
struck by something odd. Here was a man, whom I’d heard
and read so much about, wearing a white belt.
“A
white belt?” I thought to myself. “Why would someone of
such high regard and reputation, be wearing a white
belt?”
My
question would not be answered for several years. I was
a young newspaper reporter hoping to get into the
magazine industry where the salaries and subject matter
were far more palatable. Mr. Patterson did me the honor
of sitting down for what ended up being a two-hour
interview I was hoping to have published in one of the
many national martial arts magazines on the shelves
today.
I was
nervous about a one-on-one meeting with one of the most
influential people in American martial arts. Would he
be arrogant, pompous and unforgiving of some of my
questions? Would he spend the majority of our time
talking about how great he is and touting his own
accomplishments? After all, there are countless people
in today’s martial arts world who easily fall into those
categories.
But
to my surprise, he was none of those things. I was
welcomed with a smile and a warm handshake into the home
of a humble, kind, and gentle man — a true martial
artist.
Sadly, the article was never published, and the more and
more martial arts magazines I pitched the idea too, the
more discouraged I became. It seems that with my last
name not being “Wallace,” “Lewis,” or “Gracie,” and
since I wasn’t trying to sell the latest “learn-martial
arts-from-home” video, magazine publishers were not
interested.
Over
the next several years, I continued to pitch the story
with the same results. I would from time to time see
Mr. Patterson at various federation functions, and
though his time and attention were usually pulled in
many directions at these events, he would always make a
point to say hello in a warm, friendly demeanor. I kept
him updated on my progress on getting the story
published and he would always simply nod his head in
understanding.
The last time I saw Mr. Patterson, I was preparing to take
my exam for Shodan, my mind racing with nervousness and
anticipation.
As he always did, he greeted me with a warm smile, wished
me luck on my test, and asked about the article, which I
had long given up on getting into a magazine. Fully
expecting him be upset with me for not getting it
published, I again explained my efforts and was
surprised when he said simply, “well, you tried.”
I asked if he would consider putting it on the United
States Eastern Wado Ryu Karate Federation website. He
agreed and plans were made to get a copy of it to him
and he would post it.
Later
that afternoon, Cecil T. Patterson passed away.
The
time I spent with Mr. Patterson will forever be one of
my most cherished memories. I feel great sadness for
those who never had the same opportunity. The following
is the article I wrote from that interview. It’s my
wish that those who read it come away with a sense of
what made him such a great leader, great martial artist
and great man. I offer it up as my tribute to him.
Wa No
Michi,
Jim
Mahanes ~ Shodan ~ USEWKF
Read The
Interview
