Traditional Martial Arts For Modern Self-Defense
Shihan Al Evans
It is with a heavy heart that I must announce the passing of Shihan Alan Evans. Shihan Evan's was the man that brought us all Chokushin Aiki-Jujutsu. He taught it, lived it, and breathed it. He trained 100s perhaps 1000s in his years as an instructor both at the University of Waterloo and the Dojo of Wayne Erdmann Sensei.
I first met Shihan Evan`s in 2000 when, through Paul Fox Sensei, members of Musubi Dojo were invited to the Chokushin/ Shorinjikan Boot Camp. After having assessed that my Jujutsu background mirrored his own, as did our point of view on self-defense and many other topics, Shihan Evan's invited me into the Chokushin system. Although already a Nidan in Jujutsu I had to train diligently to learn the new techniques, methods, and principles of Chokushin Aiki-Jujutsu. I spent a great deal of time in the University of Waterloo under Shahan’s watchful eye. I learned a great deal in my time spent with him on the tatami. Shihan was an inspiration, to see someone of his age still so passionate about his art.
I continued to train over the years. Shihan retired for a time but when Phil Anderson Sensei and I came to him seeking guidance and counsel regarding Chokushin he happily obliged and returned to the fold. Shihan attended Musubi Dojo (then in Whitby) and sat on the Black Belt grading board of Curtis Lawson (now Sensei). Shihan paid both Curtis and I the compliment of stating that Curtis's grading was one of the best Kirikami (first teaching license) gradings he had ever witnessed and/or conducted.
Shihan started his martial arts career at the age of 18 in Winnipeg. There he joined a Judo club and began a lifelong journey that he followed and was active in up until 2015. I`m proud to say that on July 2015 Shihan Evans presented me with his Red belt (embroidered with his name and our system in Japanese) entrusting me to be the head of the system he held so dear to him.
I sadly say Sayonara to my friend, mentor and teacher Shihan Evans.
I hope in the coming days months and years that as many of you as possible will assist me in paying tribute to Shihan Evans by keeping his art alive. In doing so keeping his spirit and memory alive in all of us.
Thank you for your time attention and hopefully prayers.
Sincerely
Shihan Glen Pitcher
Kaiden, Goshinkan Chokushin Aiki-Jujutsu 5th Dan,
Musubi Dojo