History Of Wae-Kune-Do Karate
Clarence West
The system of Wae-Kune-Do Karate was founded by Grandmaster Clarence West in 1969. Grandmaster West began studying the arts in Washington, D.C., under Sensei Jerry Barnett. After returning to his home state of Ohio, he studied under numerous instructors. His most influential instructor was Master Lester Russaw of Tang Soo Do. Master Russaw also studied Goju Ryu Karate under Seiichi Akamine, and therefore shared this with Grandmaster West as well. He also studied with Benny Provenzano of Chun Kuk Do (Chuck Norris' system) and George Denson in Isshin Ryu. It was George Denson who first recognized the Wae-Kune-Do system as an independent style.
Despite all of his experience in the arts, Master West still felt that a void existed in the way that they prepared people for life in today's urban society. In an attempt to fill that void, Master West spent three intense years in his home dojo perfecting what we now know as Wae-Kune-Do Karate, translated as "the art of taking away and creating an illusion." He did this by taking the best of his training and combining it with newly developed, successful techniques for street defense, tournaments and self defense.
After over 30 years of hard work, Grandmaster West's system has been recognized throughout the U.S.A and Canada and he was even listed in the 1990’s "Who's Who in the Martial Arts." He has won numerous martial arts championships and holds titles nationally and internationally. Some of his most notable fights were against legends such as Billy Blanks and Chuck Norris. During his creation of Wae-Kune-Do, at any point he could have chosen to wear a 10th Dan as most founders claim, but he never once did so. When he first began teaching his art, he only claimed the rank of 3rd Dan and as the years went on, and as his students grew, he slowly progressed in rank and rightfully so.
Grandmaster West did not begin wearing a 5th Dan until his personal instructor came to Steubenville, Ohio from Cleveland to test him. Grandmaster West remained at the rank of 5th Dan until he promoted his student and successor James Parrish to the rank of 3rd Dan in the mid '90s. It was then he assumed the rank of 8th Dan which is the last rank he ever held.
Despite all of his experience in the arts, Master West still felt that a void existed in the way that they prepared people for life in today's urban society. In an attempt to fill that void, Master West spent three intense years in his home dojo perfecting what we now know as Wae-Kune-Do Karate, translated as "the art of taking away and creating an illusion." He did this by taking the best of his training and combining it with newly developed, successful techniques for street defense, tournaments and self defense.
After over 30 years of hard work, Grandmaster West's system has been recognized throughout the U.S.A and Canada and he was even listed in the 1990’s "Who's Who in the Martial Arts." He has won numerous martial arts championships and holds titles nationally and internationally. Some of his most notable fights were against legends such as Billy Blanks and Chuck Norris. During his creation of Wae-Kune-Do, at any point he could have chosen to wear a 10th Dan as most founders claim, but he never once did so. When he first began teaching his art, he only claimed the rank of 3rd Dan and as the years went on, and as his students grew, he slowly progressed in rank and rightfully so.
Grandmaster West did not begin wearing a 5th Dan until his personal instructor came to Steubenville, Ohio from Cleveland to test him. Grandmaster West remained at the rank of 5th Dan until he promoted his student and successor James Parrish to the rank of 3rd Dan in the mid '90s. It was then he assumed the rank of 8th Dan which is the last rank he ever held.
James Parrish
James Parrish began teaching the art formally in 1992 out of the Schiller Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio, where he still teaches to this day. It was then that Grandmaster West assumed the rank of 8th Dan, which he held until his passing in November of 2008. Grandmaster West was tragically lost when his dojo caught on fire and he ran into the building in an attempt to save a woman living in the apartment upstairs.
As the highest ranking student of Grandmaster West, Parrish assumed the position of headmaster of Wae-Kune-Do and the rank of 8th Dan while formally elevating the late Grandmaster West to 10th Dan. Parrish as of this writing holds the rank of 9th Dan. An accomplished martial artist in his own right, Parrish competed heavily on the sport karate circuit amassing numerous titles and championships which helped to spread the Wae-Kune-Do name. In addition to Wae-Kune-Do, Parrish remains an active student of the arts, currently training in Meibukan Goju Ryu and Kodokan Judo to further his experience and knowledge.
As the highest ranking student of Grandmaster West, Parrish assumed the position of headmaster of Wae-Kune-Do and the rank of 8th Dan while formally elevating the late Grandmaster West to 10th Dan. Parrish as of this writing holds the rank of 9th Dan. An accomplished martial artist in his own right, Parrish competed heavily on the sport karate circuit amassing numerous titles and championships which helped to spread the Wae-Kune-Do name. In addition to Wae-Kune-Do, Parrish remains an active student of the arts, currently training in Meibukan Goju Ryu and Kodokan Judo to further his experience and knowledge.
Hatfield with West
Steven Hatfield began studying the art of Wae-Kune-Do Karate under James Parrish in 1999 after moving to Ohio from California. Eventually, he would also study the art directly under Grandmaster West and earn his black belt in the art directly from him. After Grandmaster West's death, Hatfield remained a dedicated student of the art under Parrish, eventually rising to become his highest ranking student with the current rank of 6th Dan. Hatfield credits Wae-Kune-Do Karate with being the primary influence of his martial arts development, and is dedicated to preserving the art in its purest form as taught by Grandmaster West. On November 20, 2015, Hatfield was officially named as the successor by Parrish and designated to take over the system upon the latter's retirement or death. On November 1, 2022, Parrish officially stepped down as headmaster of Wae-Kune-Do Karate and awarded the title of Soke to Hatfield.
Historical Photos
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