Master James Miyake
Kombatan Chief Instructor of Oregon
Master James Miyake comes from a multigenerational family tradition in the martial arts. His 27 years of experience and involvement with the empty-handed and weapons arts provides a world class background for the analysis and application of the arts in the real world. Master Miyake's personal philosophy of being open-minded with respect for the effectiveness of other cultures' martial arts has culminated in his study of the Philippine martial art of Kombatan.
Master Miyake has been studying the art of Kombatan for the last 10 years under the world-renown Grandmaster Ernesto Presas, Sr. and Master Mike Bowers. He feels that Kombatan blends the best techniques from all of the arts he has studied into a unique, dynamic art. Kombaton has reactive flow drills, vehicles that are used for movement and the application of devastatingly effective techniques in the real world. These flow vehicles are sophisticated and reactive techniques that counter and disable an opponents every attack.
Personal Statement
"I believe that Kombatan brings the most effective translation of the bladed and stick weapons techniques to the empty-handed arts in the real world applications."
Timeline/Martial Arts Background
His Martial Arts studies include arts from the following cultures: American, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino.
- Freestyle and collegiate wrestling
- Tae Kwon Do (10 years under Grandmaster Tae Hong Choi)
- Wing Chun Kung Fu (2 years under Elton Wong)
- Hung Gar Kung Fu (2 years under Elton Wong)
- Shorinryu Karate (1 year)
- Kendo and Iaido (3 years at the Obukan Kendo Club under Master Stroud)
- Kombatan (under Master Mike Bowers)
Postions
- 1980 - 1st Dan Black Belt Tae Kwon doFreestyle and collegiate wrestling
- 1983 - Instructor at Oregon State University
- 2000 - Assistant Instructor to Master Bowers in teaching Kombatan at Mount Hood Community College
- 2001 - 4th Dan (Lakan Apat) in Kombatan
- 2001 - Appointed Chief Instructor of Oregon for Kombatan
- 2005 - 6th Dan (Lakan Anim) in Kombatan
Master James Miyake honors include
- 2004 - Asked to accompany Master Bowers to perform a demonstration for the Philippine reunion of Clark Air Force Base
- 2004 - Asked to accompany Master Bowers to perform a demonstration at the St. Louis World Fair USA
- 2003 - Received the rank of 5th Dan (Lakan Lima) at the IInternational Philippine Martial Arts Federation Training Camp in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental
- 2002 - Inducted into Sokeship Council International Hall of Fame as Regional Instructor of the Year