PLIMSHOF Inductee #31
Menkyo Hanshi Nimr R. Hassan
In the early 1970's, Great Grand Master Kemposai Kosho, James M. Mitose, Great Grand Master of all the Kosho Shorei Ryu Kempo systems in the world, came out of retirement to interview and accept one student for training and instruction in his family's system. Menkyo Hanshi Nimr R. Hassan was selected over other candidates to become the ichi deschi" (disciple/only student) of the Great Grand Master. In this position, Menkyo Hanshi Hassan was instructed in the ancient and traditional manner by receiving the secrets from mouth to ear. He is the only non-family member who has been taught the family's Temple Dance/Escaping Art Pattern systems. This includes the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of the Koga Ha Kosho Shorei Ryu Kempo system.
In 1974, Menkyo Hanshi was issued a Master Instructor's License and he was presented with the Family Crescent by the Great Grand Master Kemposai Kosho. That same year, Menkyo Hanshi Hassan opened a Dojo under the guidance of the Great Grand Master and was given the Charter and permission to promote, display and use the Kosho Shorei Ryu Coat of Arms. Menkyo Hanshi Hassan is presently the only surviving student in the continental United States to be taught by Great Grand Master James M. Mitose. He is the only Menkyo Hanshi who teaches the ancient and traditional Koga Ha Kosho Shorei Ryu Temple Dance/Escaping Art systems.
Menkyo Hanshi Hassan began his studies in the Martial Arts in 1957 in his hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since that time Menkyo Hanshi Hassan has studied many different forms of Martial Arts such as Judo, Karate, Aikido, Jujitsu, Boxing and Kempo. In 1993, Menkyo Hanshi Hassan was ranked No. 1 in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the National Black Belt Association and No. 9 in the world at the National Black Belt Grand World Championships in New Orleans. In 1991, Hanshi Hassan was ranked No. 1 in the Eastern Alliance Grand Championship, Executive Division. He is currently the Martial Art instructor in 3 Public schools in Philadelphia (Wilson elementary, Wagner Middle school and Martin Luther King HS). He has recently completed an Educational/Behavioral research project with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Department of Psycharity and the School District of Philadelphia. He is also involved ina 5 year joint research grant with the University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education in Psychology, Columbia University and North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Since 1974, Menkyo Hanshi Hassan has received many honors and awards from organizations, institutions, and fraternal orders. Over the years, he has received promotions from other Masters and schools. In 1993, Hanshi Hassan was recognized by Dr. William Durbin, Soke-Kiyojute Rye Kempo Bugei and Ann Nooner, Habshi - Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Bugei as the Menkyo Hanshi. Menkyo Hanshi Hassan is certified by the institution of Certified Martial Artist (under the auspices of the Department of Defense) as a judge an d referee for that institution and the National Black Belt League. In 1986, Menkyo Hanshi Hassan received the honorary rank of Shichi Dan (7th Degree Black Belt) from the Great Grand Master William K.S. Chow, head of the Kara Ho and United Kenpo Jujitsu Association. Great Grand Master Chow was one of the Great Grand Master Mitose's students in 1948. This award was given to Menkyo Hanshi Hassan for his continuous efforts to preserve the ancient and traditional teachings of the Mitose family system.
In the community, Menkyo Hanshi Hassan was awarded the 1982 Jaycee Outstanding Young Men in America. In addition, in 1985, he received the Walter A. Gay Service Award by the Urban League of Philadelphia. In 1992/93 Menkyo Hanshi Hassan was the recipient of the "Who's Who Worldwide", which is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated leadership and achievement in their occupation, industry or profession.
This native of Philadelphia is a husband and father of three sons. He is a graduate of Simon Gratz High School where he participated in the concert orchestra, jazz band and lettered in three sports: Football All Public, Basketball and Track, winning the 1965 City Championship.
Upon graduation, he received a Football and Track scholarship to Kentucky State College, Frankfort Kentucky. After a year at Kentucky State, Menkyo Hanshi decided to postpone his education and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After his tour in Vietnam, he participated on the All Marine Football teams in the Far East and Quantico, Virginia. He was also on the All Marine Track and Judo Teams. In 1970, Menkyo Hanshi received an Honorable Discharge in the rank of Sargent (E-5). He returned to complete his education on scholarship at Jamestown College, Jamestown North Dakota, where he majored in Sociology and Psychology. While there, he lettered in both Football and Track. Menkyo Hanshi Hassan is pursuing his Masters' Degree in Sociology.
