Grand Master Tauheed

Master Bob | MySpace Vid

The man in the video above wearing the blue Gi and white Hakama was Grandmaster Tauheed, AKA James Davis, the founder of Tau Jitsu Ryu form Martials Arts. He was my teacher or Sensei in my practice of martial arts. He passed away this week of illness unexpectedly and just like that, a great light has been extinguished in the martial arts world.

Watching a video of a master really gives no inkling of their true talent. Probably you can see that Grandmaster moves very little and his opponent move very far, or that his fluidity has the quality of dance. None of that communicates what it feels like to go through those things and thats when the true appreciation of the level of Grandmaster begins. In one scene towards the end you may notice him being surrounded by students, he then shakes them off and proceeds to defend against multiple attacks from multiple angles. Those were some of my favorite moments with Grandmaster, as we would all be waiting for the right chance to “Git Him!” and then your moment of triumph would turn to comical incomprehension as you found yourself in an arm lock, being used as barrier against other opponents, or even better, upside down against the dojo wall.

Grandmaster was the personification of the spiritual warrior, while warming up on the mats he was always deep in peace and meditation, and when throwing you across the room he was as well. He carried his art deep inside. Many who knew him outside of the dojo wouldn’t even realize he was a martial artist, and I feel for any “joker” (in his words) who took him lightly and tried to test him.

Having practiced the arts in a variety of style I can say that I have never worked with a living master who was as exquisitely talented as Grandmaster. He routinely defied my reason and inspired me with his creativity as he taught our small class the finer points of his arts. You never knew when you would get a lesson that transcended the physical techniques into the realms of philosophy, spirituality and simple right living.

Grandmaster was a teacher to me in all areas of my life. He taught me to be a stronger, tougher, more gentle and a more confident man. His lessons will live on in me, and I will always be grateful for the time I had with him as my Sensei. Thank you Grandmaster, Osuu.