I began my training on my birthday in 1965 at the Ohio Judo and Karate Association in Lakewood, Ohio.  I remember it being a birthday present to myself, as I had to sign a contract for one year of lessons for $25.00 a month.  I know now that if it wasn't for the contract, I probably wouldn't be involved in martial arts today.  The Sensei's name was Harry Acklin, and the training was brutal.  A typical class could have 40 students one week and the following week there might only be five or ten survivors.  From the very beginning we fought full contact wearing kendo armor.  We pulled no punches or kicks.  Serious injuries were common and you were required to attend class even if injured.  The motto was "If your can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen".   Sensei Acklin was very patient and detailed oriented.  He walked up and down between the line of students, constantly correcting small hand movements and foot positions, while encouraging us to workout as hard as we could.  If a student passed out, we just stepped over him and kept going. 

We had a contingent of very tough sempais, who pretty much ruled the dojo, making sure we all adhered to proper etiquette and were respectful.  Jim La Rocco, Pat Cummerford, Kenny Unger, Mike  Slimen and a Korean college student named Jhoon Kim were particularly impressive.  After a short period of time Angi Uezu, Tatsuo Shimabuku's son-in-law, came from Okinawa for a one year stay, to solidify Isshinryu kata technique and give seminars.

I remember our teachers leaving Ohio Judo & Karate over a dispute about giving rank to students whether they deserve it or not, and our teachers refusal to promote people who did not put in enough effort.

We all got together and opened another dojo in a different area of Cleveland, to continue our training as before.  During this time we competed in many open karate competitions.  Our dojo developed a number of top level kumite and kata champions.  At times the referees would check to see if we had on shin pads and arm guards, and make us take them off.  Mouth guards and cups were all that was allowed.  It was not uncommon in those days for our school to sweep 1st place in all the divisions.  It made us proud to be Isshinryu practitioners.  I still have memories of going to tournaments, and upon entering the gym, hearing someone from another school say "Oh no! not these guys again",  we'd just smile. 

While attending open competition I became good friends with many of the Tae Kwan Do practitioners and their instructors.  After receiving my black belt, I elected to broaden my knowledge and practice with teachers of other systems.  I had friends practicing with a Sensei name Robert Moore, who was taught in Korea and had a brilliant analytical mind.  He was very good at breaking down the techniques that were never really explained to us by our oriental instructors.  He taught us how to teach ourselves and to delve deeply into the roots of karate.  It was during this time that I came to know Robert Dalglish, a Gojuryu practitioner from Sudbury, Canada.  Watching Sensei Dalglish, at 6'6" and 210 pounds, perform kata, was truly an awesome sight.  It instilled in me a love for Gojuryu forms, that I carry to the present day.

After the departure of these teachers, I continued my training at a nearby Chang Mu Kwan Tae Kwan Do school in my neighborhood.  My teacher's name was Chul Yon Kim a 5th degree black belt.  He and his brother owned a grocery store, which was the reason he sold his school to another Korean, after one year.  I tested for 2nd degree black belt in Chang Mu Kwan and was promoted about the same time he sold his school.

At the urging of my instructor, I elected to stay with this new Korean teacher to continue gaining knowledge.  It was a rocky road from the very beginning.  This instructor's name was Moon Ku Baek, a personage well known to the GI's who returned from Korea.  I don't think I've seen a better practitioner of the Korean arts, even to the present day.  He made me start over as a white belt, which I agreed to do.  But the other students paid a heavy price for this.  He already had students that were black belts, red belts, green belts etc., from our area who outranked me.  After six weeks of making my seniors pay a heavy price for me having to wear a white belt, Sabum Nim Baek came out of his office and said "Mr. Lunn, put on your black belt and quit being so rough on your seniors".  After one year at this dojo, I departed and never looked over my shoulder.

I made many friends in the Korean community and was particularly fond of an individual who's dojo was 50 miles away in Akron, Ohio.  I began a three year odyssey, training with IL Joo Kim, a true gentleman, great instructor and a fine human being.   My association with IL Joo Kim taught me many lessons, not only about martial arts but about life.  It was well worth the drive, but caused the demise of two automobiles.

On the days I didn't drive to Akron, I trained in the White Eyebrow Kung Fu and American Bando systems, under my friend and brother Bob Schultz and Tarzan Young (a renowned Sifu in the Cleveland area who came from Hong Kong when he was a teenager).  I made Bob Schultz's friendship as a white belt and we hit it off right away.  He was a excellent kata man and could retain all the movements exactly as they were taught to him.  We shared knowledge back and forth.  But I must say I received much more than I was able to give. 

After separating myself from the IL Joo Kim organization, I aligned myself with George Anderson, founder of the USA Karate Federation and Kwan Mu Kan.  Mr. Anderson and I became close friends after a chance encounter at Ohio Judo and Karate, when I was a white belt.  With this alliance, the CTA was formed with two other individuals, and acted as a springboard for George Anderson's immense success in the martial arts community.  We remain close personal friends to this day and I doubt that there is anything that can harm that friendship.  It was through Mr. Anderson's encouragement and help that I learned to take good technique and knowledge and add it to my existing skills, so I could continue to develop and progress.  I remain a loyal part of the USAKF and Kwan Mu Kan.

In the ensuing years I moved to Florida, had a small dojo and operated a tool and die shop, which failed after a few years, but led to my relocation to Houston, Texas.  I taught for a short time in an aerobics school, a gymnastics gym and a weight lifting gym with a boxing ring.  We started out doing kick boxing and after everyone was sufficiently bruised and battered, I led my tough guys into traditional training.

This group of students has been particularly satisfying to teach and they derived substantial benefits to their lives from their martial arts training.  They have all become good friends, good citizens and we maintain close communication and have lasting friendships. 

I have continued to be active with my own schools and my association with USAKF and Kwan Mu Kan in Akron, Ohio.

I have practiced Kendo, Iaido and Jujisu with various instructors though out the years, incorporating much of what I've learned into the style I founded after 37 years of training, the Mushinbudokan and the Mushinkai. 

Sensei Larry Lunn now lives and trains in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is a member of the USAKF Hall of Fame in three categories. He also coached the United States Olympic junior team.  In addition to his karate he is an accomplished knifemaker.  He is a member of The Knifemakers Guild and The Florida Knifemakers Association.  His specialty is one of a kind art knives and custom martial arts knives and bladed weapons.

Cleveland Dojo 1966

Angi Uezu & Harry Acklin

Jim La Rocco & Larry Lunn