Email Address: gad@westerncircle.org I am 'Gad', one of the founders of the Western Circle. Fifteen years ago when I arrived in CA, I began to gather friends and fellow swordsmen together to join in sword combat. At first our events were few and far between, but as they increased in number and grew in size, so did outside interest in the art of the sword. The other Kenjustu instructors and I began to take on students, who in time began to compete alongside us. The more we taught and they learned, the more there was a calling for a formal means of training. The Western Circle was born out the desire for a truly new Kenjutsu form. A council of the three most experienced martial artists in the circle was formed and they decided on the set requirements, and brought order to the loose network. Soon my school opened in San Jose and an opportunity for people of all walks of life was provided. My ultimate goal is to provide a true, but moderately safe means of full contact sword combat for all who have the respect and desire to wield such an honorable weapon. For years now I have extended the offer of learning to people of all walks of life who have the honor and respect it takes to learn the art of the sword. Now some of our Kaidens have taught worldwide and while we keep our numbers small the friendship and respect of many other circles have helped shape the circle into what it is today  My Beliefs: I am a devout Christian. The Person: I am a 37 year old who has loved the sword since I could lift one. I stand all of 5'5" and weigh 140lb. I have red hair and gray eyes. I come from distant Irish/French heritage and have had the pleasure of seeing some of the old world. I have been training for over 24 years and teaching for 16. My vow as a Kaiden is to teach all who have the heart and respect to learn; a goal I have blessed to be able to provide. I myself am a student as well, always learning from, and gathering knowledge from the field of combat. Training Status: November 2007: Update: My fingered was severed in combat on October 27,2007 June 2007: Began 9 month training contract to complete the black chain. 2006: Actively pursuing the seventh level of steel. December 2005 Update:  I have named the personal sword style I have been working on for the past 15 years. This is the combination of my WCoS training and the many other martial art forms I have studied. I call it "The Way of the Ever Adapting Blade". October 2005 Update:  As of October 16th, I have completed my Black Braid training. June 2004 Update:  As of June 1st, I have begun my Black Braid training. December 2003 Update: As of December 1st, I have taken over as Head Kaiden of the W.C.o.S. November 2003 Update:  As of November 1st, I have begun training again. January 2003 Update:  As of January 1st, I have stepped down. November 2002 Update:  I will be stepping down as Head Kaiden and leaving the WCoS on January 1st, 2003. December 2001 Update:  As of December 1st, I have passed my Copper Chain test and rose to the rank of Advanced Swordsman. The test, though it was difficult, was truly an honor to be part of. 6 instructors took part in what was the most ancient test of swordsmanship I have ever witnessed. I shall never forget being forged anew by torch light on a cold December night. It was truly the beginning of my walk with the sword and now that I have a basic understanding of such a fine weapon of honor, I hope only to live up to what I have received. November 2001 Update:  I have now completed all the physical requirements expected of a swordsman in order to take the Copper Chain test. I took the 20 minute non-stop battle on August 23rd and had one hundred seventy one matches with almost a seventy percent victory rate. I learned a lot, but the foremost lesson for me was that inner will and faith have a place on the battle field... I completed my twelve mile hike last Sunday, and with it I am now prepared to walk the final pathways of an advanced swordsman...... October 2001 Update:  As of October 25th, I have passed my silver chain steel test. October 2001 Update:  As of October 4th, I have passed my silver chain test. In doing so I have completed all the requirements to be tested in the highest level of the circle, and I am now only awaiting word from the council. May my sword remain ever steady, and my heart open... June 7, 2001 :  Approximately six months ago I sacrificed my rank as Advanced Swordsman. This was done, because I created the Western Circle of Swordfighters, and therefore did not have to test to achieve my rank. When I resigned my rank of L7, I requested that the western circle appoint a group to test me as any other student. I did this because I strongly believe in the saying 'teacher do, student do', not 'teacher say, student do.' We must live how we teach. As of August 6th I have taken and passed; my Green Braid evaluation, my White Rope test, my Red Rope test (and previously took RR2 test), and I have completed all my requirements except the 20 minute non-stop battle. I now hold the rank of a Red Rope 2 (L5). I will write more as I grow closer... Battle Ratings and Stats Updated 10/31/05 Years Fought in excess of 22 Battles Fought in excess of 5,000 Steel Battles Fought 1424 WCoS Ranking L7 Steel Ranking L6 Opponents Fought In excess of 300 Weapon Type Two handed broad sword