Fake instructors often lean on this narrative because it is
difficult to disprove and easy to romanticize. The idea of an elusive master,
usually unnamed or known only by a nickname, supposedly living in the
mountains, traveling under the radar, or teaching small private groups, adds an
air of mystique. But in reality, this tactic is used to distract from the lack
of credible documentation, traceable lineage, or verifiable training history.
Legitimate Japanese instructors—especially those with high
rank—are well-documented within their organizations. Their promotions,
certifications, teaching history, and affiliations can be traced directly
through established, reputable bodies. Fraudulent practitioners know this,
which is precisely why they fabricate teachers who conveniently cannot be
contacted, located, or identified.
When someone claims to have been trained, ranked, or
“blessed” by a mysterious Japanese master with no photos, no certificates, no
organization backing, and no peers who have ever met this individual, it is a
clear indicator of deception. In legitimate martial arts circles, lineage and
instruction are transparent, traceable, and supported by credible evidence, not
myth and ambiguity.
The prevalence of this tactic reflects a larger pattern: martial
arts frauds depend on the ignorance of the public and the allure of exotic
stories. The more “mysterious” the supposed instructor, the more fraudulent the
claim typically turns out to be.
Frauds who invent fake Japanese instructors or unverifiable
lineages tend to stick to their stories and constantly modify them, rarely
admitting they lied, because of a combination of psychology, reputation
management, and self-preservation. Once someone publicly claims a prestigious
connection, they’ve “invested” in that narrative. Admitting it was fake would
destroy all credibility they’ve built around it.
Many frauds convince themselves they are entitled to the
status they claim. Changing or adapting the story allows them to reduce
internal conflict between “I lied” and “I am respected.” They might rationalize
it as exaggeration, tradition, or misunderstood facts. Admitting to fraud opens
them to legal consequences, public shaming, or backlash from students and
peers. Constantly tweaking their story is safer in their eyes than outright
confession.
Claims of secretive Japanese masters, “lost lineages,” or
hidden techniques create a mystique. Once they have an audience, it’s easier to
keep adding layers than start over. In martial arts circles, there’s often
little external oversight. Fraudsters exploit this by sticking to stories that
are difficult to verify. This lack of immediate accountability emboldens them
to continue lying.
If confronted, many frauds will deflect, gaslight, or double
down rather than admit fault. Admitting the lie would be a blow to their ego
and identity, which in some cases is tied deeply to being a “martial arts authority.”
Claims about fake instructors can cross into criminal fraud
if the person uses them to financially exploit others or gain a tangible
benefit. They charge students fees, sell certifications, or collect donations
based on these false claims. Students or associates rely on these claims to
make financial or personal decisions (e.g., paying tuition, entering
competitions, selling books promoting themselves under that lineage). The misrepresentation
directly causes loss, such as paying for training under false pretenses or
purchasing materials, rankings, or certificates.
The Fabrication of Hasaka Yutashi
The figure known as Hasaka Yutashi exemplifies the classic
“mysterious Japanese instructor” trope frequently used by martial arts frauds
to fabricate legitimacy. Narratives surrounding Hasaka Yutashi shifted
dramatically over time. At least five major versions (labeled A–E) were
circulated between approximately 2012 and 2020. These iterations altered his
role repeatedly—first describing him as Haska Yutasi, a Yamaguchi Goju Ryu
trainer, then later as Hasaka Yutashi, a Yoshinkan or Daito Ryu master
allegedly connected to Shioda Gozo and trained under Horikawa Kodo, with the latest iteration
placing him in a familial relationship within the lineage story. Each revision
was a reactive fabrication, created to patch inconsistencies and debunked
claims from earlier iterations.
Another iteration of the story claimed that “Hasaka Yutashi”
was not the instructor’s real name and that it had been changed for unspecified
or mysterious reasons. This explanation collapses under scrutiny. In Japanese
culture, changing one’s personal name—especially for martial arts purposes—is
extraordinarily rare and would require clear legal, cultural, or organizational
justification.
Japanese martial arts lineages are built on precise,
traceable identities. High-ranking instructors, especially those alleged to be
tied to major systems like Goju Ryu, Yoshinkan, or Daito Ryu, are documented
meticulously.
Using a false or “changed” name with no explanation is completely unheard of in legitimate Japanese budo circles. There is no known precedent for a recognized Japanese sensei adopting an entirely fabricated name for teaching foreign students.
This claim—like the others—served only to patch up the
growing inconsistencies surrounding the fictional Hasaka. Instead of providing
clarity, it introduced yet another layer of implausibility and further
demonstrated that Hasaka Yutashi was a constructed identity, not a real
Japanese martial arts instructor.
Also in an attempt to avoid proving Hasaka’s existence was
the sudden claim that a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prevented the release of
information about him. This is yet another contradiction in an already
inconsistent narrative.
A supposed picture of Hasaka Yutashi has appeared in at least two publications, yet its legitimacy remains highly questionable. The photo is nothing more than a casual image of a boy sitting next to a man who is not even Japanese, and there is no indication whatsoever of martial arts training. There is no provenance, no certification, and no organizational verification connecting the image to any Japanese martial arts figure, further reinforcing the fabricated nature of the narrative.The supposed photo itself was debunked by the Yoshinkan and the Daito Ryu just two weeks after the publication of the first book.
"Gordon should should specifically state that his organization has no historical ties, lineage or affiliation with the Daito ryu Aikijujutsu Kodokai organization. Additionally the individual depicted in the photograph included in his book has never held any rank or title within the Daito ryu Aikijujutsu Kodokai organization in either the USA or Japan.
I hope this clarification is helpful. Please feel free to reach if any further information is needed."
Sincerely, Donald Quintana
 |
| Letter from Donald Quintana Kodokai Secretary of General Affairs |
The casual snapshot in the books provides zero verification of martial arts instruction or expertise. Without a verifiable origin, the picture is meaningless in terms of evidence. The picture fails as evidence because it does not identify Hasaka as practicing the martial arts or as an instructor, does not show martial arts, does not match Japanese lineage records, and does not verify any claim made about the instructor. It is simply a photo of two people that proves nothing.
The fact that Hasaka Yutashi appears in two books does not verify his existence or his martial arts background. Fraudulent or unverified individuals being mentioned or even pictured in self-published or privately produced books is not evidence of legitimacy.
Anyone can publish a claim; publication alone does not transform a fabrication into fact. A martial arts instructor publishes a book claiming to have trained under a Japanese master who never existed students who paid for lessons or the book could sue for fraudulent inducement. If the book is part of a broader pattern of deceit aimed at multiple victims, authorities could treat it as racketeering or fraud.
"Publishing books does not make a fraudulent martial artist legitimate, credible, or authentic. Anyone can write and release a book—especially today, with self-publishing platforms—and fraudulent instructors often rely on this tactic to manufacture artificial credibility. A fraudulent instructor printing their own claims in a book is no different from a liar writing down their lies—it does not transform them into truth."
Books can amplify legal exposure for fraudulent claims. They create a permanent, public record that can be used as evidence in civil or criminal cases, but they do not protect the author from liability.
Furthermore, if an NDA truly existed, then no images, biographical
accounts, or lineage details could legally be published. Yet the alleged
picture of Hasaka has already been released in two different books, completely
undermining the NDA excuse. An NDA cannot be selectively applied—either
confidential information is restricted, or it is not.
In legitimate Japanese martial arts, NDAs concerning the
identity of an instructor are virtually unheard of. High-ranking Japanese
teachers are public figures within their organizations. They teach seminars,
sign certificates, appear in hombu records, and are documented extensively. No
legitimate martial arts system hides the identity of a master instructor behind
secrecy agreements.
The NDA claim therefore functions only as a stall tactic—a
last-ditch attempt to avoid providing proof of a person whose identity, records,
lineage, and even name cannot be verified. Instead of reinforcing the story, it
exposes yet another layer of fabrication surrounding the myth of “Hasaka
Yutashi.”
Most importantly, a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) cannot be used as a shield
in court to avoid proving the actual facts of a claim. Simply pointing
to an NDA and saying “we can’t discuss details” doesn’t substitute for
evidence. NDAs can’t be used to hide fraud or illegal activity.
The evolving mythology of Hasaka Yutashi /Haska Yutasi follows a well-established pattern among martial arts frauds: when one lie collapses, it is replaced with a more elaborate one.
If Hasaka Yutashi were a real person and claimed high-level expertise in Goju Ryu, Yoshinkan, or Daito Ryu—yet had zero verifiable proof and a non-Japanese name that doesn’t exist linguistically—he would be classified the same way any legitimate martial arts body classifies such individuals....Not legitimate. A liar, a fraud, and a fabricator of his ranks.
