The Passing of a Great & a Legend

It is with our deepest regret to announce that Professor Wally Jay, founder of Small Circle Jujitsu, has passed away this past weekend. He was 93. Prof. Jay was a Amazing Martial Artist, not just in his abilities with the stuff he taught, but in his example of what a Martial Artist's character should be. This is proof in the fact that many Martial Artists befriended and admired him, and they were not all Jujitsu practitioners either. He was well known for his kindness, and generosity, and overall good nature. You ask many of what they thought of Prof. Jay, and though you will hear how great he was as an artist, the first thing you usually hear is the way he touched peoples lives. What an awesome example to live up to!

Professor Wally Jay's connection to us is 3 fold. First Prof. Jay was friends with our teacher Sijo DeMile's teacher, Bruce Lee.

Second, Professor Jay became friends with my senior & friend, Sigung/Coach Ron Ogi in Hawaii back in the 80's. Coach Ogi was teaching Prof. Jay's nephew at the time, and through the nephew, Professor Jay became highly impressed with Coach Ogi. From there he invited Coach Ogi to seminars, and to accompany him to other events, and the two developed a close bond that would evolve into a strong friendship. Coach Ogi became Prof. Jay's student and one of his highest skilled instructors in Small Circle.

Finally, through Coach Ogi, Sijo DeMile became friends with Professor Wally Jay. Both Sijo & Coach would accompany Prof. Jay to several of Professor's legendary Camp Danzan Ryu events, as well as participate in the Birthday Conventions that Coach Ogi organized and hosted in Prof. Jay's honor. Learning the Floating Punch from Sijo DeMile, Professor also became Sijo's most legendary students. And through the mutual sharing of techniques and information, they too developed a close relationship.

Our condolences goes out to the students, family and friends of Prof. Jay. May his legacy of sharing and being kind to others, developing friendships outside of styles, as well as his example of Martial Arts character live on!