In reference to Bret Gordon

So looks like I am getting dragged into budo drama. Ick.
I am a moderator on one of the large Daito Ryu AikiJujutsu Facebook groups.


Years ago a fellow named Bret Gordon joined the Facebook group. I recall he posted a few videos. The style he was trying to emulate looked familiar so in a private message to ask him about his lineage. He was claiming connections to Kodokai as I recall. We had a pleasant exchange on Facebook messenger. I know very little about the lineage he was claiming. Another moderator on the group blocked him from access to the facebook group because he suspected Mr. Gordon was lying (the other moderator IS part of Kodokai and has access to the records). That was pretty much the extent of my knowledge of Mr Gordon. No, I believe he is a Civil War buff as well. That IS the extent of my knowledge.


So it has come to my attention that Mr Gordon is using my name as a reference on his website. Budoka online have been questioning me about my “glowing review” of Mr Gordon.

I don't know why Mr Gordan chose me as a reference. Recently I discovered that he, without my knowledge, used me as a reference. I asked him to please remove the statement. He refused my request.

So publicly - In reference to Mr Gordon:

I don’t know him beyond several general cordial facebook chats and seeing a handful of his demonstration videos that he produced years ago. I have never met him. I have never talked to him on the phone. I have never felt his technique.
I did say complimentary things in conversation to him when I was trying to find out his history in the arts. As I recall the video looked OK. I have seen much worse, but I have seen much better as well.

I have heard his claims of his history in budo has come under question - please ask the direct parties involved. I personally do not know, nor do I care. I believe there is a group documenting their research into Mr Gordon's claims.


I was not asked to give a statement for his website.


When I found out he did use me as a reference - I wrote him and asked him to please take my name off his site.

He refused my request to take my statement down.

Eric Pearson