Inoue - Live as a man, die as a man, become a man : way of the modern day Samurai : a true story about living according to the Samurai Code of Honor in the modern world

Way of the Modern Day Samurai

A true story about living according to the Samurai Code of Honor in the modern world by Enson Inoue.

A special message from Fighter to Fighter

"I don't really look up to a whole lot of fighters, but Enson had a big impact on me. A lot of guys fight just to win, fight and not get hurt. But those guys, they would rather die than give up.

Igor Vovchanchyn was a killer back when Enson fought him. He was in his prime, murdering people... and Enson stood his ground and didnt give up. I was amazed by his perseverance; how he kept going like he didnt have a care in the world. He was just out there, fighting -- the way I think MMA should be. Were different from boxing. He has a true warrior spirit and not every fighter has that. Even some champions dont have a true warrior spirit, but Enson does.

Some people only want to fight people they know they can beat. Its not a challenge if you know you can beat them. Some fighters know theyre getting beat and they just turtle up or they just tap out right away. And honestly, I dont look up to guys like that. Why should I?

Its not about a record. Just because some fighter is undefeated, doesnt mean he has the best fighting spirit. Maybe hes a good athlete. Maybe hes got a game plan for everybody. That doesnt mean he has samurai spirit thats what I call it.

A lot of warriors came out of Ensons day. He was one of the founders of the sport, fighting over in Japan when it was the biggest show on the planet. This was before the UFC rose. I dont know if a lot of new fans understand that back then, PRIDE, in Japan -- that was the show. That was the "Mecca." They had the toughest fighters on the planet, and Enson was one of them. There were a couple of other killers out there, but only a few I look up to."

Quinton Ramone Rampage Jackson

Dedicated to my Mother, Father, and Brother Egan, and to my Yamatodamashi i Ichizoku for whom I would die today if I had the chance.

A Samurai that goes into battle with the will to die,

Will surely live.

While the Samurai who goes into battle to survive

Will surely die.

Where the body may die,

The spirit will rise.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my Mother and Father for raising me and for the sacrifices they made to give me all a child could ask for. They taught me the values and beliefs I would willingly die for.

Thank you Egan, my brother, for being the role model I needed in my younger days and being the reason why I dont smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol to this day.

I am grateful for having the best friend in the world, Darren Suzuki. He has been with me in thick and thin and I wouldnt be here today if he wasnt by my side.

I would also thank Tommy Hackett, Lanning Lee, Eamer Beaver, and Burton Richardson for their contributions to the book.

Thank you to Hody Jae Huh, Yamatodamashii Ichizokus official photographer, for the photos throughout the years.

Also much aloha to my sister Alice Leary Inoue for her guidance, support, and wisdom. She helped me step-by-step to make this book a reality

Id like to thank my Tarling, SJ McCann for putting all the finishing touches together. Without her help this book would still be stuck in my computer.

and to my beloved boy, Shooto who left me for Doggy Heaven 4 years ago. He was an American Red-nosed Pitbull. He was a pup from Egans dogs and was born in Hawaii. At three months I brought him over to Japan and he was with me for the next 14 years, with me practically 90% of the time. He was a companion, brother and best friend all in one and I miss him dearly. Rest in peace and be nice to the other doggies in Doggy Heaven.

Last but not at all least, I would like to give a shout out to my Yamatodamashii Ichizoku t hat spreads all over the world.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Chapter 2: Guided to the right road... A good change

Chapter 3: New venture Racquetball

Chapter 4: Egan my Role Model

Chapter 5: National Amateur Racquetball Championships Riot

Chapter 6: First Big Move Away From Home

Chapter 7: Road to Jiu-Jitsu... My next love.

Chapter 8: Street Fight in Seattle

Chapter 9: Japan The Beginning of My Life

Chapter 10: Scared and confused Renewing my Visa

Chapter 11: Culture Shock I'm NOT Japanese???

Chapter 12: A Mans Dying Wish

Chapter 13: Controlling the Fire Within

Chapter 14: My Debut into MMA Shigeta Shingo

Chapter 15: Bad Rules Rene Rooze

Chapter 16: Arm bar, Ill break it Ed De Kruijf

Chapter 17: Wow I might actually be good at this Andre Manard

Chapter 18: Catching a Robber

Chapter 19: Rude Awakening Joe Estes I

Chapter 20: The End Igor Zinoviev

Chapter 21: I'm not just finished just yet Mushtaq Abdullah

Chapter 22: Slapped in the face by Jiu-Jitsu Rei Zulu

Chapter 23: Shooto Meeting

Chapter 24: Problem with Relson Gracie Ridiculous Ultimatum

Chapter 25: Pan American BJJ Riot

Chapter 26: Unexpected Change Sayama Fired

Chapter 27: Birth of Yamatodamashii The Spirit of the Samurai

Chapter 28: Yamatodamashii T-shirt Debut

Chapter 29: Journey to Augusta, Georgia UFC 13

Chapter 30: Pain Is Temporary, Pride Is Forever Kawana

Chapter 31: Redemption Joe Estes II

Chapter 32: Founded Yamatodamashii Ichizoku

Chapter 33: War Leaving it ALL in the ring Frank Shamrock

Chapter 34: Nothing is Impossible Randy Couture

Chapter 35: Taste of BJJ - 1999 Super fight Mario Sperry, Abu Dhabi

Chapter 36: Guam My 2nd Home

Chapter 37: Debut in the Big Show Pride

Chapter 38: Not Fully Healed Pride 7

Chapter 39: 2000 Shukan Post trouble

Chapter 40: Totally Controlled Mark Kerr

Chapter 41: Ready to Die in the Ring Igor Vovchanchyn

Chapter 42: My Secret Retirement Fight Heath Herring

Chapter 43: Egan vs. Guy Pride plays games with me

Chapter 44 : Marriage The Next Chapter

Chapter 45 : Paparazzi Feeling of being Stalked

Chapter 46: Deceit Relinquishing the Shooto Belt

Chapter 47: Bought My House The House that Fighting Built

Chapter 48 : Norifumi Yamamoto The Birth of KID

Chapter 49 : Kid's New Love MMA

Chapter 50 : Nori's Japan Debut Beginning of a Superstar

Chapter 51 : Nori failed the dope test Marijuana

Chapter 52 : Purebred Tokyo, Killer Bee Yakuza Run

Chapter 53 : 2001 Purebred Kyoto Nicest MMA gym in Japan

Chapter 54 : 2002 February Comeback fight Nogueira

Cha pter 55: Separated The End is Near

Chapter 56 : Divorced at Narita Airport

Chapter 57 : My Heart Broke I'm Sorry Erson

Chapter 58 : 2002 Purebred Osaka

Chapter 59 : Falling out with KID 233

Chapter 60 : Kazama Ken Scheme Revealed

Chapter 61 : Beating up a Yakuza Aikawa Kumichou

Chapter 62 : HARD TIMES 2003 Sakai Steals

Chapter 63 : Civil Court Case

Chapter 64 : Pro Wrestling Debut New Japan Pro Wrestling

Chapter 65 : Fight for My Second Home, Guam

Chapter 66 : 2004 Fight in Hawaii Tom Sauer

Parting Words: Death

Foreword

This book has been in the making for 5 years and I am very happy to be able to present you with Volume One of my life story. Aside from my desire to put out a good product, there have been numerous events that have delayed the progress. The biggest most significant thing that delayed the progress of this book happened on March 11, 2011. A 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit Japan, the country I fell in love and have called home for 22 years, triggering a Tsunami that demolished the east coast of northern Japan.

Surges that reached the heights of over 100 feet swept over the coast of Japan killing over 15,000 people and leaving over 200,000 homeless. Then, as if that wasnt enough there was a meltdown of three nuclear reactors resulting in 100,000 more losing their homes. Ive been on 23 missions and counting to bring much needed supplies and aid to the unfortunate people of North Japan.