Donn F. Draeger

Written by Rick Polland | 14 March 2010

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onn’s official bio in part reads as follows: “…regular officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, is a research historian, author, and lecturer on Asian martial disciplines, in which he holds a large number of expert ranks and teaching licenses.”  Donn also continued to try and create publications that had a broad public appeal for folks interested in budo from both an academic and practitioner’s vantage point.  Donn resurrected Sir Richard Burton’s classification for the study of Hopology, the impact of martial arts on culture and truly dedicated his life to this pursuit.

Donn lived all over Asia and hobnobbed with some of the greatest martial artists of his day earning their respect and often gaining access to the intricacies of their own martial systems.

Perhaps one day an authoritative book about this man will be published. I liked in particular what Mr. Ellis Amdur, an accomplished martial artist in his own right, had to say in a post a few years back, to paraphrase: “…he was a man’s man and when he placed his hands upon you he could gauge your worth…”

Known for his Judo and introducing weight training to the Kodokan, his excellent books and a few duds too, Donn was formidable and yet had a marvelous sense of humor.  I hope to write some of my own memories about Donn and that others that knew him might contribute so that a compendium might be developed.