meet the teacher
TONBO DOJO HEAD INSTRUCTOR
Matt Carlson began studying Nami Ryu in 2008 while living in Seattle. He has been an instructor under Josh Ross Sensei at Sato Bu Kan since 2016. Upon moving to Michigan, Ross Sensei sponsored him to start a study group, as an extension of his role in that dojo.
His martial arts studies include Okinawan karate and kickboxing, and more recently includes Systema, western broadsword, and pugilistic boxing.
Matt has a background in medicine, and practiced as a natural primary care doctor and acupuncturist for 5 yrs in Seattle, then changed careers to software engineering. His hobbies include wood working, guitar, and playing the board game Go.
Matt (center, left) and Marco (back, right) at a Nami Ryu Aiki Heiho Gathering of the Clan - with James Williams Sensei. River of Life dojo, Fort Washington PA, 2023.
About tonbo dojo
Tonbo Dojo is a school for samurai martial arts. We study Nami Ryu Aiki Heiho under the guidance of Sensei Josh Ross in Seattle.
We hosted a seminar with Sensei Ryan Bellegante in September, 2023. We will continue hosting seminars with Sensei Bellegante every year - please email us for info on the next seminar.
We hosted seminars by Sensei Ross in 2022, and 2023. We will continue hosting seminars with Sensei Ross every year - please email us for info on the next seminar.
About the curriculum
Kenjutsu is the study of the martial application of the Japanese sword. The study of kenjutsu is very different from modern sword arts such as kendo and iaido.
In a classical bugei (military training system) the sword and the unarmed arts are identical in principle and technique. Knowledge of the sword is essential to understanding the unarmed arts of the Samurai.
Study of the sword brings a depth of comprehension that allows true insight into the Samurai mind. Once a student is fully accepted into the dojo and has learned the kihon waza (required techniques), they may be permitted to begin sword training.
The sword also defines the morality of the Samurai code of bushido. For the Samurai the proper use of the sword was to defend the innocent and the country against evil. An old samurai saying, “kastujinken satsujinken”, carries the meaning, “The sword that cuts down evil is the sword that gives life”.
Having the ability to protect the innocent from evil is the goal.
of the study of kenjutsu. In essence (as should be the case in all martial arts study) the pursuit of kenjutsu made the samurai warrior a more competent and responsible citizen. This is as true for modern practitioners as it was for warriors in ancient times.
Iaijutsu is the rapid deployment of the sword with combative intent. It is a separate area of study with it’s own distinct waza (curriculum).
As a classical art Iaijutsu concerns itself with three primary considerations:
- combat application
- mental and physical discipline
- moral objectives
The ability to rapidly and fluidly draw the sword and successfully engage an enemy was crucial to the samurai both in attack and defense. The techniques for accomplishing this feat are sophisticated and take serious instruction and practice before they can be done safely at speed.
At Tonbo Dojo sword arts are done with wooden practice swords as well as live (real and sharp) swords once a student is ready. The fact that our students use a real weapon facilitates both speed and a depth of learning that would not exist if live blades were not used.
Subtle physical movements and mental awareness become second nature to a swordsman. At the higher levels of skill, the opponent is controlled with the swordsman’s will and is unable to attack without being cut down in the process.
Samurai Jujutsu/Aiki-jujutsu is a legacy of Japan’s feudal era. This art was developed through generations of intense personal conflict and warfare.
The softness in application of technique evolved because it was the most efficient manner in which the Samurai warrior could defeat his enemy. This art has been distilled from the most absolute of human physical conflict – close hand to hand combat with edged weapons – specifically the samurai sword and knife.
Aiki-jujutsu is a hidden or “inner” art in that it is not possible to see what is really making the technique work. As with the strategy of the sword, the main goal is to hide one’s intentions and actions. The basic tenet of Aiki-jujutsu is to never oppose force with force, but to direct and utilize the power of the attack to overthrow the enemy with his own strength.
Eventually, with knowledge and training, it becomes possible for the mind to freely lead the body and sword into action with creative spontaneity.
About nami ryu
Nami Ryu means “wave style” and refers to the fact that energy travels in waves. The wave effect is one of the underlying principles of our art.
Nami Ryu as a martial arts system is comprised of unarmed techniques (Aiki-jujutsu) taken directly from the study of Japanese sword arts (kenjutsu and iaijutsu) and knife arts (tantojutsu).
Nami Ryu principles and techniques originate in ancient martial arts (bujutsu) and strategies (heiho, or hyoho) that were exclusively used by the samurai.
Our curriculum covers a wide range of bugei (Japanese martial arts), which encompass skills that were once necessary for the samurai warrior in the performance of his martial duties.
These principles also apply to the study of jujutsu. Jujutsu comes from the study of the sword; both use the same “operating system”.
The result is that studying sword arts and jujutsu become the same, with a single system that guides both armed and unarmed training. These practical skills are translated into teachings applicable in modern times.
history / lineage of Nami ryu
Yoshida Kotaro
Yoshida Kotaro was a gifted martial artist who was well known in pre- and post-war Japan. He was an associate of many of the most important people in Japanese martial traditions of the 20th century, both old and new.
Yoshida Kotaro was involved with Takeda Sokaku, who brought classical Samurai martial traditions into the 20th century. He was also directly instrumental in Ueshibia Morihei, the founder of Aikido, meeting and training with Takeda Sensei.
The knowledge that Ueshiba gained from Takeda Sokaku was the foundation of his development of Aikido as a major modern martial art.
Yoshida Kenji
We have no known record of Yoshida Kotaro Sensei passing on his family art to anyone in Japan. The only person that we know of who had knowledge of these family traditions was his son Yoshida Kenji, who came to the United States prior to the Second World War.
Don Angier Sensei
Yoshida Kenji Sensei, having no relatives in the United States and no contact with Japan, taught and passed his art on to Don Angier. Don Angier Sensei dedicated his life to the study of Yanagi ryu, which was the family art of the Yoshida clan. Angier Sensei passed away in October, 2014.
James Williams Sensei was a student of Angier Sensei for many years.
James Williams Sensei
James Williams is the President of Bugei Trading Company, Inc. He has been studying martial arts since 1960 and teaching since 1975. James has trained, competed in, and taught a number of different martial disciplines: Japanese, Okinawan, Chinese, Filipino, as well as the Brazilian system of Jujitsu as taught by Rorion and Royce Gracie. His experience includes western wrestling, which he also coached, as well as competing in boxing and kickboxing.
His love of samurai martial traditions came with his study of the Yanagi ryu of the Yoshida han under Don Angier Sensei and the martial traditions of the Kuroda-han as taught by Kuroda Tetsuzan Sensei.
James also studied Daito ryu Roppokai with Okamoto Seigo Sensei.
James teaches Close Quarters Combat to police and military both foreign and domestic. The method used, “The System of Strategy,” is based on those skills developed and cultivated by ancient warriors. He is the designer of tactical flashlights and knives, including the “Hissatsu,” a close quarter battle knife that is produced by Columbia River Knife and Tool.
James is certified as an instructor of Systema (an ancient Russian Martial Art) by Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasiliev. Williams Sensei teaches Nami Ryu Aiki Heiho, (kenjutsu, iaijutsu, tanto jutsu and aikijujutsu) and The System of Strategy in Encinitas, California.
Kuroda Tetsuzan Sensei
Kuroda Tetsuzan Sensei of the Shinbukan Kuroda Dojo, is the Soke (familial inheritor) of several ancient Samurai military disciplines. Kuroda sensei inherited this knowledge through his family line and is the headmaster of the Kuroda family martial legacy. The arts that he has inherited include:
- Komagawa Kaishin ryu kenjitsu – Shishin Takuma ryu jujitsu
- Tamiya ryu iaijitsu – Tsubaki Kotengu ryu bojitsu
- Seigyoku Oguri-ryū Sakkatsujitsu
Kuroda Sensei began his training at the age of 5 and was trained by both his father and his grandfather Kuroda Yasuji.
Komagawa Kaishin ryu kenjutsu was founded by Komagawa Tarouzaemon-kunikichi in the 16th century.
Kaishin is composed of two words, kai and shin. Kai means change and shin means mind or spirit. Kaishin means changed mind or spirit. The Kuroda family styles of jujutsu, kenjutsu, and iaijutsu were founded 450 years ago.