ANCIENT WISDOM
ANCIENT WISDOM
Seattle’s Sato Bu Kan Dojo (Dojo of the Awakening Warrior) is an official Nami ryu Aiki Heiho dojo under James Williams Sensei of Encinitas, California. Williams Sensei is one of the top proponents in the world of Japanese sword and unarmed combat arts. Sato Bu Kan Dojo was founded in 2016.
We teach students how to move differently in the world and interact with life following a few simple principles including not contesting for space, and not judging our enemy. The opponent is the blade. The techniques remain true to their original purpose and principles, which are firmly rooted in a world where edged weapons were the norm. Nami ryu is well suited to law enforcement and military as well as home defense and personal self-defense.
Nami ryu Aiki Heiho is based on Japanese sword arts (kenjutsu, iaijutsu and tantojutsu), the principles of which directly apply to the unarmed martial arts (Aikijujutsu) that were the exclusive martial arts of the samurai. Later these arts formed the basis of modern arts including Brazilian Jujitsu and Aikido.
We teach students how to move differently in the world and interact with life following a few simple principles including not contesting for space, and not judging our enemy. The opponent is the blade. Our curriculum includes practical Aiki-jujutsu applications which are subtle and extremely effective. The techniques remain true to their original purpose and principles, which are firmly rooted in a world where edged weapons were the norm. Nami ryu is well suited to law enforcement and military as well as home defense and personal self-defense.
Nami ryu Aiki Heiho is based on Japanese sword arts (kenjutsu, iaijutsu and tantojutsu), the principles of which directly apply to the unarmed martial arts (Aikijujutsu) that were the exclusive martial arts of the samurai. Later these arts formed the basis of modern arts including Brazilian Jujitsu and Aikido.
Instructors
Head Instructor: Josh Ross started his martial arts career in Kendo in the pacific northwest in 2004. He spent three years practicing kendo in Bellevue before moving to Japan. Over the course of two years living in Japan, Josh Sensei earned his Ni-dan rank in Kendo (2nd degree black belt). Josh found Nami Ryu Aiki Heiho in 2009 when he was looking for an art which truly resembled the samurai’s skill set. Josh Sensei returned to Japan in 2010 and studied under Kuroda Tetsuzan Sensei at the Shinbukan Kuroda Dojo. He continues to drain directly under Williams Sensei and continues to be a student of Shinbukan Kuroda Dojo.
Josh Sensei speaks Japanese and has a great understanding of the Japanese culture. He continues to travel to Japan for study and pleasure. He language is supplemented by the practice Shodo or Japanese caligraphy.
Japanese Martial Arts
- Nami Ryu Aiki Heiho - James Williams Sensei (15 years)
- Shinbukan Kuroda Ryu-gi - Kuroda Tetsuzan Sensei (14 years)
- Kendo, 3 years PNKF and 2 years in Japan, 2nd Degree Black Belt
- Aikido, 1 year at Emerald City Aikido
Wilderness classes
- Tom Brown Jr's Tracking Nature and Wilderness Tracking School - Standard Class
- Earthwalk Northwest - Arrow making
- Wilderness Awareness School - Walkabout Survival Expedition
Professional
- Professional Engineer
- Instrument and Aerobatic Pilot
- Women's Self Defense and Protection
Firearms
- Magpul Dynamics Precision Rifle course - Caylen Wojcik
- Defensive Training International Defensive Carbine - John Farnam
- LMS Defense Pistol 1 - Okanogan Sheriff Deputies
- Alias Training & Security Services Pistol - Ken Hackathorn
- System of Strategy Pistol and Low Light Tactics - James Williams/Garron Billick
Josh Sensei learning from Kuroda Sensei. Shinbukan Kuroda Dojo was founded by Yahei Masayoshi Kuroda in 1848. Kuroda Sensei is the fifteenth Soke of his family's system. Kuroda Sensei is currently the only teacher of his system in the world.
Josh Sensei's Kendo class in Japan
Nami Ryu Aiki Heiho embodies the martial and combat studies of the Samurai. Nami Ryu continues the tradition of keeping Aiki Jujutsu (unarmed combat), Iai Jutsu (Drawing and cutting with a sword) and Ken Jutsu (traditional sword arts) combined in one system to teach a principle based martial art. Classical teaching methods are used to help the students by mentoring them on the road of learning and discovery. The curriculum teaches the martial art and culture of feudal Japan while incorporating self defense tools and strikes which can be applied immediately.
Josh Sensei being highlighted in an Utsunomiya newspaper (Shimotsuke Shinbun) for acheiving Ni-dan rank.
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTORS
Matt Carlson leads the affiliate school, Tonbo Dojo, in Traverse City Michigan. He began studying Nami Ryu in 2008 while living in Seattle. He has have been an Instructor under Josh Ross sensei at Sato BuKan since 2016. Upon moving to Michigan, Josh Ross sensei sponsored him to start a study group under Josh's direction, as an extension of his role in this dojo.
Matt has a background in medicine, and practiced as a natural primary care doctor and acupuncturist for 5 yrs in Seattle, before changing careers to software engineering. His hobbies include wood working, guitar, and Eastern philosophy.