BLOG
Get on An-shu's list and be the first to know about new posts, events, and opportunities to study with Stephen—
FEATURED POSTS

Ichi-Go Ichi-E, Wisdom for the Holidays
We spend days – weeks even – preparing our recipes, fussing over the physical preparations, but how are we preparing to meet what is the most important part of a Holiday…our relationships with the people present? Here’s a few examples and ideas for conversation starters:
Mountain Quest 2025
Rainy Mountain Quest 2025 on North Carolina’s Grandfather Mountain is now a grand memory… As promised, I will list notes from the kata taught over the August 2025 weekend. These are from the Kuki Shinden Ryu bojutsu collection Sabaki Kata GEKICHU KERI AGE TSUKE IRI GORIN KUDAKI (“Crushing the abdomen”) I did not include the description of what the adversary is doing with his sword in these descriptions. I don’t expect anyone to learn and apply this technique without having been there. It is listed as a reminder for those coached through the kata at Mountain Quest 2025.
ALL POSTS
A Master’s Tale
Several years ago, Rumiko and I were invited as special guests to a showcase of Japanese karate instructors. These were the men who brought karate
Ninja Evolution
I have a curriculum all my friends use in their To-Shin Do dojos, from white belt through 6th Degree. 7th and 8th Degree are somewhat
Radiating Inspiration
Martial arts masters who share the gift of inspiration with us radiate something we feel in their presence: We pick up a quality in them
1981 Interview with An-shu – 37 Years Later, Still Valid?
The following comes from a 1981 issue of Kick Illustrated magazine. I had some pretty bold and controversial opinions 37 years ago. How does this
An-shu Defined
People have asked about the meaning of the An-shu title that Rumiko and I use. Though the world knows our school as SKH Quest Center
A Secret Tip from our Ancestors
Get out of the dojo and into nature now and then. No healthier way to discharge pent-up energies. The mind-body throws off its excess energies
Dual Approach to a Common Value
To-Shin Do was developed with two purposes in mind. First, it is a modern adaptation of ancient ninja combat art philosophies. The techniques have been
37th Annual Festival – A Special Opportunity
“Visceral Training” is the theme of our 37th annual Festival coming up this October 6-8, 2017. This year you have a chance to focus on
Cross Training; Yes or No?
People who do not practice To-Shin Do cannot figure out why there is so little cross training done by our students. Here are three thoughts
Clever for the Win
A relatively small raccoon can kill a much larger hunting dog with a surprising tactic. The raccoon can run up the front of the dog’s