Mountain Quest 2022 List of Kata Taught

Here is a description of the 3 kata I taught (well, I taught a To-Shin Do “modern variation” of these historical kata) at Mountain Quest seminar July 2022 KOTO RYU KOPPO-JUTSU SHODEN (Initial) KATA 虎 倒 流 骨 法 術 初伝型 片巻 KATA-MAKI “Single wrap” Defense against punch barrage – Strike limbs and lock shoulder […]

REAL Value of To-Shin Do

In looking at how we promote To-Shin Do, have we identified a problem that we solve? What is the problem that calls out for To-Shin Do study to solve? Maybe the problem is combat sports that do not really reflect street reality? They are either stylized art forms not really suited to self defense, or […]

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 for Martial Arts in Dayton, the original Japanese name for our dojo is Kasumi-An. I have used that name since the 1980s to describe my dojo and the training method […]

Admonitions from Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu

体術の極意は平和の基礎と知れ (Taijutsu no gokui wa heiwa no kiso to shire) “Know that the secret of Taijutsu is the foundation of peace.   學べば不動心の道にありける (manabeba fudōshin no michi ni arikeru) Learn this, and you can walk the path of the immovable heart.”   戸田真龍軒正光 Toda Shinryūken Masamitsu 32nd Headmaster Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu

Graduations

Students who attend classes regularly often graduate to their next belt every three months. The graduation ceremony is a celebration of learning, growing, and accomplishment that usually occurs on the last Friday of the month. Friends and family members are encouraged to attend and show their support, and a real sense of community takes over […]

Iron Phurba Intensive Seminar

What if life were like a dream, and in that dream you forgot how truly powerful you were? What if in that dream you forgot how helpful you could be? What if you forgot how much everyone is counting on you to find your way to authentic power and purity? What if you forgot your […]

September 2012 Graduation

Congratulations to all of the color belt graduates. A special congratulations to Francoise Walusis and Brigid Griffin for receiving their Coaches Crests. Youth Black Belt students provided an accurate demonstration of the 4 1/2ft. jo staff and multiple Black Belts demonstrated their own skills in exciting fashion. Don’t miss An-shu Stephen K. Hayes’s demonstration of […]

Facing Inner Demons

A disciplined athlete and wealthy martial arts businessman I knew left his family and students by way of suicide. Many are concerned that revelations of shameful actions that drove the man to end his life will cause public apprehension as to what happens in martial arts schools. How could a master of “focus, discipline, and […]

Battlefield Training in Chapel Hill

Hardee Merritt, Chief Instructor of Chapel Hill Quest Center, says: “What an amazing, life transforming weekend! The evidence was in the dojo Monday night. After an entire weekend training outdoors, grappling with sticks, being thrown in the mud, the classes were packed and everyone was super motivated! Thank you An-shu for a wonderful weekend!” An-shu […]