Budo Mentors

The following teachers are mentors that the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo staff instructors look up to for guidance and training in the Bujinkan. Some of the Mentors are senior teachers under Hatsumi Sensei in Japan. All of the mentors help guide us in our path toward understanding Bujinkan Budo.

Hatsumi Soke

Masaaki Hatsumi is the inheritor (Soke) of nine Japanese Ryu-ha (lineages) from his teacher, Takamatsu Sensei, who passed away in 1972. Hatsumi Soke created the Bujinkan after his teacher died, in order to preserve and continue the ryu-ha he inherited. Because he shares his budo with students from around the world, he has earned countless awards and honors from government agencies and military forces for his teachings. Currently in his 70's, Hatsumi Soke continues to share his budo at the Bujinkan Hombu in Japan.

Noguchi Shihan

Yukio Noguchi Shihan is a longtime student of Hatsumi Soke, and teaches at his own dojo or the Hombu twice a week. His skill in Taijutsu, Kenjutsu, Kyojutsu & henka are unparalleled. It is common to have him place you in a position which forces you to fall, only to find him giggling at you as your mind tries to comprehend how he did it.

Nagato Shihan

Toshiro Nagato Shihan has been training with Hatsumi Sensei for more than 25 years. His background includes professional Judo & kickboxing tournaments for a number of years, before finding Bujinkan Budo - or real budo, as Nagato Shihan says. Although a naturally large man, Nagato Shihan demonstrates Budo Taijutsu through effortless Kihon Happo & San Shin. Nagato Sensei teaches a few times a week at the Hombu and at a recreational center near Tokyo.

Shiraishi Shihan

Isamu Shiraishi Shihan is one of Hatsumi Sensei's original core students, with more than 25 years of experience. Mostly known for his generous smile, natural ukemi, and amazing Kihon Happo understanding, Shiraishi Shihan teaches Taijutsu to all levels of students with graceful patience.

Dan Klug

Shidoshi, 10th Dan - Dan Klug has been training since the 1980's, and was an original student of Kurt Rittenhouse Martial Arts in 1990. He has trained in Japan a dozen times since the mid-1990's, and is best known for using the concepts of Taijutsu for all his movement, which includes boxing, grappling, and Bujinkan. He typically comes to the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo twice a year to offer seminars and private instruction. Currently living near Olympia, Washington State, Dan continues to be a very active in mentoring the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo. Learn more about Dan Klug here.

Sean Askew

Shidoshi, 15th Dan - Mr. Askew lived in Japan for ten years (1991-2001), where he spent much of his time training under Hatsumi Sensei and the Bujinkan Shihan. He also graduated from Sophia University with a degree in Japanese Language & History, and a minor in Japanese Religions during his 10-year stay in Japan. His martial background includes Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, Kosen Judo, and shootfighting. Mr. Askew, creator of the Bujinkan Kokusai Renkoumyo, lived in the US from 2001 through 2006, at which time he moved back to Tokyo, Japan.

Kurt Rittenhouse

Shidoshi, 8th Dan - Kurt began training in Budo Taijutsu in 1983. He originally studied Budo Taijutsu at "The Barn", a dojo near Dayton, Ohio. His instructors were Shawn Havens, a senior student of "The Barn" and Stephen K. Hayes. Kurt Rittenhouse Martial Arts was Shidoshi Rittenhouse’ martial arts school. Within five years of starting his own school in 1990, Shidoshi Rittenhouse had two dojos (Kettering, OH & Columbus, OH) with over 250 students under him. In the summer of 1997, Shidoshi Rittenhouse chose to close both of his dojos. This is when the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo was created.

Luke Molitor

Shidoshi, 13th Dan - Dr. Luke Molitor, Bujinkan Shihan of the Jigoku Dojo has a vast amount of knowledge and experience in the Japanese warrior arts and ways, and splits his time between Japan and Texas furthering his training under Soke Hatsumi Masaaki. He is also a student of Nagase Hiroshi, Someya Kenichi, and Nagato Toshiro.