Charles Gelm

Charles Gelm (Bujinkan Daishihan) began his Bujinkan training in 1995 in Dayton, Ohio. He primarily studied under Kurt Rittenhouse, Dan Klug, and Sean Askew in the United States before beginning regular trips to Japan in 2001 to train with senior Japanese instructors, including Hatsumi Soke, Nagato Daishihan, Noguchi Daishihan, Someya Daishihan, and others. Charles achieved the rank of Godan at the Bujinkan Hombu in 2007 and is the recipient of the Judan menkyo, the Jugodan menkyo (2021), and the Daishihan menkyo (2024).

A long-standing volunteer for major Bujinkan events, Charles has contributed and taught at numerous Midwest Bujinkan Tai Kai, and served as a core team member supporting Nagato Daishihan during his 2021 and 2025 U.S. Tai Kai tours.

Charles is a senior instructor at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo. He teaches Budo Taijutsu on Tuesdays and Fridays, in the evening.