Shudokan Martial Arts Association

Shudokan Martial Arts Association The Shudokan Martial Arts Association is an international coalition of enthusiasts dedicated to traditional budo and koryu bujutsu. E. Objectives of the SMAA

1.

Read more at www.smaa-hq.com. The Shudokan Martial Arts Association (SMAA, Shudokan Budo-Kai) was founded in January 1994 by a group of martial artists who were concerned with promoting and safeguarding Nihon budo and koryu bujutsu--the traditional martial arts and ways of Japan. The original members of the SMAA were Karl Scott Sensei (karate-do seventh dan, aikido sixth dan), Nicklaus Suino Sensei (judo sixth dan, iaido eighth dan), H. Davey Sensei (jujutsu eighth dan), and the late Walter Todd Sensei (judo eighth dan, aikido sixth dan). From the original core group, the association has grown to include many of the preeminent practitioners of martial arts in and outside of Japan:

Otsuka Yasuyuki Soke (Headmaster of Meifu-Shinkage Ryu shuriken-jutsu)

Iwasaki Hisashi Soke (Headmaster of Kobori Ryu suiei-jutsu)

Sawai Atsuhiro Sensei (Kobori Ryu suiei-jutsu)

Suzuki Kunio Sensei, (Nakamura Ryu and Toyama Ryu iaido)

Ohsaki Jun Sensei (Saigo Ryu aiki-jujutsu, Kodokan judo)

Cynthia Hayashi Sensei (Aikikai aikido)

Stephen Fabian Sensei (Hontai Yoshin Ryu jujutsu, Toyama Ryu iaido)

Hunter Armstrong Sensei (Owari Kan Ryu sojutsu, Yagyu Shinkage Ryu kenjutsu)

Guy Power Sensei (Nakamura Ryu iaido and battodo)

Herb Wong Sensei (Shorin Ryu karate-do)

Mr. Dave Lowry (Shindo Muso Ryu jojutsu, Yagyu Shinkage Ryu kenjutsu)

Mr. Wayne Muromoto (Takeuchi Ryu jujutsu)

And many others. The SMAA is a small, fraternal organization with a decidedly noncommercial outlook on modern budo and koryu bujutsu. It includes separate divisions for karate-do, aikido, judo, traditional jujutsu, iaido, and goshin-jutsu (modern self-defense systems stemming from budo or bujutsu). Both associate membership (without rank) and regular membership (with rank) are available to individuals sincerely interested in researching and training in the classical martial systems of Japan. Regular international seminars, e-mail newsletters, a quarterly journal, a blog, access to this website, and examinations for dan/kyu ranking are benefits of membership. All members are bound by the SMAA Code of Ethics. The leaders of the SMAA all have close ties to the martial community in Japan, or they live in Japan. Although they are reimbursed for their expenses, they receive no salaries. Their rewards lie in the friendships that are born within the SMAA and the exchange of knowledge that takes place as the result of SMAA membership. To promote and aid in the growth of Japan's traditional martial arts and ways.

2. To assist the public in achieving spiritual growth and physical development through budo and koryu bujutsu training.

3. To further friendship and understanding between Asian and Western martial artists.

4. To establish goodwill and harmony among martial artists of various systems.

5. To offer Western martial artists access to legitimate budo and koryu bujutsu organizations and teachers in Japan.

6. To give practitioners of authentic budo and koryu bujutsu recognition for their years of devotion to these arts.

10/06/2026
10/06/2026

▪️Antique Japanese sword attributed to Morihiro

This blade is attributed to Osafune Morihiro (備州長船守弘) during the Nanboku-chō period in the late 14th century. The maker’s name, Morihiro, lasted three generations from the Nanbokucho- Muromachi period. Bishu(備州)is a larger area in today’s Okayama&Hiroshima prefecture. Bishu consists of Bizen(備前), Bitchu(備中), and Bingo (備後). Osafune is the name of the prestigious school located in Bizen province.

Morihiro is categorized as a Kozori swordsmith. Kozori is a group of swordsmiths who belonged to Osafune school in Bizen during the Nanbokucho Period but weren’t part of major branches such as Kanemitsu school. When the first-gen Morihiro was active in the Nanbokucho period, Japan was tumultuous because the imperial court was split into two sides(south and north). There were many conflicts, and many Samurai were deployed. And Moromitsu and Kozori school must have dedicated themselves to forging high-quality blades for those Samurai who fought in battles.

More information
https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-japanese-sword-katana-attributed-to-osafune-morihironbthk-hozon-certificate/

10/06/2026

▪️Tanto signed by Motonaga

This blade was signed by Aoki Motonaga (青木元長) during the 8th year of the Bunka era of the late Edo period (1811). He learned sword-forging techniques from various masters, including the 6th-gen Nobutaka in Owari province (Today’s Aichi prefecture), Ozaki Suketaka in Settsu province (Today’s Osaka prefecture), Oku Motohira in Satsuma province (today’s Satsuma province). We assume he must have aspired to learn highly skilled craftsmanship from these masters.

His birthname was Kiheibei, and he first signed Nobunao (信直) after becoming an apprentice of the 6th-gen Nobutaka (六代信高) during the Bunka era (1804-1818). We believe Motonaga was allowed to use one Kanji letter of his master’s name, Nobu (信), after being acknowledged by Nobutaka. After finishing his apprenticeship and gaining fame in Owari province, he moved to Osaka to learn sword-forging techniques from Ozaki Suketaka (尾崎助隆), who was famous for creating Toranba, a particular wavy tempering line. He was eager to master more intricate craftsmanship after staying in Osaka. In the third year of the Kyowa era (1803), he moved to Satsuma province and served Oku Motohira (奥元平), one of the most famous swordsmiths in the region back then. During his stay in the Satsuma province, he changed his name from Nobunao to Motonaga (元長). On this occasion, he also received a Moto (元) letter from his master. He learned various techniques from prestigious makers, and eventually, he settled near Nagoya castle in Aichi prefecture.

More information
https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-japanese-sword-tanto-signed-by-aoki-motonaga-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-certificate/

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Ann Arbor, MI
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