Our Arts

The Budokan provides in-depth study in several Bujutsu arts, which provide a rounded and broad understanding of Martial Ways.

Aikido




Aikido is widely known as the creation of Morihei Ueshiba in the second decade of the 20th century.  It was created to lessen the brutality of the Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu and allow practice and proliferation of the "Do" or way of living in harmony with nature.

The style we teach has its roots in Nihon Goshin Aikido created by Richard Bowe.  Bowe Sensei studied under Shodo Morita in Japan and returned as a Ni Dan to continue the oral traditions of his system.  Bowe Sensei's Aikido was often recognized as a more 'Jutsu', or harder version of Aikido.  This may have been due to his teacher Morita Sensei having been taught by Yoshida Kotaro, who was a senior student of Sokaku Takeda of Daito Ryu.

The techniques can be applied hard or soft.. The student will learn both the hard and soft aspects of the art to be used as they deem necessary in their studies, but they will leave with the understanding that they have the tools to defend themselves from most any attack.




There is no current affiliation with the Nihon Goshin Aikido Association. Lineage - Takeda - Yoshida - Morita - Bowe - Conti - Jones

Aikijujutsu


The style of Aikijujutsu taught at the Budokan is based on the teachings of the Daito Ryu Kodokai as passed on by Katsumi Yonezawa.  Early in Yonezawa Sensei's travels to the East Coast of the US, he and Hayawo Kiyama were welcomed by Conti Sensei and stayed at his home over a 9 year period.  Conti Sensei was the first to introduce Kodokai to the East Coast and acted as the first East Coast director for 9 years.   

The Daito Ryu teachings and makimono were passed from Yonezawa to Conti Sensei and on to Jones Sensei.  This knowledge broadened the Aikido technical curriculum and blended well with the harder nature of the Nihon Goshin.  The techniques are not taught in the traditional 'kata' style, but instead taught in an application environment.  The 'aiki' movements are taught as 'waza' or techniques in their own right and added to every technique to proliferate the Aikijujutsu we teach today.

The Aikijujutsu is a broad art with many techniques and concepts that require time to assimilate and make your own, but due to the teaching style of our Budokan, you will be able to use elements of the techniques in all aspects of your self defense.


There is no current affiliation with the Daito Ryu Kodokai Association. Lineage - Takeda - Kodo - Yonezawa/Kiyama - Conti - Jones.

Karate and Kobujutsu

Shorin Ryu Karate is the basis of our style incorporating elements of Shobayashi Ryu, Kobayashi Ryu and Matsumura Seito Ryuha.  Jones Sensei has had the pleasure of studying with Conti Sensei, Ward Sensei and John Hamilton Sensei.  Hamilton Sensei (Sho Ha Shorin Ryu) has studied with the likes of Fusei Kise, Sam Pearson, Glenn Premru, Gogen Yamaguchi and many others and currently teaches in Pittsburgh, PA with an affiliate dojo in the US and Japan.

The style of Shorin Ryu incorporates angular and circular defenses and attacks and includes 25 kata, waza and combination techniques.

Along with the empty hand blocking, punching and kicking, the study of 
Okinawan and Japanese weapons enhances our Karate by developing our hands and techniques.  

Okinawan weapons include the Sai, Kama, Tonfa, Nunchaku, Bo, Nitan Bo, Kubotan, 3 sectional staff, and Shureiken (bladed projectiles). 

Japanese weapons include the Jo, Hanbo/Cane, Bokken and Katana. 

Through the use of these weapons we learn how to use the movements and nuances of the weapons to strengthen the application of our Karate, Jujutsu and Aikido, and honor the traditions of the teachers that have gone before.

Lineage - Shimabukuro - Pearson - Premru - Hamilton/Ward - Conti - Jones
Lineage - Sokon - Hamilton/Ward - Conti - Jones


Kenjutsu


The katana is the soul of Japan and the Samurai.  The traditions and etiquette of the sword are kept to this day to focus the mind, body and spirit. 

Practice starts with the wooden Bokken and progress to the use of a live blade, traditional Japanese katana.  The curriculum includes solo forms, two person kumitachi, as well as tameshigiri (test cutting).

Our sword style is based in the Tenshin Ryu.  The art is derived from 5 years of study directly with Lovret Sensei and 20 years of subsequent study with Ward Sensei in the style (Promoted to Renshi-Teacher of Teachers), as well as influences from the Meishin Muso Ryu and the Zen Kendo Renmei, and then bolstered by Conti Sensei's Aiki, Karate and Kobudo Study over 50 years.

Lineage - Lovret - Hamilton/Ward - Conti - Jones
Lineage - Matsushita- Conti - Jones
(There are no current affiliations with the Itto Tenshin Ryu.)