The art of Daito ryu is one of the oldest traditions of Japanese ko ryu bujutsu. Its origin lies in the convergence of several martial disciplines which came together in the Aizu clan, where formal bujutsu instruction was a priority.

The creation of the Ni-shinkan [akin to a martial art university], with all its separate dojos and a diversity of arts being taught, is only part of the circumstances that favored the development of Daito ryu within the Aizu domain.

Choi Kwang Do was developed by Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi between 1978 and 1987 and has proven to be one of the most effective martial arts system's in the world. Choi Kwang Do’s natural, easy-to-learn, sequential movements maximize your body’s force-producing capabilities, but more importantly, they increase opportunities to enhance your health.

It’s a unique program based on modern scientific principles from human anatomy, physiology (the branch of biological sciences dealing with the functioning of organisms), psychol-ogy (the science of mental life), kinesiology (the branch of physiology that studies mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement), neurophysiology (the branch of neuroscience that studies the physiology of the nervous system) and biomechanics (human movement science).

Seeing this demographic change Tanabe Tetsundo created some new training components for the modern sword student.  Master Tanabe and his following comprised of some of the most influential swordsmen in Japan called this way of thought Chanbara – a colloquial term known for sword fighting.

Find international information on Chanbara from around the world.  Just click on the official Japanese Sports Chanbara web site listed below.

Capoeira (pronounced Capo-wa-ra), is an Afro-Brazilian art form that ritualizes movement from martial arts, games, and dance.

It was brought to Brazil from Angola some time after the 16th century in the regions known as Bahia, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and Sao Paulo. Participants form a roda or circle and take turns either playing musical instruments (such as the Berimbau), singing, or ritually sparring in pairs in the center of the circle. The game is marked by fluid acrobatic play, feints, and extensive use of sweeps, kicks, and headbutts. Less frequently used techniques include elbow-strikes, slaps, punches, and body throws. Its origins and purpose are a matter of heated debate, with the spectrum of argument ranging from views of Capoeira as a uniquely Brazilian folk dance with improvised fighting movements to claims that it is a battle-ready fighting form directly descended from ancient African techniques.

Bando is credited as a style of armed and unarmed combat native to Burma. It is an assimilation of Karate-like striking and kicking techniques, Judo-like throwing techniques, swordplay and fighting with knives, spears and sticks.

There are numerous interpretations of the term Bando, and different linguistic and ethnic groups hold to diverse translations. There are many styles of Bando, but most follow basic instructional patterns. The art emphasizes initial withdrawal followed by an attack outside the opponent’s reach. All parts of the body are employed in these attacks, and once the initial technique is delivered, grappling and locking techniques are used. Techniques are learned first through formal exercises in some systems and only later through sparring.