DR. MASAAKI HATSUMI
The nine traditions practiced at the Seishin Dôjô are headed by Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi of Noda City, Japan. Born in 1931, Dr. Hatsumi progressed through various martial arts throughout his youth and early adulthood, until meeting his life’s mentor, Toshitsugu Takamatsu. After studying under the master for 15 years, he inherited Takamatsu’s legacy, assuming the role of the 34rd Grandmaster of Togakure-ryû Ninpô and eight other related warrior traditions, which he eventually unified into the Bujinkan system. Dr. Hatsumi has taught thousands of individual practitioners, has instructing at law enforcement agencies all over the world, and has received numerous accolades from politicians and spiritual leaders of many nationalities. He has also worked as a professional osteopath, acted in a popular television series, produced many books and DVD’s on Ninjutsu and Budô, and was for many years vice chairman of the Japan Literary Artists’ Club.
SHIHAN TETSUJI ISHIZUKA
Tetsuji Ishizuka Sensei is a direct and close disciple of Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, having practiced under his guidance since the age of 17. A resident of Noda City, Japan, his knowledge and movement, regarding ninpô and the martial arts, is unparalleled and world-renowned.
He continues to practice and give classes at his personal dojo in Noda City, Japan.
DR. KACEM ZOUGHARI
Dr. Kacem Zoughari is a highly acclaimed martial arts researcher and historian and world-renowned instructor of the 9 martial traditions of Soke Masaaki Hatsumi of the Bujinkan organization. Born in Paris, France, he began his instruction in the martial arts in his teens. Traveling to Japan at the age of 17, he began his apprenticeship under ninjutsu master instructor Tetsuji Ishizuka and ninjutsu grandmaster Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi. Known for his uncanny level of skill and precision movement, combined with an unparalleled depth of knowledge on classical Japanese martial traditions, Dr. Zoughari travels the world giving seminars and is regarded as one of the most highly sought after and respected instructors of the last surviving ninja arts.
The Seishin Dôjô is headed by authorized Dôjô-cho (lead instructor) Brandon Alvarez. A personal student of Dr. Kacem Zoughari, Mr. Alvarez has over two decades of experience in the rigorous practice and intensive research of the ninpô arts and is an acclaimed documentary film-maker. In 2005, he wrote and produced the most extensive documentary ever undertaken on the history of ninjutsu; ‘SHINOBI - Winds of the 34 Generations’. Today, he continues to provide a wealth of unique knowledge and a deep immersion into the 9 fighting traditions to students of the Seishin Dôjô. He also continues to travel to Japan for on-going practice and transmission in the ninpô arts and hosts an annual seminar in the Los Angeles area for practitioners featuring Dr. Kacem Zoughari.