Shihan Jeffrey Prather 15th Dan is a double recipient of Hatsumi Soke's Gold Medal. The first was awarded for his development of the Close Quarter Combat course for the U.S. Marine Corps. and the Army Special Operations Forces, the second for hosting the 1995 Tai Kai, which he had the honor of hosting a second time in 99'. Shihan Prather also has a 10th degree blackbelt in Shinkengata (real life combat). Foto: Shihan Prather with Soke Hatsumi just after he received a sculpted dragon as a gift from Soke during his visit to Japan in 2007.

Welcome to the Bujinkan Yamaneko Dojo in Tucson, Arizona! Here you can learn all there is to get you started training in one of the last, remaining true martial arts. Budo Taijutsu is the complete martial art, incorporating strikes, grappling and weapons to form a complete package. The Bujinkan Yamaneko Dojo in Tucson was founded in 1990 by Shihan Prather under full charter from Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi. Shihan Prather has been a personal student since 1984.

'Taijutsu is moving meditation. The thing that makes it meditation is that it must be done without the will to make it happen. Make your movement smooth.' - Masaaki Hatsumi, Grandmaster Bujinkan

What is Budo Taijutsu

We are the best in the world for self-protection and the protection of others. Taijutsu maximizes minimal effort for maximum effect. As such, we are ideal for kids, ladies and elders.

Bujinkan is one of the few surviving complete martial arts, undiluted by emphasis on tournaments, sport and technique, or artificial rules. The Bujinkan teaches shikengata - real survival techniques!

Budo uses relaxed natural movement and distance to overcome an opponent's speed and strength. Movement is refined for grace and naturalness in all action until power results from mere movement, and evasion from a simple adjustment of position.

Taijutsu incorporates strikes, punches, kicks, throws, locks, tumbling, weaponry, stealth, meditation and spiritual empowerment. This literally gives you an unlimited universe of henka (variation of all of the above) for the flow of actual combat.

Why Budo Taijutsu

Since traditional ninja shared a special tie to nature, we train outdoors Monday to Thursday nights and Saturday mornings. The martial artist who trains only on mats or smooth wooden floors is often unprepared for hard falls, bad weather, or uneven terrain. In contrast, our senior students are comfortable fighting in any environment, rolling and falling, even from height, on concrete, or in the dark.

As you get to know us you will find that our warrior values also make us an extremely family oriented, tight-knit group. Those who you sweat and train with become your most reliable friends. In the Bujinkan you will quickly learn the most efficient ways ever devised to defend yourself in a fight, but in the long run you will learn how to survive in life.

Bujinkan Founder

Grandmaster Hatsumi is the founder and International Director of the Bujinkan Dojo with it's Hombu Dojo residing in Noda City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, in an office attached to his home. Dr. Hatsumi is the inheritor of the three Ninjutsu and six Samurai traditions from the late Toshitsugu Takamatsu Soke in the early 1970's, just before Soke Takamatsu's passing in 1972.

Hatsumi is an accomplished painter who's art has been presented to various leaders throughout the world. Hatsumi also has received Honorary Doctorates from the USA Human Sciences and Philosophy, Honorary Texas Ranger, Title of Knighthood from Germany, and Blackbelt magazine's Instructor of the Year, and the list continues. For more information on Hatsumi Soke's Dojo located in Japan, please visit his website at www.bujinkan.com

Yamaneko Dojo Founder

Jeffrey Prather has trained for over 35 years in Japanese martial arts and is one of a very few 15th-degree blackbelt Shihan (master or gentleman instructor) in the world. He is licensed by Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, Bujinkan Soke, the grandmaster of Budo Taijutsu. The Yamaneko Dojo is an official branch of Hatsumi Soke's dojo. Shihan Prather is a double recipient of Hatsumi Soke's Gold Medal. The first was awarded for his development of the Close Quarter Combat course for the U.S. Marine Corps. and the Army Special Operations Forces, the second for hosting the 1995 Tai Kai, which he had the honor of hosting a second time in 99'. Shihan Prather also has a 10th degree blackbelt in Shinkengata (real life combat). He has written for publications such as Black Belt magazine and has taught the police and military all over the world. Documentation and references available.

http://www.bujinkanusa.com/

The Instructors of Yamaneko Dojo

Head Instructor

David Petersmarck was introduced to the Bujinkan and Budo Taijutsu while living in Germany in 1988. After leaving Germany in 1991, he found it difficult to find a school teaching authentic Budo Taijutsu and continued to train in a variety of martial arts until arriving at the Yamaneko Dojo in 2004. David is currently a Yondan and in 2008 he stepped into the role of Sempai for the dojo.

He has also taught courses in Special Weapons and Tactics, Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics, and Hand-to-Hand Combat, as-well-as the military CQC (Close Quarter Combat) Course, which was developed by Shihan Prather. David is an accomplished musician and enjoys playing guitar.

Instructor

Darin Ashley graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD and received an M.S. from the University of Arizona in Tucson. He served in the active duty Marine Corps for five years and is a veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He also served in the Marine Corps Reserves where he was the commanding officer of a Reconnaissance unit. In the Marines he received certifications for dive, parachute, mountain leader, and combat swimmer.

He is currently the Chief Operations Officer for Warriorschool in Tucson, AZ where he teaches tactical shooting, driving and fighting skills under contract to government and corporate personnel, as well as to private citizens. He began training in the Bujinkan in 1992 under Jeffrey Prather. He is currently a Yondan and teaches both adult and kids classes. He resides in Marana with his wife Christa.

Instructor

Amber Meesenburg is a Nidan (second degree black belt) and has been training under Shihan Jeffery Prather since 2004. Amber currently serves as the Shibu Liaison coordinating training opportunities between shibus (branches of the main dojo) around the country, and issuing the dojo newsletter. She is also an Assistant Instructor for both women's FightBack and children's Safe Kids courses through Warriorschool.

She graduated with a B.A. in Art History in 2002 from New Mexico State University. She has a fourteen year background working with children and families in recreational and educational programs in the southwest. She is an artist, teacher, daughter, sister, and friend. Amber believes in "finding what is of real value to humanity and putting yourself in service to it", and it is that philosophy that leads her to dedicate so much of her time and attention to this dojo.

Instructor

James Webb first found out about the Bujinkan while attending the University of Arizona in 2003. Having been interested in Martial Arts for some time, but not wanting to learn a tournament or sport driven art the Bujinkan was a perfect fit due to its emphasis on natural, relaxed movement. James is a Nidan and received his black belt in January of 2008. In his spare time he enjoys, reading, painting, drawing, snowboarding, travel, studying Japanese and playing video games.

Kids Instructor

Mike Delich is a Shodan and has been training in the Bujinkan for more than six years and is currently teaching the weekday kids classes. He enjoys working with young people and has extensive experience in coaching a number of sports, including at the junior Olympic level. Mike has three daughters, two of which graduated from the U of A. His hobbies include sailing, surfing, and Guitar.

Kids Class

Children today are forced to grow up faster and faster. At times it can appear we're in a race against television, video games and the internet for their attention and growth. Images of violence cross their path on a daily basis. Left unchecked, fantasy and reality can begin to blur together until the child cannot determine which is which. What are we to do? Martial arts provides the foundation on which the challenges of life can rest.

Budo Taijutsu provides a fun, controlled learning environment so that violence loses all it's mystery, and at the same time they learn the skills to protect themselves against the dangers of life... physically and emotionally. Children will learn to be strong but even more important, will learn what it means to be strong. When one is strong, one also needs to be polite.

If you want to learn more, please come down and watch a class. We're sure you'll find what you're looking for.

http://www.bujinkanusa.com/

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