Shudokan Martial Arts Association Home Page
What is the SMAA?
The Shudokan Martial Arts Association (SMAA) is an international coalition of enthusiasts dedicated to promoting traditional Japanese budo and koryu bujutsu. The SMAA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is headed by an elite group of high-ranking Japanese and Western instructors whose backgrounds encompass many decades of studying and teaching the traditional martial arts and ways of Japan.
Who can join?
The SMAA invites all individuals who are interested in traditional Japanese budo and koryu bujutsu to apply for membership. There are two levels of membership in the SMAA: full members are eligible to apply for rank and teaching titles; associate members receive all the other benefits of membership, but do not receive rank or titles. All members are bound by the SMAA Code of Ethics. For more information, see the Membership page and the Frequently Asked Questions page.
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On August 17, 18 and 19 Sato Tadayuki Sensei and John Gage Sensei will teach a special seminar in the USA. The event will be hosted by Nicklaus Suino Sensei, SMAA Judo Division Director, and it will take place in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Instruction will be in the Kodokan judo of Kano Jigoro Sensei, the Shodokan aikido of Tomiki Kenji Sensei, and Sato Shizuya's system of modern Nihon jujutsu. Special discounts are offered to SMAA members. Go to the Events section of this website to learn how you can study with two of Japan's leading martial arts teachers.
The SMAA is a federally tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation. As such, your donations to our association are tax deductible. Send your donations, in the form of a check or money order (made out to SMAA), to our headquarters in
On August 23, 2012 the Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts will offer free Japanese yoga and aiki-jujutsu instruction for SMAA members. This special SMAA event will take place in California and feature instruction by Troy Swenson Sensei, assistant editor of the SMAA Journal. Swenson Sensei has received international teaching certification from the SMAA Jujutsu Division. Visit the Events section of this website for more details and information.
SMAA membership fees for 2012 were due on January 1, 2012. SMAA members should make sure they have made their annual contribution to our nonprofit organization. Dues can be sent to SMAA HQ in the form of a check, money order, or international postal money order. You can also pay online at this website with a major credit card or PayPal.
Thank you to all our members for your ongoing support of the SMAA!
Kevin Heard Sensei, SMAA Senior Advisor, was recently promoted to sixth-degree black belt by the SMAA Jujutsu Division. He is one of the original members of the SMAA, and he has been practicing Saigo Ryu martial arts for nearly 30 years.
Click here for more information.
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Don't miss the 2011 SMAA Europe Seminar in England! Featuring Suzuki Kunio Sensei, direct from Japan, who will teach classic Nakamura Ryu swordsmanship. This is your chance to learn the art of the samurai sword from an eighth-degree black belt and a member of the SMAA Board of Advisors.
Click on the link to learn more about this special event, which will be hosted by John Evans Sensei, SMAA Senior Advisor. But don't wait too long to register, as the number of students that can be accepted is limited to insure top quality instruction.
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Otsuka Yasuyuki Sensei, the current Soke (Headmaster) of Meifu-Shinkage Ryu, has joined the SMAA Board of Advisors. Meifu-Shinkage Ryu is based on Katori Shinto Ryu, one of Japan's oldest forms of koryu bujutsu. Meifu-Shinkage Ryu specializes in the use of shuriken (throwing stars and darts) and the fundo kusari, a weighted chain. Otsuka Sensei is one of the highest ranking martial artists in Japan and one of very few people in the world teaching an authentic system of shuriken-jutsu. His desire to join the SMAA points to the value of the work our group is doing internationally to promote and preserve genuine Japanese budo and koryu bujutsu.
The SMAA is active throughout the world and lead by both Western and Japanese martial arts experts. Otsuka Sensei joins a number of prominent martial arts teachers in Japan, who actively support our association and validate the ranks issued by the SMAA. Their presence in the SMAA speaks volumes about the importance of our group and the degree to which it is respected in Japan, the birthplace of budo and koryu bujutsu.
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