Site Map
The SMAA invites all individuals who are interested in traditional Japanese budo and koryu bujutsu to apply for membership.
The Shudokan Martial Arts Association (SMAA, Shudokan Budo-Kai) was founded in January 1994 by martial artists concerned with promoting and safeguarding the traditional martial arts and ways of Japan.
From Budo to Bujutsu--read about martial arts topics written by real martial artists!
From Black Belt Certificates to teaching titles, we can give you all of our rank certification information, here!
Do you want to participate in authentic Japanese martial arts? Find all of SMAA’s membership info, here!
Have you practiced in a dojo without real credentials? Practice legitimate, historical martial arts with SMAA!
Martial arts, from karate-do to iaido, is more than just a name--it's about the people behind it, too. Meet our array of qualified senseis!
The SMAA plans seminars available to all members! Check out what we're planning, soon.
What will you be paying for membership in the SMAA? Belt certificates, membership, find our pricings here!
Do you want to read books from experienced, Japanese Martial Artists and Writers? Check out these amazing titles!
We strongly believe in our ethics. The reputation, honor, and future of the SMAA depend on our members' conduct.
Budo basics, martial arts membership--SMAA is frequently asked many martial arts questions. See if we answer yours, here!
If you have any questions or concerns about our Martial Arts Association, please don't hesitate to contact us!
Aikido is a dynamic martial art and form of spiritual training focused on non-violent punching and pinning techniques.
Iaido focuses on the drawing and use of the traditional Japanese sword; it's widely regarded as a form of moving meditation.
SMAA's traditional Judo combines competitive elements of Kokodan Judo, the study of judo’s spiritual basis, and its philosophical life applications.
Often regarded as the oldest Japanese Martial Art, Jujutsu is a collective name for Japanese martial systems including unarmed and armed methods.
Karate-do is a martial art is primarily a striking art using punching, kicking, as well as knee and elbow strikes.
In this article, Sensei Muromoto discusses the balance between improvisation and repetition in martial arts.
Learning a Japanese martial art requires adherence to correct technique and an understanding that correct technique requires att
There is a clear schism in judo between the sport enthusiasts and the traditionalists. Sport judo today is dedicated primarily t
Modern karate-do has its beginnings so far in the past that its earliest history is lost. What we do know is that the roots of W
In this article, Sensei Dave Lowry will tell us in his own words why it’s important to ask questions when you study martial arts
You can’t teach children karate-do the way you teach adults. This is because children’s brains and bodies are not fully develope
Like budo, shodo is ultimately a means of cultivating the personality by developing positive subconscious habits.
The momentary joy of getting a new belt or certificate fades. The deep internal joy of learning and doing great martial arts cha
In budo, riai are the underlying principles behind a technique.
Do is the Japanese version of the Chinese word Tao (道) as in the philosophy of Taoism.
There is a land of the living and a land of the dead, and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning. - Thornton Wi
While many Westerners have heard of jujutsu, it is often misunderstood.
Training without thinking or self-correction produces no improvement. You are simply reinforcing bad habits and making them hard
Let the dojo be a place of meticulous focus where every breath and footstep bear heavy significance, where every motion and inte
There are three aspects to physical training in budo, whether you train for self-defense, physical fitness, or character develop
The idea is that you should adopt a beginner's attitude, rather than an expert's, even if you are very accomplished. If you do s
I ask potential students within the first month of training, or even before they begin training. I usually don’t ask it in so bl
Whether you have “martial arts” written on your bucket list or keep a rack of black belts in your closet, doing martial arts tod
To most practitioners, ai-uchi simply means the two sides strike each other at the same time, so their points cancel out each ot
The teaching and practice of paired kata is meant to communicate, among other things, how swordsmen interact in contest.
Kano Jigoro Sensei was the founder of Kodokan judo. While he’s mainly known for his contributions to the world of martial arts a
Sensei Paul Martin gave us a detailed history of Japanese swords in volume 20, issue 3 of the “SMAA Journal.” Here’s a brief ove
Between martial arts teachers and their students, there exists a social contract. The contract—mostly implied, sometimes written
“Every truth has four corners. As a teacher I give you one corner, and it is for you to find the other three.” – Confucius
A friend recently asked me to comment on how one finds the time to train. We live in a day and age, he noted, that puts a stress
An important concept in budo is that of self-purification through training. Budo practice is thought by some to be a means of ap
Even if you haven't been officially designated as an instructor, you may occasionally be called upon to help another student. Th
Beginning martial arts can be overwhelming, but everyone has been there. Even the most experienced sensei can remember being new
In the area of character development, we strive to become deeper and more in tune with our art, with our opponent, and with the
Despite their wide popularity, Japanese arts are often misunderstood and distorted in the West.
A great way to approach each day in the dojo is to decide to "get one thing right today."
These antique and sophisticated forms of martial swimming are presently undergoing a resurgence in Japan and videos can be found
Martial arts is a collection of postural forms designed to express physical energy.
When you think of Jujutsu, do you think about action movies?
Between martial arts teachers and their students, a social contract exists.
You may become a better student, teacher, and performer with support from the SMAA.
The meaning of most importance to martial artists is the concept of ai-uchi as “mutual strikes.”
The Shudokan Martial Arts Association is a martial arts organization for everyone!
There are three aspects to physical training in budo, whether you train for self-defense, physical fitness, or character develop
We offer custom martial arts certificates for judo, karate, jujutsu, iaido, and aikido.
The Shudokan Martial Arts Association is a world martial arts association with members in multiple countries.
The uke in martial arts is the one who receives the hit from a technique from the sensei during a demonstration.
Kata geiko and seishin tanren can help forge spirits to face the stress of combat and the uncertainties of life.
Studying the Japanese martial arts is both a physical and mental endeavor. We sometimes get so wrapped up in training in the doj
Finding the time to train is a problem many martial artists, even the samurai, have felt and will continue to feel.
Positivity can transform the education, execution, and communication of martial arts.
Are you curious about joining in traditional Japanese martial arts? We answer your questions on SMAA certification and membershi
Take a journey with Atsuhiro's in-depth look into the implications of Japanese Yoga and Budo on the mind. What are the benefits?
Jujutsu, Jujitsu, Koryu, Kodokan--for the beginner, this whirlwind of terms can be confusing! Don't worry. Muromoto Sensei is he
In a delightfully accurate analogy of a forge to training, Evans sensei discusses the importance of martial arts training.
Bokken, Iaido, and more--here's a look in to the SMAA 2007 martial arts conference!
Building a house, you don’t forego the bricks—Iaido’s sword grip is often forgotten. Avoid various issues with Suino Sensei’s de
In martial arts dojos of uniforms and identical salutes, where is the room for individuality? Suino Sensei argues its in our act
A single step begins a journey--Muromoto Wayne's captivating tale of his judo journey transports any martial artist into familia
When swords and martial arts mix, the results can be interesting! Iaido and more--read this first-hand account of the Shudokan M
Be transported with this small, but insightful, excerpt from martial artist Dave Lowry's journey in Japan.
H.E. Davey's captivating Shodo article carries us away to a world of traditional Japanese brush strokes and breath, where martia
Follow Richard Burkland sensei's journey as a martial artist experiencing judo--how it changed his life, how it affects him now!
Is the Japanese martial art, Judo, dead? Colby Sensei delves into the thoughts of Japanese Judo masters and why IJF events..
Joseph Rippy Sensei describes the importance of a martial artist’s balance in Traditional Japanese Budo.
Lowry uses down-to-earth examples to showcase the true meaning of Ryu in martial arts, taking context from Japanese history and
Are you interested in Karate-do? This Japanese martial art has one heck of a history—secret training, a dramatic schism, learn t
SMAA Mark Colby takes the reader on a journey through humility—its role in modern day Judo, Budo, and in any traditional Japanes
Discipline and repetition or ridicule and inaccuracy--discover where Kata stands in Japanese martial arts and in life.
Accompany Sawai Sensei on his Bujutsu journey, beginning with the unique, Japanese martial art, koshiki suiei-jutsu!
Nakamura sensei escorts the reader on his journey through martial arts—revealing both his principles and his training in judo, k
Toyama Ryu Iaido—a standing sword art. From its origins to its modern applications, let’s look at this brief but detailed read,
With great tradition comes great stories--from its origin to its modern applicatoin, Wayne tells the enthralling tale of the Tak
Join Fabian Sensei as he describes H.E. Davey Sensei's journey to teach his readers about the traditional Japanese martial art o
In a world of commercialized dojos, how do we know what is a true Japanese Martial Art? SMAA Fabian Sensei explains in detail.
To stand unflinching against evil or to be moved by it--what is Fudoshin and where is its place today? In martial arts? In the S
What is fighting? How is it related to martial arts? Brett Dennison seeks to define this answer in terms of SMAA and clarify any
Judo-- a well-known martial art and sport, it captivates hundreds of countries. But is it still budo? Come along with Burklund S
What is Iaido? Where did it come from and where is it now? Jump into the fascinating history of this Japanese Martial art with A
Many martial artists gather for Iaido, Ikebana, and the Asian martial arts in general, but what was it like to experience the SM
Come along, as H.E. Davey sensei describes the parallels between Japanese Calligraphy and the traditional Asian Martial Art, Bud
If you've ever wondered whether spirituality has a place in martial arts, you're not alone--H.E. Davey seeks to answer this ques
What is Budo truly about? This article seeks to explain that question in a modern context for any martial artist!
SMAA HQ PO BOX 6022
ANN ARBOR, MI
48106-6022 USA
