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In 1994, I was given the honor of assisting Sensei Minge with teaching first children’s classes, then adult classes. In addition, after being awarded the rank of Ichi Kyu,
I was allowed to teach students in private lessons. I eventually began teaching children’s and adult classes solo, and have been teaching students both privately and publicly for over 10 years.
I began the study of armed
arts under the mentorship of the nationally recognized
firearms instructor Michael Harries, creator of the
Harries Flashlight Technique – a technique that is
universally employed today by law enforcement agencies
and the military. Under Mr. Harries, I learned the arts
of pistol craft and rifle craft. I currently hold the
rank of Marksman I in the basic pistol course of
Gunsite, one of the world’s most prestigious shooting
schools. I have been a member of Southern California’s
Tactical Combat (SCTC) group for over 6 years, and train
on a regular basis in different scenario-based shooting
exercises. In addition, I have a broad understanding of
realistic weapons retention and removal.
Because the term martial arts
encompasses both unarmed and armed combat and defense, I
continue to further my study in both fields. I am
currently working towards 4th Level Instructor’s
License, as well as furthering my knowledge of armed
combat and tactical defense.
In addition to providing
students with a comprehensive knowledge of martial arts
at Shin Gan Dojo, I also lend my tactical and defense
expertise as a security consultant to private
individuals.
My interest in Ninpo began
over 13 years ago. Lost in a world of confusion, I came
to believe that the discipline of a martial art might
help me find the direction and clarity my life so sorely
needed. Through books and conversations with various
martial arts practitioners, my research led me to
conclude that the ultimate martial art was Ninjutsu. As
I sought the opportunity to train in Ninjutsu, I was
luckily guided by a friend to a genuine Ninpo dojo in
North Hollywood, California that was associated with one
of the only two organizations in Japan teaching
authentic Ninjutsu, or Ninpo Tai Jutsu: the Yamato Dojo
headed by Sensei Chadwick Minge.
I made an appointment to
observe a class and, after seeing the rolls and falls,
knew I was in the right place. Unfortunately, I was
financially unstable at the time and remained hesitant
to join. Finally, a voice spoke to me and comforted me –
a voice so loud it crowded out all other thoughts and
fears, a voice I knew not to be my own. I knew then that
I was to train in what has since become a sacred place
for me. I joined Yamato Dojo and gave myself over to the
guidance of Sensei Chadwick Minge.
My personal
circumstances at the time I joined Yamato Dojo prevented
me from keeping a full-time job. Much of my early
attendance was on Sensei Minge’s good graces. As a
result, during my first six years at Yamato Dojo all of
my time was dedicated to training. Having no other
previous martial arts training, I had nothing to
unlearn. I attended every class the dojo offered and
often found myself training with Sensei Minge alone.
Being tossed around for an hour by Sensei Minge rewarded
me with the rare opportunity to truly learn the rolls
and falls of Taihen Jutsu – often out of sheer
necessity!
Through my continuous attendance and
devotion, I gained Sensei Minge’s confidence as an
upcoming martial artist and was soon trusted as his Uke.
As Sensei Minge’s Uke, my devotion continued to grow as
I learned to commit to an attack, i.e., to attack for
the sake of attacking, and without the fear of hurting
my opponent or retaliation. Once assured this lesson was
learned, Sensei Minge entrusted to me the duty of
cutting him with the Katana. Using the Katana requires
maintaining strong spirit while learning the delicate
balance between cutting for the sake of the cut.
As
my abilities in Ninpo grew, my responsibilities at the
dojo grew. Some time after being awarded the rank of
Ichi Kyu, I was allowed to teach private lessons.
Although I had already been assisting Sensei Minge with
children’s classes, I was now able to teach both adults
and children, both as an assistant to Sensei Minge as
well as conduct classes—privately and publicly—on my
own. I soon learned that there is no better way to learn
than to teach.
After being awarded Sho Dan by Sensei
Minge, I joined the Genbukan organization. I had met
Tanemura Sensei before on his frequent visits to Yamato
Dojo, and have been used as his Uke during the Hanbo
portion of a Ninpo seminar—a position for which only
trusted students are used. Tanemura Sensei honored me by
awarding me the rank of Sho Dan himself, and further
honored me by commenting on my quiet nature and strong
spirit, calling me an American Samurai.
From 1995 to
1999, I incorporated my gifts for teaching and Ninpo
into my Ninja Karate Party business. Providing
entertainment and education at children’s birthday
parties, I was able to introduce Ninpo to a wider
demographic. Thanks to the improvisational nature of the
Ninja Karate Parties, my understanding of freeflow
movement and Ran Dori was greatly enhanced as well.
Teaching both privately and publicly has gone far in
compounding my own understanding of Ninpo, as well as
given me the opportunity to work with students from all
walks of life, including the very young, the very
inexperienced, the mentally challenged, the physically
handicapped, the elderly, and the overweight as well as
those students who have a natural aptitude for the art.
Under the care and guidance of Sensei Minge I have
learned the power of Ninpo, as well as discovered my own
natural gift for teaching and natural talent at this
art.
Following in the footsteps of my teacher, I am
now ready to make my own way in the world, to share the
gifts bestowed upon me with others, through the will of
the Divine Spirit and Shin Gan
Dojo.
-Brian Simmons
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