Tamanegi Do Martial Arts is unique in that as a system there are over 30 ryu registered with the A.B.S.K..,representing not only geographical location, but most importantly the curriculum for which these ryu teach and are responsible for.
Our martial arts culture has been shared around the world. From Central and North America to South East and South West Asia.
Asymmetrical in it’s warrior capabilities, Tamanegi Do Martial Arts is the flagship carrier of over 50 arts, with each of it’s ryu separate, distinct and unique within the system. This characteristic alone makes Tamanegi Do like no other system in existence.
Having been asked many times why the numerous ryu of Tamanegi Do exist in a single system of arts, it’s appropriate to provide a more adequate response for the novice and non-martial artist. Unfortunately, a simple concise answer just can’t explain what may takes months for a student of the arts to fully comprehend.
As defined in the Budo Jitten of the Tamanegi Do, we find the traditional definitions.
Ryu: (n)
1. A system, style or school of art practice.
2. System, style or school of any single or multiple martial arts. For example, Isshinryu Karate; Shito-ryu Karate, Shimahito-ryu Taijitsu, Kuminiwa-ryu Kobudo.
-流 -ryū as a suffix generally means style, type, form, manner, system, school. Traditionally in Okinawa and Japan, the ryu, like a river, is consanguineous to its head waters with direct transmission of the founders methods and concepts. It’s also generally accepted that a ryu maintains defined teaching characteristics and objectives where the curriculum remains as postulated by the founder regardless of the individual disciplines taught.
Particular characteristic meanings are found in the names of the different ryu. For instance; Kyōsō or Taisen (competition) ryu (school), Okii Kuma (Big Bear) Ryu (style) or Fudoshinka (Immovable Mind) Ryu (system).
The name may simply be indicative of a location as seen in these instances; Danzan Ryu (Sandalwood Mountain System of Hawaii), Hinatashu Ryu (Sunshine State School), the Taneshima Ryu (Valley Isle Maui No Ka Oi), Tanishima Ryu (Valley Isle of Maui ), the Ninawa-ryu (Ninawa Province of Iraq) and even the Sangawa Ryu (3 Rivers School of Tennessee).
Like the more traditional Japanese styles or systems, Tamanegi Do Martial Arts, has its own legacy structure with over 100+ curriculum volumes and more than 450 syllabi found spread across the ryu spectrum.
The Ryu of Tamanegi Do Martial Arts
Takashima Ryu – Provides Category I and Category VI special training at numerous TDMA locations. The Takashima Ryu is “preparedness” centric providing extensive multi-level training in the arts and sciences supporting broad spectrum risk management and emergency response.
Taneshima Ryu– Valley Isle school of Maui (Cat I, II, III, IV) This Valley Isle school spelled “Tane” trains hard, but it’s curriculum is classified representing “the way of the gentle warrior” as seen through the gentle presence of Maui’s rolling knolls and soft soothing valley that separates Haleakala from the west mountains.
Tanishima Ryu – Valley Isle, Maui (Cat V) The “Tani” spelling is indicative of the rigors and hazards inherent in the tactical training realm. Maui Koa won many battles throughout the rugged West Maui Mountains and course gulches rimming the “Valley Isle”. From the eastern coast at the base of Haleakala to Kahana Point Tanishima training is arduous as the Nakalele Blowhole.
Paniolo Do – Hawaiian Cowboy school of Bajutsu (Cat IV); co-located at Davenport, FL the importance of the horse in Hawaii became critical to ranching success. Our family tree has many branches of paniolo culture. The Tamanegi Do branch focuses on the tactical.
Ichimara Ryu –First Son’s School – University of Alaska at Eielson AFB, AK and Det.1 6 SW, Shemya, AK . Note that after 1981, Ichimara Ryu trains Cat V strictly as of the name change. Ikuwa Ryu trains Categories I thru IV exclusively.
Chi’en K’un Do – Wu Shu incorporated into the Ichimara Ryu curriculum after final semester taught for the U of A at Eielson AFB.
Ikuwa Ryu – Ichimara ryu has changed to the Kanaka Maoli “Ikuwa” Ryu out of respect for our presence in more formal settings. The curriculum remains essentially the same with updates applied only to this version of the ryu providing Cat I thru Category IV training.
Kemushi Ryu – Caterpillar School, Armed Services YMCA, Rantoul, IL (Cat I, IV, V) transformed many into Tamanegi Do martial artists. From this one ryu, young warriors were transformed mentally, physically and spiritually not only for the obstacles of life, but the challenges that lay before them as American Samurai serving in Desert Storm as well as the Global War on Terror. Specifically Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Itoko Ryu – Jon Boone’s Tamanegi Do of Paxton, IL (Cat I, II, III)
Chiisai Ototo Ryu – The “Little Cousins School” located at a Roman Catholic Orphanage for boys in Honduras, C.A. The ryu was Shotokan centric in teaching with uniforms and gear donated by the gakusei and yodansha of the Rantoul Armed Services YMCA located outside Chanute AFB, IL.
Kemushi-ryu A one year “Caterpillar” transition training in all ryu for selection, retention and promotion to Shodan rank. Gakusei in jikideshi status under Yarinage-ha who successfully complete the year-long crucible challenge are authorized to wear the Kemushi Mon and tab. [S.M.A.R.T.]
Shinja Ryu – Christian School of Tamanegi Do (Cat I, II, III, IV, V)
Crowell-ha Shinja Ryu – Humphreys County, TN (Cat III, IV)
Kiah-ha Shinja Ryu – Orlando, FL (Cat IV, V)
Kōkyō Ryu – public school of Tamanegi Do (Cat I, II, III, IV) accommodating the mental, physical and technical training of students not interested in the spiritual element of the art of Karate.
Higashi Kishi Ryu – Michael & Diana Ostrander of Rantoul, IL became successive soke to the Kemushi Ryu upon the transfer of Sensei Wayne Carvell. The curriculum was adjusted to meet present needs of the students and with that change, the Ostrander’s were granted permission to change the name of the ryu. They continued their training (Cat I, II, III, IV) with focus on traditional AAU competition.
Okii Matsu Ryu – Big Pine School, Big Pine Key, FL. Training consisted of Shiai oriented traditional judo, karate and kobudo in Categories I, II, III & IV.
Michael Ceballos Karate Clubs of Central Florida (Cat I, II, III, IV) Operated in throughout four Central Florida counties with focus on developing youth and adults as athletes within the AAU National Karate Program.
Hinatashu Ryu – Sunshine State School Winter Haven, FL (Cat IV)
Okii Kuma Ryu – Big Bear School – Trent “Kuma” Warner, (Cat I, II, III, IV, V) “Combining the Traditions of the Warrior Arts with the Realities of Life” Kuma’s eclectic warrior training background was solidified during his year long Kemushi-ryu crucible.
Shi Shi Kokoro Ryu – Lion Heart School of Davenport and Loughman, Polk County, FL (Cat II)
Kame Ryu – Turtle School of Judo – Co-located in Hanes City, Polk County, FL (Cat I, V)
Shi No Ko Sho Ryu – Sword school of the Tamanegi Do, co-located in Winter Haven, FL (Cat II, III, IV)
Tora Dojo – Tiger School of Waverly, Tennessee (Cat I, II, III, IV)
Ojika Mugi Ryu – Buckwheat’s School of Martial Arts (Cat IV)
Kyōsō Ryu – competition school; co-located in Winter Haven, FL (Cat I; II; III)
Taisen-ryu – Competition School (Cat IV, V)
Katsu Shika Ryu – Forked Deer School (Cat II, III, IV, V) Brownsville, TN
Tendo-ha Shi No Ko Sho Ryu – Ft. Benning, GA (Cat IV, V)
Kauru-ha Shi No Ko Sho Ryu – Winter Haven, FL (Cat III, IV)
Cassels-ha Shi No Ko Sho Ryu – Tallahassee, FL
Tokushika Ryu – Volunteer School (Cat V)
Sangawa Ryu – Three Rivers School (Cat I,II,III)
Yotaka-ha Sangawa Ryu – (Cat V Training)
Yarinage-ha Sangawa Ryu – Honbu (Cat IV)
Namikaze-ryu [Wind on the Waves] -ryu – Yarinage Sensei (Cat I, II, III, IV, V) Water Arts of Tamanegi Do
Kakugo-kichi Ryu [Preparedness Base] – Category IV school of asymmetrical preparedness for daily life challenges to the unforeseen of wilderness survival to urban and suburban Civilian Emergency Response to natural or man made disasters.
Takumi Ryu [Artisan] – Post-graduate follow-on to Kakugo-kichi Ryu for the acquisition of Category V Advanced Emergency Response KSAs.
Utsukushi Shinko Ryu [Beautiful Faith] – This Category IV school owned by and under the leadership of U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Lloyd Borba, has joined forces with the Tamanegi no Budo in the Volunteer State of Tennessee.
