The Ceballos Family of Martial Arts is vast by name alone. Though there’s considerable distance (geographically as well as bloodlines) between those of us around the world, we share a common bond for freedom as martial artists. Northern or Southern Hemisphere; Eastern or Western Hemisphere, the Ceballos Family is associated with the Warrior Arts world wide. (see more)
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Tamanegi Do Martial Arts is the systematic personification of techniques founded on Maui in 1975, then formalized in 1978, as the curriculum for the University of Alaska’s Military Extension Program located on Eielson, AFB. These martial arts reflect the personal style of Michael Ceballos Sensei, as reflected in the systems many ryu over the span of 40 years. The roots, trunk and branch of Tamanegi Do form the current basis reflecting the composite influences grafted by many martial arts systems & masters dating back to the the origins of the Ceballos Family of Martial Arts (to be explored in future writings). This four decade growth and development began largely due to the world wide exposure Ceballos received carrying on the military traditions of the branch which forms his family line . It’s noteworthy to speak of the unique opportunity which presented itself to enhance his knowledge, skills and abilities not only as a warrior, but as a martial arts instructor. During the bulk of the 80’s decade, Michael was an integral member of the 3370th TCHTG Special Training Teams. In 1983, after a couple years training, countless hours of courses, studying and conducting formal training for the United States Air Force and his system, Sensei earned and received his Master Instructor rating (entitling him the title of Hanshi) from the U.S. Government. One of Sensei’s teachers, mentor and fellow Air Force Instructors, Kaicho Edgar Stiltner of the Toku Kai is the only other martial artist presently known to hold this same honor having received it a number of years prior.
TDMA, as an eclectic martial art, is truly American by nature. Beikokujin Jujitsu, Kobudo & Hojutsu readily reflect this fact in the use of American style recurve & compound bows as well as contemporary black powder and modern firearms. Numerous Tamanegi Do Hojutsu courses for just over a decade carried NRA certification for the student. It wasn’t until Sensei’s military commitments and deployments took priority that he had to retire those certifications. Qualifications not withstanding, Tamanegi Do’s still conducts continuing education in every Hojutsu course. The empty hand curriculum’s of Tamanegi Do Martial Arts contain the elements of Hawaiian, Filipino, Polynesian, Japanese, Korean and Chinese arts. The same can be held true for the traditional weapons arts of the System. As to the quality and composition of the tactical aspects of the Tamanegi Do Martial Arts System (TDMAS), a former Masaad operative compared the System to Krav Magra for it’s intensity and combative completeness.
Though a contemporary martial art today, TDMAS maintains traditional values, imbued by American persona. Many of the Tamanegi Yodansha are currently serving in combat roles, almost all are combat veterans having served as ” America’s Samurai” over 240 years. As a body of warriors, each holds sacred their Oath to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
As builders of our Republic teaching leadership as deeply as the individual arts, the yudansha began to align the main body of the Budokan with these prestigious American institutions; the National Rifle Association (Hojutsu), the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States (Karate, Fencing, Judo, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do) with continued goals of helping their athletes to experience the realities of life in the struggle and pursuit their dreams of gold through the countless venues of martial expertise.
The price of leadership is high in dedication and focus. The price when coupled with the time required to study and the humility involved in submitting to the established leadership of sempai leaves many without the capitol for completion along this course to completion. This could be the reason only those who are different come to be mentored and guided to grow to heights beyond their reach.
