The Ceballos Family of Martial Arts and the branch Tamanegi Do
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 the Doshu Shodai, Michael Ceballos, as reflected in the systems many ryu over the span of more than 40 years.
The branches 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 five decade growth and development, since the 1970’s, continued largely due to the world wide exposure Michael Ceballos received carrying on the military traditions of the Ceballos 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 Ceballos earned the right to follow one path of the American Samurai as an integral member of advanced special training with one of the 3370th TCHTG 7-Level Mobile Training Teams (MTT).
In 1983, after investing a couple years with the 7-Level MTT, countless hours of courses, studying and conducting formal United States Air Force training all the while utilizing lessons learned to further develop his system of martial arts, Ceballos earned and received his Master Instructor rating (Hanshi) from the U.S. Government. A fellow Air Force Instructor, martial arts mentor and Sensei, Kaicho Edgar Stiltner of the Toku Kai, is the only other martial artist presently known to Ceballos Sensei who holds this same USG honor.
TDMA, as an eclectic martial art, is truly American by nature. Beikokujin Jujitsu, Kyujitsu, Kama’aina 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 retired those certifications. Qualifications not withstanding, Tamanegi Do still conducts continuing education comprehensively set to MIL SPEC standards in every Hojutsu course, monitored for completeness by military peers.
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 Okinawan 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 Maga for it’s intensity and combative completeness.
Though a contemporary martial art today, TDMAS maintains strong traditional values, imbued by American persona.
Many of the Tamanegi Yodansha and Kodansha are continuing to serve this nation in combat roles. All told, 240 years of this Republic’s history reflects the sacrifices and combat legacy found among these military martial arts veterans serving as “America’s Samurai”.
As a body of samurai warriors, each holds sacred their Oath as Americans to obey the lawful orders and leadership in protecting and defending the Constitution and the Republic against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
Teaching “Leadership” knowledge and skills as deeply as the individual arts, the Kodansha continues to develop and enhance the leaders of today and tomorrow. Youthful dreams of the main body of the Tamanegi Do are realized through the Budokan’s alignment with prestigious American institutions like the National Rifle Association (Hojutsu), the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States (Karate, Fencing, Judo, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do) and karate with US National Karate Federation, setting perpetual goals in helping their athletes pursue their standard dreams of gold within the countless venues of martial expertise.