Samurai-Arts is a facility in Rotorua teaching Jujutsu, Samurai-Swordsmanship, Jo-jutsu, Kenjutsu and related traditional Japanese martial arts. Much of what we train, with sufficient practice, can be used to greatly improve your self defence capacity. Martial arts traiing also helps with mobility, fitness, awareness and confidence.
A few techniques typical of our style are demonstrated here by Riki-Lee and John, two of our longstanding students. Before training this type of movement all students are taught how firstly to avoid the attack, and also to fall safely - so please do not let the falling put you off - you will get to enjoy it.
We are located at 248 Fenton Street and we welcome new students. If you have done martial arts previously, that's fine but equally if you are a total beginner you are just as welcome. Everybody starts at the same place and build up gradually. Come along on a Tuesday or Thursday evening to arrive between 5.30 & 6pm
Samurai Arts
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Samurai Arts offers practical training of Traditional Japanese Martial Arts. Teaching traditional Ju Fees are $40 per month payable in advance.
Samurai Arts is a Martial Arts school dedicated to providing a superior level of traditional martial arts instruction including the long-held values that accompany this pursuit. Chief instructor, Hanshi Dave Butler has been studying and teaching martial arts for 40+ years and is one of the most experienced instructors in New Zealand. All of his dan grades have been issued in either Japan or Europe
Gozo Shioda was an amazing martial artist and a good example for aikidoka to follow. He taught Aikido as a martial art.
29/06/2026
A NZ Martial Arts Legend turns 80 years old! Time to celebrate!
The internationalisation of martial arts means that few people nowadays receive their ranks from Japan. Ranks are generally available from many sources worldwide.
But there remains a special sense of dedication and belonging for those who make the effort to train and gain the acceptance of the country where the martial disciplines which they study originated.
Chris Dessa Hanshi is one of the few who has received his Karate knowledge direct from the highest levels in Japan, training extensively under Ashihara Hideyuki Kancho until his passing. Then for many years under Sato Yosh*toshi Hanshi, Shorin Ryu 10th Dan Hanshi receiving the balance of his ranks until 9th Dan and Hanshi teaching license which, even in Japan, is a rare commendation. This of course has entailed a lifetime of dedication, personal expense in terms of time and travel committments as well as financial expense and effort to ensure that every rank granted to him is legitimate beyond reproach.
Dessa Hanshi has established a worldwide organisation titled “Kokusai Yudansha Renmei”. It is established to provide up and coming instructors with a channel of legitimacy to ensure their own ranks are checked for validity and stand up to scrutiny. This is essential for the future of martial arts so that students and the public have a means of identifying authentic martial arts training centres with a credible background. The public has a right to know.
Last evening was a celebration of Chris Dessa Hanshi’s lifetime in martial arts.
Lenny and I were greatly honoured to receive an invitation to his 80th Birthday held at a restaurant in Greenlane, Auckland. Those in attendance included a large extended family including past and present students many of whom have now become martial arts legends themselves.
It was an absolute pleasure to share the evening with this man who has been a solid anchor and a foundation for Martial Arts in New Zealand and internationally for many decades, and with his wonderful family whom I have been fortunate to have shared time with on many occasions.
Well done Chris Dessa Hanshi. New Zealand Martial Arts is indebted to you.
Dave Butler
The future of Samurai-Arts lies with our newcomers.
And with dedication like that shown by Anna, and technical support such as that provided by John, the future is looking bright
Walking Stick Defences:
Same as last post - just a couple of titles updated.
In January 2026 a hip replacement was received. A walking stick wasn't needed but was on hand "just in case".
The walking stick is perfectly legal to carry with you and provides an excellent instrument of combat.
This video presents a series of about 20 Walking Stick techniques which may discourage a would-be attacker.
Much of this martial arts information has been sourced over the years from bone-fide individuals and organisations with a strong history of authentic Jujutsu and Kobudo.
The YKKF (Yudansha Kobujutsu Karate Doh Federation), founded by Ron Yamanaka Hanshi is one of these. Some of the techniques shown came from training done in the YKKF Dojo in Toronto. This was a rare occasion when a video camera was carried.
Small segments were recorded of a Kobudo training session done with expert instruction from Yamanaka Hanshi, an authority on Japanese Karate and Kobudo.
Picture quality of that section was below par because it was analogue technology, now converted to digital and is included as an addendum at the end of the instruction video.
Walking Stick Defences:
In January 2026 a hip replacement was received. A walking stick wasn't needed but was on hand "just in case".
The walking stick is perfectly legal to carry with you and provides an excellent instrument of combat.
This video presents a series of about 20 Walking Stick techniques which may discourage a would-be attacker.
Much of this martial arts information has been sourced over the years from bone-fide individuals and organisations with a strong history of authentic Jujutsu and Kobudo.
The YKKF (Yudansha Kobujutsu Karate Doh Federation), founded by Ron Yamanaka Hanshi is one of these. Some of the techniques shown came from training done in the YKKF Dojo in Toronto. This was a rare occasion when a video camera was carried.
Small segments were recorded of a Kobudo training session done with expert instruction from Yamanaka Hanshi, an authority on Japanese Karate and Kobudo.
Picture quality of that section was below par because it was analogue technology, now converted to digital and is included as an addendum at the end of the instruction video.
16/05/2026
This post relates to both Jujutsu and to Karate. But not just any style of Karate - Wado Ryu Karate, and for good reason.
Hironori Otsuka, the founder of Wado Ryu was a very senior Master of Jujutsu before he became a Master of Karate. He was certainly impressed with what he learned in Karate but according to this historical account Otsuka sensei retained the principles of Jujutsu and fused those he thought applicable into his karate.
Also of interest is that the Soke of Hokutoryu Jujutsu and the World Federation of Ju-Jitsu, Auvo Niiniketo studied this style of Karate for many years, becoming Go-Dan and Karate champion of Finland. So Wado Ryu has some common ground with our activities at Samurai-Arts. The video provides good backgound information.
The Jujutsu Master Who Shaped Modern Karate | The Forgotten Founder of Wado-Ryu Of the four major karate styles, only one was founded by a jujutsu master — and that man may have done more to shape modern karate than anyone realizes.Hiron...
Jujutsu is a lot of fun. It benefits your health and you get to train with some wonderful devoted people.
Here are 15 techniques chosen to show that a single attack with the same initial entry can provide options for many techniques - they are in fact limitless. Take your art and explore the possibilities.
Thank you to those who participated in this short video
3 common Jujutsu techniques demonstrated by Murray Kelly and Paul Mes.
last evening at training before looking at the syllabus our students did a few drills. here are some of them repeating, repeating, repeating.
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248 Fenton Street
Rotorua
3010
Opening Hours
| Tuesday | 6pm - 7:30pm |
| Thursday | 6pm - 7:30pm |