West Los Angeles Dojo

West Los Angeles Dojo

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Classical Japanese Martial Arts

08/23/2025

A momento from the 1st San Francisco Buyu Camp.

06/19/2025

武神館道場六宝 – Bujinkan Dojo Roppo (Bujinkan Dojo Six treasures)

基本八法型 – Kihon Happo Gata (the eight fundamental techniques)
三心の型 – Sanshin no kata (the three heart techniques)
無刀捕 – Muto Dori (disarming the armed opponent)
空間 – Kukan / 押える – Osaeru (control the space)
女の護身術 – Onna no goshin-jutsu (Women’s Self Defense)
共同体 – Kyodotai (community)

06/02/2025

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1269286004565910&id=100044535665217&mibextid=wwXIfr

"Practicing under Takamatsu-sensei always gave me a shudder. It was always painful. Pain that would last with me for days. The man knew how to kill. Compliments were nonexistent. His instruction under Toda-sensei was even more severe. The slaughterhouse. That is what he called Toda-sensei's dōjō during his time there.

He was told that only through suffering can you truly grasp the essence of ninjutsu and what it is to persevere in life. He taught me that a true master of bujutsu is not there to be a disciple's friend. They are not meant to be like a parent who nurses their young. To survive in combat and in life, the trials must be difficult, often painful. A true master pushes his student not just physically, but psychologically as well. Then, he observes. Will the student stay the course? Will he stop and give up? Will he become angry? Feel betrayed? Is he led by his emotions or ego? Will he break? These tests go on for years. In that time, an individual's true character will emerge. The true disciple never wavers throughout his life, his spirit sharpened. He rises to a level of master himself one day. Such men are rare. Maybe one or two in a lifetime. Most disappear of their own accord. Yet, those few that stay humble and remain, rise alongside the master, mirroring his image, and slowly become a living embodiment of the ryū."

- Masaaki Hatsumi 宗家

03/15/2025

I still remember the first day. It was a pleasantly cool Saturday morning, and he was standing in front of the doorway of the dojo, enjoying a cigarette. He welcomed me as I humbly walked up the driveway then opened the sliding door inviting me to enter. As I stood in the “genkan”, I was so honored and humbled to be in his presence that I was careful to not move without reason, so as not to somehow offend him in his dojo.

He then began making his cup instant coffee and asked if I would like a cup, which I responded with slight trepedation “hai, sensei” as i bowed my head in reverence. He then grabbed a cup and began scooping what seemed to be an endless amount of crystalized instant coffee grinds, added hot water, and began stirring then asking if i would like some milk, which I normally prefer, but replied “ no thank you, sensei”, becuase I didn’t want to be bothersome since I had also noticed that he hadn’t added any to his. I still remeber that first sip! And this was the first “experience” with Ishizuka Sensei.

What followed were years of endless amounts of kindness and patience as I tried to copy your movements and techniques the best I could. While I do my best in honoring your lessons passing them onto my students, I can clearly see you in my mind performing taijutsu and trying my best to manifest this.

With these memories I thank Ishizuka Tetsuji Sensei for allowing me into his dojo and sharing his life’s work. Thank you for the opportunity to hear your stories, listen to your music, and study ninpo taijutsu.

May you rest in eternal peace 🕊️

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Location

Telephone

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4228 Sepulveda Boulevard
Culver City, CA
90230

Opening Hours

Monday 5:30am - 10pm
Tuesday 5:30pm - 10pm
Wednesday 5:30pm - 10pm
Thursday 5:30pm - 10pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm