This page is to let the public know what is going on down at the Denton Dojo - Traditional Japanese Martial Arts, in Denton, Texas SUMO Beya manager - Matt Jim
IAIDO instructor - Charles Mahan, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Seitokai hachidan. Began iai 1997 under John Ray Seitokai Kyudan at Locust St. Dojo, currently under Tanida Hiroshi,Judan. KARATE instructor - Gregg Weber, Uechi Ryu Karate (Kenyukai) rokudan shihan. Began karate in 1973 under John Ray at UT Austin Karate Club, currently under Shinjo Kiyohide. Also trains in Okinawan Kobudo. JODO instructor
08/01/2026
Shinjo Kiyohide-sensei is head of the Kenyukai Uechi Ryu Karate group at Denton Dojo. And Gregg Weber-sensei's teacher.
The Most Dangerous Uechi-Ryu Karate Master Ever Kiyohide Shinjo’s entry into the martial world was not a matter of ...
07/17/2026
It's that time again. Drop on over to https://bestofdenton.com and vote for The Dojo. You'll find us in the Martial Arts Studio category under the Life and Fun header.
Thanks!
03/24/2026
Over the course of the last few days, members of The Dojo participated in this year's Beikoku Tendai Iaidokai Koushukai. Our students did very well during this intensive training weekend in Oklahoma City and represented us very well.
Congratulations are extended to the following students who have passed their rank exams.
Jeffrey Cox - Shodan
Noah Towers - Nidan
Dane Valnes - Nidan
Jack Bieler - Jun Hanshi
Charles Mahan - Jun Hanshi
Further congratulations are extended to Jeffrey, Noah, and Dane who were all singled out as having done an excellent job on their tests.
Special thanks are extended to Tanida-sensei and Chikamoto-sensei for their teaching and efforts on our behalf and to Melancon-sensei our director for the weekend and Smith-sensei for hosting the event.
It was also announced during the event that next year's koshukai will take place in Denton.
Thanks again to all who made this weekend possible.
02/23/2026
Wow! Great weekend of Daito-ryu training with Max E. Burgess-sensei, yondan. Everyone was energized, excited and leveled-up. Our deepest thanks to Burgess-sensei for his excellent and open-hearted instruction, and appreciation for all the out of town guests who joined us for the weekend.
02/10/2026
Condolences to Kim Taylor-sensei's family. Kim was one of the earliest pioneers of iaido in North America and was John Ray's first introduction to the iai community after returning home to the U.S. in 1990.