Satori-Ryu Budo Midwest

10/04/2026

09/15/2026

09/15/2026

Professional Biography – Shihan Dale S. Kirby Sr.
Dale S. Kirby Sr. has spent more than half a century immersed in the study and instruction of Japanese martial arts, earning respect as one of America’s most dedicated practitioners of Karate and classical weapons arts. His training includes extensive study in Satori‑Ryu Iaido, a school of Japanese swordsmanship, as well as traditional Japanese Karate systems.

Kirby Shihan trained under several renowned Japanese masters, including Grand Master Hironori Otsuka of Wado‑Ryu Karatedo, Master Sugino of Katori Shinto Ryu, Master Yamaguchi of Eishin‑ryu Iaido, Master Y. Sukai, and Master Kai of Wado‑Ryu. His primary instructor was Shihan Taylor Hayden of Tennessee, who recently passed away.

Recognized nationally for his skill and influence, Kirby Shihan was profiled in Official Karate Magazine in 1980 as “The American Samurai” and again in Karate Illustrated in 1983 as the “Tennessee Samurai.” He is widely credited as a leading figure in introducing and promoting Iaido throughout the United States. In 1986, he earned his Renshi Instructor License in Iaido from the International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF). He also served as a senior instructor for the United States Eastern Wado‑Ryu Karate Federation.

Throughout his career, Kirby Shihan devoted himself to teaching and mentoring the next generation of martial artists, consistently offering his time, energy, and expertise to students across the country. In recognition of his lifelong contributions, he was inducted as a “Living Legend” into the Sport Karate Museum in Houston, Texas in 2017.

Beyond his martial arts accomplishments, Dale S. Kirby Sr. served with distinction as a point man in the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War (1967–1968), completing 12 combat air assaults and earning both the Bronze Star for Valor and the Army Commendation Medal for Valor.

Now retired and living in Tennessee while battling illness, Kirby Shihan remains honored as a remarkable swordsman, fighter, kata competitor, and teacher—one whose legacy deserves to be remembered and celebrated.

08/20/2026

Itsutsu No tachi two man Kenjutsu set

07/09/2026

SATORI-RYU BUSHIDO RANK REQUIREMENTS

YELLOW belt: Iaido stances, Kenjutsu Kihons, Satori-ryu Kihons
ORANGE belt: Toho katas, Hachi-to, Intro to Kihon Kumitachi 1-5
BLUE belt: Satori-ryu Iaijutsu kata, Kihon Kumitachi 6-10, Intro into Performance kata, San-Batto,
GREEN Belt:, Ajif Iaijutsu kata, Free flow exercises, Performance kata, spinning rage.
BROWN -3: Eishin-ryu Omari-ryu waza’s 1-5, Satori ryu Kumitachi’s
BROWN -2: Eishin-ryu Omari ryu waza’s 6-10, Performance kata
BROWN -1: Katori Shinto ryu No tachi set standing,
Yuki ai gyaku nuki no tachi, TSKSR
Zengo Chidori no tachi, TSKSR
Yuki ai Migi Chidori no tachi, TSKSR
Gyakku nuki no tachi, TSKSR
Nuki uchi no tachi, TSKSR
BLACK belt: Katori Shinto ryu Omote no iai kneeling kata
Kusa nagi no ken, TSKSR
Nuki tsuke no ken, TSKSR
Nuki uchi no ken, TSKSR
Uken, TSKSR
Saken, TSKSR
Happo ken, TSKSR
Itsutsu No tachi two man set,
BLACK belt Dan rankings
2nd dan: Heiwa
3rd dan: Nagashi-to
4th dan: Mitsubishi (diamond 4)
5th dan: Seitei Kata’s
Continuing Rank based off time put in and accomplishments in the furthering of Satori-Ryu.

07/08/2026

jmaaok.com

06/28/2026

The Satori-Ryu Bushido Challenge invites all students, especially Black belts, to share the Art of Satori-ryu with one student, thereby preserving the heritage and teachings of Master Dale Kirby Sr. for the future.

05/14/2026

https://www.akban.org/wiki/Itsutsu_no_tachi,_TSKSR

Itsutsu no tachi , 五津之太刀, איטסוטסו , is a sword kata for two training partners from the Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū . This kata, even if…

04/30/2026

More practice!