KAGESHUJIN DOJO
The Kageshujin (shadow master) Dojo is the Hombu (本部 headquarters) for the Kurai Kotori Martial Arts Tradition. The Hombu serves as the primary resource for all things pertaining to the system, its activities, current teaching methods, written materials, and official weapons and equipment used in training.
The Hombu is also home to the Kurai Kotori Martial Arts Federation (K.K.M.A.F.) which is the only recognized registry for issuing ranks. All our instructors from satellite schools and informal training groups remain in close contact with the Hombu and are eligible for free training to foster solidarity and ensure the unified propagation of the art while remaining in sync with the edicts of the Hombu.
If you have any questions about studying the arts of the Kurai Kotori Tradition or would like to see if there is a training group in your state or country, please CONTACT US.
SWORD & SHADOW
The Kurai Kotori Ryu is a tradition that follows the path of Sword & Shadow. The sword (刀) serves as a foundation weapon used to cultivate hand/eye coordination, enhance intuition pertaining to the crucial art of timing, heighten awareness to combative distancing, and imbue the importance of strategic thinking in all things. The shadow (影) serves as a concept for how to approach conflict in a manner that uses guile over brute force, calm resolve over rash action, and the ability to adapt to an enemies aggression like a leaf that floats on the surface of water... harmonizing with the natural flow of energy.
KENJUTSU - ART OF SWORDSMANSHIP
Kenjutsu (剣術) is a universal term that encompasses many skills used by a swordsman or swordswoman. To practice Kenjutsu (fencing skills), one must first become masterful at exhibiting proper etiquette with the weapon, understand its anatomy, and how to care for it. One is taught to hold the weapon, combative postures, basic attacks, conditioning, movement drills, body dynamics, combination attacks, and precision training. The sword practitioner then begins partner practice to learn advanced cuts, parries, blocks, clashing, striking, and controlling techniques before learning the prearranged fighting sets that test their overall knowledge along with the classical strategies used by the Samurai of Feudal Japan.
NINJUTSU - ART OF THE SHADOW
Ninjutsu (忍術) is a comprehensive system comprised of many sub-systems. A Ninja must turn their body into a weapon, thus the term for their unarmed fighting skills is Taijutsu (body art). Taijutsu involves striking, joint manipulation, throws, pressure attacks, finger locks, chokes, and reversals. Beyond unarmed skills, the Ninja must become skilled with Nin-Buki (weaponry). Nin-Buki is comprised of dozens of specialized weapons, including throwing blades, staves, halberds, chains, sickles, spears, cords, short bow, and blowgun. The Ninja is also exposed to the famed skills of their ancient predecessors involving wilderness survival, climbing techniques, silent movement, and escape and concealment.
THE NINJA PATH
The Kageshujin Dojo is dedicated to practicing, refining, perfecting, and transmitting all the skills maintained by the Kurai Kotori Ryu, but that is only a part of the equation. The most important factor is ensuring those within our martial family cultivate themselves in a constructive manner. Many things will happen to us as we journey through life. We will make friends and acquire enemies, we will find love and experience hatred, we will engage in war and cherish peace, we will have successes and suffer losses, we will live and we will die, but what really matters are the choices we make while on this journey. Many are quick to point out the flaws of the world. Crime, hunger, hatred, and corruption. It is easy to acknowledge these things exist, yet most people sit and watch as events unfold around them. The Kurai Kotori Ninja should actively seek out ways to make a positive difference in the world. This is the path.
THE INSTRUCTORS
MARK STEVEN GROVE
Shodai Jonin (ninja leader) Mark Steven Grove has been studying Ninjutsu since 1972. He opened his first school in 1983 and has been practicing and teaching every since. He is the founder the Gendai system of Kurai Kotori Ninjutsu and has organized the skills into a complete training program that maintains the spirit of the Ninja.
SARA SALAZAR & MATTHEW WHITE
Nidai Jonin (ninja leader) Sara Salazar is a 5th degree black belt who has been training in Kurai Kotori Ninjutsu under founder Mark Steven Grove since since 2003. She teaches all aspects of the art to students and is the successor to the system.
Kenshi (swordmaster) Matthew White began training in Kurai Kotori Ninjutsu under founder Mark Steven Grove since 2002. A 5th degree black belt, he focuses on guiding students in their swordsmanship training.
TRAINING WITH US
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Since we are adapting to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are currently focusing our training schedule almost entirely on Kenjutsu (swordsmanship). This will allow us to remain a safe distance from one another as we refine our sword fighting skills. Beyond swordsmanship students will also have an opportunity to practice Kata (solitary forms) with both unarmed and weaponry skills at outdoor park locations.
INDOOR TRAINING
DOJO SOURCE
8031 Wadsworth Blvd A-4
Arvada, Colorado 80003
- Wednesdays 7pm to 9pm and Sundays 11am to 1pm -
OUTDOOR TRAINING
We are also offering training at public park locations where he will be teaching Bo (long staff), Hanbo (short staff), Kyoketsu Shoge (rope knife), and many other unarmed and weapon skills.
CONTACT US for times and locations.
SHADOW MASTER ONLINE is a resource for those who wish to learn the arts of the KURAI KOTORI RYU in a virtual setting. The content is delivered via instructional videos and dramatized clips showing the skills in action in a fashion that captures the spirit of the elusive Shadow Masters. *Note - The Shadow Master Online website was due to launch fourth quarter of 2020 but the Covid-19 pandemic halted video production. We are now looking at a release sometime in 2021. Until then, please feel free to look through the planned program content listings below or CONTACT US if you are interested in learning more about long distance training.
NINE LEVELS OF ONLINE TRAINING
SWORDSMANSHIP
UNARMED BASICS
UNARMED BASICS
Fighting with the Ninja Sword
UNARMED BASICS
UNARMED BASICS
UNARMED BASICS
Fundamental Skills
EARTH DRAGON
UNARMED BASICS
EARTH DRAGON
Unarmed Training Level One
WATER DRAGON
WATER DRAGON
EARTH DRAGON
Unarmed Training Level Two
FIRE DRAGON
WATER DRAGON
FIRE DRAGON
Unarmed Training Level Three
WIND DRAGON
WATER DRAGON
FIRE DRAGON
Unarmed Training Level Four
CELESTIAL DRAGON
ADVANCED WEAPONRY
ADVANCED WEAPONRY
Unarmed Training Level Five
ADVANCED WEAPONRY
ADVANCED WEAPONRY
ADVANCED WEAPONRY
Twelve Weapon Systems
.jpg/:/cr=t:13.6%25,l:52.55%25,w:45.96%25,h:73.53%25/rs=w:365,h:365,cg:true,m)
SUBTERFUGE
ADVANCED WEAPONRY
SUBTERFUGE
The Spying Arts