THE WARRIOR'S JOURNEY

In the late 70's Mr. Grove meets Shihan Frank J. Goody, a Master of multiple martial arts, including Nagai Ryu Jujutsu, Matsuyama Ryu Yawara, and Kota Ryu Ninjutsu. Shihan Goody offers high praise of Mr. Grove at a Martial Arts demonstration.

Mr. Grove and Shihan Goody reunite in 1981 and Mark receives vast amounts of information about Kota Ryu Ninjutsu including 16 unarmed techniques with four variants each, scrolls related to the art of mysticism called Gorin Kuji Myo Himitsu Shaku, and in-depth information about the art of joint manipulation and striking using a short handheld stick.

 In 1983 Mr. Grove is introduced to Hakkoryu Jujutsu practitioner Dennis G. Palumbo and is asked to teach classes in Ninjutsu at the Hakkosen Dojo in Aurora, Colorado. In 1984 Dai Shihan Palumbo officially recognizes Mr. Groves creation of the Kurai Kotori Ninjutsu system under the banner of the Hakkoryu Martial Arts Federation. 

In 1983 he begins chronicling the art in written form in what he calls the Arcanum of Ninja Tactics, an ongoing work that represents the evolving arts within the Kurai Kotori system.

First generation students practice climbing techniques.

In 1986 Mr. Grove was asked to attend the 1st Annual Ninja Summit in Mentor, Ohio. The purpose of this event was to unite the different factions/clans of Ninja that existed throughout the world. Although the politics involved made it impossible for everyone to see eye to eye, it was still a powerful event that promoted the idea that no one had a monopoly on the art of the Ninja. 

Mr. Grove had the honor of studying with Small Circle Jujitsu founder Professor Wally Jay. Mr. Grove demonstrated all of the grappling skills within the Kurai Kotori system and the Professor assisted in refining the techniques using his small circle theories. As a result of this training, Mr. Grove made subtle changes to the system to implement this gift of knowledge from a true master. 

In 1989 the Honshin Dojo is opened and there is a focus on creating historical Ninja gear in an effort to learn how it would have been employed in the past. Hanging in the upper corner of this photo is the "Mizu Gumo," or "Water Spider," used as a stealthy floatation device.

In 1990 After over a decade of training, eight of which spent as a Uchi Deshi (live in student), Daryl Rolando is awarded the title of Kenshi (swordmaster). In this new position he requests the honor of training a new group of students who would focus solely on strategy and swordsmanship. 

In 1991 Mr. Grove shoots the martial arts action film My Samurai, starring Julian Lee, Bubba Smith, Mako, and Terry O’Quinn. Mr. Grove choreographs multiple fights on the project. 

 In 1994, after his four year apprenticeship, and with multiple films under his belt, Mr. Grove feels it necessary to honor both his passions.  He opens a new training facility that teaches both martial arts and fight choreography, with a special focus on Chambara (classical sword slinging films) to pay homage to the epic Samurai and Ninja films depicting Japan's Feudal era. 

 Mr. Grove travels to Canada to meet with stunt coordinator John Wardlow to discuss being the stunt double for John Lone in The Hunted. However, because of Canadian restrictions, Mr. Grove is not allowed to perform in that capacity. But he still provides Historical Consultation with his “Arcanum of Ninja Tactics” training manuals. 

After receiving a copy of the Ninja Chants of Power CD, Koga Ninjutsu master Ronald Duncan contacts Mr. Grove and shares he was a long time acquaintance of Shihan Goody who respected his teachings and admired his experiences in the martial arts. O’Sensei Duncan suggests an exchange of information and they begin communicating regularly.  The two become good friends.

In 1998 the first multi-school Ninja camp is held with students from around the country. Focus is on survival skills involving shelter construction combined with a Samurai versus Ninja stealth mission proved to be an amazing adventure.

 Summer 2000 is the 3rd annual multi-school training camp with a focus on stealth, climbing, and battlefield tactics.  

September 2002 Mr. Grove’s first training video focused on Ninja swordsmanship releases world wide. The video receives high praise and is especially successful overseas.

Yoroi Kumi Uchi (grappling in armor) and sword restrainment weapons was the focus of training at the 2003 camp. Students were also able to experience Torinoko (flash bombs) first hand.

In 2004 Mark accepts the request of Sara Salazar to become a Jiki Deshi (direct apprentice). She commits to dedicating herself to both Ninjutsu and Stunt training in an effort to learn all aspects of the system.

In 2005 Mr. Grove uses his knowledge of film related practical effects to create high tech versions of classical Ninja weapons that include a metsubishi (blinding powder) cannon that is strapped to the Ninja’s forearm that can direct a blast with great accuracy.

 In 2007 students were exposed to a cave experience that took them deep underground, relying on their climbing skills to ascend sheer walls, descend long drops, and navigate in darkness. 

2007 was focused heavily on teaching the use of close range weapons to combat armored opponents.  

Spring camp 2008 was taught by Jiki Deshi Sara Salazar and sword master Chris Rhoads. Camp consisted of climbing skills, stealth movement, and endurance training that included long distance running.

 2009 sees a number of higher rank advancements, including Jiki Deshi Sara Salazar, who receives her 3rd degree black belt. She is tasked with running the day to day operations of the dojo and entrusted with all of the written materials, photos, and videos that have been collected since the inception of the system.  

On November 19th 2012 we lose another pioneer of Martial Arts.  O’Sensei Ronald Duncan was both a warrior and a scholar who was highly respected among his peers and considered by many to be the first American Ninja. Although they hadn’t spoken in years, Mr. Grove is greatly affected by the loss. 

Mr. Grove designs and creates a classically styled dojo equipped with a vast array of weaponry, armor, makiwara boards, tamaeshi giri stands, shuriken targets, balance beams, running walls, and both hard and matted floors for martial arts practice.

Mr. Grove was there when the first box of books arrived at Dai Shihan Palumbo’s Dojo in 1987.  Dai Shihan pulled the first book out of the box, took out a pen, and quickly scribbled something inside the book before handing it to Mr. Grove. “The first book is yours.” He said. Mr. Grove was honored and purchased a second copy so he could keep the signed one pristine.

In reflecting on Dai Shihan Palumbo’s words from that time, Mr. Grove decides that he should mimic this wisdom and make all the books he had written for his students in the 80’s available to the public.   The first book is titled Legacy of the Shadow Warrior.

With a NInja being well versed in so many weapons, the introduction of a weapon from Okinawan Karate is easily adapted to fighting with the same techniques applied with the iron truncheon (jutte).

August 2017 a small band of dedicated students continue to demonstrate they have both the skills and dedication to excel in training.

Students are taught to apply rising and dropping parries by executing them against the inner circumference of a rattan ring. 

October 2017 students are taught the use of the Fukidake (blowgun), learning to shoot from a variety of positions with targets at various heights and distances, even learning to shoot in darkness.

in February 2018, students begin a multi-month session focused on throwing blades and the construction of a classical target.

In 2018 Mr. Grove teaches his students all the Yawara (short stick) fighting techniques passed on to him from Shihan Frank Goody. The entire system is chronicled on video for future reference.

As 2018 comes to a close, students complete training with the Kusari Fundo (short chain), learning a variety of striking and entangling techniques.

Trapping and manipulating kicks is a Ninja specialty. Mr. Grove teaches hyper-extension moves and knee locks in early 2020.

In July 2020 we returned to training inside the Dojo while observing all the safety considerations. Swordsmanship still served as our primary focus.

In late 2020 swordsmanship training continues. The pandemic took away many things, but it did not extinguish the spirits of the students and their growth was significant.