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About the Instructor

R.A. (Tony) Smith

August 2013
 
Although introduced to martial arts in junior high school, playing judo there and in high school, followed by some Taekwondo at university, I don’t consider to really have started training until 1984. Then it became an almost daily activity leading into a way a life. From 1984-2002 I trained and studied Taekwondo, earning a 3rd degree black belt and instructors certification. From 1992-2002, I owned and was the chief instructor of Poway Taekwondo in Poway, CA.
 
In 1992 a gentleman stopped by my newly opened dojang and invited me to watch some classes at his traditional Japanese dojo, which I did.
There for the first time I had the chance to see up close real Japanese swordsmanship and aikijutsu, I was hooked and started iaido (sword) the next day. Eventually, the study of iaido, akikjutsu, and kenjutsu (sword fighting strategy) made teaching Taekwondo difficult (not to mention legs that could no longer compete with 18-25 year olds) and I turned over Poway Taekwondo to one of my senior instructors and pursued the Japanese arts in depth. My studies take me to Japan for training several times a year where I have been fortunate to train with many remarkable people. Additionally, it has allowed me to study and collect Japanese swords.
 
I currently hold the following licenses and dan (degree) rankings in Japanese martial arts:
 
Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido and Hiken Muso Ryu Iaigirido
Teaching menkyo (license) and rank of Renshi Nanadan (Renshi=Lead Instructor, 7th degree) in both under Furuoka-sensei, Ohta-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
From 2002-2010 I was Head Iaido Instructor at San Diego Budokai, San Diego, CA, from 2005 have been a visiting instructor at Nichirei Dojo, Ishikawa-Dai, Tokyo, Japan.
 
Yamate-Ryu Aikijutsu
Yondan (4th degree) and teaching menkyo license
 
Itto Tenshin Ryu Kenjutsu
Renshi (Renshi=Lead Instructor with permission to teach)
From 2003-2010 I was the Senior student and Lead Instructor at San Diego Budokai, San Diego, CA, for both aikijutsu and kenjutsu.
 
Other certifications and accomplishments include:
Pressure Point Control Tactics (PPCT)
Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention (SHARP)
1999-2002: Grant through California Department of Justice to provide 4-6 self-defense seminars a year to senior citizens. This was later expanded to teenage girls and all women.


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