Rivers Edge Bujinkan Dojo

08/26/2025

We are starting a traditional Bujinkan Budo/Ninpo Taijutsu class starting in September. Classes will be on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00pm to 7:45pm. Please visit our website for more information. https://manabimasho.com/rivers-edge-bujinkan-dojo/

12/02/2024

The issue with many martial artists is that they try to prove their art by using the way they practice forms and kata in their own Dōjō the same way against different styles. As a result, they often fail.
We see this clearly when they have challenge matches. Eg: Aikidô vs MMA etc.
Budô Taijutsu is not just about mastering kata as a structured form for scoring points.It’s not a sport and needs to be practiced as Budô. It’s about developing skillful usage and change of the body to deal with all circumstances. Kata are thr starting point of learning fighting skills as well as for preserving traditions and transmitting essential knowledge of body movement, techniques and strategies etc of the Ryûha but, are not a means to an end. There is essentially no form. If you don’t see this than you are practicing as a mere kata collector, historian, or preservationist. Neither are wrong, but it’s imperative to be clear about your path and motivations for studying the martial arts.
Unfortunately, people get locked into kata practice and become conditioned in mind and body so much that they are unable to move naturally and freely. They actually become imprisoned or more restricted by their approach rather than more flexible and free. It’s something that greatly depends on the ability, mindset and capacity of the practitioner, aswell as their ‘real world’ experience.
Some practitioners believe you must be able to perform every technique on a resisting opponent. This obviously expresses their lack of experience. Even Hatsumi Sensei and the Japanese Shihan would continually say “むりしってなで”which implies to not force or try something that’s not possible. Context is everything. As is Timing. No matter how well you think you can execute a technique, if the timing and context isn’t understood or captured naturally in the moment, it won’t work. No technique is perfect unless this is masterfully understood and executed while also utilizing Kyojutsu Tenkan-Ho.
It’s imperative to be level headed and understand clearly the difference between Dōjō training and real fighting. There are many ways to practice the martial arts and many reasons people practice the multitudes of styles. Be clear about what you are after,choose well and enjoy your training.

In closing I’ll state something I’ve heard before that I sincerely believe in. “There’s no superior martial art,only a superior martial artist” which largely depends on ones Sainou Shin Ki 才能心器 (skill,spirit and capacity).

Duncan 南虎

12/02/2024

Very true!

The issue with many martial artists is that they try to prove their art by using the way they practice forms and kata in their own Dōjō the same way against different styles. As a result, they often fail.
We see this clearly when they have challenge matches. Eg: Aikidô vs MMA etc.
Budô Taijutsu is not just about mastering kata as a structured form for scoring points.It’s not a sport and needs to be practiced as Budô. It’s about developing skillful usage and change of the body to deal with all circumstances. Kata are thr starting point of learning fighting skills as well as for preserving traditions and transmitting essential knowledge of body movement, techniques and strategies etc of the Ryûha but, are not a means to an end. There is essentially no form. If you don’t see this than you are practicing as a mere kata collector, historian, or preservationist. Neither are wrong, but it’s imperative to be clear about your path and motivations for studying the martial arts.
Unfortunately, people get locked into kata practice and become conditioned in mind and body so much that they are unable to move naturally and freely. They actually become imprisoned or more restricted by their approach rather than more flexible and free. It’s something that greatly depends on the ability, mindset and capacity of the practitioner, aswell as their ‘real world’ experience.
Some practitioners believe you must be able to perform every technique on a resisting opponent. This obviously expresses their lack of experience. Even Hatsumi Sensei and the Japanese Shihan would continually say “むりしってなで”which implies to not force or try something that’s not possible. Context is everything. As is Timing. No matter how well you think you can execute a technique, if the timing and context isn’t understood or captured naturally in the moment, it won’t work. No technique is perfect unless this is masterfully understood and executed while also utilizing Kyojutsu Tenkan-Ho.
It’s imperative to be level headed and understand clearly the difference between Dōjō training and real fighting. There are many ways to practice the martial arts and many reasons people practice the multitudes of styles. Be clear about what you are after,choose well and enjoy your training.

In closing I’ll state something I’ve heard before that I sincerely believe in. “There’s no superior martial art,only a superior martial artist” which largely depends on ones Sainou Shin Ki 才能心器 (skill,spirit and capacity).

Duncan 南虎

10/15/2024

If you are a family member, friend, or a past student/instructor of GM John Casarez and have any pictures of him and the dojo, and would like to send them to be on the slide show please scan and email them to me at [email protected]. We are doing a photo slide show during the memorial (Celebration of Life) service. I especially need photos of the his dojo that was located at the foot of the old 6th St. bridge in Chesapeake, Ohio. I would like to have pictures that were taken of the outside and inside. I remember this building very well. This is where I started. This was first official dojo he started in 1978. He taught at the Huntington YMCA before that. Thank you, GM Murdock

10/14/2024

If you be attending the memorial (Celebration of Life) for Grandmaster John Casarez on Friday in Chesapeake, Ohio and you are a past or present student, instructor, master or grandmaster, please wear your martial arts gi to the service. John's daughter requested I ask everyone to come in their gi. If you are a martial artists from another art, dojo or system we ask that you wear your gi as well. We want to honor Grandmaster Casarez for all of his years in the martial arts and his creation Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu, now known as Casarez Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu. He would have been very happy to know we all went in our gi's for him. Thank you GM Murdock

10/11/2024

Grandmaster John H. Casarez passed away today at 12:20pm. John was my best friend and Sensei for over 40 years. He was a legend in the martial arts and created one of the most effective martial arts and self defense programs. He will be missed by many. Please keep his family, instructors and former students in your prayers. I have posted his obituary below.

John Henry Casarez, 87 of Chesapeake, OH went to be with the Lord on Friday 10-11-24 at 12:20pm at Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice.
He was born on Sept., 26th 1937 in Huntington, WV. John joined the Marines, sparking a love for martial arts. Thru 70+ years of martial arts, John became a 10th degree Black Belt and Grandmaster in Casarez Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu, a martial art he founded.
John holds Black Belts from 1st degree to 6th degree in other disciplines.
John is a Grandmaster member of the World Head of Family Sokeship Council, and inducted into World Martial Arts and USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. John has trained numerous instructors and always esteemed each of them. He trained the Huntington Police Dept in self defense. John was also recognized as a Hometown Hero in Huntington.
John was proceeded in death by parents Henry & Leona Casarez of Chesapeake, OH, Sisters Hope (Ray) Kitchen of Greenville, SC and Hazel Casarez of Chesapeake, OH, Brother Daniel Casarez of Chesapeake, OH, and son John Lee Casarez of Huntington, WV.
John was survived by Daughter Tonya (Bill) Butcher of Evansville, IN, Granddaughter Kristen Casarez of Columbus, OH, Grandsons Rian (Jessica) Nichols and Billy C. Butcher of Evansville, IN and two Great Grandsons, Micah and Isaiah Nichols, two cherished nieces Dana Miller of Dothan, AL and Tana Casarez of Cambridge OH, two dear friends Andy and Teresa Walters of Chesapeake, OH.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at New Beginnings Church at 3707 State Route 7, Chesapeake, OH. 45619 on Oct 18 at 11:00am. Pastor Tom Jones presiding.

09/28/2024

The Ninja use many weapons to get the job done. They were special elite soldiers. A lot of their techniques are used in modern combat by special forces.

Ninja tools and weapons, often referred to as "ninjutsu weapons," are essential elements in the world of ninja. These tools were used by ninja to carry out t...

03/15/2024

Students, who would be interested in a Traditional Ninjutsu class at the dojo?

08/24/2023

You may feel that you have plateaued in your training but this is a normal part of training. It's the start of growth, advancement and understanding. Hang in there and never stop.

“In your training career, there may come a time when you find yourself frustrated and disgusted with what you feel to be your own dullness. You just can not get the techniques right. Your training just does not seem to go the way you want it to. I consider this slump period to be absolutely necessary for your own growth. Your sense of frustration and constriction leads you to the breakthrough you need for advancement. Like a snake that struggles to shed it’s skin so that it can grow larger, the martial artist too must pass these inevitable stages of molting for growth.”

宗家Hatsumi