Minamoto Combat Science

03/20/2026

Not my style and I never had the honor of meeting the legend, but there is nothing but good to be said about the man and the world has lost a great part.

It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning. While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.

To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family.

He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.

While our hearts are broken, we are deeply grateful for the life he lived and for the unforgettable moments we were blessed to share with him. The love and support he received from fans around the world meant so much to him, and our family is truly thankful for it. To him, you were not just fans, you were his friends.

We know many of you had heard about his recent hospitalization, and we are truly grateful for the prayers and support you sent his way.

As we grieve this loss, we kindly ask for privacy for our family during this time.

Thank you for loving him with us.

With love,
The Norris Family

02/27/2026

I stand on my assertion that Martial Arts Lineage is far more important than Style and that skill tops rank. However, rank has its importance.

That being said, Lineage comes into play with rank. Just because someone creates a new organization and the leaders promote each other and get fancy, new colored belts, the rank they give each other doesn't necessarily equate to skill.

So, what value is a Dan rank and teaching title if it comes from someone who didn't earn the rank they have?

01/25/2026

Wishing a Very Happy Birthday to the wife of Taba Sensei!!!

10/20/2025

Happy Birthday Maeda Kiyomasa, Sensei!

10/16/2025

The former Shogen-Ryu website that I have been tinkering with to represent my martial arts is due for renew and I doubt that I am going to spend the money.

I started it at the request of my teacher, Taba Kensei, and was honored to serve as his International Director. I had fun working to convert it, but will just have to incorporate that material into this page.

09/04/2025

I have started with the changes to the website. It is very bare at the moment but will grow as I figure out some details.

09/03/2025

My son helped with a couple of technical issues I was having to finally get the logo exactly like I wanted. Who knew a teenage boy could do computer stuff?

08/03/2025

Sometimes things, including life, become cluttered and chaotic and it is difficult to find balance, order, meaning, truth.

Taba Sensei once told me that he didn't like the idea of "Styles" in martial arts but conceded that it was the way things were. He created Shogen-Ryu as his view of what Okinawa Karatedo is and was attempting to filter out the minutia to have a clean, effective art.

Minamoto Combat Science is NOT a style. It is what I do and am. It is a scientific analysis of technique through my unique vantage point. It is a continuation of what I believe Taba Sensei was working towards.

There are people in the martial arts community that have taken a similar path and tried to rid their art of the impractical, ineffective, inefficient, and injurious aspects. Some have done a good job. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Professor of Anatomy, I am one of the foremost experts on human movement and am applying that knowledge to what I am doing.

Again, this is NOT a style and I am NOT building an organization. We have too many of both. I am, however, open to discussing ideas/concepts with people who are interested what I am doing.

07/24/2025

Happy Birthday to Guru Dan Inosanto Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts !!!

A wealth of knowledge and an all around nice person. The picture is half a lifetime ago at one of his seminars when we were both a bit younger

07/07/2025

This was my last trip to Okinawa to see my teacher before his passing. This was 2009. I did see him in Canada after this, but his trip to Michigan to be with Iha Sensei in 2011 was canceled. He sent me a Shureido bo as a gift with an apology for having to cancel. I told him that he never had to apologize to me. I was going to go back to Okinawa but received a call on this day in 2012 telling me he had passed.

I was floored. We had big plans. My 2009 trip was topped off with a promotion, making me the senior most active instructor outside of Okinawa with only 2 people senior to me in Okinawa. I was given insight into upcoming kata changes and Association plans with my position as International Director reinforced and plans to be made for me to travel with him, or in his stead, to other countries to help spread his style.

I will always miss Taba Sensei. He was a wonderful teacher, a wonderful man, and as respectful as he was to be respected. So many feelings and so many thoughts over the past 13 years. I would love to go back even just 14 years. Oh how differently I would live that extra year with him.

07/05/2025

Remembering Sensei on his birthday. He was one of the best people I have ever known.

05/12/2025

Wishing my good friend and European Director of Shogen-Ryu, Michael Quinn, a Very Happy Birthday!!!