Utah Tora Jutsu

01/16/2026

Kevin and Karen loved their new home and were excited to start on their renovations. The main bathroom toilet didn’t work, the carpet in the living room smelled like wet dog and the cupboards in the kitchen were outdated with pale yellow and white paint. They knew that they couldn’t live like this, it bothered them every day, they were so eager to fix the problem that they called a contractor the next morning for help. They told the contractor that they needed a new sprinkler system in the yard and new flower beds around the porch. After the work was done they sat confused in their kitchen wondering if anything would ever change and if they would ever feel joy in their new home. The carpet still smelled like dog, the toilet wouldn’t flush and the cupboards were horrible.
The next day they called the contractor back and had the home painted a lovely white with black trim. Still no change, still smelled like dog, no toilet, and an ugly kitchen. The next week they replaced the garage door, put on a new roof, added copper rain gutters and still nothing worked. They felt hopeless, couldn’t work, didn’t want to get out of bed, lost contact with friends and sank into darkness. One day their old martial arts teacher stopped by and asked them if they could chat for a moment. He asked them felt so hopeless and lost and they shared their story. He sat back, took a deep breath and told them perhaps it is because you are trying to fix a problem on the inside by trying to change the outside.
A week later they called the contractor back and replaced the cupboards, had new carpet installed and had a plumber put in the Rolls Royce of toilets! Life changed, sunlight came in to their life, they felt different and they were so grateful to their teacher. They went to class and told their teacher how happy they were, and he simply smiled and said “good for you, when you have the courage to face the problems on the inside they ones on the outside are easier to see and easier to repair. How many people look to change their outside, work, spouse, appearance, income, lifestyle in an attempt to change the inside of their lives. Martial arts can help reduce stress, improve the inside and the outside and Competent mental health care and professional counseling can help you learn to identify and fix the problems in the right way using the right tools.
Martial arts fills a need and professional mental healthcare fills a different one. They are both valuable, they are both to be encouraged and supported, and they both provide an effective level of self-defense in their own sphere.
-Grandmaster Toru

01/10/2026

A lifetime of success does not happen overnight. It is the result of a million simple actions taken over and over again through grief and pain, happiness and sorrow, joy and peace all coming together to form a life well lived. Start today with a simple act and then let that simple act grow into a powerful and meaningful future. In Tora Jutsu we start in class and then walk the path every day, quietly, with confidence knowing we are building greatness. Martial arts is about more than saving life, it is about building one. -Grandmaster Toru

01/03/2026

01/02/2026

Tora-Jutsu has always been a system dedicated to teaching absolute self-defense. Originally it was a matter of survival due to the many wars between clans and then countries. Over he centuries our system has changed very little but the application of our system has changed repeatedly. Why? Because what we are defending against has changed time and time again. From defending against clans and armies to defensing against r**e and crime. Our students have had to defend themselves against an ever-changing world of crime, evil, and danger. Today is no exception but far different than even forty years ago. Today we have public mass shootings, terrorist attacks, cybercrime in all of it’s darkness, human trafficking, and more. The need to protect oneself from personal attack have remained fairly consistent but these new adversaries are taking an ever growing toll on our society. After all of these changes add in an increasing mental health crisis and a never ending supply of drugs s that are o dangerous a simple touch can kill. Self-defense has become a real challenge, but we are committed to keeping up no matter how difficult the task may be. We will always teach our students to protect themselves from any and all threats, physical, emotional, and any other way that is needed. A Tora Jutsu practitioner is more than a fighter dedicated to a flurry of violence, we are intelligent warriors dedicated to the preservation of good, liberty, life and a love of peace.

12/29/2025

The World of Tora Jutsu
As you can see in this image, we have 8 key areas that make up the Tora Jutsu system. Eight core elements of self-defense and personal development that will guide you and benefit those closest to you and wish to protect. We NEVER start a fight, we choose peace...it's in our culture and our philosophy. We train to PERFECT the basics to a level of mastery. No high-flying kicks, no spinning cyclone double tornado kicks, no submission, we fight if pushed to defend and then it is over and done... just like that.

We train 99.999% of our lives for that extremely small and rather unlikely chance that we will have to use our art in combat. We train to foster peace, reduce stress and anxiety, build others up, find meaning in our lives, enjoy life and family, love, live, and improve our world and the world around us with the knowledge, understanding, and culture that we foster. Tora Jutsu is not a fitness center, not a membership, not a club, it's a family and the roots of this family make us who we are, teach the next generation who and what they are capable of becoming. We bring light within and without in a world that is filled with darkness. Look for the good, embrace the light, this is Tora Jutsu. For centuries we have practiced the art of war to embrace the art of peace. My teacher shared that message with me over 50 years ago and he received it from his father before that. Passed down from Master to student to build, improve, and protect generation after generation. Take your martial art and do something good today to improve the world and you will help reduce the very dangers we train to fight against. Join us and learn the good that you can do in the world today.

Grnadmaster Akai Tora
Koiusai Tora Jutsu Kyokai

04/30/2025

We live in a world filled with pressure, stress, and challenges. Let go of your stress and find the balance you need in your life. Tora Jutsu is a traditional martial art with roots that go back over 1,000 years. Use the methods of the ancient warriros to fight the battle of modern living. Classes available for all ages. Call today to schedule a free vist, determine the best class for you and let your journey to inner peace begin.

04/02/2025

"True Tora Jutsu can be identified by the endless number of options a single action can create. When one opening closes countless others appear. It is this that unveils both the beauty and the beast of the system. To the practioner comes endless opportunity and inspiration and to the opponent comes waves of fear. Like the ocean that it springs from it is soft yet powerful, embracing yet deadly, a single moment of reflection and a vast world of the unknown. This is Tora Jutsu. -Grandmaster Toru

02/11/2025

There are signs in every life that give us subtle hints as to where we should go, what we should do, who we should hang out with, how we should act, danger, direction, instruction, the signs are everywhere. But how do you know which signs you should or should not follow? The answer is not as simple as you might think. Knowing what to do in any given moment or which sign you should pay attention to starts way before you ever see the sign. Spencer W. Kimball was a quiet, wise, and deeply spiritual person and he said once that he made the decision not to smoke or drink or do drugs early in life so he never had to worry when the opportunity came along, he knew what he would do. Have you taken the time to define what you will or won’t do in life? Take some time, make a list, commit to that list and then follow the signs, they will be everywhere reminding you of your decision. - Akai Tora

12/28/2024

Ask a simple question, what is your worth? You are learning to protect yourself but what are you protecting. Now ask why does this matter? Tonaka Sensei and I had these discussions often and now I ask them of you. Who will respond?

10/16/2024

The Tiger Tree is a representation of the entire Tora Jutsu system. Someone once asked me "What does your system teach?" and this is the answer I gave. To learn more visit one of our schools and if you are a student be sure to join our private group. Contact your Shihan for more information.

Tora Jutsu Mastery