Who are the Founders
Bujinkan Founder
Grandmaster Hatsumi is the founder and International Director of the Bujinkan Dojo with it's Hombu Dojo residing in Noda City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, in an office attached to his home. Dr. Hatsumi is the inheritor of the three Ninjutsu and six Samurai traditions from the late Toshitsugu Takamatsu Soke in the early 1970's, just before Soke Takamatsu's passing in 1972. Hatsumi is an accomplished painter who's art has been presented to various leaders throughout the world. Hatsumi also has received Honorary Doctorates from the USA Human Sciences and Philosophy, Honorary Texas Ranger, Title of Knighthood from Germany, and Blackbelt magazine's Instructor of the Year, and the list continues. For more information on Hatsumi Soke's Dojo located in Japan, please visit his website at www.bujinkan.com.
Yamaneko Dojo Founder
Jeffrey Prather has trained for over 35 years in Japanese martial arts and is one of a very few 15th-degree blackbelt Shihan (master or gentleman instructor) in the world. He is licensed by Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, Bujinkan Soke, the grandmaster of Budo Taijutsu. The Yamaneko Dojo is an official branch of Hatsumi Soke's dojo. Shihan Prather is a double recipient of Hatsumi Soke's Gold Medal. The first was awarded for his development of the Close Quarter Combat course for the U.S. Marine Corps. and the Army Special Operations Forces, the second for hosting the 1995 Tai Kai, which he had the honor of hosting a second time in 99'. Shihan Prather also has a 10th degree blackbelt in Shinkengata (real life combat). He has written for publications such as Black Belt magazine and has taught the police and military all over the world. Documentation and references available.
Who are the Instructors
Head Instructor
Mitch Hayes is the Sempai of the dojo and started training in the Bujinkan in June of 1997. Sempai received his 1st dan (first degree blackbelt) in November of 1998. Since then he has achieved 4th dan and has been instructing for over 8 years. He has also taught courses for the military CQC (Close Quarter Combat) and Fightback (women's self-defense), both of which were developed by Jeffrey Prather from this art. In 2006 he was given the honor of stepping into the role of the Dojo Cho (head of the Dojo) to assist Shihan Prather, during his absence, with the care of the dojo and the students. Sempai dedicates much of his time to the dojo because he loves the art and loves teaching. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and learning to play guitar.
Sr. Instructor
Lance Elchlepp has been training in the Bujinkan Yamaneko Dojo for almost 14 years and throughout this time he's been a personal student of 15-dan, Shihan Prather. In February of 2006 he became a licensed Bujinkan Shidoshi by receiving his Godan (5th degree blackbelt) in Japan. Lance has been teaching since receiving his blackbelt in November of 1998 and teaching children for the last 5-years. Likewise, he is also licensed to teach disabled and female self-defense courses based off of the Bujinkan Taijutsu martial art, as well as extending his own training in numerous other forms of protectorship.
Instructor
David Petersmarck was introduced to the Bujinkan and Budo Taijutsu while living in Germany in 1988. After leaving Germany in 1991, he found it difficult to find a school teaching authentic Budo Taijutsu and continued to train in a variety of martial arts until arriving at the Yamaneko Dojo in 2004. David began teaching after receiving his black belt in 2007. He has also taught courses in Special Weapons and Tactics, Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics, and Hand-to-Hand Combat, as-well-as the military CQC (Close Quarter Combat) Course, which was developed by Shihan Prather. David is an accomplished musician and enjoys playing guitar.
Instructor
Nick Franco began training in the martial arts in 1998. He studied various martial arts and later received a black belt in tae Kwan do. In 2003 he found the Bujinkan Yamaneko Dojo. Realizing that this was very different then the typical commercialized sport martial arts he was sure that he found the martial art that he was looking for. He received his black belt in November 2006. He continues to study as much as possible under Shihan Prather and when possible in Japan. Nick is currently a sandan (3rd degree black belt) and enjoys helping to teach kids classes when ever needed.
Instructor
Amber Meesenburg is a Shodan (first degree black belt) and has been training under Shihan Jeffery Prather since 2004. Amber currently serves as the Shibu Liaison coordinating training opportunities between shibus (branches of the main dojo) around the country, and issuing the dojo newsletter. She is also an Assistant Instructor for both women's FightBack and children's Safe Kids courses through Warriorschool. She graduated with a B.A. in Art History in 2002 from New Mexico State University. She has a fourteen year background working with children and families in recreational and educational programs in the southwest. She is an artist, teacher, daughter, sister, and friend. Amber believes in "finding what is of real value to humanity and putting yourself in service to it", and it is that philosophy that leads her to dedicate so much of her time and attention to this dojo.