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チーム

TEAM

VAL (柳勇) 

INSTRUCTOR

Val holds the rank of Godan (五段) Renshi (錬士) in Ryushin Shouchi Ryu. He began learning Muso Shinden Ryu at New York Budo Association in 2001 due to his interest in Japanese culture and military history. In 2005, Val had the privilege of meeting Yahagi sensei at a New York seminar where he witnessed the Sword techniques of Ryushin. He was so impressed with the undeniable speed and power with which they were performed that he was inspired to dedicate the rest of his life to this sword system. After many years of training and visits to Japan for personal instruction with Sensei, he was appointed Shido-in (指導員)- official instructor of the system; a tittle recognized by Japan honbu (home) dojo in 2018. Yahagi Sensei gave him the dojo name Ryu Yuu (柳勇) and after almost two decades of Training and teaching, he became the head instructor of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu at New York Budo Association. Because of Ryushin, he was able to travel all over the world, participating and performing at seminars where he met high level practitioners of Japanese martial arts. He regards this time as a great learning experience and cherishes the time and people he met along the way. In 2021, with the help of four of his closest dojo friends, he had the opportunity to start a new Japanese sword school in Queens. Val Sensei’s goal is to impart his knowledge and skill acquired over 17 years of training to his students as deeply and sincerely as possible. During his free time he enjoys architectural studies, world history, and discovering new Japanese sake to add to his collection.

MATT

MANAGER

Matthew Dolan currently holds the rank of Nidan (二段) in Ryushin Shouchi Ryu. He spent part of his childhood living in Tokyo Japan, which had a large impact on his life and led to his interest in Japanese sword. He began his training in Ryushin in late 2017 at New York Budo Association and became fascinated with this style of swordsmanship. As a lifelong musician, he came to appreciate the subtle details and exacting precision involved in the art with its subtle similarities. He believes the beauty and lethality that intertwine are unique to the iaijutsu that he studies. Apart from the demanding physical aspects of Ryushin, Matthew strives to better understand the mental focus required, which helps him in and outside of the dojo. In his free time, Matthew enjoys spending time with his lovely fiancé, playing his guitar and reading good books.

WILLIAM

TREASURER

William Richardson was born in Manhattan New York, and soon after relocated to Alabama due to his parent's service in the United States Coastguard. At the age of six, he returned to New York where he has remained to this day. William's interest in Japanese Sword came from a chance viewing of a PBS documentary at the age of ten. Ever since, he has been fascinated with every aspect of the subject. He began his training in Ryushin Shouchi Ryu in 2018 at New York Budo Association, and currently holds the rank of Shodan (初段). William remains dedicated to solely practicing and perfecting his techniques in Ryushin on a daily basis. Outside of the dojo he enjoys reading Manga and has a vast and ever-growing collection of samurai movies.

VAL (柳勇) 

INSTRUCTOR

Valiant Yeung Sensei holds the rank of Godan Renshi (錬士) in Ryushin Shouchi Ryu. He began learning Iaido (Muso Shinden Ryu) at New York Budo Association in 2001 due to his interest in Japanese culture and military history. In 2005, Valiant had the privilege of meeting Yahagi sensei at a New York seminar where he witnessed the Japanese Swordsmanship techniques of Ryushin. He was so impressed with the undeniable speed and power with which they were performed that he was inspired to dedicate the rest of his life to this sword system. After many years of training and visits to Japan for personal instruction with Sensei, he was appointed Shido-in (指導員)- official instructor of the system, a title recognized by Japan Hombu (home) dojo in 2018. Yahagi Sensei gave him the dojo name Ryu Yuu (柳勇) and after almost two decades of Training and teaching Iaido, he became the head instructor of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu at New York Budo Association. Because of Ryushin, he was able to travel all over the world, participating and performing at seminars where he met high-level practitioners of Japanese martial arts. He regards this time as a great learning experience and cherishes the time and people he met along the way. In 2021, with the help of four of his closest dojo friends, he had the opportunity to start a new Japanese sword school in New York. Valiant Yeung Sensei’s goal is to impart his knowledge and skill acquired over 17 years of training in Iaido to his students as deeply and sincerely as possible. During his free time he enjoys architectural studies, world history, and discovering new Japanese sake to add to his collection.

GABRIEL

MANAGER

Gabriel Miranda currently holds the rank of Shodan (初段) in Ryushin Shouchi Ryu. His interest in iaijutsu and Japanese swordsmanship extends from a long academic love of Japanese culture and history. From a young age, Gabriel studied various aspects of Japan's cultural heritage including būshido (武士道 , “the way of the warrior”), Shintō (神道), and Japanese poetry forms such as haiku. In 2022, he joined Ryushin Kan NYC in order to experience the physical application of these philosophical precepts that have fascinated him. Outside of practicing the art of swordsmanship, Gabriel is a writer, cultural practitioner, and religious anthropologist. 

WILLIAM

TREASURER

William Richardson was born in Manhattan New York, and soon after relocated to Alabama due to his parents service in the United States Coastguard. At the age of six, he returned to New York where he has remained to this day. Williams interest in Japanese Swordsmanship came from a chance viewing of a PBS documentary about Iaido at the age of ten. Ever since, he has been fascinated with every aspect of the subject. He began his training in Ryushin Shouchi Ryu in 2018 at New York Budo Association, and currently holds the rank of Nidan (二段). William remains dedicated to solely practicing and perfecting his techniques in Ryushin on a daily basis. Outside of the dojo he enjoys reading Manga and has a vast and ever growing collection of samurai movies for every occasion.

五人の原理

PRINCIPLES OF THE FIVE

Ryushin Kan Dojo was founded by Valiant Yeung, Matthew Dolan, William Richardson, Gaurav Shetty and Pranavi Prathigudupu. When the Pandemic hit in 2020, we needed a new place to train as well as help our friends at Genyukan karate dojo cover the rent during these tough times. Although it was a gamble we are very happy to say that Ryushinkan Dojo was and is a success and we were able to create a meaningful space in which to practice and teach our love for Japanese sword. Together we had the vision of a proper traditional Japanese sword school that was taught by qualified passionate instructors. Our goal however goes much further than this.

 

We set out to create a harmonious community of friends that could train in peace away from distractions. We aim to cultivate a deep sense of calm and belonging in our space. We hope that if you decide to join us on this journey, that you too find this intention in your practice of Iai.

思い出

MEMORIES

With great sadness I say good bye to Igor Makdulin. A senior member of Genyukan and a longtime student of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu. He trained with a strong spirit and unwavering resolve. He was a man who was confident that he could build anything with his bare hands (and he usually did.) I will always remember our locker room conversations about traveling, making swords and martial arts. It was an honor to have met you. You will be greatly missed. - Val

Igor, we miss you...