"To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly"                        

                                                               -Henri Bergson

 

The West Michigan Budokan offers an outstanding traditional martial arts experience with a friendly, relaxed and noncompetitive atmosphere.  We offer several martial arts systems designed for self-protection and self-development- not sporting events.  Our dojo offers realistic self-protection and awareness skills through an extensive and highly effective curriculum while transmitting the authentic warrior traditions of Soke Masaaki Hatsumi and Soke Kenshinsai Machida.  Members of our dojo can take pride in their training knowing they have truly earned the kyu and dan ranks they achieve.  We follow the formal ranking systems set by Soke Hastumi and Soke Machida. We also offer students International rank certification and memberships from the Grandmasters in Japan . We offer instruction in true samurai jissen kobujutsu as taught by Grandmaster Machida and true ninpo as taught by Grandmaster Hatsumi. These arts have not been changed and are taught at the WMB as they are taught in Japan.

Our Chief Instructor is Sensei Jed Konopka.  Konopka Sensei is a 5th Degree Black Belt in Bujinkan Ninjutsu / Budo Taijutsu, and is a member of Soke Massaki Hatusmi's Shidoshi-Kai (Instructors Guild). He also holds the rank level of 3rd Degree Black Belt in Enbukan Sogo Budo.  Jed has been training in the martial arts and meditative arts for over 10 years under the direct instruction of Shihan Robert Bessler.  In his years of training, Jed has trained extensively in both the Bujinkan and Enbukan arts, and was the first student of Shihan Bessler's to complete the three year Uchideshi program.   Sensei Konopka feels strongly that reaslitic self protection AND mental development skills should be cultivated in concert with one another.  The West Michigan Budokan offers instruction in these areas on a variety of levels so that each of the dojo's students can make progress that is evident on the training floor as well as in their daily lives.  Every person has a right to be confident and truly enjoy life and the people they surround themselves with!  This empowerment is gained through diligent training in the martial systems offered at the WMB, of which include...         ENBUKAN SHINBU RYU SOGO BUDO:  Soke Kenshinsai Machida    Enshin Itto Ryu Battojutsu   Fudo Ikken Ryu Battojutsu   Kashima Shinden Jigen Ryu Battojutsu    Takeda-ha Aiki-no-Jutsu

BUJINKAN BUDO TAIJUTSU / NINJUTSU: Soke Masaaki Hatsumi 

 Shinden Fudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu         

 Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu  

 Kukishinden Ryu Happo Bikenjutsu    

 Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu                          

 Koto Ryu Koppojutsu                          

 Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu                                      

 Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu   

 Gyokushin Ryu Ninpo 

 Kumogakure Ryu Ninpo