About Bujinkan Anaguma Dojo:

The guiding principles of our dojo can be drawn from the words of Toshitsugu Takamatsu-soke, the thirty-third linear Grandmaster of the Togakure Ryu and Masaaki Hatsumi, the current Grandmaster:

"The essence of all martial arts and military strategies is self-protection and the prevention of danger. Ninpo deals with the protection of not only the physical body, but the mind and spirit as well." "... no matter how great a talent you have, if you were among bad people or an aggressive company, society cannot help but regard you as one of them. When you can insist, "I'm not like them" and act accordingly, you are treated differently. However, you should never forget that your environment affects you and in spite of yourself, you may lose all the good things that you have. Talent (seeds) will grow taking nutrients from the environment. If the nutrients are bad, the seeds will not grow as they should."

Our aim is to create an environment where good people can come to train in the wonderful art that is Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu to become stronger and lead richer lives (i.e. the seeds growing from above).

Our training has two sides - traditional studies and modern application (e.g. swords aren't generally carried around and flashlights weren't invented yet - you'll learn more about this when you start training with us).

Physical prowess or previous experience in martial arts isn't necessary. Big egos and bad attitudes aren't welcome.

Complete dedication isn't required or even considered healthy. Budo is part of our lives, it isn't our life.

Our dojo is built for working professionals - i.e. real people who have real lives. Rigid discipline and ritual is not part of what we do.

Training is unlike what is found at conventional martial arts schools - a good workout and mastery of a few physical skills. Bujinkan is a true warrior tradition and we work to be a part of it's transmission and preservation. We keep up to date with current training in Japan by traveling there every year and having top instructors out for seminars. We are mentored by Shihan Phil Legare and are a Bujinkan Taka-Seigi Dojo. Anyone of good character is welcome to join us.

We're not big on talking about ourselves and would rather train but understand that as a prospective student it is important to know something about the instructors - here's some info on us so you know a little about of our background and to know that we have lives outside the training hall:

Lance Kumm, Shihan - Head Instructor

• Lance was born in the year of the Tiger. He has been involved in the martial arts for over 20 years. He started his martial arts training in Santa Barbara studying Tang Soo Do. At Cal State Long Beach he studied Shotokan and Hwa Rang Do. In 1992 Lance started his training in the Bujinkan where he studied under Kevin Millis in Irvine, California. He travels to Japan at least once a year to train with Soke Massaki Hatsumi and other senior instructors. Currently he is taking courses in tactical pistol shooting and home security.
• Lance has a B.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering from Long Beach State and holds three patents in the field of Neuro Surgery.
• Currently holds the rank of Tenth Dan.

Bill Stegner - Program Director & Instructor

• Bill has been involved in the martial arts for over 15 years. He started training in San Diego studying Tang Soo Do. While being transfered around the country by the Navy he studied Shin Nagare Karate in Georgia and then Muay-Thai Boxing, Jun-Fan Gung Fu/Jeet Kune Do, Lameco Escrima, and Gracie Jiu-jutsu in Virginia Beach, VA. Started training in Bujinkan in 1998 and Taiji in 2004 at the JING Institute. He travels to Japan at least once a year with Lance to train with Soke and the senior Shihan and continues to study Taiji at JING.
• Bill has a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from San Diego State and is currently a program manager for the Navy.
• Currently holds the rank of Third Dan.