Henry OkazakiHenry Seishiro Okazaki was born on January 28, 1890 in Honshu, Japan. As a young man living in Hawaii, Okazaki developed tuberculosis and found a cure in the art of Judo. Okazaki dedicated his life to the martial arts and became proficient in many martial art forms. In 1929, having gained a reputation as a masterful martial artist and healer, Professor Okazaki opened the Okazaki Restorative Healing Institute and the Kodenkan School of Judo in Honolulu, where he taught for many years. With his blessing, Okazaki's senior students began to open new Kodenkan schools in California, beginning the spread of DanZan Ryu Jujitsu throughout the country and eventually leading to the formation of the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation. More about Professor Okazaki can be found on our history page.
John CahillJohn Cahill began studying Jujitsu with Professor Okazaki in Hawaii in 1937. Through his dedication to training (four hours a day, six days a week) he became one of Okazaki's most respected students. In 1947, Professor Cahill and his family moved to California, and a year later, he established Cahill's Judo Academy in Daly City. Professor Cahill co-founded the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation in 1958 with fellow Okazaki students Richard Rickerts, Bud Estes, and Ray Law.
Ray LawRay Law moved to Hawaii with his family in 1937 and began to study Jujitsu and restorative massage with Professor Okazaki. By 1939, when the Law family moved back to California, Law had achieved the rank of Nidan and received Okazaki's blessing to open a Jujitsu school on the mainland. The establishment of the American Judo and Jujitsu School in Oakland made Professor Law the first of Okazaki's students to open a Kodenkan school outside of Hawaii. In 1958, Professor Law co-founded the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation with fellow Okazaki students John Cahill, Richard Rickerts, and Bud Estes.
Richard RickertsRichard Rickerts was one of Professor Okazaki's first and most respected students. He studied Jujitsu with Okazaki in Honolulu until 1941, when he moved to California to assist Professor Ray Law with the recently opened American Judo and Jujitsu School. Together with John Cahill, Bud Estes, and Ray Law, Professor Rickerts was a founder of the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation.
Bud EstesMerlin "Bud" Estes attained a black belt in Judo as a young man in Los Angeles. In 1930, having moved to Honolulu as a member of the Salvation Army, Estes was walking one evening when he saw Professor Okazaki easily take down a group of thugs who attempted to rob him on the street. Estes was so impressed with Okazaki's abilities that he put aside his rank in Judo and began training in Okazaki's classes as a beginner. Professor Estes returned to California in 1939 and opened the school which became the Chico Judo and Jujitsu Academy. Professor Estes co-founded the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation with fellow Okazaki students John Cahill, Richard Rickerts, and Ray Law.
Lamar FisherLamar Fisher became a student of Professor Estes in 1948 at the Chico Judo and Jujitsu Academy. In 1950, Professor Fisher began teaching Jujitsu and, in the many years of teaching that followed, inspired many great martial artists to achieve proficiency and become teachers themselves. Professor Fisher currently serves as Senior Professor on the AJJF Board of Professors and holds the rank of Judan.
Herb LaGueHerb LaGue began his study of Jujitsu in 1951, and has since studied many different styles of martial arts. He became a teacher of DanZan Ryu Jujitsu in 1968 at the Sparks Judo and Jujitsu Club, which has since been renamed the Bushidokan Martial Arts Temple. Professor LaGue is currently head of the Bushidokan and founder of the Dan Zan Ryu Zenyo Bujutsu system.
Geoff LaneGeoff Lane has studied the martial arts for over 30 years and was a longtime student of Professor Lamar Fisher. Professor Lane is an active leader in the DanZan Ryu community and has taught at many AJJF events. He currently holds the rank of Rokudan and is head of the Nibukikan dojo in Chico, California. Professor Lane is the current sensei of High Sierra Jujitsu school head Frank Ferris.
Frank FerrisFrank Ferris began his study of martial arts in 1983 and was a longtime student of Professor Herb LaGue. In 1997, he opened the High Sierra Jujitsu dojo in Reno, Nevada. Under Sensei Ferris' leadership, High Sierra Jujitsu has been an active participant in the AJJF and martial arts communities, including serving as host for the AJJF National Convention in 2002 and the prestigious Knife in the Desert seminar in 2005. More about Sensei Ferris can be found on our instructors page.