A religion, when based on faith developed through experience, a broad and questing mind,and unflagging pursuit of universal understanding, is of inspiration and comfort to people. Once a religion loses its original focus, however, it becomes a deadly thing with which to deceive, control and tax the people through the manipulation of their beliefs and fears.
It is the same with the martial arts. The skills of self- protection, which should provide a feeling of inner peace and security for the martial artist, so often develop without a balance in the personality and lead the lesser martial artist into warped realms of unceasing conflict and competition which eventually consume him.
--Toshitsugu Takamatsu, 33rd Soke, Togakure ryu
--Toshitsugu Takamatsu, 33rd Soke, Togakure ryu
Welcome to the Marshfield Kamiyama Dojo, training the traditional Japanese warrior arts of ninjutsu in the
Ozark mountains since the beginning of the millenium.
The Marshfield Kamiyama Dojo was established in April of 2000, by Robert Kesterson. Robert grew up in Marshfield and learned of Ninjutsu from the writings of Stephen K. Hayes and others. He left Marshfield in the mid 1980’s in search of Ninjutsu training. He eventually found it in Dallas, Texas, in training with Shihan Ralph Severe “Kamiyama”, one of the world’s most gifted martial artists. Under the guidance of Shihan Severe, Robert’s eyes were opened to an entirely new perspective on the martial arts.
After training with Shihan Severe for several years, Robert was granted a Shidoshi-Ho associate teaching license under Shihan Severe. Robert began teaching in 1997, in Mesquite, Texas. In 2000, Robert returned to Marshfield, bringing the ancient fighting art back to the Ozark mountains with him. He currently holds a yondan (fourth black belt) in the Kamiyama Dojo Ninpo Bugei Kobujutsu Jissen Keiko system, Okuiri in Ninpo Happo Bikenjutsu and Bojutsu, a nidan (second black belt) in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, and Basic Instructor License in Pocket Stick.
Kamiyama (left) with Robert (right) at an
outdoor training session in Carrollton, Texas.