Press Releases

On April 11th 2005, students and instructors of the American Martial Arts Institute traveled across New York State, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Michigan to attend seminars at the Mohawk YMCA in Central New York. World renowned martial artist Master Fumio Demura taught the two seminars. Master Demura is known to the public as the stunt man for Pat Morita in the Karate Kid movies, his roles and stunt work in movies such as Mortal Kombat and The Rising Sun, and on television specials on the martial arts for the Discovery channel. To martial artists around the world he is known for his exceptional skill, his expertise in extension tools, and his positive attitude. He has appeared on the cover of every major martial arts magazine in the world. He has authored a large number of martial arts books, videos, and DVDs. The list of Master Demura’s martial arts accomplishments over the last 60 years could fill an entire book. On April 11th, the students and instructors of the American Martial Arts Institute welcomed Master Demura, eager to learn all they could from a giant in the world of martial arts.

The first seminar was on empty handed self-defense, and it was open to adults 18 years or older (all ranks) and brown belts of all ages. Fifty-seven students and instructors participated. After Grand Master Crandall bowed the group in and introduced Master Demura, one of Master Demura’s local area black belts, Sensai Charles Hobbib, ran the group through stretching. Master Demura stressed two important points for everyone to remember. First, everyone was to have fun and challenge him or herself. If a martial artist is no longer having fun, or if they are not personally challenging themselves, then they are missing a fundamental purposes of the martial arts. Second, everyone should give back to her or her community in someway. The martial art develops individuals so that they may be leaders and active members in their communities. After Master Demura had taken a moment to pass on these two points, the training began.

The first block and counter technique taught by Master Demura involved using the elbows to strike vulnerable areas of the body. Several more techniques followed: a counter against a double punch, pressure points, responses to kicks, wrist grabs, and punches to the head. Everyone had a great time, and Master Demura and Sensai Hobbib worked with many students one-on-one.
During the seminar, Master Demura also taught the group exercises, and three groups raced one another to determine who could do the techniques the correctly the fastest. Everyone found this to be a lot of fun. As the time raced by, the camaraderie between the students grew stronger and everyone learned a tremendous amount.

The first seminar ended, and Master Demura presented Grand Master Crandall with a calligraphy that he had done for him. The seminar was followed by a brief time for a group picture and autographs.
The second seminar of the evening focused on the Bo. This seminar was open to adults 18 years or older (any rank) and yellow belts or higher of any age. There was a large turn out of 62 participants. After the bow in, Master Demura described the different grips for the Bo, proper handling of the Bo, and the importance of control. The participants each had a partner for the evening and began by practicing strikes toward their partner. Again, the level of concern for one another and safety was excellent. Students had an opportunity to practice blocks and counters with one another. Some of these included: high blocks with counters to the throat and blocks against low attacks to the knee.

Following blocks and counters, everyone was taught an entire kata: Demura Bo Kata Ichi. This form challenged both minds and bodies; it was an excellent workout. As students worked though the kata, Master Demura and Sensai Hobbib walked among the students, correcting when needed, encouraging, and filling the room with positive energy. Master Demura made certain that the instructors who would later be teaching this form had it correct, and he worked with them one-on-one.
After the kata, Master Demura taught a method for disarming someone with a Bo and taught strength training exercises with the Bo. The seminar completed with a demonstration of padded extension tools used for sparring. Some students had the opportunity to spar with protective gear while the rest of the participants watched.

After the seminar was complete, another group picture was taken and the students filed out of the building to drive home. The wealth of knowledge and excitement of the evening were fresh in their minds. It had been a fun time for all.

When the students had gone, many of the instructors and adult black belts were invited to travel to the main location of the American Martial Arts Institute in Utica for a special demonstration by Master Demura. This was an unexpected offer by Master Demura and Grand Master Crandall. At the training hall, Master Demura demonstrated his cutting style, Batto-do using a sword that he had forged. Master Demura has been training in sword making for years. Sensai Hobbib also demonstrated several cuts. As a special offer, Master Demura offered Grand Master Crandall and students of his choice to make a cut, as well. Grand Master Crandall, who is also the Head Master of Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall, a traditional 300-year old iaido cutting style, humbly accepted. Grand Master Crandall and his two senior students in iaido, Mr. Phillips and Mr. Morris, all made cuts before the small group using Master Demura’s sword. It was a truly special and memorable event.

The American Eagle Style is a style with strong roots in the traditional foundation and philosophy of the martial arts. The American Martial Arts Institute is a school with instructors and students that represent that way of life in their communities every day whether they are currently training or students taken away from the area because of jobs or other challenges. It is always a pleasure to have marital artists of Master Demura’s caliper share their time and knowledge with our school and its students. It is also comforting to know that that experience will go out into the communities of those students each day of their lives.