Who we are: The Dojo and Shobukan Grafenwöhr are small, non-commercial, independant budo groups dedicated to studying the Japanese martial arts and ways. Training focuses primarily on traditional weapons and jujutsu.

Our chief teacher was Richard Gordon (1929-2007). He began training in jujutsu in 1946 and spent the next several decades studying Japanese budo with a few forays into other arts and cultural systems. His martial resume includes time spent in several dojo in Japan, Okinawa and Hawaii. As a career Marine, serving during the Occupation of Japan, as well as the Korean and Vietnam wars, he had opportunities to study systems ranging from old jujutsu sytles to modern aikido (both Ki Society and Yoshinkan). After retiring from the USMC as a master gunny sergeant, Gordon Sensei spent a second career as security administrator for St. John's Memorial Hospital in Joplin, Mo. He has since retired again, and currently spends his time being a professional grand- and now great-grandfather. We refer to the system of budo Gordon Sensei gave us as 'Kokoro Ryu' -- a play on words referring to a statement he made once that he just taught what was in his heart. While the Kokoro Ryu is a synthesis of several influences, there is some evidence that the system may have strong connections to at least one older koryu ryuha as well as a couple of gendai budo. What we do today is the distillation of his experience and teaching.

Instructors

Chuck Gordon is just a guy doing budo. He's trained in various martial and civil combat systems since about 1973, primarily in the Kokoro Ryu, but he has also dabbled in traditional and sport karate, Pa Kua Chuan, Escrima, Tang Soo Do and other arts. Lately, his budo pursuits are primarily research and practice of Japanese systems, including jujutsu and weapons work. He is the head instructor for all the Shobukan dojo. He taught at the first four of the annual U.S. Aikido-L seminars, at the third annual European Aikido-L Seminar and has conducted several smaller clinics and seminars. Outside the dojo, he's worked as an EMT, respiratory therapist, soldier, writer, editor and web builder, and is currently the public affairs officer for Fort Detrick, MD. He's been known to wear a kilt and, according to Emily, is a helluva cook.

Tim Lamb has studied kempo and jujutsu for several years and is Chuck's seniormost student. He's permitted to teach at an introductory level and to represent The Dojo in Indianapolis in Chuck's absence. Tim began studying with Chuck at age 15. Outside the dojo, Tim is a manager at a video reproduction company warehouse and is a pursuing a business degree. He and his wife Leanne are proud parents of dojo grandbabies, Cedric and Vaughn.

Emily Dolan Gordon assists Chuck with classes at Shobukan Maryland. She has studied Japanese budo and other martial arts ranging from aikido to wing chun, for more than decade, and she has trained with Chuck in the Kokoro Ryu for about 6 years. Emily earned black belt ranking in Seidokan Aikido in her native Austin, Texas, and has authored articles and papers focusing on massage therapy for martial artists and the role of women in budo. Outside the dojo, Emily is a massage therapist. She is a certifed Rolfer, and continues to pursue further bodywork training with the European Rolfing Association and the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration, Boulder, CO.

Miguel Caban teaches class at Shobukan Grafenwöhr. He's a civilian employee of the U.S. Army in Hohenfels and is a veteran of the U.S. Army. Miguel, a former wrestler and judoka, has trained in the Kokoro Ryu system for several years. Miguel and wife Naydy are parents of yet more dojo grandbabies, Laura and Miguelito.