Additional Instructor Announcements Coming Soon!
Karl Koch - Dai Shihan
- A personal student of Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, Dai Shihan Karl Koch is a 15th Dan in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu with over forty years of experience in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. Drawn to the martial arts by his interest in ancient and medieval weaponry and armor, Shihan Koch began training in the late 70’s in various western martial arts such as fencing, archery, boxing and medieval infantry techniques. In 1981, he was introduced to Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu through the books by Stephen K. Hayes and has trained in the Bujinkan ever since. In addition to his extensive training with senior instructors in the US such as DaiShihan Phillip Legare and the late Shihan Dick Severance, Shihan Koch travels to Japan annually to train with the senior Japanese Shihan and other longtime western students of Soke living in Japan.
Carol Koch - Dai Shihan
- DaiShihan Carl Koch is one of only a few women in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu to have been awarded DaiShihan. Having trained in archery and kung fu previously, Carol and her husband Karl became intrigued with Ninjutsu in 1981 through books by Andrew Adams and Stephen Hayes and began training exclusively in Ninjutsu/ Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu in 1983. While on her annual training trip to Japan in October of 2000, she successfully passed her Sakki test administered by Soke and was awarded the rank of Godan. In 2008, Soke awarded her Judan. She was one of the featured instructors at the first Kunoichi Tai Kai, held in Hannover Germany. In September 2013, Soke Hatsumi promoted Carol to Ju-godan and awarded her the Golden Dragon Medal. In addition to training, Carol’s background as a licensed Rolf Practitioner provides unique insights into body motion which aid in conveying the movements of taijutsu to students.
Pam Dunsky - Dai Shihan
- Pam Dunsky (Bujinkan Daishihan) is a volunteer instructor at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo. She began her Bujinkan training in 1995 in Dayton, Ohio, primarily studying under Kurt Rittenhouse, Dan Klug, and Sean Askew in the United States. Since 2001, Pam has traveled to Japan to train with senior Japanese Bujinkan instructors, including classes taught by Hatsumi Soke, Nagato Daishihan, Noguchi Daishihan, Someya Daishihan, and others. Her Bujinkan background includes passing the Godan test at the Bujinkan Hombu in 2006, and is a recipient of the Judan menkyo, Jugodan menkyo, and the Daishihan menkyo (2022).
Charles Gelm - Dai Shihan
- Charles Gelm (Bujinkan Daishihan) began his Bujinkan training in 1995 in Dayton, Ohio. He primarily studied under Kurt Rittenhouse, Dan Klug, and Sean Askew in the United States before beginning regular trips to Japan in 2001 to train with senior Japanese instructors, including Hatsumi Soke, Nagato Daishihan, Noguchi Daishihan, Someya Daishihan, and others. Charles achieved the rank of Godan at the Bujinkan Hombu in 2007 and is the recipient of the Judan menkyo, the Jugodan menkyo (2021), and the Daishihan menkyo (2024).
Phil Williams - Dai Shihan
- Phil started training in the Bujinkan in 1999. He passed his Godan test under Seno Sensei in the old Hombu in 2008. Phil lives in Kentucky and travels to Japan as often as possible to train with the instructors there. Phil loves whisky.
Jeff Skillman - 15th Dan
Robbie Worth - 10th Dan
- Something something, 10th Dan. Something something spend time exploring the modern evolution of martial arts. Something something trained under Rob Renner and loves having fun!
Jacob Monzel - 8th Dan
- Jacob Monzel (Bujinkan Shidoshi) is a volunteer instructor at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo. He began his Bujinkan training in 2007 at the Kakure Yama Shibu at Virginia Tech under Tim Streett and Shihan Karl Koch. Jacob moved to Dayton in 2018 and has been training at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo since 2014. In 2019, he successfully passed the Godan test at the Bujinkan Hombu, and he received his hachidan menkyo in 2025. His personal training focuses on transitioning martial arts to practical self defense and applying an engineering mindset to testing and optimization of techniques. Jacob also has additional experience, including Isshin-ryu karate, mixed martial arts (MMA), and several self defense systems that are not part of the Bujinkan curriculum.