Michael Alexanian (Gennan) - 7th Dan:
USTRI General Manager (Sokatsu Shibucho) and Genwakai Head instructor (Shihan)
info@ustamiyaryu.org

Mr. Michael Alexanian (Gennan) began his studies of Japanese Swordsmanship over 20 years ago in the Toyama and Nakamura Ryu style of Iaido and had achieved the rank of Second Degree (Nidan) in those disciplines when he first met his current Sensei, Tsumaki Kazuo (Genwa) Soke of Yokohama, Japan, in 1993.

He and his wife, Dianne Alexanian (Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Fourth Degree, or Yondan, and USTRI Operations Director) were accepted as students (Deshi) of Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu by the late 14th Headmaster and Tsumaki Sōke’s father, Tsumaki Seirin (Genshin) Soke in 1994, and were formally commissioned by Soke Sensei to bring the art of Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu to all of North America in 1996. To achieve that goal, they built what is now known as the Michigan Honbu Dojo and Gardens at their home in East Lansing, Michigan, which was formally dedicated and opened by Tsumaki Soke on September 22 of 1996.

Alexanian Shihan and his wife, Dianne, are the first Americans in the 412-year history of the Tamiya School of Swordsmanship to be allowed to enter, train, test and teach this particular Japanese cultural art outside of Japan.

Alexanian Shihan currently holds the rank of Seventh Degree (Nanadan) in Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu and was awarded a seat on the Board of Directors (Riji) of the Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Genwakai in Japan in 2008.

He has been a visiting instructor at the Guelph School of Japanese Sword Arts in Guelph, Ontario, Canada and travels regularly to Michigan area schools and Dojo to give demonstrations of Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu and discuss the USTRI philosophy of martial arts training, especially as it relates to personal growth and conflict resolution. Alexanian Shihan and the senior staff of USTRI have also been regular presenters during Michigan State University’s Japan Week program, demonstrating both the arts of Iaijutsu and Kenshibu (traditional Japanese dance with sword and fan).

Alexanian Shihan is also a graded student (First Degree, or Shodan) in the art of Shorinji Ryu Ju-Jutsu; an old style of Okinawan martial art which utilizes armed (Katana, Jō and Yawara-Bō) and unarmed defensive techniques.

Brent Eastman (Gento) - 5th Dan:
USTRI Southeast Michigan Honbu Manager (Shibucho)
USTRI Licensed Instructor
Genwakai Associate Instructor (Shinhandai)
eastman@ustamiyaryu.org

Eastman Sensei has been involved in martial arts for over 25 years. He started as a teenager in Kickboxing, but eventually moved into Aikido, where he practiced for over 8 years. He started in Tamiya Ryu in 2000. In 2004, he started the first study group of USTRI in Clarkston, Michigan. After a visit by Tsumaki Soke, the study group was elevated to a formal branch in 2005.

In 2009 Eastman Sensei was promoted to Shihandai in the Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Genwakai and later that year was presented with the name "Gento" (TRI Pseudonym). In 2010 the Southeast Michigan Branch was made a Honbu.

Eastman Shihandai is the main instructor and branch manager for the Southeast Michigan Honbu Dojo. He holds the rank of 5th Degree (Godan) in Tamiya Ryu, is a member of the USTRI Board of Directors and has travelled to Japan a number of times. He is also very involved in the practice of Zen Buddhism and will ordain as a Buddhist Monk in the fall of 2010.

Kenneth Young - 4th Dan:
USTRI Licensed Instructor
Genwakai Assistant Professor (Jokyo)
young@ustamiyaryu.org

Young Sensei has been a student of Tamiya-Ryu since 2000 and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in Japanese customs, history, martial practices and studies in other Japanese sword arts to the USTRI. In 2005, Young Sensei, working side by side with Alexanian Shihan, developed the Assistant Instructor program while simultaneously undergoing the same program under the guidance and instruction of Alexanian Shihan to develop a formalized instructor curriculum for future teachers of the Tamiya-Ryu.

Young Sensei successfully completed the Assistant Instructor program in early 2008 and was elevated to the rank of full instructor in July of 2008. Young Sensei brings to his students a pronounced devotion to the preservation of Tamiya-Ryu Iaijutsu in all aspects and a great love of teaching the art to new and current students alike.