About
Learn about our dojo
Fresno Samurai Arts
Fresno Samurai Arts is a Nami ryu Aiki Heiho dojo under James Williams Sensei, kaicho of Nami Ryu. Williams Sensei is one of the top proponents in the world of Japanese sword and unarmed combat arts. Fresno Samurai Arts was founded by Randy George Sensei, a direct student of Williams Sensei, in 2008.
Our curriculum includes practical Aiki-jujutsu applications which are subtle and extremely effective. These techniques remain true to their original purpose and principles, which are firmly rooted in a world where edged weapons were the norm. Nami ryu is well suited to law enforcement and military use as well as home defense and personal self-defense.
Nami ryu Aiki Heiho is based on Japanese sword arts (kenjutsu, iaijutsu and tantojutsu), the principles of which directly apply to the unarmed martial arts (Aiki-Jujutsu) that were the exclusive martial arts of the samurai. Later these arts formed the basis of modern arts including Brazilian Jiujitsu and Aikido.
LEARN ABOUT FRESNO SAMURAI
ARTS: "NO MORE SAMURAI"
Video produced by Calvin Nemeth
meet our instructors
RANDY W. GEORGE
Chief Instructor
Randy George Sensei began his training in Shotokan Karate in 1984 under Robert Halliburton Sensei of Fresno.
After several years of Shotokan, he decided to study Aikido and was the first live-in student (uchi-deshi) of Patricia Hendricks Sensei (7th dan Shihan, Iwama ryu Aikido) of San Leandro, California.
He studied and taught Aikido for over 20 years before becoming a student of James Williams Sensei, kaicho of Nami Ryu Aiki Heiho, in 2008.
George Sensei has had a passion for Japanese culture, language, and history since an early age, all of which are interwoven in his instruction.
In addition to the dojo, he runs a marketing agency specializing in branding and communications for family businesses.
John "JP" Scott
Instructor
John “JP” Scott is a United States Navy veteran.
He brings a diverse background of emergency medical experience and practical know-how in firearms and personal defense.
He has trained in various martial arts disciples and has been practicing Nami Ryu since 2010.
EARL GIFFEN
Instructor
Earl began training in Nami Ryu in 2011. He originally trained under Randy George sensei of Fresno and subsequently moved to San Diego to train directly with James Williams sensei in 2015.
In 2022 Earl returned to Fresno, where he currently teaches. In addition to studying martial arts, Earl is an ardent marksman and outdoorsman.
He currently works as a systems engineering consultant.
Matt Bangtson
Instructor
Matt grew up in the Midwest, studying Tae Kwon Do off and on during his teenage years
After ending up in California, he searched for a martial art that could also teach him to use weapons.
In 2016 he found Nami Ryu and began training under Randy George Sensei. Aside from martial arts, he enjoys the outdoors, spending time with family, and squeezing in a video game now and then.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Japanese swordsmanship is a sophisticated art and martial science. Through swordsmanship, we learn the applied principles of strategy (heiho).
Japanese sword arts are also the foundation of traditional Japanese jujutsu. The movements in classical jujutsu come directly from kenjutsu (Japanese sword combat arts).
Every student’s initial study involves learning proper breathing, movement, relaxation, awareness, and falling. You will also learn strikes, throws, and how to use training weapons to augment your practice.
Most importantly, our goal is to teach you skills to become safer, more aware, and more capable of heading off conflict before it happens.
Our primary principles are, 1) Move, 2) Allow (Don't contest for space), and 3) Don't be where pressure or force is applied. There are many more strategic principles that you will learn over time through dedicated training.
We accept students 14 years and older. Please contact us if you would like to discuss further.
If you have the willingness to learn, we can teach you.
Classical Japanese martial arts are, at their core, schools of military strategy. While this context continues to be the foundation of Nami Ryu principles and techniques, we are dedicated to teaching personal defense and the defense of loved ones. With this in mind, we do not have competitions or train with the mindset of competing for points. Competitions and tournaments can be beneficial on many levels, but they are not designed to address modern self-defense scenarios so they are not part of our training.
Rather, in accordance with Classical Japanese training methods, our instructors expose students to increased pressure as they progress in the Nami Ryu training curriculum. This pressure takes the form of working against skilled opponents and learning to handle a wide variety of potential situations.
Ultimately, our goal is to avoid conflicts and bad situations while training for the functional ability to de-escalate them or quickly solve them with an appropriate response.
Still have questions?
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US TO TRAIN IN TRADITIONAL SAMURAI MARTIAL ARTS
