DOB - 1945
Rank - Ryodan Cho
Sensei & founder of the BFNS
Formed the British Fuma Ryu Ninjutsu Society in December 1992 and teaches under the authority of Soke Hoshino, 19th Grandmaster of the Fuma Ryu. Sensei Richardson has been involved in martial arts for 50 years and has a wide experience in ninjutsu and other Japanese budo. He has been the head instructor of the BFNS since its beginning.
DOB - November 1976
Rank - Joukyu Renraku Shinobi
Date Started Training - March 1993
Paul has been training with the British Fuma Ryu Ninjutsu Society since the beginning of the school within this country. He has studied the art for over 15 years and is currently the second highest ranked student in the country within Fuma Ryu.
He has been responsible for the documenting of the techniques of the ryu within the syllabus used in the UK and has been teaching within the Braintree dojo for 10 years.
“I have found my time with the BFNS very enjoyable and the techniques and training very effective. This is one of the main reasons why I have stayed with the ryu for so long.”
His only previous martial art experience is that of Judo, this art was studied for nearly two years when Paul was only 10; he only stopped studying this art so at the time he could concentrate on training for track athletics.
“Fuma Ryu is the only shinobi school I have trained within.”
The Braintree dojo is a small dojo of around eight students; his Deshi, John Elliot, supports Paul in his teachings.
DOB - April 1975
Rank - Chukyu Renraku Shinobi
Date Started Training - May 1993
Dave has been training with the British Fuma Ryu Ninjutsu Society since the early days of the school within this country. He has studied the art for over 15 years and holds a senior rank within the Fuma Ryu.
Dave also has the honour and privilege of being the Deshi to Sensei Richardson and has been so for some 10 years or more.
“The varieties of martial skills available to practitioners of this art are the main reason I continue to thrive on the training. Add to this the knowledge of physiological and gentler side of Japanese culture – some of which I have never heard any other martial school train in – and you will find that Fuma Ryu is more than just a “martial art” and more a "complete art".
Kyoushi Dave has a wide interest in all other martial arts and contact sports – mainly from the comfort of his armchair! That excludes professional football because he tires of seeing grown men lying on the floor crying! Dave has spent a deal of time training in judo with sensei Ray Neenan. This supplemented his ninjutsu training though was overshadowed by the ninjutsu and its constant learning paths.
He has also has the utmost respect for Hanshi Ron Holt who furthered his understanding of aikijutsu and kenjutsu whilst he was an active honorary member of the school.
DOB - September 1977
Rank - Kakyu Renraku Shinobi
Date Started Training - August 1999
John has been with the BFNS since 1999 and is one of the highest ranking students of the school. He is a competent martial artist and instructor with previous experience of kick boxing and kung fu before joining the BFNS.
He is Deshi to Kyoushi Paul Adams at Braintree and assists in the running of the Ridgewell dojo.
In February 2007, John was awarded the title of Kyoushi (instructor) in a ceremony at the Hombu dojo.
DOB - July 1985
Rank - Joukyu Kumi Gashira
Date Started Training - August 2000
James has been with the school since he was 16 and as such is one of the more experienced students within the dojo. He trains under the supervision of Kyoushi Paul Adams and Deshi John Elliot.
"I have always had a fascination with martial arts, especially those that came about during the Sengoku era of Japan. Fuma Ryu Ninjutsu is the first and only martial art I have trained in. It isn't just the techniques that interest me, I also enjoy the history and traditions that the school has taught me."
James is also the webmaster of fumaryu-braintree.co.uk, working alongside Paul to bring some of the history and teachings of Fuma Ryu Ninjutsu and the dojo to the internet.
"To myself and others, Fuma Ryu Ninjutsu is a way of life."
He is Deshi to Kyoushi Riches and recently became Monjin Kyoushi (trainee instructor).
DOB - November 1972
Rank - Kakyu Kumi Gashira
Date Started Training - January 2005
Rick has been involved in ninjutsu since 1990, beginning with the Bujinkan, until he was introduced to the BFNS in his search for deeper knowledge in 1999.
With past experience also including kickboxing, karate and tai chi, Rick has been fully committed to the Fuma Ryu training since 2005 and considers it a major development in his path.
"I'm completely immersed in the art, it will always be a way of life for me."
Rick is Dojo Cho at the Ely dojo, which is proving to be very successful. In March 2009 he was granted the title of Monjin Kyoushi (trainee instructor).