Before enlightenment, I chopped wood and carried water. After enlightenment, I chopped wood and carried water.   --  Zen saying

Senior students, Trainers and Friends

The list here is all about special people who are senior students and trainers in the Art of Combat and Kamiyama Dojo under Ralph Severe from around the United States.

• Ben "Ryushinyama" Adams - 5th level AOC (AOC Senior Licensed Instructor), Yondan, 3rd Phase Associate Instructor Kamiyama Bugei, Single (Texas area), Member of the Kamiyama Kobujutsu Keiko Okuiri Bojutsu, Okuiri Kenjutsu, Basic Instructor License Pocket Stick, Basic Instructor License Pistol, Basic Instructor License Shotgun, Certification in Handcuffing, Tactical Baton, PR24, Defense Tactics/Ground Control, Collapsible Baton and Initial Firearms Safety Program. Has experience training and fighting in NHB and weaponry matches. Excels in computer related skills and is a talented musician. Contact: ryushinyama@gmail.com
• Robert "Richiyama" Kesterson - Yondan, 2nd Phase Associate Instructor Kamiyama Bugei, Married, 2 Children, Okuiri Ninpo Happo Bikenjutsu, Okuiri Bojutsu, Basic Instructor License Pocket Stick, Nidan Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, 2nd level AOC, Dojo cho(Missouri area). Has experience training and fighting in weaponry matches.
• Ron"Shikoyama"Hughen, Yondan, 2nd Phase Associate Instructor Kamiyama Bugei Shikoyama Dojo, Married, (Salt Lake City, Utah area) Member of the Kamiyama Kobujutsu Keiko. Okuiri Ninpo Happo Bikenjutsu, Okuiri Bojutsu, Okuiri Kenjutsu, 3rd stripe Art of Combat, Basic Instructor License Pistol, Basic Instructor License Pocket Stick. Currently holds a State of Utah concealed firearm permit. Began martial arts training in 1989 and for the next seven or eight years trained at multiple martial arts styles. In 1993 received rank of shodan in Okinawan Shorinryu karate, and shodan in Okinawan Shorinryu kabudo. Also in 1993 earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Biochemistry and Biology from the University of New Mexico. Worked as a biochemist for an environmental science consulting firm for 4 years, and then taught 8th grade science for four years in New Mexico. Currently manages a research lab in the University of Utah Medical School Department of Anesthesiology, where he is involved in experimental research of pain and pain mechanisms. Co-author of numerous scientific publications. Teaches lab techniques and experimental design to students seeking admission to medical school. Active in mountain hiking and backpacking, rock climbing, rock-hounding, exploring and shooting. Other interests include: woodworking, metal machining, landscaping, designing and constructing martial arts training equipment. Has two businesses: Prenuer Properties, LLC involved in real estate investment and development, and Thinking Mountain Enterprises, LLC which is a web-based marketing company selling martial arts training equipment, health products, swords and electric guitars. Contact: shikoyama@yahoo.com
• Dan Bowen, Shodan, Kamiyama Bugei, (Northern California area) Married to his wife Emily and has three kids, Ethan, Karma and Katana, Dan is a talented musician enjoys who also enjoys Art and making short films. Dan has trained in various martial arts such as Tae Kwon Do, Western Boxing, Jeet Kune Do, Jujutsu and Bujinkan related Japanese systems. He also researches modern and historical weaponry and warfare. Contact:sacredfiredojo@yahoo.com
• Rick "Ryuyama"Henderson Yondan, 2nd Phase Associate Instructor Kamiyama Bugei, business owner, Triple Cities Martial Arts Academy Ryuyama Dojo dojo cho - 4th level AOC (AOC Licensed Instructor), Married, 1 child , Basic Instructor License Pocket Stick, Black Belt in Pines Martial Arts System (New York area). 2nd level Black Belt in American Shotokan System. 5 time National Black Belt league World title Holder fighting and forms, 4 time Sport Karate International World Title Holder fighting and forms, 1996 Heavy weight World Champion in fighting, Basic and advanced investigator training, Trauma & attachment training, Heart Assoc. CPR/First Aid, Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention Technical Instructor Level, Collapsible baton, Tactical Defensive Baton, Defensive Tactics/Ground Control and Initial Firearms Safety program. Rick is a talented musician and a student of Buddhism. Contact: 3citiesmartialarts.com
• Robert "Seiyama" Lane - 4th level AOC, Yondan, shidoshi-ho in Kamiyama Bugei, Single (Dallas Texas area) Member of the Kamiyama Kobujutsu Keiko. Basic Instructor License Pocket Stick, High School Teacher, Certification in Handcuffing, Tactical Baton, PR24. Robert has a master's degree and is well known for his versatile knowledge base and skills in communication. He has experience training and fighting in NHB and weaponry matches and is a die hardcore martial artist.
• Tim "Yukiyama", nidan, Kamiyama Bugei - 2nd level AOC, Single (Georgia area), First responder/CPR, Hiking, Camping, Firearms, Marksman instructor M4-M9 and counter terrorism/motorcade driving. Tim is a hardcore warrior and goes balls to the wall 100% of the day. Contact: email
• Damon "Butsuyama" Colson - 3rd Level AOC, Yondan, Kamiyama Bugei, Single, 1 Child, (McKinney Texas area), Member of the Kamiyama Kobujutsu Keiko, Okuiri Bojutsu, Okuiri Kenjutsu, Basic Instructor License Pistol, Basic Instructor License Shotgun, Basic Instructor License Pocket Stick, Certification in Handcuffing, Tactical Baton, PR24, Defense Tactics/Ground Control, Collapsible Baton and Initial Firearms Safety Program. Has experience training and fighting in NHB and weaponry matches. Damon is known for his Buddha nature and his wisdom of unwholesome people.
• Larry "Tetsuyama" Cass, Nidan, Kamiyama Ninpo Bugei - 2nd Level AOC, Married, 2 children (New York area) Director of Student Affairs (University), Fine wine, cooking, and history. Larry is the backbone of the class with a straightforward no BS method of getting things done.
• Kevin L "Oniyama"Gutierrez - Sandan, 1st Phase Associate Instructor Kamiyama Bugei, Married, 3 Children (Mew Mexico area) Certified New Mexico Police Officer, General Police Instructor, Okuiri Bojutsu, Basic Instructor License Pocket Stick, Basic Defensive Tactics Instructor, Instructor License Pistol, Shotgun, Rifle, Handcuffing, Tactical Baton, PR24, 3rd level Black Belt and associate instructor Tom and Anthony's Scientific Defensive Concepts (SDC). Over 15 years in law enforcement, security, and military experience, has trained in kobujutsu/budo taijutsu; traditional and modern martial arts since 1995. Served two years, active duty, as a Military Police Officer in U.S. Army. Armed & Unarmed Private Security Assignments in Texas and North Carolina. New Mexico State Police Officer (December 2001 - May 2006). County Commissioned Special Deputy with the Lea County Sheriff's Department (Lea County, New Mexico - Since January 2007). Certified by the Concealed Handgun Courses for North Carolina, Texas, and currently hold a Concealed Handgun License with New Mexico. Certified in NM DPS Firearms Training, Long Rifle Training (AR-15) Police Shotgun Training, Taser X26 Certification, Officer Survival - D.O.E., Police Driving, Timing Devices (Radar), Certified in Basic First Aid/CPR, Traffic Enforcement and Criminal Investigations, Sexual Assault Investigations, Law Enforcement VIN Investigator, Response to Terrorist Bombings & Awareness, Courses in FEMA Incident Response Action Plans.Completed Lt. Col. (Ret.) David Grossman's 8 hour "The Bullet Proof Mind" course. Kevin also teaches private classes in his Security and Law Enforcement program in his spare time. Contact: oniyama13@yahoo.com
• Gene Bolton - Shodan, Kamiyama Ninpo Bugei, single - 2 children, NREMT-Paramedic, Level II Firefighter Battalion Chief/Incident Cmdr., served State Police reserve/Trng Sgt. bombero5@juno.com (New Mexico area) bombero5@juno.com
• Andy "Kudakuyama" Obanion, Shodan, Kamiyama Bugei - 2nd level AOC Single (New York area) world travel, travel by backpack. He has been to Thailand, Nepal, Fiji islands, New Zealand, Brazil and many other places; He has hiked to Mount Everest (base camp). He enjoys rifle and pistol shooting and is a professional fire works displayer licensed by the state of New York and federally. Andy trains hard and plays hard at life.
• Jason "Mushayama" Stork, shodan, Kamiyama Dojo, single, Mt. Hood Oregon, enjoys Japanese art, martial arts, history, culture and nature. Jason is a hardcore adventurer, loves the snow and an awesom amateur film maker of his adventures. Contact: stork151001@yahoo.com