Nicklaus Suino Sensei

Iaido & Judo Divisions Director

Nicklaus Suino Sensei has studied and practiced martial arts since 1968. He began teaching at the Asian Martial Arts Studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1983, where he spent a decade in the Instructors Training Program. He spent four years in Japan, learning from renowned martial arts masters such as Sato Shizuya Sensei, tenth dan jujutsu and ninth dan judo, and Yamaguchi Katsuo Sensei, tenth dan Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu iaido. Since his return from Japan, he has authored several popular martial arts books, including Budo Mind & Body.

Mr. Suino was four times the all-Kanto sword forms champion at his rank level and represented his region in the national tournament in 1991, only the second non-Japanese ever to do so. He has taught students from all walks of life, including children, adults and senior citizens, military personnel and police officers, in dojo all over North America. He teaches iaido, judo, and jujutsu in seminars all over the United States and Canada. Information about Mr. Suino's seminars can be found at artofjapaneseswordsmanship.com.

Suino Sensei also studied judo under the late Walter Todd Sensei. Todd Sensei trained at the famed Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo, and he was a direct student of Mifune Kyuzo Sensei (tenth dan) and Ito Kazuo Sensei (tenth dan). Todd Sensei, one of the original members of the SMAA, received his eighth dan in judo from the Kokusai Budoin, a worldwide traditional martial arts federation that is headquartered in Tokyo.

Suino Sensei currently holds the SMAA title/rank of hachidan (eighth-degree) in iaido - only the third person in SMAA history to receive such a high rank -  Shihan/sixth dan in judo, and Fuku-shihan/fifth dan in jujutsu. He is a Division Director in both the Iaido Division and the Judo Division within the SMAA. He is also one of the founding members of the SMAA and one of three SMAA Primary Directors.

Suino Sensei, SMAA General Manager, is the Director of the Japanese Martial Arts Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, offering instruction in iaido, jujutsu, and judo. The training approach at JMAC is to strive for excellence in technique and in personal development. For more information, go to japanesemartialartscenter.com.