Sensei Darrell Craig

We practice ZNKR iaido and kendo under the guidance of Sensei Darrell Craig of the Houston Budokan, Inc. Sensei Craig's various martial ranks include:

• 6th Degree Black Belt Shito Ryu - Karate
• 6th Degree Black Belt Kendo - (Sword Arts)
• 6th Degree Black Belt Junse Goshln Budo Jujits
• 5th Degree Black Belt Okinawan Shorin Ryu (Karate)
• 5th Degree Black Belt Okinawan Kobudo
  (Ancient Weapons)
• 5th Degree Black Belt Bo Jitsu (Stick Arts)
• 5th Degree Black Belt Iai Do (Sword Arts)
• 4th Degree Black Belt Jo Do Osae Alkido
  (Stick Arts)
• 4th Degree Black Belt Judo U.S.J.A. & Kodokan
• 4th Degree Black Belt Osae Junse Aikido

In 1956 while assigned to the Third Marine Division in Yokuska, Japan, Mr. Craig received his initiation into the martial arts. He began his career of study with the art of karate under Master Gogen Yamaguchi of the Goju School. It was during this initial period of study that he developed an intense personal interest in the philosophical, cultural, and historical foundations of a discipline that can be most closely described by the term "art."

Transferred to Okinawa in 1958, Mr. Craig was afforded the opportunity to study under Sensei Z. Shimabuku. In Okinawa, Mr. Craig furthered his study of Karate and began a study of Okinawan weapons, a style of weaponry historically unique to that island. 

Upon discharge from the U.S. Marine Corp, Mr. Craig enrolled at Arlington State University. Taking a degree in business, he then moved to Houston, where, for the last two decades, he has channeled his interests into several of the disciplines which comprise the martial arts. As self-defense instructor for the Houston Police Department, Mr. Craig has received commendations from the Houston S.W.A.T Division for distinguished meritorious service.

Mr. Craig received the highest recognition in his career in 1973, when he was awarded the title of Renshi Shihan or "Master Teacher." Shihan is the historical title of the army of the feudal warlords and has been retained as a term of great respect in modern Japan. In 2001 during a trip to Japan, Mr. Craig received a Shogo Title promotion to "Kyoshi," an advanced teaching title.

Mr. Craig is the author of several books:

Iai-Jutsu : The Art of Japanese Swordsmanship 

Iai-jitsu : Center of the Circle 

Iai: The Art of Drawing the Sword 

Japan's Ultimate Martial Art: Ju Jutsu Before 1882

The Heart of Kendo

Shitan-Te The Bunkai of Karate Kata (with Paul Anderson)

Mugai Ryu: The Classical Samurai Art of Drawing the Sword

The Way of Kendo & Kenjitsu: Soul of the Samurai

Other highlights of Sensei Craig's career include:

• 1968 Texas Open Karate Champion
• 1968 Texas Weapons Champion
• 1973 Ranked 4th in the United States (Weapons)
• 1973 Received outstanding instructors Award SKKU
• 1973 Texas Representative for Seishin-Kai Karate Union through 1978
• 1973 Participated in 2nd World Kendo Games
• 1974 United States V.P. for Seishin-Kai Karate union through 1978
• 1974 'Received the title 'Renshi Shihan' (European equivalent of knight)
• 1974 Texas Gulf Coast AAU Karate Chairman through 1977
• 1974 Texas Gulf coast AAU Karate Representative through 1977
• 1976 Uiographical-Marquis Who's Who, Inc.
• 1975 Houston Police SWAT Sell Defense Instructor through 1978
• 1976 Started as Self-Defense Instructor for the Houston Police Academy
• 1976 3rd World Kendo Games (London, England) U.S.A. Team Member
• 1978 Author of.- I.A.I.-The Art of Drawing the Sword, Tuttle Publishing Co.
• 1978 2nd place So. U.S. Kendo Championships
• 1979 lst place So. U.S. Open Kendo Championships
• 1979 President of Hokushin Style of Kendo U.S.A. branch
• 1979 Participated in 4th World Kendo Games (Japan)
• 1980 2nd Place So. U.S. Kendo Championships
• 1981 Who's Who Karate Hall of Fame
• 1982 Participated in 5th World Kendo Championships (Brazil)
• 1982 Who's Who in Karate by Dale Brooks
• 1984 Team captain 3rd U.S. Kendo Championships
• 1985 Team member U.S.A. World Championships (Paris)
• 1986 Retired from competition
• 1990 Coached So. U.S.A. Kendo team to International Competition, 2nd Place
• 1992 Coached So. U.S.A. Kendo team to National Championships, 2nd Place
• 1993 Couched Judo team to National Championships, 3rd Place
• 1994 Authur of Japan's Ultimate Martial Art: Ju Jutsu Before 1882
• 1994 Coached Judo team to National Championships, 2nd Place
• 1994 Coached Kendo team to Texas Team Championships, 1st Place
• 1996 All U.S. Kendo Championships, Cleveland Ohio (Outstanding Spirit award)
• 1998 Coached Kata National Judo Team (1st Place and All Around Champions)
• 1999 Authur of "Heart of Kendo" the heart of a Sensei
• 2000 Coached National Judo Championships (1 gold - 3 silver and All Around Champion)
• 2000 Coached Southern U.S. Kendo & Iaedo Tournament (1st Place Chiba Dojo Kendo Team)
• 2001 Coached Pan American Judo Union Senior Championships (2 gold - 1 silver)
• 2001 Coached National Karate Federation Championships (1 Silver - 2 Bronze)
• 2001 Coached The Nabeshima Kendo Cup Championships (1st Place - Chiba Dojo)
• 2001 Received title promotion to 'Kyoshi Shihan' (Advanced Master Teacher)

Mr. Craig belongs to the following organizations:

• Southwest Karate Black Belt Association
• The All Okinawan Karate Association
• Director of the Black Belt Circle Society, Ryukyus, Japan
• Life member U.S. Judo Association
• Goshin Budo (Junsa) Ju-Jits Union
• Hokushin Itto Chiba Ryu Kendo Dojo Osaka Japan
• United States Kendo Federation
• President Southern United States Kendo & Iaido Federation
• All Japan Karate Association
• All Japan Kendo Association
• Aikido Association
• Japan Karate-Do Ryobu-Kai

Sensei at the October 2003 AUSKF Summer Camp (Citadel, Charleston, SC):

Photo courtesy of Eguchi USA, Inc.