Lineage
Saku Bujinkan is fortunate to have a direct lineage to the grandmaster (Soke) Hatsumi’s teachings through the following two Dai-Shihans.
Dai-Shihan Michael Russell
Dai-Shihan Michael Russell first got started with martial arts at the age of 5, practicing Taekwondo. He soon developed a lifelong love and passion for the art, exploring other forms and then training in Bujinkan Ninjutsu.
He began his role as an instructor in March 1998, while living in Kentucky, having taken over the Bujinkan Lexington Dojo founded by Trey Willmott. There he taught many students the fundamentals and basics of Bujinkan Ninjutsu and developed his own teaching style.
In 2008, he left to Madison, WI, and in the first year assumed a teaching role at the Bujinkan Madison Dojo. In 2012, he left to California, starting the Bujinkan Sonoma Dojo in 2013, which he then passed on to one of his senior students in 2018. That same year, he moved back to Kentucky where he lives and trains to this day.
In all his years of training and teaching, Michael has been to Japan ten times. He is closely associated with Nagato Sensei, who he regards as his teacher in Japan, and who gave him his Dai-Shihan ranking in 2019.
Dai-Shihan Joel Everett
Dai-Shihan Joel Everett has been training in martial arts for over 35 years. He has experience and knowledge in many different forms of martial arts, including Bujinkan Ninjutsu, Taekwondo, Okinawa Te, Wing Chun, Battojutsu, Jujutsu and Fencing.
Joel has made over 50 trips over the last 20+ years to Japan to personally train under Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, 34th generation grandmaster of the 9 Ryu (lineages) of the Bujinkan.
Joel focuses not only on the teachings of the lineages, but also the practical application in how to use our training in everyday life. He teaches through biomechanics, philosophy, psychology, and history, distilling complex ideas and technique into simple to understand concepts that can be implemented practically.
Dai-Shihan Everett has taught all over the world and still teaches group, private, and virtual lessons, fueled by his passion to share this life-changing art.
Shidoshi Kona Santana
Kona Santana, a martial arts master with fifteen years of experience, is the head instructor and founder of Saku Bujinkan, a Bujinkan Ninjutsu school based in Santa Rosa, CA. Kona started training in martial arts at the age of eight years old and has since dedicated himself to the study and practice of the traditional Japanese martial art of Ninjutsu.
Under the guidance of Dai-Shihan Michael Russell and Dai-Shihan Joel Everett, Kona has honed his skills and developed a deep understanding of the techniques and philosophies of Bujinkan Ninjutsu. He has also trained extensively in other martial arts, including Shotokan Karate and Gung Fu.
As a martial arts instructor, Kona is known for being patient and encouraging, having a wealth of knowledge with the ability to teach any skill level, and having a fun and lighthearted teaching style. He is also dedicated to helping his students develop not only their physical skills, but also their confidence, focus, and overall well-being in mind, body, and spirit.
At Saku Bujinkan, Kona continues to pass on the traditions of Bujinkan Ninjutsu to the next generation of martial artists, instilling in them the values of discipline, respect, and perseverance. Kona is deeply committed to promoting the art and helping students achieve their full potential, both on and off the mat.