Grand Masters

GEORGE ALEXANDER, Ph. D, HANSHI

10th Dan, Shorinji Ryu Jujitsu

10th Dan, Matsumura Shorin Ryu Karate

10th Dan, Hakutsuru White Crane Kenpo

10th Dan, Kamagata Ryu KenJutsu

Grand Master George Alexander, Hanshi, 10th Dan is the Chairman and President of the International Shorinji Ryu Jujitsu Federation, began training in Judo and Jujitsu in 1960. Later, in 1964 while serving in the United States Marine Corps he began training in Shorin Ryu Karate. In 1967 he resumed his study of Judo and Jujitsu. His Marine Corps assignments enabled him to travel to the orient including mainland Japan, Okinawa and Southeast Asia. He quickly earned a reputation as a rugged fighter in the Marine Corps. During his career he trained with a host of noted masters. He made it a point of seeking out the best instructors.

A decorated veteran, he served as a team leader with the US Marine’s 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company in   Vietnam. In 1967 and 1968 while stationed at Dong Ha, Vietnam he led  jungle teams which gathered intelligence information. These teams served as bait for enemy attacks. During that time he conducted numerous reconnaissance patrols around the demilitarized zone. Since then he has become a uniquely qualified and popular instructor with international teaching credentials and experience. He has traveled widely to spread the teachings of the martial arts.

Hanshi Alexander earned a Baccalaureate Degree in Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida in 1979 and did graduate work in Asian history at the same university under Dr. Tsung I. Dow. Later, he received his Ph.D. degree from Pacific Western University in political science. He received his master's certificate and teaching credentials in Shorin Ryu Karate and Kobudo in 1983 from the All Okinawa Karate Kobudo Association. He is acknowledged as a master expert in Kendo and Iaido, the Japanese form of swordsmanship.

He has competed in numerous tournaments in Karate, Kendo and Judo and earned many titles including USA Karate Champion, National AAU Karate Champion and World Karate Champion. In 1989, he founded Yamazato International, a company specializing in martial arts publications and video productions. In 1991 he was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He has served as a director and advisor for many   martial arts organizations and in addition to the ISJF is currently the president of the International Shorin Ryu Karate Kobudo Federation, a board member of the International Karate Kobudo Federation and a vice     president of the World Martial Arts Federation.

He is a life member of both the United States Judo Association and National Sport Judo Association. Hanshi Alexander has always been fascinated with the history of the martial arts and is an oriental art collector. As a result, he has done much historical research and translation work and written numerous articles on the martial arts. According to Alexander sensei “History and technique seem to intertwine themselves.” He has written four books on the martial arts including Okinawa Island of Karate, Bubishi Martial Art Spirit, Shorin Ryu Karate Training Manual, and Warrior Jujitsu. Additionally, he has made over thirty instructional videos on the martial arts and is the editor of Fighting Spirit magazine.

KENNETH L. PENLAND, HANSHI  (1947-2006)

10th Dan, Shorinji Ryu Jujitsu

9th Dan, Matsumura Shorin Ryu Karate       

Grand Master Ken Penland, Hanshi, 10th Dan was an avid martial arts practitioner and enthusiast. He was the Chairman and founder of the International Shorinji Ryu Jujitsu Federation. He began studying martial arts as a boy in the 1950s. His first instructor was his father who was a member of the U. S. Army and a black belt in both Karate and Judo. In 1962, Sensei Penland met Ed Parker and started training in Kempo Karate. About this same time he struck up a friendship with Harley S. Reagan and began training under his direction in Judo and Jujitsu. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army and was an Airborne Ranger serving in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968.

Later, in the mid 1970 Hanshi Penland trained under Grand Master Fusei Kise in Kenshinkan Shorin Ryu Karate and Kobudo. He eventually served as a regional director for this organization. He then became affiliated with Grand Master Yuichi Kuda of the Shorin Ryu Matsumura Kempo Karate Association and served as a director of this organization as well. He has also been an advisor for many other martial arts organizations.Currently, he is the Chairman of the International Shorinji Ryu Jujitsu Federation and a director of the International Shorin Ryu Karate Kobudo Federation.   

He has done extensive research on the martial arts and co-authored two books. The first is the Bubishi Martial Art Spirit and the second is the Shorinji Ryu Jujitsu training manual entitled Warrior Jujitsu. He has also been featured in a series of videotapes on Shorinji Ryu Jujitsu. Through his efforts in his martial arts   career, he has attained the rank of Hanshi 10th Dan, the highest rank in Jujitsu and 9th Dan in Shorin Ryu Karate and Kobudo, 5th Dan in Kendo and 6th Dan in Judo. He is currently the chief martial arts instructor for the Los Angeles Police Department’s Jujitsu and defensive tactics dojo. 

Hanshi Penland passed away in 2006. He will be missed by all who knew and worked with him as a student.

Photo (1997):

Mutch Usera, 7th Dan

with Hanshi Ken Penland,

10th Dan,Shorinji Ryu

Jujitsu