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Shihan Rudy Crosswell
Shihan Rudy Crosswell began his martial arts training just outside of New York City in 1960 at the age of thirteen. While Mr. Crosswell’s formal training began in a dojo that studied Isshin-ryu karate and Judo, he went on to also study Shotokan and Chito-ryu karate in his early years of training. In June 1965, Shihan Crosswell joined the U.S. Air Force where he studied Shorin-ryu, Tangsoo-do and Gojuryu karate for the next three years. In 1967, Mr. Crosswell was awarded his 1st Dan Blackbelt in Goju-ryu karate. In 1968, Mr. Crosswell was relocated to the U.S. Air Force base at Fuchu, Japan, just outside of Tokyo. While living and working in Japan, Mr. Crosswell met and became a student of Soke Shyogo Kuniba and Soke Teruo Hayashi. These two master instructors taught Motobu-ha Shitoryu karate and Okinawan weapons (kobudo). After three years of intense study and training, Mr. Crosswell returned to the United States in 1971 with a 4th dan ranking in Motobu Ha Shitoryu karate accompanied by a Sensei certificate and a 1st dan ranking in kobudo all awarded to him by Shyogo Kuniba. While finishing off his military career, Mr. Crosswell established a dojo in Minot, North Dakota. He additionally taught at the local university in Minot and was recognized as the North Dakota State Kata Champion. In 1973, Mr. Crosswell completed his military duty and moved to Phoenix, Arizona to establish a new dojo. In 1974, Mr. Crosswell formed the United States Shitoryu Karate Association and arranged for Soke Teruo Hayashi to visit and tour the dojos in America annually. In addition to Soke Hayashi’s annual visit, Mr. Crosswell visited Japan several times for special training over the next decade. In 1985, Mr. Crosswell was awarded his first Shihan certification from Teruo Hayashi followed by his 6th dan black belt in Hayashi-ha Shitoryu Karate later that year. Two years later Shihan Crosswell also received his 4th dan black belt in Kenshin-ryu kobudo from Soke Teruo Hayashi. As Shihan Crosswell continued to share and expand his knowledge, he co-founded the U.S. Kobudo Association along with Shihan John Sells in 1989. Shortly thereafter, Shihan Crosswell was awarded a 6th Dan in Okinawan Kobudo from Yuichi Kuda in 1992. Shihan Crosswell further publicized the budo arts in 1992 when he became a major contributor and Editor-in-Chief for Budo Dojo magazine. During this same period, Shihan Crosswell began to train with Toshishiro Obata in the study of Japanese sword. Over the years, Shihan Crosswell has trained, performed and taught the art of Shinkendo under Soke Obata. Shihan Crosswell has been awarded the teaching rank of Kyoshi, and has also been awarded a Tokui rank in the art of Shinkendo. In 1992, Shihan Crosswell was introduced to Kenzo Mabuni, the second son of the founder of Shitoryu. After numerous communications between the two, Shihan Crosswell began to host Soke Mabuni on regular visits to the US. As Shihan Crosswell trained with Soke Mabuni, he was awarded a 7th Dan certificate in Seito Shitoryu as well as a Shihan menjo and membership in the Shihankai for the style. Shihan Crosswell continued to train with Kenzo Mabuni through 1996. As well as being graded and licensed to teach three different schools of Shitoryu karate, namely Motobu Ha, Hayashi Ha and Seito, Shihan Crosswell has also interacted and trained with several other senior Shitoryu instructors over the years. This list includes Shihan Fumio Demura of Sakagami's Itosu Kai, Yuichi Negishi and Kunio Murayama of Kenei Mabuni's Shito Kai. As a result, Shihan Crosswell teaches the students of the International Shitoryu Karate Federation and the Honbu dojo at the Arizona Budokan with a broader view based on his experience and knowledge. Additionally, Shihan Crosswell is well known for his informative seminars covering areas from multiple Shitoryu styles both in the US and internationally. He has also been a contributor and participant in the International Seibukan Martial Arts Association for several years. This international association headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is a multi-art group who support and endorse the expansion of martial arts around the world. This association has recognized Shihan Rudy Crosswell's contributions to both the art of Shitoryu Karate and Okinawan Kobudo by awarding him with a 10th Dan, Hanshi in Shitoryu Karate and a 9th Dan, Kyoshi in Okinawan Kobudo. In March of 2002, Shihan Crosswell was honored through the recognition of being awarded an 8th dan Menjo in Hakutsuryu (white crane) karate for his years of dedication and research into its techniques, kata and how that style has influenced the development of Shitoryu karate. Shihan Crosswell currently holds the following rankings: Shitoryu Karate, 10th Dan, Hanshi Okinawan
Kobudo, 9th Dan Hakutsururyu (White Crane) Karate, 8th Dan
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