Our Background & Philosophy

Who are we:

The Josho Academy of Martial Arts

Josho is a Japanese term meaning “ascending” or “rising.”  We selected this name as we felt it strongly reflects the positive effects that the martial arts have on an individual.  There is no end goal or motive to one’s training beyond one’s own development.  With reasonable dedication and due time the martial arts can and will improve not only a student’s physical and mental attributes, but develop a deeper understanding of one’s self – one’s true nature.  Physical benefits include learning self-defense; better balance, hand-eye coordination, and reflexes; muscle development and stamina; flexibility; proper breath.  Mental benefits include better focus; increased awareness, self-confidence and esteem; handling stress.  At Josho Academy, we feel strongly about also teaching the philosophical and ethical side of the martial arts – the “Do” – in order to promote positive character qualities such as discipline and self-control, respect, humility, and (ironically enough, since we study it) a distaste for real violence.  All this considered, the martial arts can be your path to ascend beyond, or rise above, that which you were before your training began.

Josho Academy (up until recently, called Kwanmuzendokai Martial Arts Academy) was recently created when two of Kyoshi David Ames’ most senior students took over from him the mantel of dojo ownership.  Despite this change, Kyoshi Ames will continue to have a known presence within the dojo teaching classes for the more advanced ranks and overseeing the training of his senior students.    

We are part of the International Kwanmukan, a martial arts system founded in the 1970s by the late Hanshi George Anderson right here in Northeast Ohio.  While our system is still most prevalent in NE Ohio, today the Kwanmukan stretches across numerous states and even has a presence internationally.  Hanshi Anderson was a very respected, accomplished, and well known grandmaster throughout the martial arts world that not only left a heavy impression on contemporary martial arts in general, but also created many accomplished martial arts masters (including Kyoshi Ames) that continue to carry on his legacy and teachings.

We consider ourselves more of an academy due to the depth and breadth of the subject matter that is taught, the valued learning our students experience, and the environment in which we train.  Not only do we teach the “how”, but as a student advances in rank we also teach the “why.”  We incorporate both the jitsu (combat application) side of the martial arts as well as the Do (path to self-perfection); we realize that teaching effective technique without also teaching character development is socially irresponsible and will limit one’s personal growth.