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In January 1986, Sensei Tremblay was granted permission
to wear the rank of Shodan, or first-degree black belt. Later
that year, he was further promoted to Nidan, or second-degree
under the authority of Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi.
In 1994, Jason Vogel, a former student
of Greg's, now a qualified instructor in his own right, asked
Greg to assist him with the teaching responsibilities of a martial
arts club, helping with the Children's Ninjutsu Programme. Greg
accepted, and in October of 1995, he was officially appointed
the Ninjutsu Instructor of the Samurai Club.
Greg was pleased with the success of his
new students, and found a new perspective. In June of 1996,
he decided to open Kageyama Dojo on Yonge Street. On of the
goals of the new Dojo was to offer a convenient location to
other instructors in need of an affordable training space. Another
goal was to become a common meeting ground, offering support
and encouragement to the Ninjutsu community and enhanced access
to the interested public.
In February 1997, Greg was granted the
rank of Yondan, or fourth-degree black belt by J. Courtland Elliot
under the authority of Dr. Hatsumi from Japan.
Since then, the club has experienced a
tremendous surge in growth. A broad spectrum of students now train
at Kageyama, from a variety of social backgrounds. In March
of 1999, the Kageyama Dojo's requirements grew as well, so it
moved to its present location at 9 St. Nicholas Street.
In May of 1999, Sensei Tremblay and a
few senior students went to a Tai Kai (convention) in Tucson,
Arizona. There the world's top practictioners of the art all
converge, and Dr. Hatsumi taught an intensive, three-day seminar.
It was at this seminar that Sensei Tremblay was passed to Godan
(fifth degree black-belt) and was awarded the title of Shidoshi
personally by Dr. Hatsumi.
In September of 2002, Sensei Tremblay
and a student attended the Tai Kai in Collinsville, Illinois.
The theme of that Tai Kai was Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu,
one of the nine schools of the Bujinkan. At that event, Sensei
was personally promoted by Dr. Hatsumi to the rank of 7th dan.
Now, as we celebrate our eighth year
with a strong club, a diverse student body, and new hopes for
the future, we still maintain a traditional yet family-like
atmosphere in which to train in.
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