The Martial Arts Preservation Association (MAPA) is headquartered in Central Pennsylvania and provides training in the traditional martial arts of Japan. Currently, we offer training in the mainline of Ono-ha Itto-ryu, a 400-year-old school of kenjutsu, to students throughout the United States and Canada under the guidance of Yabuki Yuji, the 18th Soke (headmaster) of the school.

We regard the martial arts as a special and significant part of our lives, and we believe it important to maintain the integrity and authenticity of our tradition. The koryu arts are the historical legacy of Japan, and we honor those who created them by keeping them alive and vital. Because of this, it important that we maintain the authentic teachings of past masters. Keeping with our tradition, there is no free sparring in our school, nor are there belt rankings. Students who train regularly may eventually be eligible for traditional licenses, but there is no guarantee of promotion. 

We are part of the Reigakudo, the organization in Japan that preserves the mainline tradition of Ono-ha Itto-ryu that has been passed down in a direct line from the founder, Ito Ittosai. Being part of this organization allows students to train not just with one instructor in the U.S., but with all instructors around the world, especially the most senior masters in Japan. This provides students with a wide variety of training opportunities and avoids “single points of failure” that occur when training with only one teacher. The organization also provides systems of accountability, ensuring that teachers in the U.S. are of the highest quality and fully prepared to represent the organization in the U.S.

Our students are at the center of what we do, and our mission is to offer them an experience unavailable elsewhere. We draw on decades of experience living in Japan and providing Japanese language resources inaccessible to English speakers. It is our aim to serve as a bridge that connects the U.S. and Japan.

Our study group is one of several in the U.S. authorized by the Reigakudo, and instruction is conducted under the supervision of the highest-ranked and trained member of the Reigakudo outside of Japan.

If you would like to experience training in an ancient, genuine, combat-tested school of samurai swordsmanship, contact us at: martialartspreservation@gmail.com.