Tora Dojo New Jersey

By offering both classical and modern martial arts, we hope to educate as many people about the vast benefits of martial arts training.

About the author

Franco, Sensei brings over 20 years of experience to Tora Dojo. He began his martial arts training in 1987 under Nick DiNapoli, founder of the Gen Lee Martial Arts Federation. After intensive study of the arts of jujutsu, karate, judo, aikido and savate, he was awarded instructor certification in 1996.

He is now Kaicho (head instructor and president) of the Shinriryu Goshinjutsu Seikikai, an organization for the promotion of the martial arts system founded by Nick DiNapoli, Ryuso.

In August 2001, Franco Sensei took over the ownership and instruction of Tora Dojo from his Sensei, Joann VanGieson. Making him the second generation owner/chief instructor of the school.

Franco, Sensei continues to advance his training through the study of Daitoryu Aikijujutsu under Tim Tung, Suseki Shihan of the Daitoryu Aikijujutsu Bokuyokan, as well as, Muso Shindenryu Iaido, Japanese swordmanship, under Roger Wehrhahn, Shihan, Chief Instructor of the North American San Shin Kai.

Some noteworthy accomplishments...
• Appeared in the documentary "The Search for the 20 Heroes of China" for Guangdong TV, China

• Appeared in a martial arts instructional video "The Hidden Secrets of Japanese Swordsmanship: Omori Ryu"

• Performed in martial arts demonstrations both here in the US, as well as in Hokkaido, Japan

• Second place in Shuai Chiao, which means "competing to throw" in Chinese, at the 9th annual Wong Fei Hung All Kung Fu Championships

• Conducted martial arts seminars for both non-martial artist and experienced martial artists

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April 20, 2010

The secret of aiki is to overpower the opponent mentally at a glance and to win without fighting.

Sokaku Takeda, the founder of Daito-ryu aikijujutsu