Tsubomi Seishin Kan Bannister Dojo is led by a team of extremely qualified and experienced instructors.  Together the team brings more than 120 years of martial and cultural arts experience to our practice!

Our Founder and Chief Instructor
Dr. Jonathan Bannister, Ph.D./Ma.D.Sc.

Board of Directors, Japan-America Society of the State of Washington

Executive Director, Pacific Northwest Budo Association 2003-present

"Japanese Martial Arts Multi-Discipline Master of the Year," USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame 2010

Silver Life Award, United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame 2009

Doctorate from the University of Asian Martial Arts Studies in 2009

USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame  "Outstanding
     Contributuions to the Martial Arts" 2009

All Japan Kendo Federation Iaido, 4th degree black belt 2007

1st Place Winner, PNKF Iaido Taikai, 2008

Volunteer Service Award, Japan in the Schools, 2006, 2007, 2008

3rd Place Winner, ZNKR Hachioji Iaido Taikai, 2007

1996-2006 Kokikai Aikido International Regional Coordinator

Founder, Pacific Northwest Budo Association, 2003
Founder, Seattle Iaido Kai, 1993
Founder, Aikido Kokikai at the University of Washington, 1992
Founder, Aikido Kokikai Seattle, 1990
Founder, Aikido Kokikai Rochester, NY, 1983

Dr. Bannister lectures and teaches mind and body coordination, martial arts, traditional cultural arts in schools, businesses, community organizations, and agencies throughout the United States and Canada

Memberships
United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame, USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Alliance, Pacific Northwest Budo Association, Seattle-Kobe Sister Cities Association, Japan-America Society, Nikkei Heritage Association, Urasenke Foundation Seattle

I would like to thank my teachers, family and friends.  My journey to self-mastery would not have been possible without each and every one.  Of special note: my wife Wendy and son Kelsey, my mother Karen Bannister, the late Don (Yoshimoto) Trent Sensei (Kendo nannadan kyoshi, Iaido nannadan renshi) and Yuri Trent Sensei (Iaido nannadan kyoshi)), Shuji Maruyama Sensei (Kokikai Aikido Founder), Kazunori Eura Sensei (Iaido hachidan hanshi), and my old friends and training partners in Kokikai Aikido International.  A special note of appreciation for dear friends: Keith Cullen, who made my journey to the great Northwest possible and helped found my first dojo in Seattle, and Lee Jamison of TLC who helps keep me balanced and somewhat sane.  Thanks to the students and the fine instructors of Tsubomi Seishin Kan Dojo.  They have remained steadfast through the difficult yet rewarding birth of a new dojo.  Last, but far from least, my appreciation and respect for the many fine Budo and cultural arts teachers who have made my travels so rewarding, among them Bruce Bookman Sensei (Aikido rokkudan, Iaido sandan), Aniceto Seto (Iaido godan), Russell McCartney Sensei (Ishiyama Ryu shihan), and Bonnie Mitchell Sensei (Urasenke Shihan).  There are others too numerous to mention, but know that in my heart I thank you all.  - Jonathan Bannister



Tsubomi Seishin Kan Dojo Instructors

Chris Nelson, Sensei
Aikido 3rd degree Black Belt
Healthcare Provider

Max Boyd
Iaido 3rd Degree Black Belt
Student

Wendy Bannister
Iaido 3rd Degree Black Belt
Software Engineer

James Smith
Iaido 3rd Degree Black Belt
Programmer

John Bossert
Iaido 3rd Degree Black Belt
Developer, Information Architecture

Jeff Pettiross, Children's Aikido Instructor
Aikido 2nd degree Black Belt
Software Developer

You can do it, too!

These are only the most senior of the 74 black belt certifications awarded by the Tsubomi Dojo during its 20 year history.

Tsubomi Seishin Kan Dojo
(425) 771-6816
sensei@tsubomidojo.com