ODU Martial Arts Program

Program Director:

ODU Martial Art Program was established in 1975 by Dr. Hiroyuki Tesshin Hamada, Hanshi Kyudan, 9th degree Black Belt, martial artist in-residence and associate professor of Exercise Science and Physical Education of ODU. Thousands of students underwent the rigorous training programs and achieved their educational and meritorious success. Hanshi, Tesshin Hamada received Doctor of Education from the College of William and Mary and he established the first college credited Budo curriculum in 1969. He holds six Hanshi Titles from the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai(circa 1895), Japan's premiere martial art society and was the recipient of two times, Sosai Sho, Cup of His Majesty, the highest distinction award from DNBK. He was the recipient of three times Yushusho, most outstanding performing artist in All Japan National Butoku Sai. He also received the Gold Medal Service Award for Humanity from the French Government. He has published 10 books in martial arts history and philosophy and numerous articles related to US-Japan cultural and educational issues.

ODU martial art program offers most comprehensive curriculum in the country, which provides exciting, rejuvenating, invigorating, challenging learning experiences of a lifetime. The curriculum affords more than physical skills and fitness model and intends to give higher level of cognitive and affective impacts from the philosophy of total development for one person at a time. It fosters individual potential in every aspect of challenges in terms of physical and mental dimensions. Students will develop self-discipline, self-confidence, physical fitness, positive attitude, mental sharpness, focusing, concentration, strong will power and resiliency and effective defensive skills. Students will be afforded the unique educational experience in total development of individual through the classical and traditional Budo disciplines.