Instructors

Baxter Sensei has been training in Ishiyama Ryu directly under the founder, Russell McCartney Sensei, since 2000. He earned his instructor license in 2007, and has been the instructor of the DC Metro area branch of Ishiyama Ryu since 2008. He has a background in several classical Japanese martial arts (koryu bujutsu), and has participated in several chanbara tournaments.

Additional martial arts background:

• Yagyu Shinkage Ryu Heiho, 2010 - present
• Hontai Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu, 2011 - present
• Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo, Meishi-ha, 2008-2010
• Kendo, 2008

Notable accomplishments:

• 1st Place Chanbara - W.O.M.A.A "America Cup" Advanced Longsword Division
• 2nd Place Chanbara - W.O.M.A.A "America Cup" Advanced Two Sword Division

Russell McCartney Sensei has been training in martial arts for nearly 40 years. During this time he has practiced Karate-do, Wing Chun and Tai Chi Kung Fu styles, Aikido under Steven Segal Sensei in the early 1980's, Nakamura Ryu and Aikijutsu under Obata Toshishiro, Ryuseiken and Nakamura Ryu under Saruta Mitsuhiro, and Muso Shinden Ryu. Ishiyama Ryu was developed over a 12 year period based on his experience in these art forms, in addition to his personal insights into the way of the sword.

Notable accomplishments:

• 2000 - Guinness World Record - 1181 Consecutive Cuts with a Japanese Sword
• 2000-2008 - Multiple inductions into the US and European Martial Arts Hall of Fame
• 2000 - 2nd Place Yondan and above "Individual Cutting", U.S. Federation of Toyama Ryu Tai Kai
• 2000 - 2nd Place Yondan and above "Individual Kata", U.S. Federation of Toyama Ryu Tai Kai
• 1998 - 2nd Place at World Target Cutting Championships in Seoul, Korea
• 1994-1998 - Taught extension classes at UW Experimental College, Seattle Central, Seattle South, and Discover - U in Seattle WA. Member of Seattle King County Lecture and Seminar series presenting ‘Kids at Risk’ programs for all grades of public and private schools.
• 1997 - Voted ‘Best in the West’ at the annual teachers conference in Seattle.
• 1995 - Opened the ‘Pacific Center for Cultural Arts’ a multicultural facility as a forum for maintaining and practicing traditionally based disciplines.
• 1991 - Returned to Seattle teaching swordsmanship, Aikido, and Jo