Tetsuzan Kuroda Books & DVDs

Tetsuzan Kuroda (黒田鉄山) (1950-2024) was a revered Japanese martial arts master who specialized in classical Japanese martial traditions. He was the 7th headmaster (soke) of the Kuroda Ichigeki-ryu, a traditional Japanese sword art dating back to the early Edo period.

Born in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, Kuroda received his martial arts education directly from his father, Yasuji Kuroda (the 6th headmaster), inheriting a comprehensive system that includes swordsmanship, jujutsu, staff techniques, and other weapons. What distinguished Kuroda's teaching was his profound understanding of core principles that transcend specific techniques—particularly his mastery of kukan (spatial awareness) and ma-ai (combative distance).

Kuroda gained international recognition in the 1990s when he began teaching seminars abroad, particularly in Europe and the United States. He was known for his extraordinary ability to neutralize opponents with minimal movement, demonstrating an almost supernatural control of timing and space. His martial expression emphasized subtlety, efficiency, and precision rather than strength or speed.

Unlike many traditional Japanese martial arts teachers, Kuroda was remarkably open to sharing his knowledge with foreigners and practitioners from different martial backgrounds. He maintained that the principles of his art were universal and could enhance anyone's understanding of combat and movement.

Kuroda was also featured in several martial arts documentaries and books, helping to preserve traditional Japanese martial knowledge for future generations. His death in 2024 was mourned throughout the martial arts world, but his teachings continue through his dedicated students in Japan and internationally.