ABOUT
KOGA SHIN KAN
Koga Shin Kan is an officially recognized dojo of Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Bugei, a traditional martial art that eschews competition and emphasizes practical self-defense techniques and personal development. The dojo is led by 7th-degree black belt and Shihan (master instructor) Brendan Post, The name Koga Shin Kan can be interpreted in several ways, each reflecting a different perspectives of this multifaceted art. While some translations emphasize the historical lineage of our style of kempo and our connection to Koga Ninjutsu, others speak to the deep spiritual dimensions of kempo.
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The translation we use most commonly, "School of the Strong and Joyous Mind," speaks to our core belief that martial arts training cultivates not only self-defense ability and physical strength, but also mental resilience, a positive spirit and inner peace. At Koga Shin Kan, we invite you to train with us, develop your abilities and your confidence, and cultivate a strong and joyous mind through the practice of Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Bugei.
All Koga Shin Kan classes are taught by 7th-degree black belt and master instructor Brendan Post
ABOUT
SHIHAN BRENDAN
I've been training in the martial arts for over 30 years and hold a 7th-degree black belt in Kiyojute Ryu Kempo and the title of Shang Sifu (advanced teacher) in Tsung Shih Tai Chi Chuan. While I have been continuously training in kempo as an adult for those three decades, as a youth, I trained in a sport-oriented karate style. That training was helpful in developing flexibility and basic techniques, but the organization's rigid structure and emphasis on competition felt disconnected from the what I was truly looking for: Real self-defense skills and the empowerment that comes from knowing you can protect yourself.
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Discovering Kiyojute Ryu Kempo in 1994 as a freshman at the University of Kentucky was a pivotal moment in my life. Drawn in by a simple flyer at the student athletic center, two friends and I stepped onto the mat for our first class. The experience was transformative. We were immediately drawn to the Ryu's focus on effective self-defense techniques and development of both physical and mental strength. Kempo has become an integral part of my life, providing me with valuable self-protection skills and a deeper understanding of myself. And those two friends? They're also still training and have also become kempo masters. Our small system is as much a family as it is martial arts school.
I vividly remember the first time I met Soke (headmaster) William Durbin as a white belt. He is an incredibly skilled martial artist with a powerful presence, radiating a calm strength and positive spirit that immediately inspired me. During that first training session — a rigorous 4-hour clinic devoted to fighting from the horse stance — his kicks, punches, and grappling skills were a mesmerizing blend of fluidity and power. Even after 30 years of training, I continue to deepen my understanding of physical, mental and spiritual aspects of Kempo with each visit to the Soke. His unwavering dedication and mastery inspire me to strive for continuous improvement.
As the founder and leader of Koga Shin Kan dojo, I'm excited to share this art with you.
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Shihan Brendan Post and Soke William Durbin, 2010