Instructors
Our instructors are dedicated to preserving traditional Japanese martial arts through disciplined practice, proper lineage, and mindful teaching.
Rob Dillon is a 50-year (and counting) veteran of martial arts practice and teaching with an impressive record of authorship in academic journals and popular martial arts publications. For the past 30-odd years Rob’s focus has been the swordspersonship of the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu.
Rob holds the Sugawara Sogo Budo International mokuroku certification in Sugawara-ha Katori technique which he earned under the direct guidance of Patrick Nichols, Mark Jones, and Sugawara Tetsutaka.
Rob Dillon is Professor Emeritus, Southeast Missouri State University, where he co-founded the Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts and the Department of Theatre and Dance; during his 25 years at Southeast Rob taught acting, stage combat, and theatre history and directed 60 full-scale theatre productions. Rob also boasts a respectable list of credits as an actor and fight director in both college and professional settings.
Iuistia has been training in several Budo disciplines for nearly two decades. In 2006, he started training in Meishi-ha Mugai-ryu Iai hyodo. He has been training under Brian Pettett-sensei and granted 5th degree (godan) by Tony Alvarez-sensei, head of the United States Federation of Mugai Ryu. Additionally, he has received his certificate of admission to the inner advanced teachings, okuiri-sho from Niina Toyoaki-gosoke (headmaster) of Meishi-ha Mugai-ryu Iai hyodo.
Antonin has been training in several Budo disciplines for nearly two decades. In 2006, he started training in Meishi-ha Mugai-ryu Iai hyodo. He has been training under Brian Pettett-sensei and granted 5th degree (godan) by Tony Alvarez-sensei, head of the United States Federation of Mugai Ryu. Additionally, he has received his certificate of admission to the inner advanced teachings, okuiri-sho from Niina Toyoaki-gosoke (headmaster) of Meishi-ha Mugai-ryu Iai hyodo.
Sean Gill started his martial arts study at the age of 8. He has studied in Shorin-Ryu Karate, Kendo, Mugai Ryu Iaido, Seitei & Shinto-Muso Ryu Jodo, Atarashii Naginata.
In 2020, he was accepted as a student of Peter Boylan-sensei of the Michigan Koryu Kenkyukai to train Shinto Muso-ryu. He was granted 2nd degree (nidan) in Seitei Jodo from the All United States Kendo Federation.
Sean’s methodology is based in the pursuit of becoming a better learner and to aid others on their personal development path. The skill of learning and being humble to criticism are arguably the most important and translatable skills you will develop in a committed, long-term martial journey. As an instructor, Sean’s course objective is student-driven development. Outside of the dojo, Sean enjoys Olympic Recurve Archery and was an international competitive archer. He aspires to study Kyudo in the near future.
Laurence Kogetsu Daiji Smith has trained in multiple budō disciplines for nearly two decades. He began his study of Japanese sword arts in 2006 with Meishi-ha Mugai-ryū Iai Hyōdō, training under Brian Pettett Sensei, and was later awarded Godan (5th degree) by Tony Alvarez Sensei, Head of the United States Federation of Mugai-ryū. He has also received Okuiri-shō, a certificate of admission to the inner teachings, from Niina Toyoaki Gosōke, Headmaster of Meishi-ha Mugai-ryū Iai Hyōdō.
Recognizing the deep connection between Mugai-ryū and Zen Buddhism, he has pursued Zen practice for over twenty years at Daiyuzenji Rinzai Zen Temple, where he also began training in Hōjō no Kata, the four seasonal forms of Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū.
In 2010, he began training in Naginata under Takami Tanner Sensei of the Rocky Mountain Naginata Federation, studying both Atarashii Naginata and Bitōkukiai Tendō-ryū Naginatajutsu, and later received Nidan (2nd degree) in Atarashii Naginata from the United States Naginata Federation (USNF).
In 2016, he was accepted as a student of Peter Boylan Sensei of the Michigan Koryū Kenkyūkai, where he studies Zen Nihon Kendō Renmei Seitei Iaidō and Shintō Musō-ryū Jōdō, and was later awarded Sandan (3rd degree) in Seitei Jōdō by the All United States Kendō Federation (AUSKF).
He also trains in Genkō Nitō-ryū (two-sword method) and the Shintō Musō-ryū Fuzoku Ryūha (Assimilated Schools), including Kasumi Shintō-ryū Kenjutsu, Isshin-ryū Kusarigamajutsu, and Uchida-ryū Tanjōjutsu. In addition to budō, he holds an Assistant Teacher Level 1 Certificate from the Ohara School of Ikebana, awarded by Associate Master and Instructor Margot Wang.
Adrian Cioata — Honored Instructor
Adrian began studying martial arts at the age of ten. His early training in Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai, and other disciplines led him to competition, championships, and a lifelong dedication to teaching and training.
His love for Japanese culture and traditional arts guided him to budō. Beginning with Mugai-ryū Iaidō, Adrian continued his studies in Jōdō, Iaidō, and Naginata, pursuing both classical and modern Japanese martial traditions.
He was awarded Shodan in Seitei Jōdō by the All United States Kendo Federation (AUSKF).
Adrian played an important role in building and strengthening the early Kogetsukai training program, offering steady guidance and sincere encouragement to those around him. His dedication, kindness, and commitment to practice remain woven into the spirit of our community.
“In training the sword, we polish the heart.”
– Kogetsukai
Kogetsukai, NFP is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization dedicated to the preservation and teaching of traditional Japanese martial and Japanese cultural arts.
Donations support Kogetsukai’s educational mission and community partnerships, including Daiyuzenji Rinzai Zen Temple. Contributions may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
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EIN: 33-1612535 | Chicago, Illinois