Master Hans Ingebretsen

     Master Hans Ingebretsen has been practicing martial art for 27 years, and holds the rank of godan in Ken Ju Ryu kenpo ju jitsu from Shihan Russ Rhodes and yodan in Danzan Ryu ju jitsu from Dai Shihan Sig Kufferath. Both of these ranks were awarded through Kilohana Martial Arts Association. Hans also has a godan in kenpo karate through the American Ju Jitsu Institute. He has received an instructor's certificate in Inayan Kadena de Mano from Suro Jason Inay, and also has rank in judo. In 1993 he was awarded a Renshi grade teaching license in Danzan Ryu by Professor Sig Kufferath. He is the vice president and one of the founders of Kilohana Martial Arts Association, and is the director of the San Jose Gasshuku training camp, as well as the president of Zanshin Enterprises, a martial art marketing business. He is currently working with Professor Willy Cahill to help develop the Danzan Ryu Alliance, an organization designed to further the study of Professor H. S. Okazaki's teachings. A former member of the San Jose State varsity judo squad, as well as other teams, he now coaches his own judo team, and is also active in promoting sport ju jitsu competitions.
     Hans began his training in judo and ju jitsu in 1974 under Sensei Ben Patterson at College of the Redwoods in Eureka, California. He continued his ju jitsu training with Sensei Ed Peterson in Eureka, then with Sensei Dale Kahoun in Eureka, Crescent City, Campbell, Aptos and Santa Cruz. He also trained for many years with Shihan Bill Montero and Sensei Brian Fitzgerald at the Pacific Judo Academy in San Jose. He studied for 14 years under Dai Shihan Sig Kufferath, first at the Pacific Coast Self Defense Institute, then at the Pacific Coast Academy of Martial Arts, and continues to train there under Shihan Russ Rhodes. His judo coaches have included Sensei Kahoun, Sensei Lonnie Honda, Sensei Jim Pennington, Sensei Charlie Robinson and Sensei Dave Long, and he also learned judo from Sensei Mike Swain and Sensei Kevin Asano, his team captains while on the San Jose State judo team. Karate instructors include Shihan Rhodes (Kenpo), Sensei Chris Beere (Shotokan), and Sensei Mark Milstead (Kenpo). He learned Aikido from Sensei Richard Koahilli and is ranked kiri gami in Kashima Shin Ryu Kenjitsu under Kaiden Richard Pietrelli. Kadena de Mano instructors include Mangisursuro Mike Inay and his son Suro Jason Inay.
     Hans has taught at many clinics and camps, including Camp Danzan Ryu, Camp Kilohana, Camp Yama Bushi, the Kilohana Masters Seminar, The AJJF National Convention, The ATAMA National Convention, The Hawaii Martial Arts Society Legends of Hawaii Seminar, The International Kenpo Karate Day of the Masters Seminar, Camp Bushido West, The Kajukenbo 50-year Anniversary Celebration, The Gathering, The Unified World Martial Arts Federation Convention and Ohana, as well as at the San Jose Gasshuku, which he has hosted since 1992.
     Hans is affiliated with the following organizations: Kilohana Martial Arts Association (Vice President), The Unified World Martial Arts Federation (Associate Director of Ju Jitsu), The Danzan Ryu Alliance, The United States Judo Association (life member), California Judo Incorporated, The Hawaii Martial Arts Society (board member), Kashima Shin Ryu North America, and The American Teachers Association of Martial Arts.
     He competed in judo tournaments for many years for Mushinkai Judo Club, then for Pacific Judo Academy, and later as a member of the San Jose State University judo team. He continues to both compete in and judge at karate and ju jitsu tournaments.
     Hans is a graduate of the 1993 Okugi class taught by Professors Sig Kufferath and Tony Janovich, and is certified in Seifukujitsu Restoration Therapy, having graduated from Kufferath and Janovich's school, the Kodenkan Restoration Center, in 1992, and from the American Judo and Ju Jitsu Federation Massage Program in 1984. He is currently furthering his study of seifukujitsu under Professor James Muro.
     In 2000 he received Congressional recognition from Hawaiian Congresswoman Patsy Mink and also recognition from Hawaiian Governor Benjamin Cayetano for promoting and preserving Hawaiian martial arts. In 2001 he was inducted into the I.K.K.I. Masters Hall of Fame, and also also that year received a lifetime achievement award at the annual U.W.M.A.F. banquet. In 2002, he recieved the Hawaii Martial Arts Society Hall of Fame Platinum Award of Special Recognition.
     Sensei Ingebretsen's dojo is named Shinbukan, and is located in Campbell, California. The curriculum there includes classes in Ju Jitsu, Judo, Kenpo and Kadena de Mano.
     Hans has a B.A. in Mass Communications from San Jose State University, and has been a painting contractor for 27 years, having started his own business soon after graduating from Eureka High School.