Tenzan Heihō is a unique project: a collaboration between two individuals with different martial arts backgrounds who have been able to meet “in the middle.” We have created a free exchange where one of us throws out an idea (or an attack) and the other responds. We go back-and-forth and in the end, neither of us knows who started what technique. Our interpretations of the results of this work are somewhat different, as we apply them within different martial arts practices and training groups. That is as we have intended: the creation of an “open-source” training of weapons-work, that should be adaptable within a variety of martial arts systems.
Beyond that, what you will see (and if you practice, train in) is the embodiment of a friendship, forged in creative opposition, resulting in something that neither of us could have dreamed of on our own.
Bruce Bookman
Bruce Bookman’s career in aikidō began in 1970 as a twelve year old at the New York Aikikai, under the direction of Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei. Bookman became the youngest aikidō blackbelt in America at the age of fifteen. Upon receiving his black belt, he became a member of the New York Aikikai teaching staff. At age sixteen, Bookman was dispatched to Mexico City to teach for two months as temporary chief instructor until a permanent teacher arrived from Japan. He moved to Tokyo to apprentice at the International World Headquarters at age of nineteen. There he studied intensively with Chiba Kazuo and other prominent masters of aikidō at the Headquarters dojo, including Ueshiba Kisshomaru, the son of the founder. He studied there for two years, and was promoted to 3rd dan.
Bookman moved to Seattle in 1981 and established Aikido Northwest. At that time, he became a senior member of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF Western Region) Teaching Committee under the direction of Chiba Sensei, with whom he worked closely for another 14 years. Currently, a 7th dan, Bookman teaches full time in Seattle at Tenzan Aikido. He also teaches by invitation around the country.
In addition to extensive cross training in boxing, tae kwon do, jūdō, & iaidō, Bookman is a black belt professor of Brazilian jiujitsu with over twenty-five years experience.
Bookman has studied yoga, on-and-off since childhood. He co-owns the dojo with his wife, Colette Crawford. Both he and Colette follow the teachings of their beloved guru, Mata Amritanandamayi from whom they derive the most inspiration for their work in aikidō, yoga and meditation.
Host a Seminar within the USA or International with Bruce Bookman at Your Dojo
Other Resources From Bruce Bookman
- Check out my on-line course, Aikido Extensions, which offers detailed instruction on modern application of classical aikidō principals that I did with Aikido Journal.
- Each year I teach an advanced seminar at my dojo in Seattle on the 3rd weekend in January. In 2026 the dates for the advanced seminar will be Friday through Sunday, January 23rd, 24th & 25th . We limit the group to twenty-six participants. This allows me to work closely with a small group of advanced students for a three day period. Ellis Amdur Sensei often joins me in teaching the weapons segment of the weekend. The seminar usually fills by November. If interested, sign up soon by going to the seminar page of Tenzan Aikido site.
Ellis Amdur
I have pursued the study of East Asian martial traditions since the late 1960’s. I hold full-instructor licenses in two classical Japanese martial tradition), the Araki-ryū torite-kogusoku and the Tenshin Bukō-ryū heihō.
I trained in aikidō with Terry Dobson, Kuroiwa Yoshio and Kuwamori Yasunori, and to this day, I occasionally work with various aikidō dōjōs, offering my unique take on the art.
I also trained, for various periods of time, in: jūdō at Tokai University’s Fifth Branch High School jūdō team; Muay Thai at Koei Gym in Tokyo (the link is film of my senior, Igari Genshu); and Brazilian jiujitsu with a number of expert friends.
For many years, a primary focus of my training was internal Chinese martial arts, specifically: xingyiquan (studying varying lengths of time with Su Dong Chen, and Chris Bates) and taijiquan with with Madame Gao Fu and Qian Timing.
Aside from my ongoing koryū training, I have most recently been training in two new areas: the basics of Arrestling, under the instruction of its founder, Don Gulla and many other seniors in the system, and a focus on principle-based training regarding coordination of the body, often referred to as internal strength.
I have some established dōjō in Europe in both Araki-ryū and Tenshin Bukō-ryū. In the states, I have established several small groups of training associates in Taikyoku Araki-ryū.