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Peter Kramer
Jugodan – 15-degree black belt
Peter Kramer – Jugodan (15th Degree Black Belt), Bujinkan Daishiha
Peter Kramer was born in Laguna Beach, California, and moved to the island of Tahiti—the capital of French Polynesia—in 1971 at the age of eight. As the only “popaa” (a local Tahitian term for a white foreigner) in his school, Peter quickly became a target for bullies. That experience sparked a lifelong desire to learn how to defend himself.
Throughout his youth, Peter sought out and studied various martial arts, exploring any style he could find. In 1988, he discovered the Bujinkan when he attended a class taught by instructor Kevin Millis. One visit was all it took—Peter instantly knew he had found the martial art he had been searching for.
The Bujinkan is a Japanese martial arts organization founded by Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, the Sōke (宗家, “head of the family” or grandmaster) of nine classical Japanese warrior traditions (ryūha). The art encompasses unarmed combat (taijutsu, 体術), traditional weapons training (bukijutsu, 武器術), strategy, and survival skills rooted in the history of the samurai and ninja.
By 1991, Peter had earned his nidan (二段), or 2nd-degree black belt. That same year, he relocated to Oregon to take a design position at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton. Under the guidance of Kevin Millis, he began teaching Bujinkan classes for the first time. He has continued to teach ever since, with only a brief break during a two-year assignment in Hong Kong, where he helped Nike establish a design office in Asia.
In 1997, Peter traveled to Japan to take his godan (五段, 5th-degree black belt) test under Sōke Masaaki Hatsumi. This test, also known as the sakki test (殺気), is a hallmark of the Bujinkan and involves sensing an unseen strike from behind—an assessment of one’s intuitive awareness rather than physical technique. Around that time, Peter also became a personal student of Bill Atkins, one of Hatsumi’s most senior shihan (師範, master instructors).
Peter returned to Japan in 2008 to continue training with Hatsumi and the senior Japanese shihan. During this visit, he was awarded the rank of jūdan (十段, 10th-degree black belt). In 2011, he was promoted to jūgodan (十五段, 15th-degree black belt), the highest technical rank in the Bujinkan.
In June 2025, Peter was awarded the prestigious title of Daishihan (大師範, “Senior Master Instructor”)—a rare and significant honor within the Bujinkan system. While the term loosely translates to “Grand Master Instructor,” it should not be confused with Sōke, which refers exclusively to the head of the Bujinkan and the inheritor of the art. The Daishihan title is reserved for highly experienced practitioners who have demonstrated not only exceptional skill and deep understanding of the Bujinkan arts but also decades of leadership and dedication to teaching. It is awarded only upon the recommendation of multiple existing Daishihan and signifies the highest level of recognition for a master instructor within the organization.
Today, Peter continues to share the Bujinkan arts with others through teaching, mentoring, and training—preserving the tradition while adapting it to meet the needs of modern students seeking empowerment, resilience, and self-mastery.
Nir Mengazi
Jūdan (10th-Degree Black Belt), Bujinkan Instructor & Leadership Coach
Nir Mengazi began his martial arts journey at the age of 24, driven by a deep need for self-protection after experiencing bullying earlier in life. What started as a personal quest for safety soon became a lifelong passion when he discovered the Bujinkan — a Japanese martial arts organization founded by Sōke (宗家, “head of the family” or grandmaster) Masaaki Hatsumi, encompassing nine traditional warrior traditions (ryūha, 流派).
From the very beginning, Nir was captivated by the Bujinkan’s depth — blending unarmed combat (taijutsu, 体術), weapons training (bukijutsu, 武器術), strategy, and the mindset of adaptability that is as relevant today as it was in ancient Japan. His training emphasized not only physical skill, but also awareness, timing, and the ability to respond effectively under pressure.
With over 25 years of dedicated practice, Nir’s progression through the Bujinkan ranks has been marked by perseverance and discipline. In 2016, while training in Japan, he achieved the rank of godan (五段, 5th-degree black belt) after successfully passing the sakki test (殺気) — a hallmark of the art in which the practitioner must sense and evade an unseen strike. This milestone also signified his recognition as a senior instructor within the organization.
In 2022, Nir was promoted to jūdan (十段, 10th-degree black belt), a high-level rank within the Bujinkan that reflects both advanced technical ability and deep understanding of the art’s principles. Despite these accomplishments, Nir continues to train with the mindset of a beginner, embracing the Japanese concept of shoshin (初心) — “beginner’s mind” — as he explores the endless depth of this martial tradition.
As both a martial arts instructor and a leadership coach, Nir integrates lessons from the dojo into real-world applications. His teaching blends resilience, emotional capacity, and strategic thinking, helping individuals develop not only physical skill but also mental flexibility and confidence. By drawing on the Bujinkan’s principles, he equips his students and clients to adapt, lead, and thrive in both personal and professional arenas.
Nir’s journey is a testament to the Bujinkan’s central philosophy — that training is a lifelong path of growth, self-discovery, and the cultivation of strength in body, mind, and spirit.
Justin Bryant
Godan (5th-Degree Black Belt), Bujinkan Master Instructor
Justin Bryant began his martial arts journey in 1994 at the age of six, training under Peter Kramer in Hillsboro, Oregon. After several years of training, Peter relocated to Hong Kong for business, and Justin’s training was put on hold.
In 2001, Justin decided to return to martial arts and began practicing Tae Kwon Do (a Korean martial art known for its dynamic kicking techniques). While he enjoyed the training and friendships he made, he felt something was missing. In 2004, Justin learned that his original instructor, Peter Kramer, had returned to Oregon. He attended the very next class — and has been training in the Bujinkan ever since.
Due to his skill, commitment, and dependability, Justin was promoted to assistant instructor in 2007. In March 2009, he achieved the rank of shodan (初段, 1st-degree black belt) and earned the title of instructor.
In 2017, Justin traveled to Japan to train with Sōke (宗家, “head of the family” or grandmaster) Masaaki Hatsumi and the senior Japanese shihan (師範, master instructors). During this trip, he was awarded the rank of godan (五段, 5th-degree black belt) after successfully completing the sakki test (殺気), a hallmark of the Bujinkan that evaluates a practitioner’s ability to sense an unseen strike. With this rank, he also received the title of Master Instructor, recognizing his leadership and teaching ability within the art.
Outside the dojo, Justin works in the summer as a firefighter and enjoys spending time with his family and friends. His hobbies include horseback riding, caring for his dogs, running, practicing parkour, and much more. Known for his explosive energy and agility — able to “jump like a cat” — Justin brings enthusiasm, positivity, and a dynamic spirit to every class he attends or teaches.
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