Eric wolford
SHIDOSHI
senior instructor & Dai dojo-cho
Eric began his journey into the martial arts at the age of 19 at the legendary Tiger’s Den Shotokan Karate Dojo under Shihan Bobby Kramer. He studied off and on over the years until Sensei Kramer moved his dojo out of Columbus. Taking a break from martial arts in the late 90’s to pursue family and a music career, he landed with Grandmaster Charles Wright of Real World Karate and Self Defense. He received his Shodan (black belt) in Shorinryu Matsubayashi Ryu Karate in 2009 from Master Wright, as well as his Sandan (3rd Degree) in 2014. He still continues to train with Master Wright. While cross-training, he also received his Shodan from Grandmaster Robert “Hawk” Hawkins of the Bantu Karate Federation in 2010 and his Nidan (2nd Degree) in 2012.
In 2010, he was introduced to Soke Masaaki Hatsumi’s Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, based in Japan. Eric currently holds the rank of Godan (5th Degree) from Dai Shihan Arnaud Cousergue and holds a Shidoshi license to teach within the Bujinkan. He is a member of the Shiro Kuma Bujinkan Dojo and the Bujinkan Shidoshikai (Instructors Guild).
Eric is the senior instructor here at the Kazoku Dojo where he teaches primarily Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu as well as modern applications of those principles and techniques.
Eric is also the senior instructor at MayberrysGone.com, which is a Firearms and Tactics school for Civilian Defense since 2005. He teaches Pistol, Carbine and Shotgun courses to empower civilians as well as Ohio Concealed Carry. He has certifications in pistol and shotgun from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission. He is an NRA Firearms Instructor and Range Safety Officer in good standing (NRA Instructor #153267152) He is a graduate of the Saurez International Close Range Gunfighting program.
Eric also works for a local security company where he offers personal and executive protection as well as armed security for high profile clients and companies.
Eric enjoys spending his spare time with his family and grandchildren at their home in Canal Winchester, Ohio.
ralph portier
instructor - Taiho Jutsu
Chief Portier has been instructing Subject Control classes at local career centers in Groveport and Newark for more than 20 years and continues to be an active Ohio Peace Officer instructor.
Chief Portier received his Shodan (Black Belt) in Taiho Jutsu - Shotakan Ryu from Hanshi Daniel Hect in 2016. In 2016, he was inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame Black Belt Association for his continued contribution to the world of Martial Arts and is in good standing. Chief Portier also received his Shodan (Black Belt) in Japan Karate Do by Shihan Chris Stets in 2017.
He is also a Shodan (Black Belt) and Sensei here at the Kazoku Dojo.
He has instructed personal self defense classes since the early 2000’s which include a Women’s Self Defense program in Central Ohio, The Fairfield County Emergency Response Team and has participated in “Take Back the Night”. Chief Portier, has been a first responder in three fields - fire, EMS, and police since 1971 and is currently a commissioned police officer here in Ohio.
Chief Portier is passionate about his “Dying in Blue” program. A program which creates and maintains awareness for all first responders and their families and the dangers of the trauma they see each day. He continues to travel throughout different agencies to help other first responders, often several times per week.
C. JAMES
INSTRUCTOR - BUJINKAN BUDO TAIJUTSU
C. James began his training in Indiana in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu in the late 1990's.
He is a first responder in Central Ohio.
He holds the rank of Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.
