Dennis G. Palumbo
The founder of Hakko Densho Ryu Jujutsu began his formal training in the martial arts in 1958 in Yanagi Ryu Aiki Jujutsu. He entered the Air Force and upon his first overseas assignment to Japan, began his study of Hakkoryu Jujutsu with Shihan Hideo B. Abukawa, eventually attaining the rank and title of Shihan in November 1963 making him at that time only the 5th American to be awarded this title. He traveled back and forth between the US and Japan for many years, continuing to study Hakkoryu, Shotokan, Shudokan, and Goju-Ryu Karate.
In 1970 Mr. Palumbo was requested by Soke Okuyama to return to the Hombu for advanced training but was unable to attend because of Air Force duties until almost 10 years later. He formed the Hakkoryu Martial Arts Federation in 1974 while stationed in San Angelo, TX. The HMAF is an organization dedicated to furthering the study of Hakkoryu Jujutsu and passing its teachings throughout the world.
In June of 1980, Mr. Palumbo returned to Japan to undergo training and testing by Soke Okuyama. He was awarded the titles and ranks of Renshi and then Menkyo Kaiden. In the summer of 1986 he was awarded the title of San Dai Kichu, the highest possible ranking in Hakkoryu Jujutsu.
Palumbo Shihan respectfully retired from the Hombu Dojo in 1998. In an effort to continue passing the teachings of Shodai Soke Okuyama Ryohu and abide by the wishes of the Hombu Dojo, he created the system Hakko Densho Ryu.
In 2008 Palumbo Shihan turned over the active administration of HMAF to his student, Dara Masi. He named Dara Masi as Director of HMAF and gave her the responsibility for all teaching, ranking, and administration of HMAF. Dai Shihan Dennis Palumbo passed peacefully on September 12, 2014 after a prolonged illness. Upon his death, Masi Shihan became the head of Hakko Densho Ryu Jujutsu.
Mr. Palumbo holds the following ranks and titles:- Kaiden Shihan San Dai Kichu in Hakkoryu Jujutsu awarded by Shodai Soke Okuyama (1986)
- Yondan (4th degree black belt) in Shotokan Karate
- Yondan (4th degree black belt) in Taiho-Jutsu (Arrest & Control Police Tactics)
- Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in Goju-Ryu Karate
- Shodan (1st degree black belt) in Shudokan Karate
Read the story:
Memories of the Honbu: A Practitioner of Hakko Ryu Jujutsu Recalls His Days of Training at His Style's Home Dojo by Dennis G. Palumbo.
This story recalls Mr. Palumbo's Shihan training at the Honbu Dojo in Japan.
