To-Shin Do

To-Shin Do is a martial art founded by Black Belt Hall of Fame instructor Stephen K. Hayes in 1997. It is a modernized version of ninjutsu (ninpo taijutsu), and differs from the traditional form taught by Masaaki Hatsumi’s Bujinkan organization. Instruction focuses on threats found in contemporary western society. In addition to hand-to-hand combat skills, students are exposed to: methods for survival in hostile environments, security protection for dignitaries, how to instruct classes and run a school, classical Japanese weapons, meditation mind science, and health restoration yoga. The headquarters school (hombu) is located in the private residence of the founder near Dayton, Ohio, USA.

In 1975, Hayes traveled to Japan to seek out authentic Ninja masters. He met Masaaki Hatsumi, the 34th grandmaster of the Togakure-ryū (戸隠流) ("School of the Hidden Door") lineage and became the first American to be accepted into the Ninja tradition.

Hayes returned to the U.S. in 1981, with a black belt in the Bujinkan organization under his teacher, Masaaki Hatsumi, who is the 34th Grandmaster of Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu. He founded the Shadows of Iga Society to serve as an organization for ninjutsu enthusiasts. During the 1980s Hayes gave seminars around the country, maintained a training group in Ohio, and often visited Japan for training with Hatsumi.

Retiring the Shadows of Iga Society, Hayes founded the Kasumi-An system of warrior training in 1989 on the first day of the Japanese Heisei (平成) Imperial era. Kasumi translates to English as "mist," which is supposed to evoke images of the misty Iga mountain home of the Ninja, as well as being a heterograph of the founder's name. An means hermitage or mountain retreat. The name reflects more permanency in Hayes' U.S. teachings, which were until this point limited to seminars and a small training group in the Dayton area.

In 1997, the first Quest Center was opened in Dayton, OH.

There is intended symbolism behind the To-Shin name. When written, To-Shin Do is formed of three kanji:

The literal Japanese to English translation of To-Shin Do is “Sword Spirit Path”. Practitioners of the art use a more developed translation where To = the skills and strategy, Shin = the intent and willpower, and Do = the path to mastery.

The kanji for to and the kanji for shin combine within the kanji symbol nin 忍, pronounced shinobi, which is the symbol for the ninja, although the top half of 忍 is actually ha/yaiba 刃 not tō 刀.