Instructors & Staff
Our extremely talented and experienced instructors and staff are fully trained in Kage No Michi Ninjutsu and have dedicated their lives to progressing The Way of the Shadow and its students. In addition to upholding high quality martial arts, our high-spirited instructors know how to make training fun for both kids and adults. Best of all, our instructors love what they do and genuinely care for the Dojo Family.
Our instructors also hold a wide range of certifications including CPR and Live Scan.
Soke Tafan Hong - Instructor, Founder, Owner
Soke Tafan Hong began training in the martial arts at age 8 under Benny "The Jet" Urquidez and has been interested in the martial arts his whole life. Although he cannot even remember the first time he heard of the art of Ninjutsu, he can remember being completely fascinated by this martial art form. Soke Hong began researching the art of Ninjutsu by reading every book he could find at local libraries and began learning all he could from them. At age 18, he found a school and began formally training in the art.
Today, Soke Hong holds the rank of Shodan in the Bujinkan Ninjutsu System under Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi and is the Founder of the Kage No Michi Ninjutsu system. He was inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2008 for "Ninjutsu Instructor of the Year" and has also taught Kage No Michi Ninjutsu at the University of California Los Angeles. Soke Hong has also been featured in National Geographic's Fight Science and has done fight choreography and stuntwork for the Korean blockbuster movie "The Suspect".
In the Kage No Michi Ninjutsu system, as in other martial art styles, the red belt and title of Soke is reserved only for the Grandmaster or founder of the school.
Sensei Kevin Ung - Instructor
Ever since Sensei Ung was a child, he was fascinated with martial arts, but never had the opportunity to pursue a discipline. He ran on the West Torrance High cross country and track team but decided not to continue track during his senior year. Searching for another form of activity, he decided to take advantage of his excess time and check out The Way of the Shadow Martial Arts Academy dojo. He was hooked from the first day in December of 2006 and has been training ever since. The Way of the Shadow Ninjutsu attracted Sensei Ung because it is applicable in a real life situation, a good way to stay in shape, and has a friendly environment. He currently enjoys being an instructor and is eager to continue his training. Sensei Ung achieved the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt under Soke Hong in September 2011 and has been a Kage No Michi instructor for over 7 years.
Sensei Jay Andrino - Instructor
"Before I joined Kage No Michi Ninjutsu I had trained in various martial arts like Kung Fu, Karate, Kickboxing and a little bit of Aikido. But none of these arts offer the same training and practicality like Kage No Michi does. The thing I like about this art is the hard core training, the street practicality and the diversity of it. The art is constantly changing for the better. We take whatever works and get rid of the "flowery stuff". Sensei Tafan is open-minded to suggestions and new ideas. That makes learning more interesting. I am very excited to have the opportunity of teaching here." Sensei Andrino achieved the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt under Soke Hong in September 2011 and has been training in Kage No Michi Ninjutsu for over 8 years.
Sensei Charles Moore - Instructor
"I have been training since 2006 in the style of Kage No Michi Ninjutsu. I've tried kickboxing, boxing and military training and none can compare. It's made for the streets and also we can take it in the ring. This style is not for everyone. If you want hard core training, it's here. If not, it's out there. No movement is concrete and set in stone. Soke Hong will take a move that has been done for years and make it more practical for the streets and it works better." Sensei Moore achieved the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt under Soke Hong in September 2011. Sensei Moore is the longest training student with over 9 years of experience in Kage No Michi Ninjutsu.
Sensei Jareth Bustamante - Instructor
"My name is Jareth and I had no martial arts experience before Ninjutsu. Growing up, I had always been interested in martial arts. My father knowing my interest, had found The Way of the Shadow. Upon training, I realized that Ninjutsu was for me because of the practicality and the application to real life scenarios. I got hook by learning stand up, ground and weapon fighting. I began training in the summer of 2006 and have enjoyed it ever since. "
Sensei Jareth received his 1st Degree Kage no Michi Black Belt in 2015 under Soke Hong. Sensei Jareth has been practicing Kage No Michi Ninjutsu for over 7 years.
Shasta Hong - Program Director, Owner
Shasta has been training at The Way of the Shadow Ninjutsu since 2006, and has had previous "Ninjitsu" training at another studio. She first became interested in martial arts when her husband Sensei Tafan decided to train "Ninjitsu" in 1998. She is currently the Program Director for the Way of the Shadow Martial Arts Academy. She enjoys working with her husband and looks forward to continuing in her training in Kage No Michi Ninjutsu.
Junior Instructors
In addition to our full-time staff, we have a team of junior instructors/helpers, called the S.H.A.D.O.W. Team, that assist in the classes on a regular basis. We consider the S.H.A.D.O.W Team as a future instructor/leader training grounds. Their roles range from getting students ready for class to partnering with students and monitoring drill stations.
Learn more about the S.H.A.D.O.W. Team
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About Us
Shasta has been training at The Way of the Shadow Ninjutsu since 2006, and has had previous "Ninjitsu" training at another studio. She first became interested in martial arts when her husband Sensei Tafan decided to train "Ninjitsu" in 1998. She is currently the Program Director for the Way of the Shadow Martial Arts Academy. She enjoys working with her husband and looks forward to continuing in her training in Kage No Michi Ninjutsu.
