The Kobukai Jujitsu Dojo was founded in 1993. The technical curriculum at Kobukai Jujitsu is a combination of the best techniques from ZenBudo-Ryu Aiki Jujitsu (founded by Hanshi Duke Moore in the 1960s), Kodenkan Danzan-Ryu Jujitsu (founded by Prof. Seishiro Okazaki in the 1930s), Yoshida AikiJutsu (a version of Daito-Ryu Aikijutsu done by Yoshida Kotaro), and Military Combatives. Shihan St. Hilaire and training partner Sensei Carvalko took the most effective techniques from these styles which they had studied and combined them into the Kobukai Jujitsu Curriculum. 

What sets Kobukai Jujitsu Dojos apart from others is the Teaching Methodology which uses a building block approach to learning and understanding Jujitsu.  Each technique must meet the following requirements: Easy to Learn, Easy to Remember, Easy to Execute under Pressure. There are approximately 200 Self Defense Techniques to learn to earn your Blackbelt at Kobukai Jujitsu, with more advanced waza to learn as a Blackbelt.  

The Kobukai Jujitsu Dojos believe you can learn a highly effective self-defense form of Jujitsu in a Traditional Japanese training atmosphere, without having to engage in external competitions.

OUR INSTRUCTORS

At Kobukai Jujitsu, you will always train under the supervision of a Kobukai Jujitsu Blackbelt. Each Dojo’s Chief Instructor is at least a 3rd Degree Blackbelt with a minimum of 15 years of experience and a formal teaching license (Menkyo). Each Dojo also has other licensed instructors and several black belts to assist in your training.

OUR SENSEI

(L-R) Sensei Todd Abbruzzese, Shihan Russ St. Hilaire, Sensei Tony Tortorella

Shihan St. Hilaire started Jujitsu in 1980 under Shihan Daniel Ustie of ZenBudo-Ryu at the Aiki Budokai Dojo. He received his Blackbelt in 1985. He was a Hand-to-Hand Combat and Riot Control Instructor in the U.S. Army. He was awarded the Menkyo Kaiden license, title of Shihan, and 7th Degree Blackbelt in 2010.  Shihan St. Hilaire also holds a 3rd Degree Blackbelt in Kodenkan-Danzan-Ryu Jujitsu. He has certification as an Okazaki Restoration Therapist, and as a Personal Protection Specialist through the Executive Protection Institute. He is the founder of the Kobukai Jujitsu Dojos and teaches in Lake Worth, FL and at seminars at the other Kobukai Jujitsu Dojos.

Sensei Tortorella started at Kobukai Jujitsu under Shihan St. Hilaire in 1995 and is a licensed instructor (Kaiden) 5th Degree Blackbelt. He was a U.S. Army Ranger. Sensei Tortorella had a dojo in the Waterbury, CT area for many years and now teaches at several Kobukai Jujitsu Dojos.

Sensei Abbruzzese started at Kobukai Jujitsu under Shihan St. Hilaire in 1995 and is a licensed instructor (Kaiden) 5th Degree Blackbelt. Sensei Abbruzzese had a dojo in Norwalk, CT for many years and now teaches at several Kobukai Jujitsu Dojos.

Sensei Jak Kocienda

Sensei Kocienda started at Kobukai Jujitsu under Shihan St. Hilaire in 2003. He received his Kaiden 5th Degree Blackbelt in 2024. He is the Chief Instructor at Kobukai Jujitsu, South Windsor, CT.

Sensei Chris Richards

Sensei Richards started at Kobukai Jujitsu under Shihan St. Hilaire in 2004. He received his Kaiden 5th Degree Blackbelt in 2024. He served in the U.S. Navy. He is the Chief Instructor at Kobukai Jujitsu, Kensington, CT.

Sensei Matt Bryers

Sensei Bryers started at Kobukai Jujitsu under Shihan St. Hilaire in 2002. He received his Kaiden 5th Degree Blackbelt in 2024. He is also a Blackbelt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is the Chief Instructor at The Tritac Training Center, Cromwell, CT.

Sensei Ken Cotrona

Sensei Cotrona started at Kobukai Jujitsu under Shihan St. Hilaire in 2001. He received his Kaiden 5th Degree Blackbelt in 2024. He also has a Blackbelt in Hapkido, Judo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is a Senior Instructor at The Tritac Training Center, Cromwell, CT.

Sensei Steve Leary

Sensei Leary started at Kobukai Jujitsu under Shihan St. Hilaire in 2010. He received his licensed instructor – Menkyo 3rd Degree Blackbelt in 2021. He is a Senior Instructor at Kobukai Jujitsu, Kensington, CT

Sensei Larry Hosey

Sensei Hosey started at Kobukai Jujitsu under Shihan St. Hilaire in 2010. He received his licensed instructor – Menkyo 3rd Degree Blackbelt in 2021. He is a Senior Instructor at Kobukai Jujitsu, South Windsor, CT

Sensei Ryan Allard

Sensei Allard started at Kobukai Jujitsu under Shihan St. Hilaire in 2005. He received his licensed instructor – Menkyo 3rd Degree Blackbelt in 2013. He also has a blackbelt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is currently a visiting instructor at several Kobukai Jujitsu Dojos.

Sensei Oz Pariser

Sensei Pariser started at Kobukai Jujitsu under Shihan St. Hilaire in 2007. He received his licensed instructor – Menkyo 3rd Degree Blackbelt in 2024. He also has blackbelts in Kyokushin Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is a Senior Instructor at The Tritac Training Center, Cromwell, CT

Sensei Kyle Brennan

Sensei Brennan started at Kobukai Jujitsu under Shihan St. Hilaire in 2011. He received his licensed instructor – Menkyo 3rd Degree Blackbelt in 2024. He is the Chief Instructor at Kobukai Jujitsu Coventry, CT.

Sensei Brian Schmitt

Sensei Schmitt started at Kobukai Jujitsu under Shihan St. Hilaire in 2014. He received his licensed instructor – Menkyo 3rd Degree Blackbelt in 2024. He is the Chief Instructor at Kobukai Jujitsu Florida, Lake Worth, FL.