Jerold Kunzman, Godan
Schoolhead
After graduating from SJSU in 1998, Jerold came to Kodai No Bushido to study with Matt and Nancy Bigham. The reasons he came to Kodai No Bushido are described in an article called Ishi Do: the Way of the Couch. He was awarded, in Danzan-Ryu Ju Jitusu, the rank of Shodan in 2000, Nidan in 2005, Sandan in 2011, Yodan in 2018 and Godan in 2024. During this time Jerold has competed AJJF Kata & Freestyle Competitions, held national office and authored the Tanju section of the current AJJF Kata Manual.
Prior to coming to Kodai No Bushido, Jerold began youth Judo in the 1972 with his father Jerome Kunzman Sr. He studied Danzan-Ryu with Professor Wally Jay in Alameda, Small Circle with Lee Eichleberger in Alameda, and Judo under Yosh Uchida at SJSU. He is currently active in the AJJF and participates in events with other Ju Jitsu organizations.
Instructor for the following courses at Kodai No Bushido:
Nancy Bigham, Godan
Nancy Bigham started Danzan-Ryu Jujitsu in 1979 and has been teaching since 1983. She received her Godan in 2006. She is continuing her studies of Danzan Ryu under Professor Robert Hudson, Shichidan, and recently started the study of Shorin Ryu Karate and Kobudo at Oshiro Dojo in San Mateo. She has been an active member of the American Judo & Jujitsu Federation since 1980 and serves as the Accounting Committee Chair. Nancy joined Kodai No Bushido as an instructor in 1993 and took over as joint school head with her husband, Matt, in 1995.
Instructor for the following courses at Kodai No Bushido:
Athletic Taping
Qigong
Matt Bigham, Yondan
Matt started his studies in Danzan-Ryu Jujitsu in June of 1976 with Professor Bob Hudson.
Matt and Nancy have been co-school heads since 1983 for Suni Tani/Ketojin, Laurel Jujitsu, Ternion Academy and now Kodai No Bushido.
Matt has guided many people to black belt and a number of them have gone on to become AJJF School Heads.
Instructor for the following courses at Kodai No Bushido:
Jaya R. Carl, Godan
Jaya started the study of Danzan-Ryu Jujitsu in 1986 with Matt and Nancy Bigham. Jaya received his Shodan in 1990, Nidan in 1994 and Sandan in 1997.
Instructor for the following courses at Kodai No Bushido:
Qigong
Restoration Therapy
Pete St. Pierre, Godan
Instructor for the following courses at the Kodai No Bushido:
Assistant Instructors
Scott Walters, Nidan
Tim Watson, Nidan
Chad Reese, Nidan
Jay Gischer, Shodan
Jay Gischer has over 15 years of martial arts experience, including Danzanryu jujitsu, tai chi, xing-i, bagua, and freestyle wrestling. He spent most of his life thinking he was Frodo Baggins, whose life's work was to give up power. Through study at Kodai no Bushido, he realized that perhaps he was more like Aragorn, who needed to take up the sword, but feared to do so.
Cyrus Chi, Shodan
George Cole, Shodan
Patricia Starmack, Shodan
Owen Quindipan, Shodan
Mark Bigham, Shodan
