Learn in a supportive atmosphere with instructors who teach for the pure love of their art at Chico’s oldest dojo–black belt instructors are also background-checked, CPR and first aid certified.

HISTORY

Chico Kodenkan Martial & Healing Arts is a California 501(c)3 non-profit, volunteer-run organization. We have a long history as a Danzan Ryu Jujitsu dojo, teaching martial and healing arts to the community and have grown to offer even more martial and healing arts since then. In fact, Chico Kodenkan is the oldest martial arts school in Chico. Beginning in 1939, Professor Merlin “Bud” Estes, student of Master Henry Sieshiro Okazaki (the founder of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu) moved back to the mainland from Hawaii to Chico, California and opened the Chico Judo and Jujitsu Academy at the old Chapman Center. A Judan (10th degree black belt) and co-founder of the AJJF (American Judo & Jujitsu Federation), Prof. Estes regularly taught massage classes to the community through CARD and was known as a phenomenal, generous, and compassionate healer. Veterans of DZR Jujitsu remember his Black Belt Classes held at both the Chapman and later Broadway locations of his dojo. In 1978, we underwent a name change to Chico Kodenkan and moved to 810 Broadway, Chico which served to accommodate the growing number of students. The new name preserved our lineage — “Chico” referring to the Chico Judo and Jujitsu Academy, and “Kodenkan” referring to Okazaki’s dojo, the Kodenkan in Hawaii. At that point, Professor Bud Estes made Richard Radcliffe the school head of the dojo, although Prof. Estes still taught DZR Jujitsu and the massage therapy and other healing therapies there and around the country until his death in 1981.

In 1985 we built and moved into our own dojo in the back yard of Sensei Radcliffe’s property on 294 Humboldt Ave., facing Flume Street. Then, as Sensei Radcliffe contemplated retirement in 1996 from his duties as schoolhead, Sensei Todd Birdseye and Sensei Delina Fuchs both Sandan (3rd degree black belt) at the time became schoolheads on record with the AJJF (American Judo & Jujitsu Federation). In 1998, Sensei Radcliffe retired indefinitely from his duties as schoolhead, and Sensei Todd Birdseye moved to Roseville where he now runs his own dojo. Professor Delina Fuchs, now Rokudan (6th degree black belt) has run the dojo ever since.

Our Capoeira Program has it’s own Facebook page, check it out!

INSTRUCTORS

Our Jujitsu Sensei are nationally-tested black belt instructors with the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation (AJJF); CPR and First Aid certified; they have undergone background checks; and they are volunteers.

PROFESSOR DELINA FUCHS

CEO, Dojo Cho (school head), Senior Instructor. Rokudan (6th degree black belt) DZR Jujitsu.

BA, CSUC Physical Education. MA, CSUC, English. National Event Manager, AJJF DZR Kaidensho Certificate, awarded by Professor Tony Janovich at Kodenkan Okugi. Kyoshi level 2003 Shihan level 2013

Training continuously in the martial arts since January, 1978. Hall of Fame Inductee 2013, AWMAI.

Member in good standing:

• American Judo & Jujitsu Federation
• Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors (AWMAI)
• Hakko Ryu Martial Arts Federation
• Kilohana Martial Arts Association
• Nishiokaze Aikido Federation
• Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists (PAWMA)

SENSEI ANTON MULLER

Senior Instructor. Yodan (4th degree black belt) DZR Jujitsu. Sensei Anton Muller has been training in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu since 2005.

B. A. Mechanical Engineering 2010 – CSU Chico

Minors in:

Math – CSU Chico

Physics- CSU Chico

2011 Massage Certification – Makotokai Healing Arts

Rank in: AJJF, DZR, Yodan (4th degree black belt) – Chico Kodenkan

Grade in: Kodokan Judo, Sankyu (3rd class Brown Belt)

Influences from:

4 yrs Boxing – Chico Boxing For Fitness

2 yrs Muy Thai – Paragon San Luis Obispo

2 yrs Brazilian Jujitsu – Paragon San Luis Obispo

1 yr Kempo – Epperson Brothers

Also enjoys Tennis, Gymnastics, and Rock Climbing.

SENSEI STEVE MANIFOR

Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) DZR Jujitsu. Sensei Steve Manifor has been training in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu since 2004.

Training at Chico Kodenkan since 2008. Degree in Biological Sciences and Anthropology from CSU, Chico Certified Massage Technician, Makoto Kai Healing Arts 2010 AJJF, DZR Shodan (1st degree black belt) 2015 CFO, Chico Kodenkan since 2013

SENSEI SARAH JIMENEZ

Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) DZR Jujitsu.

LOCATION

You don’t need any prior experience and can get started at any time. Your monthly dues entitle you to all of the classes offered to your age and rank every week that month. There are NO LONG TERM CONTRACTS and NO TESTING FEES!

Now, our 2500 square foot martial and healing arts academy, located at 254 East 1st Street in Downtown Chico has an array of martial and healing arts classes and options to serve our communities’ needs for health, fitness, education, and empowerment.

We are a traditional martial arts dojo. You don’t need any prior experience to start, and your training progresses at your own pace based on your own personal growth curve. Learn in a supportive atmosphere with instructors who teach for the pure love of their art at Chico’s oldest dojo; black belt instructors are also background-checked, CPR and first aid certified.

“I started studying jujitsu at Chico Kodenkan as a shy, insecure 9 year old in January 1978. Not only has the training here changed my life by giving me confidence, a healthy self-esteem, and a positive lifestyle, but the people I’ve trained with here have become trusted friends and family. The energy at the dojo is “up” and supportive, and the people are respectful and helpful. My goal now as Head Sensei is to pay it all forward while also providing an education in the art and science of the traditional, eclectic martial art of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu.” – D. Fuchs