To-Shin Do is a martial art style established by Stephen K. Hayes as a means of teaching ninjutsu (or taijutsu) in a format more accessible to American audiences. It is now practised in many countries around the world including the U.K. His prior organizations, the Shadows of Iga Ninja Society, and the Nine Gates Institute, relied more on the Bujinkan's methods of instruction. To-Shin Do was founded with the aim of blending classical martial arts techniques taught with more modern educational methods and techniques.
History:
To-Shin Do was founded in 1996 as the curriculum for the HGI Quest Centers, a corporation founded by Shihan Hayes, along with business developer Bill Poett and Joseph Koenig.
A couple of years later, Poett's role in the corporation decreased, and the business was renamed SKH Quest, Inc.
In 2003, Tom Maienza took over the business development role, and SKH Quest began to offer distance learning systems via DVD, along with the original concept of Quest Center martial arts franchises.
Along with the To-Shin Do goshin taijutsu modern self defense, SKH Quest has started issuing classical rank cert in To-Shin Do Kasumi-An classical warrior arts training.
An-shu
Stephen K. Hayes' To-Shin Do martial arts
training leads to the ability to live life
fully, fearlessly, and freely. Ours is a
thorough system of personal preparation for
facing the kinds of conflict and opposition
that can surprise us in the course of daily
life.
To-Shin Do techniques are based on an
ancient and well-tested system of warrior
disciplines handed down by nine historical
Japanese family lineages.
At the same time, our training program is
built around a very modern approach to
handling the kind of threats and
confrontations most likely in our own
contemporary culture.
To-Shin Do is a reality-based system that
includes techniques and strategies for
dealing with:
grappling, throwing, choking, and
joint-locking
striking, kicking, and punching
stick, blade, cord, and projectile
weapons
successfully handling multiple
assailants and surprise attacks
overcoming psychological intimidation
or bullying
Beyond the basic training that leads to
Black Belt license in To-Shin Do is a
collection of optional advanced courses
including:
methods for survival in hostile
environments
security protection for dignitaries
how to instruct classes and run a
school
classical Japanese weapons
meditation mind science yoga
Lineage: To-Shin Do encompasses the nine schools that are part of the Bujinkan organization:
Togakure Ryu
Koto Ryu
Gyokko Ryu
Kukishinden Ryu
Takagi Yoshin Ryu
Shinden Fudo Ryu
Gyokushin Ryu
Gikan Ryu
Kumogakure Ryu
Ranks: To-Shin Do has a number of different belt ranks corresponding roughly to the former Marishi-Kai belt system above the rank of black belt, with a new, more differentiated ranking system below the rank of black belt. Ranks are based on the go-dai elemental system, historically used as a counting system in Japan.
Earth (Chi):
White
Yellow
Yellow/black stripe
Water (Sui)
Blue/white stripe
Blue
Blue/black stripe
Fire (Ka)
Red/white stipe
Red
Red/black stripe
Wind (Fu)
Green/white stripe
Green
Green/black stripe
Void (Ku)
Brown/white stripe
Brown
Brown/black stripe
Black Belt Ranks:
Black - shodan 1st degree student
Black - nidan 2nd degree student
Black/red stripe - sandan 3rd degree
student
Black/red stripe - yondan 4th degree
student
Black/silver stripe - godan 5th degree
student
Black/silver stripe - rokudan 6th
degree student
Black/bronze stripe - nanadan 7th
degree student
Black/bronze stripe - hachidan 8th
degree student
Black/gold stripe - kyudan 9th degree
student
Gold - judan 10th degree student
To-Shin Do History: Stephen K.
Hayes' To-Shin Do martial art was born of
the historical legacy behind 3 important
roots of Japan's ancient cultural heritage:
To - the sword
From the nin-po combat methods of the
legendary ninja phantom warriors born of Mt.
Togakure and cultivated in the wooded
mountains and marshes of Iga comes the core
of our physical protection techniques and
strategies. To-Shin Do martial arts practice
is a great way to reduce stress and increase
strength, endurance, and flexibility, while
fostering a sense of peace, security, and
control in life.
Shin - the focused spirit of
intention
From the rigorous kuji
intention-channeling training of the
shugenja of Mt. Yoshino comes the essence of
our program for the discovery and
development of the nine key qualities that
characterize a fully actualized human being.
We can achieve a more focused and
disciplined understanding of the cause and
effect dynamics that lead to success and
fulfillment in life.
Do - the path to mastery
From the originally Himalayan esoteric
mikkyo vajrayana mind and spirit sciences of
Mt. Hiei comes the technique of cultivating
our unlimited physical, mental, emotional,
and spiritual potentials. We can learn
skillful ways to transform the inner and
outer challenges of life into success, and
ultimately come to grips with the question
of how to experience directly the
significance of life itself.
Nin - Important Symbolism
Behind The To-Shin Name
The Japanese written character for nin
, of Japan's ninja stealth warriors and
their martial art of ninjutsu, can also be
pronounced shinobi . It is best
translated as "stealth, endurance,
perseverance, or 'putting-up-with'". Nin
or shinobi communicates the
kind of strength required to keep our eyes
on the grander goal. We know what we need
and we are willing to do whatever it takes
to get it. We are not diverted, even when
tempted to take on the petty affronts and
insults tossed in our path from those who
fear or envy us.
The top portion of the Japanese
letter character for nin is pronounced toh
and means "sword" or
"blade edge." This represents
the martial arts technology we study to
perfect.
The bottom portion of the character
is shin, pronounced sheen, and
means "heart". This represents
the resolute spirit needed to prevail
over the negative forces that attempt to
drive us to defeat.
Together as the one single character for
nin, the To-Shin ideal reminds us of the
miraculous power of knowledge and intention
combined to result in spirited intelligence
in action.
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An-shu
Stephen K. Hayes' To-Shin Do martial arts
training leads to the ability to live life
fully, fearlessly, and freely. Ours is a
thorough system of personal preparation for
facing the kinds of conflict and opposition
that can surprise us in the course of daily
life. 
