PLIMSHOF Inductee #22
Shihan Renshi Tony Annesi
Tony Annesi has studied the martial arts since 1964 and has received black belts in judo, aiki-ju-jutsu, and karate. As early as 1977, Annesi received the title Ichiban Deshi no Soke (#1 student of the stylistic leader) in aiki-ju-jutsu from Shihan Albert C. Church, Jr., inheritor of the Shorinji Tetsu Ken Ryu which became modified into modern Kamishin-ryu.
In 1984, the Goshin-kai International, a French federation, and the International Brotherhood of Martial Artists, a German-based organization, both decorated Annesi for his dedication to the martial arts.
Annesi has written a column (Tales of the Dojo which later becameThe Dojo Files) for INSIDE KARATE MAGAZINE and has written for SELF-DEFENSE WORLD, INSIDE KUNG-FU, BLACK BELT, and THE INTERNATIONAL FIGHTER as well.
He has authored the official karate and aiki-ju-jutsu manual series for BUSHIDO-KAI KENKYUKAI as well as that federation's Operations and Policy Manual.
In 1984, Tony Annesi was appointed soke-dai (inheritor-designate) of the Kamishin-ryu martial arts and the KAMISHIN-KAI INTERNATIONAL. In the fall of 1986, Annesi earned the title of shihan-renshi (master instructor).
He is featured in Corcoran and Farkas's landmark reference, MARTIAL ARTS: HISTORY, TRADITIONS, PEOPLE.
In 1988, due to a conflict in leadership styles and goals, Annesi resigned from the KAMISHIN-KAI.
He is currently chief officer of BUSHIDO-KAI KENKYUKAI, an organization dedicated to the development of traditional martial arts in the modern world and specifically of TAKESHIN SOGO BUDO (a teaching method comprised of TAKESHIN AIKI, TAKESHIN KARATE, and TAKESHIN SEIKEN BUDO) which it administrates from its BUSHIDO-KAI HOMBU DOJO, 92 Blandin Avenue, Framingham, Massachusetts.
Annesi is the sponsor of BUSHIDO-KAI’s ANNUAL BUDO FESTIVAL, offers seminars in aiki and karate worldwide, and is the director of BUSHIDO-KAI BUDOYA (300 Eliot St. #369, Ashland, Massachusetts; www.pobox.com/~bushido-kai) which markets martial arts videos, manuals, and other educational materials.
In September of 2000, Shihan Annesi was awarded the "Martial Arts Founder Award" from the World Head of Family Sokeship Council International Hall of Fame. He is ranked nanadan (7th dan) in aiki-ju-jutsu and in karate-do.
