Matthew Ubertini (Dojo Cho)
The Dojo Cho (Head Instructor) of the Masakatsukan Dojo is Matthew Ubertini who began his study of Jujutsu in 1987. Throughout his earlier years he continued to study Jujutsu and competed in submission grappling and Greco-Roman wrestling. In the late 1990's Mr. Ubertini started training at the jujutsu dojo of Lawrence Zwerman, Kaiden Shihan, and eventually received his teaching license in 2004. In 1999 Matthew started seitei iaido as a supplement to his jujutsu but was found without a teacher after a year of practice. In 2002 he looked to continue his study of iaido and found the dojo of Moses Becerra. The two established a quick friendship due to
interest in studying and collecting Nihonto, antique Japanese swords.
Becerra Sensei is actually one of the few people in the U.S. that can
correctly restore and polish Japanese swords.
Matthew officially joined the Ken Zen Dojo of Moses Becerra Sensei
(now Shumeikan dojo) in Farmingville, NY studying kendo, iaido and
battojutsu.
Based on his background in Japanese budo, Matthew was accepted into the Zen Nihon Sogo Budo Renmei based in Kyoto, Japan (an umbrella organization housing many koryu and gendai budo) and introduced to Erik Johnstone from the Shindokan Dojo in Connecticut who is practitioner and Shihan of Dentokan Aiki Jujutsu and an instructor of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaijutsu under the Jikishin-Kai headed by Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi. He is Matthew's main instructor for the Dentokan and Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iai Heiho as well as the group leader for Ono Ha Itto Ryu Kenjutsu, two Koryu (classical) martial arts. Mr. Ubertini has also studied and experienced other martial arts such as Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu, Brazilian Jiujitsu, Goju Ryu Karate Do and Kendo as well as some koryu such as Takenouchi ryu and Ono Ha Itto Ryu Kenjutsu.
Matthew holds the following grades and recognitions:
- Dentokan Aikijujutsu (Hakko Ryu)- 4th Dan
- Chikarakan Jujutsu (Goshin Jujutsu)- 4th Dan Renshi and Menkyo
- Nihon Jujutsu (Zen Nihon Budo Renmei)- 3rd Dan and Tasshi
- Kendo (AUSKF)- 3rd Dan
