Jamie Ellerbe began his martial arts training on August 18,1980. Over the last four decades, Ellerbe sensei has strictly dedicated himself to researching, studying, and immersing himself in the martial arts of Japan. Ellerbe sensei travels to Japan to teach and study classical Budo and is actively involved in the preservation of the ancient arts of Japan. Ellerbe sensei is passionate about the warrior culture and its values, traditions, and customs.

 

      Ellerbe sensei began teaching Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu, and Asayama Ichiden Ryu Nagano Ha Jujutsu in 1996. In the following years, Ellerbe sensei founded the first student organization on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro North Carolina as a means for providing assistance to rape victims. Ellerbe sensei is passionate about helping others and has for many years used his gifts to provide a service to his community. Ellerbe Sensei is very active in the community providing free self-defense courses for victims of date violance as well as working with local authorities in defensive tactics, Tactical Firearm retention training, public awareness workshops, lectures on Samurai culture and history.

 

       Ellerbe sensei's early studies began with Nagano Daisuke sensei where Ellerbe sensei was taught Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu from various lineages and Nagano sensei's style of Asayama Ichiden Ryu Jujutsu. Today, Ellerbe sensei  is an International Secretary for the Renshinkan Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu Shobukai holding the rank of Nanadan (6th Degree) with the Shihan Dai License. Ellerbe sensei also holds Hiden Mokuroku, Gokuden, Aiki no jutsu Omote and Ura, as well as Jujutsu Ougi licenses in Daito Ryu. Ellerbe Sensei was granted permission from his current teacher "Michio Takase Sensei" to open the first official branch of Matsuda Den Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu in the state of North Carolina. In 1997 Ellerbe sensei founded the Nagano Ryu Heihou system by combining his knowledge from several branches of Daito Ryu and Asayama Ichiden Ryu. 

      

        After 44 years of training, Ellerbe sensei has received several honors.  In 2001, Ellerbe sensei received two Black Belt Hall of Fame inductions for Master and Grandmaster of the Year awards and Aikijujutsu Instructor of the year in Madison Square Garden in recognition for his community involvement and many accomplishments.

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        Ellerbe Sensei has often said that founding Nagano Ryu Heihou has always been about bringing together the complete military arts of the Samurai as well as preserving them. However, his major focus is in ensuring that our practice, research and studies don't get so lost in rituals that technique effectiveness and principles that allow students to successfully protect themselves are also lost. Ellerbe Sensei believes in adaptation, immersion, effectiveness, and realism while staying rooted in tradition.