Hello, My name is Butch Bonner I am the founder and instructor of Shorin-Bushido Dojo of Lakeland. By way of education I am ranked in Shorin-Ryu Karate-do, Kobudo (Weapons) and Ki-Shin-Kai Aikido.  I bring 30 years martial arts experience and 26 years of instruction experience to the dojo. 

My instructors are Sam D. Pearson, 9th Dan, Watai Karate-Jitsu, 9th Dan Shorin-Ryu Karate; Roy Y. Suenaka, 8th Dan, WadoKai Aikido, 6th Dan Hakutsuru Shorin-Ryu and Scott Hager 6th Dan Wado-Kai Aikido and Ki-Shin-Kai, Aikido. These are some of the most respected martial artist in the country and are certainly noteworthy among their peers and in the history of American martial arts. I have been fortunate to have trained with many traditional martial arts teachers and have a broad educational experience from which to draw. I’ve also competed in local, regional and international competitions and due to my teachers have enjoyed modest success.

On the left: Shimabuku Eizo, O'Sensei, Founder of the Shobayahsi Shorin-Ryu system with a world wide following of students, Sam D. Pearson, Sensei, first generation student of O'Sensei, is one of the pioneers of American martial arts and revivor of the Watai Karate Jitsu system which he studied before meeting O'Sensei, and my first martial arts teacher and myself. The photo was taken in New Bern North Carolina at a weekend seminar hosted by the New Bern School of Martial Art's Dojo Cho Scott Warren.

Center Photo: Roy Y. Suenaka, Sensei. Founder of rhe Wado-Kai Aikido system was a first generation student of Ueshiba, O'Sensei, Aikido's founder. practitioner of martial arts too numourus to mention here. Suenaka Sensei's impact on martial arts and specifically Aikido is profound and I was fortunate to able to train this master.

On The Right: Scott Hager, Shihan, trained in Aikido almost twenty years. First with Suenaka Sensei at the Hombu dojo and then started two dojos when his education required he move from Hombu. Hager Shihan, is the embodiment of Aikido and is one of the fews practioners who strives to live the philosophy as laid out by Ueshiba O'Sensei. Hager Shihan was my primary Aikido instructor and is responsible for helping me see martial arts (and Aikido in particular) as a method of conflict resolution.