Chief Instructor’s Bio

Dai Shihan Dante Dionne, PhD, is the senior instructor of the Griffith Park Bujinkan Dojo (BJKNGP) and holds a 15th degree black belt in Bujinkan Budo (武神館 部度) issued by Soke Masaaki Hatsumi in Noda-shi, Chiba-ken, Japan.

Dante began his martial arts journey in the 1970s. By the age of 18, he had already earned a 1st-degree black belt in Korean Tae Kwon Do and a Master-level teaching license in Golden Mantis Chi Gong. While actively teaching Chi Gong, he discovered Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi’s Togakure-Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu in 1984. This system, which later evolved into Bujinkan Budo, immediately caught his attention. As he continued exploring dozens of other combat arts, Dante increasingly felt drawn to Hatsumi Sensei’s teachings. Eventually, he recognized that both the teacher and the art truly aligned with his Budo spirit. Consequently, he committed himself fully to the path of Bujinkan, where tradition, discipline, and personal growth intersect.

Dante trained with Shihan Peter Crocoll in Phoenix, AZ. (80’s-90’s) where he was first introduced to Soke Masaaki Hatsumi at the Los Angeles Tai Kai in 1988. In the mid-90’s, Dante took several years break (traveling musician & birth of sons), then resumed training with Shihan Andy Martin in Los Angeles, CA. (mid-00’s). Several years later, Dante was introduced to Shihan David Greenberg; whose playful spirit and generous guidance continues to provide much nourishment for Dante’s life-long passion for Budo.

After several years training under the tutelage of Shihan Greenberg, David returned to Israel and entrusted the continued dojo guidance to Dante. As senior instructor (dojo-cho) of Franklin Canyon Bujinkan under Dai Shihan Moti Nativ‘s international dojo family tree.

Before Hatsumi Sensei retired in 2019, Dante made dozens of trips to Japan. During those visits, he trained directly with Hatsumi Sensei and several top Japanese instructors. He also traveled across Europe and studied with other senior Bujinkan teachers to deepen his expertise.

Today, Dante continues to lead international seminars and actively trains with top instructors. He trains especially with Dai Shihan Yukio Noguchi, Arnaud Consigère, and Rob Renner. This constant growth allows him to bring new insights and methods to every class.

Additionally, the Griffith Park Bujinkan training group belongs to the wider Bujinkan Seki Ryu family. Through this connection, students benefit from a strong global martial arts network and shared guidance.

Dante has dedicated over 40 years to preserving and transmitting the teachings passed down by Hatsumi Sensei. He now empowers students to become more self-aware, live with greater clarity, and experience a higher quality of life through the practice of Bujinkan Budo Ninjutsu.

As a complementary hobby, Dante began training prewar Kenjutsu (via Korea) in 2007 and holds the rank of 3rd degree black belt (Sandan) in Kendo. In earnest of cultivating and exercising a playful spirit, Dante enjoys travelling Internationally (Japan, Korea, Panama, and across the US) to compete in Kendo as a member of AUSKF, USKU, and SCKO Kendo federations. Dante also holds dozens of specialty training licenses and is CPR, First-Aid, and Padi Rescue Diver certified.

Professionally, Dante holds a doctorate in social psychology with a specialization in organizational leadership. He is a global leader in technology innovation, an associate adjunct professor at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and has served as and a visiting scholar at Tokyo University of Science, Vietnam National University, Vanguard University, and the Wentworth Institute of Technology.