biography

SUMMARY

Kacem Zoughari is a well known Japanese History and Martial Arts researcher and practitioner. Born in Paris, France he began studying Martial Arts as a teenager and quickly began visiting Japan to further his studies. He has practiced Ninjutsu for over 20 years and is a personal student of Hatsumi Masaaki Sensei and Ishizuka Tetsuji Sensei.

MARTIAL ARTS & NINJUTSU BACKGROUND

Mr. Zoughari began his Ninjutsu training in 1986 in France. In 1989 he made his first trip to Japan where he trained with Ishizuka Sensei. From that point on he began spending a few months of every year living and training in Japan. Over the ensuing years Kacem became a personal translator for Hatsumi Sensei, acted as a translator for the Quest Video Company, and became a member of the Nihon Budo Gakkai (Japanese Martial Arts research organization).

Between 2001 and 2003 his role as the Lavoisier grant recipient allowed him to study full time in Japan and his research brought him into contact with many of the most well known martial artists in Japan including:

• Kuroda Tetsuzan

• Kono Yoshinori

• Sakai Eiji

• Hirakami Nobuyuki

• Yagyu Nobuharu

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

Kacem Zoughari attained his Ph.D. in Japanese History and Culture at INALCO in Paris, France. INALCO is the National Institute of Oriental Language and Civilization. He has a Masters in Japanese from INALCO. His thesis was titled: Ninjutsu: Its Form, History, and Essence. His principle areas of study include:

• Japanese History

• Martial Arts History

• Ninjutsu History

• Weapons and techniques of the Edo era police

• Evolution of Martial Art form and movement

PUBLICATIONS

Mr. Zoughari has published more than 25 articles on the topics of Japanese history and martial arts. These articles have been published in French, Japanese, Spanish, English, and many other languages.

A few of the publications in which these articles have been printed in include:

• Arts Martiaux Traditionnels d`Asie

• Hiden, Budo Bujutsu

• Karate-bushido

In November of 2003 his first book: Ninpo, Ninjutsu: L’Ombre de la lumière was published by Guy Trédaniel in French. It was subsequently translated into Portuguese under the title A Arte do Ninja – Entre Ilusão e Realidade .

LAST BOOK

His newest work, re-titled The Ninja (ISBN: 978-0-8048-3927-3), is expected from Tuttle Publishing on December 10th 2009. This book is written in English and promises to be the most thorough review of the history of Ninjutsu ever published outside of Japan. (click title to pre-order)

LECTURES & SEMINARS

Mr. Zoughari has given lectures and seminar tours in over 15 countries and is a highly sought after teacher. The list of universities and organizations he has spoken at include:

• University of Cambridge

• Georgetown University

• American University

• Universityof Montreal

• University of Vienna

• University of Wellington

• SFEJ (French society of Japanese research)

• Osaka University

• Tsukuba University

• Gaikoku-go University

• Kogô University

Kacem continues to train with Hatsumi Soke & Ishizuka Sensei and to travel the world giving lectures and seminars. He is prepairing for 7 years in Japan as a university professor and also as a full member of the Nihon Budo Gakkai. His work will continue rearching and preserving the old wisdom of the ancient pre Edo warrior schools (bujutsu & bugei ryuha).