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Born August 11, 1965, Shihan Steve Hunter became fascinated with the martial arts in 1972 when a fellow school mate asked if he had ever seen Bruce Lee. This school-mate, a student of Goshin-jutsu karate, he showed Hunter a few movements and proved their application for self defense. After seeing this display, watching specials on television, seeing Bruce Lee in action and later watching the series Kung Fu, Hunter was hooked. He knew that the martial arts was going to be the path that he would take in life. * Small dreams can lead people to great things and help many along the way * Neighborhood kids who were fortunate enough to be able to afford lessons at a real commercial dojo practiced in South Williamsport, PA where Hunter lived and offered techniques, some welcomed and some not. Students of Bushi Kenneth Balliet, these students trained hard and in the traditional manner. Hunter stealing techniques wherever he could and reading as much on the topic of the martial arts, was unable to afford lessons at a dojo. His love for this mystical and seemingly out of reach dream cultivated and kept him active in the arts in any shape or form that he could find for the next 8 years or so. On July 4,1980 a childhood friend introduced him to a neighbor that he said knew martial arts, was a black belt and was about to start a school in his own home's basement. Nothing fancy, but it would do for anyone who appreciated hard work and wanted the arts as bad as Hunter did. The introduction took them into the would-be dojo and a short lesson of stretching, exercises and some basics along with a self defense movement or two. From the introduction, to being accepted as a personal student, to a life-long relationship until his death in 2006, Shihan Steve Hunter became the senior-most pupil of the karate-jutsu master Kyoshi Ron Houser. Houser, a former 82nd Airbourne soldier, boxer, weight-lifter and talented martial artist helped a life-long ambition and was a driving force behind the creation of one of today's most sought after martial arts style . . . " Buke Ryu " ! In 1986, Kyoshi Sensei Ron Houser visited Hunter in Texas and helped him to start his very first school. One school led to a second and the students flocked into the dojo to study the arts of karate-jutsu, kobudo and aiki-jutsu from Hunter. That same year, while attending a martial arts competition in Houston, TX, Hunter met a man that he had heard of from the time he was a young boy, Grand Master Jerry Durant. His reputation preceded him as a rough man with a colorful vocabulary as well as a colorful backround within the arts. He was coined in a magazine with the nickname " the awnriest man in karate ". Not the most popular man in the martial arts, but knew how to fight and he fought well. Hunter's studies continued with Kyoshi Houser in PA, combined them with studies under Durant in TX until his death in 1991 gaining ranking in the arts of Goshin karate, aiki and weaponry to add to his previous ranking from Houser sensei. This time spent with Durant was important to the development of the proper procedure to operating a commercial dojo while remaining traditional and pure to the arts which he offered. The last time that Hunter saw Master Durant alive was on a visit to his home with Kyoshi Houser where the 3 men sat and talked about the martial arts, history here in the US, who shaped the arts, who was real and where the martial arts was going in today's days and age. The visit proved to be one of the most educational lessons about the martial arts that Hunter had experienced at the time as well as being an incredible experience to sit with both men in the same room praising his abilities in the dojo and providing him with important advice on teaching these important arts. " We as martial arts instructors are an important link in the chain of the arts connecting the students of today to the masters of the past. " 
Years of training and years of teaching helped to formulate a system of successful students and a successful principle of relaying information to the many students that passed through the dojo doors leading Hunter to his own style of martial arts which was endorsed by others masters in the year 2000 which was a special year known to the Chinese as The Year of the Golden Dragon. A style that honored his teacher's techniques, adding his own talents and remaining true to the traditional aspect of the master's of the past. Combining techniques of Chinese Kung Fu, Okinawan karate-jutsu and Japanese aiki and ju-jutsu, this hard and soft style of martial arts is a lifetime of studies of not just one man, but many that helped to mold it. Matthew Durant, Ni-dai soke of Goshin-jutsu, Kyoshi Ron Houser, Hunter's very own teacher, Soke Amos Hunter - 10th dan and Kyoshi Kenneth Mack of the Mizu Hi Shinto-ryu sword style who became Hunter's primary sword instructor until his death in 2003 and Bushi Kenneth Balliet, all offered their official seal of approval and have certified Buke Ryu as a legitimate form of martial arts. Hunter came to the name of Buke-ryu through his research of the old principle of knowledge passed down from father to son and family member to family member. With family being important in his life as well as his strong Christian belief, personal relationship with God and a sense of loyalty to those he considers family, Hunter knew that this name would be the right fit for his style. Dating back to the 1600's, Hunter has taken it on to preserve what they had worked so hard to create and promises to keep that same spirit alive for years to come with his federation and dojos. Buke Ryu's patch design are photos of Hunter shihan performing crane technique and drawing of the sword. Photos taken by his wife, Alma Hunter and patch design by Michael Bateman,of I-WARE CD Technology *View the patch on our federation page on it's own image link. Hunter has also had the honor of working with such greats as Chuck Norris to raise money for The Kick Drugs Out Of America Foundation and has met and trained with many other notable masters throughout the years and incorporated what he learned. 2 students of Hunter, Ross Johnson and Ward Flowers, have both appeared in episodes of Walker Texas Ranger. Hunter's 6 Tournament Grand Championships in Texas and many other 1st place awards in other states made him a fierce competitor among the circuit. His student's 1300+ awards also show the effectiveness of Buke Ryu. A former tournament director of many held in Texas and chosen to judge at many important events, Hunter quickly became a face of the martial arts which could be trusted and respected. Listed in " The Who's Who of Texas Martial Arts " , Hunter continues to operate his school " Hunter's Martial Arts - Texas Hombu Dojo " inside of Spring, TX near The Woodlands, 30 minutes North of Houston. Hunter spent 5 years refining his art, spending time with his teacher in his last days of life and preparing for all that is about to occur within his federation in the days, weeks, months and years to come back in Pennsylvania from 2005 - 2010. Adding the aspect of bow hunting, tracking and stealth within the mountains and woods of PA to compliment Buke Ryu for his most advanced students. Learning important techniques of this art-form from many great hunters including 10 time PA, 2 time USA and 2 time WORLD turkey calling champion David Tilburg. David and Hunter also have trained together in the martial arts for almost 30 years under Houser sensei. This newest aspect of Buke Ryu gives students a method of testing their inner-most knowledge in rough terrain in the eliments of nature and truly puts the martial artist to a test that can't be duplicated within the dojo. Hunter's own " Buke Ryu Martial Arts Federation " has students, clubs and dojo's all over the world and opens it membership to those who wish to train in the arts offered and keep the traditions of such alive. Hunter, federation President, Sensei Mark Slater of Dallas, TX - VP and advisors Bushi Kenneth Balliet and Kyoshi Ben Pedraza. Membership within this federation is now available in many forms and can be discussed personally with Hunter shihan via e-mail at : info@bukeryu.com Along the path, Buke Ryu got it's nod of acceptance within the martial arts community. Many federations, councils and masters from all around the world have offered their endorsements due to the structured and effective methods of both it's organized plan of molding a student into a warrior as well as it's effectiveness. Buke Ryu will continue to grow and remain strong by understanding that within each class and among every student that trains within their dojo's, there are many " heroes " within the ranks. People that will someday come to the call of duty to help others in their most desperate time of need. It's true combat effectiveness, which is one of the main basis for any martial arts system or style, was put to the test by it's now senior student, Sensei Marcus Luttrell, 5th degree black belt, Jr. master, Hatamoto and senior student. Luttrell, known by many for his NY Times best-selling book " Lone Survivor ", which was # 1 for many weeks, survived and fought alone against the Taliban warriors of Afghanistan in operation Red-Wing where he was saved by local tribesman and kept as a guest of the village before US troops rescued him. Marcus contributes his survival to his Texas, rough-and-tough upbringing, his NAVY SEAL training and military instructors and most of all, his martial arts experience within the dojo training in the art of Buke Ryu. 
The true story of Marcus Luttrell can be read in it's entirety in the publication Lone Survivor as well as mention of the additional SEAL team members who fought bravely during the ordeal. Luttrell was awarded the Navy Cross by President George Bush and is the host of The Outdoor Channel's hunting show " Wild and Raw ". His own " Lone Survivor Foundation " and other groups that are helping wounded US soldiers and their families are gaining momentum as well as helping many families who are dealing with the realities of war. Luttrell is now sponsored by the largest martial arts supply dealer in the world, Century Martial Arts and will be the keynote speaker at their 2010 Martial Arts Super Show in Las Vegas where both Luttrell and Hunter will be able to field questions and schedule seminars for those who wish to learn from these men. Hunter and Luttrell were featured together in MA Success Magazine, May 2010. (see publications section on this site) Luttrell has appeared on such shows as Glen Beck, O'Reilly Factor and numerous talk shows between his touring schedule of speeches on his book and his experiences. This book is a MUST-READ for anyone and Hunter himself has been quoted as saying that it is " life-changing ". An upcoming movie about Luttrell's experiences as the lone survivor is in production with Universal Pictures. Hunter and Luttrell are preparing a book for publication about their relationship as teacher and student and what the martial arts has done for both of them in life. A series of DVD instructional films will follow as well as speeches, seminars and some other big suprises. Hunter would also like to mention that Marcus Luttrell's twin brother Morgan Luttrell is also a successful and fierce warrior and is currently an active SEAL defending our freedoms in Afghanistan as well as other Buke Ryu students within other branches of the US military. Morgan a senior ranking student of this art, will be contributing much to the book and DVD's as well when time permits. Other students who contribute Buke Ryu to their current success include graduates from top colleges like Coronel University, careers in top-paying fields, national award winners and happy families growing together in their martial arts lifestyles. Hunter himself, married with 3 children and a new grandfather, often tells his students that " it's not just about kicking and punching, it's about life itself ". The ability to take what is taught to you within the dojo and apply it to your everyday life. Hunter will continue to develop his art and pass it onto those who are dedicated and have the desire to preserve the principles and traditions of the martial arts as well as treat the arts with the respect that it truly deserves. Considering himself to be a student first and a teacher second, Hunter and the others under him will continue to train, teach and help others on the proper path of the martial arts. " For all that we take from the arts, we must all give back. " * Special thanks to WEBSOFT Publishing for their tireless work on this site and many contributions to Buke Ryu.
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