Dai Sensei Joseph C. Mandese, 1935–2003
Soke (founder) of Kurai Ryu Jujitsu
Sensei Mandese was in the martial arts for over fifty years. Sensei's training began at age 16, in the Yamato Ryu Jujitsu system. Upon receiving his black belt, his instructor was recalled to Japan. He advised Sensei to take other martial arts, and develop his own. Over the years he has studied multiple forms of Judo, Aikido, Jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Karate and Kung Fu. These studies led him to develop his present system: Kurai Ryu Jujitsu. Over the years, Sensei held numerous seminars on his art, for fellow martial artists, law enforcement and corporate clients. Sensei taught Kurai Ryu at a dojo in Bronxville, and subsequently from his home in Dobbs Ferry. Most recently, he worked from a studio in Riverdale. Despite Sensei’s prodigious talent for the martial arts, and experience that spanned a lifetime, he was possessed of a humility and kindness that made fast friends of all he encountered. His modesty shall be his enduring example, and a lesson to us all.
Sensei Nadeem Ansari
Sensei Nadeem Ansari began practicing martial arts in 1986, in the Ji Do Kwan style of Tae Kwon Do. He earned his 1st degree black belt in that system in 1995. He has taught since 1995. Sensei Nadeem began training in Kurai Ryu Ju Jitsu directly under Soke Sensei Joseph Mandese in 1989, until Sensei Mandese's passing in 2003. He is now recognized as a 4th degree black belt in Kurai Ryu Jujitsu, and is the chief instructor of the system.