dojo history
Sensei Curt Sawyer is a true martial artist at heart. He’s on the floor teaching 5 days a weeks and loves every minute of it. He began his Isshin Ryu Karate training in the late 1970’s under Master Joseph Jennings. In 1981, he became a manager at one of Master Jennings dojos. He became the owner of that dojo in 1982 when Master Jennings sold the school and moved to California to begin Panther Productions.
Sensei Sawyer had the honor to help Master Jennings with the filming of the Isshin-Ryu Training videos featuring Grandmaster Angi Uezu. He is also featured in many other self-defense and karate training videos produced by Panther Productions.
In 1994, with much hard work and dedication, Sensei Sawyer purchased 2.5 acres of land and built a brand new 8,100 square-foot dojo. With the new, much larger dojo came new martial arts programs and a fitness center. Samurai now offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Cardio Kickboxing – along with traditional Isshin-Ryu Karate.
In 2025, Sensei Sawyer sold his business to his two head instructors, Sensei Meaghan Naughton and Sensei Tim Gilliard. Although he isn't running the day to day, you will still see Sensei Sawyer helping with classes and special events!
Sensei Meaghan Naughton started her martial arts career in 1992 at Sensei Sawyer's Spencerport dojo. She currently holds the rank of 7th degree black belt. She has competed across the US, as well as Okinawa, while training with Master Uezu.
Sensei Tim Gilliard started his martial arts career in 2008 at Samurai Martial Arts. He currently holds the rank of 5th degree black belt. Sensei Tim also has many years of experience in BJJ and holds the rank of brown belt.
Samurai has something for everyone; whether you are looking to get in shape, improve your flexibility, increase self-esteem, or improve discipline, we will have the right program for you!
Choose a program today and start your fitness and martial arts journey!
"[Master Shimabuku] saw Isshin-Ryu as a way to better one's life, not as an art of violence.
To the master, karate had four purposes:
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to strengthen the mind and body;
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to install self-discipline;
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to instill self-confidence;
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to gain a means of self-protection, the knowledge of which should never be misused."
excerpt from the Encyclopedia of Isshin-Ryu Karate
by Master Angi Uezu with Joseph Jennings
