Preferred Title:

Professor Freeman

Began training: 1990

Styles/Arts:

Danzan Ryu Jujitsu - Professor, Rokudan

Hall of Fame Award:

2021 - 30 years

Other Awards:

Professor Bert Aspinall Award for Outstanding Service to the AJJF, 2008

Professor John Cahill Award for Outstanding Competitor of the Year, 2009

Professor Dick Rickerts Award for Outstanding Sensei of the Year, 2016

2007 AJJF National Jujitsu Freestyle Contest Gold Medalist, Sandan/Up Division

2008 AJJF National Jujitsu Freestyle Contest Silver Medalist, Sandan/Up Division

2009 AJJF National Jujitsu Freestyle Contest Bronze Medalist, Sandan/Up Division

Email: nfreeman@wasenshikan.org

Location:

Sacramento, CA

School:

Wasenshi Kan

Biography:

Professor Nerissa Freeman, Rokudan, is the founder and school head of Wasenshi Kan Martial & Healing Arts.

Professor Nerissa Freeman, Rokudan, is the founder and school head of Wasenshi Kan Martial & Healing Arts. In 1990, she began studying Danzan Ryu Jujutsu at Makoto Kai in Woodland, California under Cynthia Frueh Sensei. She received her shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1995 and then began expanding her studies of the martial arts. She received a sandan in Kodokan Judo under Coach Willy Cahill and studied pentjak silat ratu adil under Gabriel Torres, Sr., a direct student of Rudy Ter Linden.

Her jujutsu training then continued at Makoto Kai Dojo and she became co-school head in early 2005. She continued in this role until founding Wasenshi Kan in October, 2012. She also studied muay thai under Ajarn Andy Khensamphaph for five years and graduated from Okugi® 2013 under Professor Tony Janovich with her kaidensho and Danzan Ryu Jujutsu instructor title of kyoshi.

In 2015, she began studying Toyama Ryu Battodo under Mike Esmailzadeh Shihan, school head of the Suigetsukan in Oakland, CA. Her training has also included the healing arts, and she is a Licensed Physical Therapist as well as a Certified Massage Therapist in the State of California. Her massage therapy training began shortly after she started practicing jujutsu and has focused on Danzan Ryu Restorative Therapy and Seifukujitsu. She is also a graduate of the Basic Level of the Original Okazaki Restoration Massage under Keith Okazaki Sensei, grandson of Master Henry S. Okazaki. The emphasis on personal growth, service to others and the community, as well as the many lifelong friendships she has made are what have kept Professor Freeman with the AJJF, Danzan Ryu, and the martial and healing arts. She is guided by her current sensei, Professor Sheryl Hager, school head of the Redding Jujitsu Academy.