Professor Jane Carr
AJJF Professor 1982
February 11, 1939 - March 4, 2022
Professor Jane Carr was a pioneer and icon. She began her martial arts journey in 1960 at the age of 21. It was a lifelong passion for her. She taught martial arts virtually right up until her sudden illness and passing in March 2022.
Professor Carr received her martial arts black belt in 1964. She progressed steadily through the years, ultimately receiving the rank of Judan, 10th degree black belt, in 2015. She became the school head of the Redding Jujitsu Academy in 1965. Thousands of students came through her doors over the years, including multiple generations of families.
Professor Carr was instrumental in the formation of the Danzan Ryu Seifukujitsu Institute for healing arts in the early 1980s. She taught at intensive DZRSI massage programs from the 1980s through the 2010s. Hundreds of massage practitioners began their careers through her guidance. She maintained a successful massage therapist business for 35 years with thousands of people benefiting from her practice.
Professor Carr was a strong advocate for women. She taught self-defense classes to women of all ages. Hundreds of women gained practical skills and greater safety awareness during her classes.
Professor Carr embodied a service ethic. She served on the AJJF Board of Directors, AJJF Board of Professors, DZRSI Standards Committee and just about any other AJJF committee one can name.
Explore below to gather more understanding about the life and times of Professor Jane Carr: memorials, podcasts, photos, lists of accomplishments gathered, milestones passed and offices held. These offer a glimpse into the person of Professor Jane Carr: a formidable martial artist, a skilled healer, a master instructor, a person of caring, sharing and giving,
Tributes and Memorials
Tribute to Professor Jane Carr, Judan, Danzan Ryu Jujitsu – by Katie Murphy Stevens, Rokudan
Remembering Professor Jane Carr – by Professor Delina Fuchs
Professor Carr’s Tournaments – by Professor Scott Redden
Memories of Professor Jane Carr from an Interview with Professor Don Cross
Memories of Professor Carr – by Jeff Hansen
Podcasts Featuring Professor Jane Carr
Danzan Ryu Origin Stories Podcast: Prof Jane Carr – by Professor Hillary Kaplowitz
True Stories and Other Damage Podcast with Professor Jane Carr – by Ryan Welles
Professor Carr teaching, 2010
Professor Jane Carr and Katie Murphy Stevens
Jane Carr capturing arm, circa 1980
Jane Carr, Camp Kodenkan North
Jane Dean throwing partner, 1969
Jane Dean and Chuck Smith
Jane Carr preparing to escape, 1977
Jane Carr center, Sheryl Hager upper left.
Professors Ball and Carr, circa 1989
Professor Tom Ball and Professor Jane Carr at Convention Banquet
Professor Carr throwing partner, 1982
Professor Jane Carr and Doug Musser
Professor Carr and Hager, circa 2005
Professor Jane Carr and Sheryl Hager
Jane Dean, shodan, 1965
Jane Dean, shodan
Professor Carr and Cross, circa 1982
Camp Kodenkan North. Professor Jane Carr and Yodan Don Cross
Professor Jane Carr, circa 1982
Jane Carr, professor
Carr, circa 1990
Jane Carr teaching stick drill
Freeman, Hager, Carr, Fuchs and Stevens, 2010
Camp Kodenkan North. L to R: Neriss Freeman, Professor Sheryl Hager, Professor Jane Carr, Delina Fuchs, Katie Murphy Stevens
Professor Carr throwing partner, 2015
Professor Jane Carr and Delina Fuchs
Jane Dean throwing partner, 1962
Jane Dean and Jim Dean
Dean, Law, Lonnberg, 1962
1962. L to R: Jane Dean, Professor Ray Law, Professor Marie Law, Roy Lonnberg, Jim Dean
Professor Jane Carr, 2019
Professor Jane Carr, judan
Rank Milestones
First degree black belt through 10th degree blackbelt
1964 Shodan
1965 Nidan
1967 Sandan
1975 Yodan
1980 Godan
1982 Title of Professor
1988 Rokudan
1994 Shichidan
2002 Hachidan
2010 Kudan
2015 Judan
Honors and Awards
2004, Danzan Ryu Jujitsu Hall of Fame, Shoshin Ryu Yudanshakai
2010, 50 Year Club, AJJF
2012, Professor Bud Estes Founders Award, Outstanding Contribution to the AJJF
2013, Hall of Fame - 50 Years of Commitment, Passion and Dedication, Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors
2015, Lifetime Achievement Award, Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists
2017, Legend Award, Kilohana Martial Arts
2023, Hall of Fame - 60 Years of Commitment, Passion and Dedication (posthumous), Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors
AJJF Offices and Committees
| Board of Professors | 1982 - 2022 |
| Board of Directors | |
| Director of Development | 1981 - 1988 |
| President | 1993 - 1995 |
| Secretary | 1995 - 2003 |
| Member at Large | 2003 - 2008, 2012 - 2015 |
| DZRSI Standards Committee | 1983 - 2013 |
| Co-Director, National Convention | 1975, 1980 |
Selected References
Sensei to School head, A guide to starting your Dojo, Original issue by Professor Jane Carr, 1982.
Rutgers Kodenkan Seminar, Julia Terranova, Kiai Echo 2015 Issue 2, page 8
Chico Kodenkan Anniversary and Freestyle Tournament, Delina Fuchs, Kiai Echo 2015 Issue 1, page 11