Senior Professor Tom Ball
AJJF Professor 1967
September 5, 1939 – February 8, 2025
Senior Professor Tom Ball began jujitsu in 1957 with Shodan Bud Odam who was teaching just a few miles from his home. That summer, as a Yonkyu he trained weekly with Professor James Musselman under the direction of Professor Bud Estes in Chico, California. Lessons lasted all day Saturday and included helping teach the juniors classes. Tom received his Shodan in 1958 from Professor Bud Estes.
Tom Ball founded the Medford Judo Academy in 1960 which he left in the hands of Professor Larry Nolte when he transferred to Chico State University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Life & General Science.
In 1964, Tom entered a master’s degree program in Zoology at UC Davis. As a Yodan, Tom and his wife, Jan, founded the Davis Ju-Do Kai, the first martial art dojo at the university since World War II. Hundreds of students from around the world studied with them during the years 1964 to 1973.
Professor Ball and his wife, Jan, next moved to Sis-Q Ranch in Fort Jones, California. Tom taught high school science. He was the sensei of Shingi Kan Martial Arts Academy from 1974 until his passing. Professor Ball and Jan operated Camp Kodenkan North at their Sis-Q Ranch camping facilities over a 40-year period.
Professor Ball helped establish the AJJF's Restorative Massage Program in the early 1980’s (now known as the Danzan Ryu Seifukujitsu Institute, DZRSI). He was an instructor in the 150-Hour Massage Course for many years. He served on the DZRSI Standards Committee for more than 25 years.
Professor Ball was a favored instructor at seminars, camps and clinics throughout his martial arts and healing arts career. He traveled the country and the world teaching. He was an exacting instructor, equally adept at teaching beginners, advanced ranks and everything in between. He could take a topic he hadn’t taught in years, and it would seem as though he studied it daily.
In 2009, Professor Tom Ball was named Senior Professor by the AJJF Board of Professors. As the Senior Professor, he was responsible for the concept of and guiding the progress of the Okuden Project. He also suggested the institution of the Senior Instructor program which has given crucial opportunities for advanced ranks to train and teach.
Professor Ball served in many administrative roles of the AJJF including National Jujitsu Chairman, Kiai Echo editor, Executive Director, President and CEO.
Please read the tribute and memorial articles below to learn more about Senior Professor Tom Ball, a beloved martial artist, healer, leader, teacher, sensei, husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Tributes and Memorials
Remembering Our Sensei, Kiai Echo, 2025 anthology
My Sensei - by Professor Bob Hudson, page 3
A Haiku - by Professor Geoff Lane, page 6
Memories of Professor Ball - by Professor Robert Hodgkin, page 7
Senior Professor Tom Ball - by Professor Hillary Kaplowitz, page 8
Tom's First Black Belt - by Professor Larry Nolte, page 11
An Ode to a Mentor and Guiding Light - by Sensei Ivan Ochoa, page 15
Tom Ball - by Professor John Congistre, page 17
Memories of Professor Ball - by Sensei Barb Gessner, page 18
My Meeting with a Remarkable Man - by Sensei Doug Musser, page 19
Memories of Professor Ball - by Sensei Lyle Najita, page 21
Memories of Professor Ball - by Sensei Jeff Hansen, page 21
Memories of Professor Ball - by Sensei Bill Davis, page 23
Memories of Professor Ball - by Sensei Mark Hacker, page 23
A Man of Many Facets - by Professor Tim Merrill, page 24
Senior Professor Tom Ball - by Professor Tom Hill, page 27
My Sensei's Sensei - by Sensei Ed Shatzen, page 29
Podcasts and Biographies Featuring
Professor Tom Ball
Danzan Ryu Origin Stories Podcast: Prof Tom Ball – by Professor Hillary Kaplowitz
Who's Who in Danzan Ryu Professor Tom Ball, Kiai Echo 1991 January, page 4 – by Nyla Davis and Leeds Davis
In Loving Memory of Thomas Paine Ball Jr. - by Jan Ball, Sharmon Ball and Aaron Ball
Professors Bud Estes and Tom Ball, 1981
Professors Bud Estes and Tom Ball at clinic in Corning, NY
Tom Ball prepares for board break, 1960
Tom Ball prepares for board break with mother, Dina, in chair to counter balance
Four generations of Danzan Ryu, 2018
Generations of Danzan Ryu: Professor Tom Ball, Professor Robert Hudson, Professor Hillary Kaplowitz, Vanessa Carlisle
Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil, 1993
Professors Tom Ball, Lamar Fisher and James Musselman, Maui
Ball demonstrates knife defense, 1969
Professor Tom Ball demonstrates knife defense with Landon Powell
Professor Ball with hammer, 2010
Professor Tom ball wields hammer for stone break
Tom Ball throws partner, 1960
Tom Ball throws Larry Nolte
Professors Ball and Carr, circa 1989
Professor Tom Ball and Professor Jane Carr at Convention Banquet
Camp Kodenkan Midwest, 1984
Camp Kodenkan Midwest, Professor Tom Ball front, left
Tom Ball, Bud Estes, Lucille Estes and Larry Nolte, 1960
Tom Ball, Bud Estes, Lucille Estes and Larry Nolte at Nolte black belt promotion
Camp Kodenkan North, 2005
Camp Kodenkan North, Professor Tom Ball front, center
Tom Ball and Larry Nolte, 1960
Tom Ball elevates Nolte to black belt
Ball throws Musselman, circa 1965
Senior Master Tom Ball throws Professor James Musselman. Photo provided by Ed Shatzen
Professor Tom Ball, 1990
Professor Tom Ball
Professor Ball with bokken, 2010
Professor Tom Ball with bokken
Professor Ball at Horiuchi Kodenkan, circa 2010
Horiuchi Kodenkan. Front L to R: Professors Scott Horiuchi, Shawn Horiuchi, Harold Horiuchi, Tom Ball, Mel Cansibog; Back row: Sensei Bob Reish, Professor Daniel Saragosa
Ball demonstrates stone break, 1990
Professor Ball demonstrates stone break, Sensei Doug Musser wields the hammer
Rank Milestones
First degree black belt through 10th degree blackbelt
1958 - Black Belt (Shodan)
1960 - Instructor (Nidan)
1962 - Master (Sandan)
1964 - Senior Master (Yodan)
1967 - Professor (Godan)
1972 - Shichidan
1984 - Hachidan
1998 - Kudan
2010 - Judan
Honors and Awards
2007, 50 Year Club, AJJF
2016, Professor Bud Estes Founders Award, Outstanding Contribution to the AJJF
AJJF Offices and Committees
| Senior Professor | 2009 – 2010, 2012 – 2025 |
| Board of Professors | 1967 – 2025 |
| Executive Committee | 2012 – 2025 |
| Board of Directors | 1967 – 2015 |
| Executive Director | 1975 – 1978 |
| President, CEO | 1989 – 1992, 1999 – 2011 |
| DZRSI Standards Committee | 1983 – 2012 |
| National Jujitsu Chairman | 1967 – 1971 |
| Editor, Kiai Echo | 1967 – 1969 |
| School Head | |
| Medford Judo Academy | 1958 – 1960 |
| Davis Ju-do Kai | 1964 – 1973 |
| Shingi Kan Martial Arts Academy | 1974 – 2025 |
Selected Articles by Professor Tom Ball
Go? Ju?, Kiai Echo 2014 Issue 2, page 6
Exactly what is the AJJF?, Kiai Echo 2006 Winter, page 12
Memories, Kiai Echo 1991 Summer, page 3
Finding a Teacher, Kiai Echo 1981 Summer, page 17
Pronunciation Key - From the Executive Director, Kiai Echo 1976 Summer, page 2
Knife Against Knife Techniques, Kiai Echo 1969 December, page 6