About Us | Tobukan Martial Arts

Tobukan Martial Arts was founded by Sensei Danilo Torri in 2001. Sensei offers traditional Japanese Shito Ryu Karate and Matayoshi Okinawan Kobudo classes and self-defense. We do not mix styles. Tobukan is a traditional dojo – prices are fair, testing is affordable, and every belt is earned by hard work and personal advancement at each student’s own pace. Sensei Torri has trained for 48 years, and is a full time, 6th degree instructor. All of Tobukan’s assistant instructors are at least 2nd degree black belts in Shito Ryu Karate trained directly by Sensei Torri. This means your student will have safe, uniform training at every class.

The Beginning

In 1975, a shy seven-year-old boy named Danilo entered a dojo in Rome, Italy and tied a white belt around his waist. His Sensei, named Yamada, was Japanese, spoke no Italian, and was strict, traditional teacher who demanded respect and hard work from every student. From his earliest days training, young Danilo knew he would spend his life practicing martial arts and one day, he yearned to teach students himself. He dreamt of moving to Okinawa, Japan after what would have been his compulsory military service in Italy at age 18 year. Instead, his parents, seeking a better life for Danilo and his three younger brothers, brought the family to Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1980. 13 year old Danilo found himself in a country where, like his Sensei, he did not speak the language, and had to start a new life from scratch. In America, he did his best to continue his training, and he returned to Italy, to earn his black belt in Shito Ryu. More than two decades passed, during which time he worked tirelessly to earn a living and raise a family. But he never forgot his promise to himself that one day, he would own his own dojo.

A Dream Realized

In 2001, 26 years after he began his karate journey, Sensei Torri opened Hanko Ryu Martial Arts in a tiny space in Stratford, Connecticut with just 3 students. He named the school Hanko Ryu as a show of respect to Sensei Anko Itosu and and Sensei Higoanna Kanryo, who taught Kenwa Mabuni the Founder of Shito Ryu. As the school grew, he moved to 2 Daniels Farm Road, Trumbull, Connecticut.

A Promised Fulfilled

In 2019, Sensei Torri was at last able to fulfill his promise to himself. He purchased a beautiful new space to make his own at 100 Corporate Drive in Trumbull. He changed the school’s name from Hanko Ryu to Tobukan Martial Arts. Why? Torri means “towers” in Italian and translates to“To” in Japanese. Tobukan means “Torri Martial Arts School.”

In addition to Shito Ryu, Sensei is a San-dan black belt in Matayoshi Okinawan weapons. Students train in the Bo, Sai, Nunchaku, Tonkuwa and other weapons.

Sensei has a special place (and unique patience) in his heart for children – including those with special needs. He trains kids with autism, Asperger’s and other diagnoses in private and group lessons alike.

For almost twenty years, Sensei Torri has been helping students from all walks of life, children and adults alike, not just to learn martial arts, but to learn lifelong lessons and skills. Karate is a way of life. Start your journey today. Tobukan prides itself on building strong families – we invite you to observe and try a class at any time for just $10.00.

Thank you.