Ronald Duncan

Ronald Duncan 1937-2012 DW August 3, 2015

“America’s First Ninja Master”

Professor Ronald Duncan was born in Panama. He served in the US Marines, immigrating to the US in 1954. He was known as America’s first modern day ninja, and Father of US Ninjutsu.

He opened his first martial arts school in 1956 in New York City after returning to the USA from the Orient where he was introduced to Ninjitsu. He was the first martial artist to teach Ninjitsu in the USA. Along with Stephen K. Hayes and Masaaki Hatsumi, he helped to popularize Ninjutsu in the US in the 1970’s and 90’s. All three attended the 1987 Ninja Summit.

Duncan studied judo, boxing, Hakko Ryu jujutsu, Dai Nippon Jujutsu Ryu, Sosuishi Ryu, Kin Dai Gakko Ryu, aikido, aikijujutsu, kemp, and kobujutsu (weaponry). His ninjutsu fighting skills included knife throwing, expertise in fire arms and competition shooting, stealth discipline, the power and speed of invisibility, along with a cool calm and controlled demeanour. He combined these skills and training expertise in the development of his Way of the Wind Fighting System, and became one of the first black martial arts instructors in the U.S to emphasize self defense and combative strategies along with the traditional Budo arts. Since the establishment of the System, international schools have affiliated with him. Professor Duncan thrilled audiences in the US and worldwide with spectacular demonstrations that included a vast assortment of traditional and non traditional weapons. The philosophy of the Way of the Winds System is ‘to endure’, embodied by Professor Duncan in his journey in the martial arts.

Duncan’s teachers included Tatsuo Uzaki, Donn Draeger, Donald Hugh Nagle (Karate), Charlie Neal, Ernie Cates–all legendary martial artists. Duncan instructed at the Bushido School of Self Defense in New York, and began teaching Koga Ryu in 1959. His notable students included Franklin Correa, and Ron Van Clief. He also instructed military and law enforcement students, Special Troops, and Navy S.E.A.L. Teams. As well he instructed the blind, the handicapped, and homeless inner city youth.

The presence of racism in the media and elsewhere, was not universal, and Duncan, a legend in his own right, became well known by gracing the covers of East Coast martial arts magazines such as Official Karate, and his demonstrations at the famous Secret Oriental World Of Self Defence hosted by Aaron Banks which brought crowds to their feet when he stepped on stage.

He passed away in November 2012.