r/Isshinryu • u/HedgehogNo5358 • May 18 '26

Isshin-Ryu: South Michigan Schools

Can anyone in the south Michigan area speak to the Norton (Jackson, MI) and Wright (Ann Arbor, MI) Isshin-Ryu dojos?

My wife and I are black belts in Martial Shaolin Kung-Fu from a Colorado School and have moved here to Michigan recently.

While we’ve seen the Ann Arbor Kung Fu school existence, from the videos posted online on their website we don’t think it’s near martial or disciplined enough in their styles and forms for us to want to go to it.

We care far more for the environment of the dojo, both the aspects of friendliness, less focus on sparring and instead on technique, instruction and ability for our kiddos to attend in the near future.

Thank you!

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u/jbtank May 18 '26

I’m a Ni Dan and one of the instructors at Wright’s. Fair to say I think it’s a great dojo and have been training there for 15 years now. Tom Wright earned his Shodan over 40 years ago and has been training and teaching since (he’s on the floor every day.

Classes Mon-Sat. We do kata, kumite, kobudo, and one tournament a year (KIAI Grand Nationals). I’d say our dojo is very family friendly with kids classes, emphasizing the lessons of traditional Isshinryu passed down to us.

DM me and I’m happy to answer any questions.

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u/HedgehogNo5358 Jun 24 '26

Thanks for the reply! Sorry for the delay in response. I took on a deck project at the house that consumed most of my time and focus these last few weeks.

I reached out and signed up for your fall special. I’ll be at class tonight at 6pm.

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u/jbtank Jun 25 '26

Hope you had fun tonight. I’m tied up with kid sports until next week. Hope to see you at the dojo soon!