Having started as a small community college class in a middle school gymnasium, the Kojokan has grown and evolved over its X year history. The Kojokan, originally known as the Jade Tiger Dojo, finally rented its own area in YYYY, an old newspaper building in West Branch, Iowa. At that point it was still only a part time school and only offered classes a few times a week. As the class size grew so did the hopes of the Jade Tiger Dojo's instructors. The Dojo then relocated to North Liberty, Iowa and began to hold more regular classes. Then head instructor Dan Coglan was able to quit his day job and run the dojo full time, a long standing dream of his. Now several years and several building changes later the Jade Tiger Dojo is known as the Kojokan Samurai Dojo, a beacon of the martial arts community.
The Kojokan Samurai Dojo offers a variety of different classes for all ages.
Aikibujutsu - Originally the empty hand combat style of the armored samurai warriors, employing a variety of methods such as joint locks and throws to disable and defeat an opponent.
Kenjutsu - The Japanese art of fighting with the samurai's signature weapon, the katana or long sword.
Bojutsu - The samurai methods of fighting with the long staff. This would later become the use of the Japanese spear or pole arm.
Kickboxing - Deviating from the theme of Japanese samurai arts, the Kojokan also offers full contact Muay Thai Kickboxing.
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Instructors at the Kojokan Samurai Dojo
Dan Coglan is the founder, owner, and head instructor of the Kojokan Samurai Dojo. His martial arts career started over eighteen years ago with [first martial art Dan did]. He then trained many other martial arts including Muay Thai Kickboxing, which started his teaching career. Now he teaches full time at his Samurai Martial arts school and in other schools in the surrounding area.
Jillian Coglan is the wife of head instructor Dan Coglan. Jillian teaches the Bojutsu and toddler Aikibujutsu classes at the Kojokan in addition to teaching any necessary other classes. She also takes care of the Kojokan's four Akitas as part of the Kojokan's dog breeding. Jillian started out X years ago as one of Sensei Dan's Kickboxing students and has stuck with him ever since.
Michael Coglan is the oldest child and only son of Dan Coglan, and stepson of Jillian. Michael has been training in martial arts since he was three years old. He, like his father, started out with Kickboxing before gaining interest in the Japanese arts. Michael now teaches many of the children's classes, assists in the toddler class, teaches the occasional adult class, as well as works on the web site.
Amanda is the youngest child and only daughter of Dan Coglan, and stepdaughter of Jillian. Amanda has been training in Martial arts since she was three also. Following the rest of the family she started with Kickboxing before beginning the Japanese arts. Amanda is also very serious in dance so she sometimes misses classes there to go dance. She also teaches many of the children's classes as well as assisting with the toddler class.
Raymond Zebrowski is one of the Kojokan's oldest students, having started back when it was just a community college class. Ray does Kenjutsu and Bojutsu and teaches the Saturday Kenjutsu as well as covers other adult classes.
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Michael P. Coglan
December 17, 2008