Finding a Home for Matsuno Ryu Goshinjitsu in Tucson: Keeping the Legacy Alive

When a former Matsuno Ryu Jujitsu student walked through our doors the other day, it got me thinking about how many martial artists in our community might be in the exact same position.

Are you adrift? A former Matsuno Jujitsu student without a home mat?

It has been nearly a decade since Professor Vinson Holck passed away. Over the years, as various former instructors retired and local dojos closed their doors, a massive piece of Tucson’s martial arts history scattered. If you are a former practitioner of Matsuno Ryu Goshinjitsu, a fellow student of Professor Holck, or even a student of a former instructor (such as John McGraugh, Elliot Lyle, or Monica Lee)—you might feel like your martial lineage no longer has a physical home in this city.

We want you to know that the style is alive and well, and the door is wide open for you at Boxer’s Rebellion Martial Arts.

A Shared Root: Honoring the Holck Family Legacy

Matsuno Ryu Goshinjitsu isn’t just another system; it is an inherently practical, devastatingly effective self-defense system born right here in the Southwest. Co-founded by Professor Joseph Holck (Joichi Matsuno)—one of the original architects of Kajukenbo—and refined through the life and service of his son, Professor Vinson Holck, this lineage represents a no-nonsense approach to combat that combines heavy striking, explosive throws, and precise joint manipulation.

At BRMA, our roots are deeply intertwined with this exact philosophy. We don't train for sport points, and we don't buy into corporate belt-mill franchises. We train for practical, real-world utility—the exact mindset that Professor Holck instilled in everyone who stepped onto his mats.

To the Matsuno Diaspora and Students of the Line

Over the years, practitioners from different branches of the Matsuno Ryu family tree—including those who trained under dedicated former instructors like John McGraugh, Elliot Lyle, and Monica Lee—have found their way to our gym. It is a powerful reminder that while schools may evolve and teachers may step away from active instruction, the muscle memory, the respect, and the passion for this specific combative art don't just disappear.

If you are looking for a place where your foundation is understood, you don’t have to start over from scratch at a gym that doesn't respect your history.

• We Speak the Same Language: You won’t have to adjust to sport-centric rules that penalize your takedowns or restrict your joint locks. Our American Jujitsu and Sanda programs share the same core DNA as your Goshinjitsu training.

• Respect for Your Journey: Your time on the mat, your earned knowledge, and your history matter. We aren't here to strip your rank or make you feel like an outsider.

• A Place to Dust Off the Gloves: Whether you’ve been away from the mats for six months or sixteen years, our adult community is structured around longevity, mutual respect, and safe, hard training.

"The true measure of a martial arts legacy isn't found in a trophy case or on a piece of paper—it's kept alive in the movement, the spirit, and the camaraderie of the people who continue to step onto the mat."

Come Back to the Mat

You don't have to let your training remain a closed chapter in your past. If you miss the structure, the community, and the raw effectiveness of the system Professor Vinson Holck built, consider this your official invitation to come home.

Whether you just want to drop in, share stories, or pull your old gear out of the closet and get back to regular training, you have a place here.

Let’s keep the flame burning. Click here to connect with us and claim a free week of classes at Boxer’s Rebellion Martial Arts. Come see how your Matsuno Ryu roots fit perfectly into our training family.