It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Dai Shihan Dennis Palumbo.
Palumbo Shihan passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of September 12, 2014 after a prolonged illness.

Mr. Dennis G. Palumbo began his formal training in the martial arts in 1958 in Yanagi Ryu Aiki Jujutsu. He entered the Air Force and upon his first overseas assignment to Japan, began his study of Hakkoryu Jujutsu with Shihan Hideo B. Abukawa, eventually attaining the rank and title of Shihan in November 1963 making him at that time only the 5th American to be awarded this title. He traveled back and forth between the US and Japan for many years, continuing to study Hakkoryu, Shotokan, Shudokan, and Goju-Ryu Karate. In 1970 Mr. Palumbo was requested by Soke Okuyama to return to the Hombu for advanced training but was unable to attend because of Air Force duties until almost 10 years later. He formed the Hakkoryu Martial Arts Federation in 1974 while stationed in San Angelo, TX. In June of 1980 Mr. Palumbo returned to Japan to undergo training and testing by Soke Okuyama . He was awarded the titles and ranks of Renshi and then Menkyo Kaiden. In the summer of 1986 he was awarded the title of San Dai Kichu, the highest possible ranking in Hakkoryu Jujutsu.

We remain devoted to the transmission of his teachings at the Hakkoryu Martial Arts Federation.

Dara Masi
Director
Hakkoryu Martial Arts Federation
HMAFinfo@gmail.com