Toby Threadgill began his martial arts training in western fencing with USN Capt. Hart Kait.
In 1980 he began training in Wado-ryu karate under J.Gerry
Chau, which he continued until 1992. In 1985 Toby Threadgill was introduced
by Sensei David Maynard to Yukiyoshi Takamura, headmaster
Takamura ha Shindo Yoshin ryu.
In 1986 headmaster Takamura personally offered him membership in the Shindo Yoshin Kai. Thru the years he has acquired experience in several different forms of Japanese budo and enjoyed the opportunity to train with some of the top practitioners in these systems. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and insight into martial arts in general, and Japanese bujutsu in particular.
Threadgill Sensei is one of only three people in the world to be awarded a menkyo kaiden ( license of full transmission) in Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin-ryu,. He presently functions as the kaicho (administrative head) of the Takamura ha Shindo Yoshin Kai worldwide and oversees instruction at the Shindo Yoshin Kai Hombu Dojo.