James Kentoshi Norris is one of my all-time top trusted master instructors. He has over 30 years of being by my side through all sorts of teaching experiences. I tell everyone, “You want to learn authentic ninja martial arts? James is absolutely top-of-the-list in his instructional skills.”
His wife and dojo partner Johanna Norris came to us with a thorough background in wilderness survival skills. She took to our To-Shin Do with a passion unparalleled among other students. I am amazed she never misses a seminar opportunity to train in the physical and spiritual sciences I teach.
What a team! I heartily endorse James and Johanna for anyone wishing expert skills in life preparation.
James Kentoshi Norris
To-Shin Do 9th Degree Black Belt, Master Instructor & Co-owner of Cincinnati Quest Martial Arts
James Kentoshi Norris is one of the highest-ranked and most respected instructors in the To-Shin Do martial arts lineage. He is a founding member of the To-Shin Do Shihan-Kai (Leadership Team), a 9th Degree Black Belt, and co-owner of Cincinnati Quest Martial Arts. He brings over four decades of martial arts study to his teaching — from classical ninja lineages to modern self-protection.
James’s pursuit of effective, honest self-defense has taken him through a lifetime of training in both ancient martial strategy and modern protection disciplines. Known for his ability to embody the ghost-like movement of the historical ninja, he is equally skilled with unarmed defense, traditional weapons, and modern tools of personal protection.
What truly sets James apart is his holistic, modern approach to self-protection. He teaches not just how to win physically, but how to navigate the wide range of real-world self-defense situation. He addresses verbal, emotional, and legal challenges in every class. In addition to his To-Shin Do training, his credentials include:
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Use of Deadly Force Instructor, trained under legendary firearms and legal expert Massad Ayoob
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Realistic De-Escalation Instructor, certified through the Force Science Institute
James is renowned for an almost unparalleled ability to make sophisticated movement feel simple and intuitive. Students frequently remark that he can take a complex technique or principle and translate it into something immediately usable and empowering. His mission is to help every student develop the strength, awareness, and confidence to live boldly and protect what matters most.
Johanna Norris
To-Shin Do 5th Degree Black Belt & Co-owner of Cincinnati Quest Martial Arts
Jojo Norris is the co-owner and lead instructor of Cincinnati Quest Martial Arts. She brings extraordinary passion and precision to her teaching, with a focus on women’s self-defense and fitness. A 5th Degree Black Belt in To-Shin Do and Master Instructor, Jojo stands among the highest-ranked women in the international To-Shin Do organization. She embodies the heart of the art — empowering others to live safer, stronger, and more fulfilled lives.
Jojo’s teaching is grounded in 20 years of educational experience across a remarkable range of settings — from elite private schools and universities to youth detention centers and homeless shelters. Whether she’s guiding a corporate wellness team, a public-school classroom, or a parent learning to protect their family, Jojo’s gift lies in her ability to connect with anyone. She excels at meeting people where they are and helping them find their strength. Every session with her is both a lesson in empowerment and a celebration of possibility.
As a lifelong fitness enthusiast, Jojo holds multiple certifications. These include a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, with specializations in Youth Exercise, as well as ACE Group Fitness, and Kettlebell Instruction. Since earning her first fitness credential in 2009, she has helped countless students discover that strength is freedom — that by building capable bodies, we unlock confidence, joy, and resilience in every part of life.
Jojo’s mission is simple but profound: to help people of all ages become their own protectors. She believes everyone should live without fear, and experience the deep satisfaction of realizing their potential. Her classes are powerful, practical, and filled with energy — proof that learning self-defense can be transformative, uplifting, and fun.