Chief Instructor

A martial arts instructor in black smiling

Kyoshi Noah Mitchell

Kyoshi Noah Mitchell has a degree in film production from New York University and worked in the film industry until he became a full-time martial arts instructor in 2006. He began training in Okinawan karate in 1983 and earned his first-degree black belt in 1988. At that time, he began teaching a youth program in Chappaqua, with which he remained involved until 2006. In the mid-1990s, Mitchell Sensei ran a dojo in Bedford Hills and also taught adult karate classes at the Mohegan School of Martial Arts/Yorktown School of Martial Arts from 1995–2006, at which time he opened Mountain Stream Budo. Mitchell Sensei currently holds the rank of Nanadan (7th degree black belt) in karate.

In the 1990s, he began training in Matayoshi-Ryu Kobudo and became a member of the Matayoshi Kobudo Kyokai USA, where he trained until 2003, at which time there was a split in the system, and Mitchell Sensei became a student of Hanshi Neil Stolsmark (9th dan), president of the Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai®, under whom he still trains. Mitchell Sensei currently holds the rank of Renshi Rokudan (6th degree black belt) in Kobudo. Also, during this time, he was training in Japanese jujitsu under Shihan Gary Gione, who was a student of Hector Negron, 10th dan and founder of San Yama Bushi-Ryu. Mitchell Sensei currently holds the rank of Roku-Menkyo (6th degree black belt) in jujitsu.

In the 2000s, Mitchell Sensei started training in Toyama-Ryu and Battodo, iaido styles that consist of drawing, sheathing, and cutting with the Japanese Samurai sword. He currently holds the rank of Godan (fifth degree black belt) in the Zen Nihon Toyama-Ryu Iaido Renmei, Godan (fifth degree black belt) in the U.S. Federation of Battodo, and Shodan (first degree black belt) in the Toyama-Ryu Seizankai.

He regularly teaches seminars and workshops across the US and Canada in karate, kobudo, jujitsu, iaido, and self-defense. He also travels to compete in tournaments and to attend camps and seminars himself as a participant, ever looking to expand his knowledge of the arts and to work with other noted instructors across the globe.

He has promoted students up to 6th dan in karate, 5th dan in kobudo, and dan-level ranks in both jujitsu and sword. His students have accomplished much in their own rights, including the operation of several branch schools under Mountain Stream Budo across the NYC suburbs. A number of them have traveled with him across the country to compete in tournaments, attend camps, and even train in Japan.

Mitchell Sensei trains in Okinawa, Japan every few years. He has taught self-defense seminars and workshops at various high schools and community centers in Westchester County, He taught self-defense to college-bound kids as part of Horace Greeley High School’s “Senior Health Day” for more than ten years. Being knowledgeable in four disparate arts makes Mitchell Sensei a well-rounded martial arts student and instructor.

 

The Mountain Stream Budo logo

Our History

Kyoshi Noah Mitchell began studying karate at the Sankaku Kyokai karate organization in 1983.

His original karate instructor had studied Shotokan karate under Latino Gonzalez and Goju-Ryu karate under Peter Urban in the late 50s and 60s. He returned from military service in the Philippines and opened the Sankaku Kyokai Karate organization in Yorktown in 1967. His unique system combined traditional Shotokan and Goju-Ryu karate styles. In 1995, Sankaku Kyokai changed hands and became the Watakushitachi-no Karate Association, which lasted until 2006. At Mountain Stream Budo, we will endeavor to perpetuate this unique combination of systems, while helping it to grow and expand, as all healthy budo systems must do in order to improve.

Kyoshi Mitchell teaches Matayoshi-Ryu kobudo, a traditional Okinawan kobudo system. His lineage is tied directly to Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei himself. 

Shortly following Matayoshi Sensei’s death in 1997, Gakiya Yoshiaki Sensei founded his own organization, the Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai®, which is now a worldwide kobudo system. Kyoshi Mitchell's kobudo instructor is Gakiya Sensei’s top student, Hanshi Neil Stolsmark, 9th dan, Kokusai Honbu-Cho, and President of the OKDR.

Mountain Stream Budo is the official New York State branch of the Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai®, and Sensei Noah Mitchell is the New York State Shibu-Cho (branch head).

Mountain Stream Budo is also an official branch dojo of the United States Federation of Battodo and the Zen Nippon Toyama-Ryu Iaido Renmei.

"These days there are many different types of martial arts schools to choose from. Some are more like gyms than traditional dojos. Others are “belt factories” where you earn rank simply by showing up and paying the required amount of money. Mountain Stream Budo is the exception…the “diamond” in the rough. Sensei Noah Mitchell is a true martial artist. He is dedicated to his arts, his students and his dojo. His love for the martial arts is evident in his constant training and continued pursuit of knowledge.

Although Mountain Stream Budo is a traditional school in regard to etiquette, it has a relaxed atmosphere that allows for interaction between students and teachers in a way that fosters growth. There is incredible attention to detail in all that is taught. The bar is set high and the teachers at Mountain Stream Budo require proficiency from their students. Students who attain rank at Mountain Stream Budo have earned it, just as their instructors have.

Whether you are interested in traditional karate from Okinawa, jujitsu or sword arts (battodo) from Japan, or the weapons art of kobudo, Mountain Stream Budo offers superb instruction. If you would like to become a skilled martial artist under the watchful eyes of truly experienced teachers…if you want the rank you obtain to really mean something, then study at Mountain Stream Budo."

Sensei Chris Cardillo, Rising Phoenix Martial Arts

"I am currently a student at Mountain Stream Budo in jujitsu and karate, and also assist in the Lil' Dragons program. After finishing college, I found myself in that uncertain place most 20-somethings find themselves. I walked into MSB in early February of 2009 looking for a interesting way to stay in shape that didn't involve running endlessly on a treadmill in a gym full of muscle-heads. I was always interested in martial arts but never had the guts to just do it. And the first thing I noticed about everyone at this school was how nice and accepting each person is. There is no judgment based on physical ability or stature. There is a warm and welcoming atmosphere and everyone feels like family. MSB has allowed me to meet some diverse and amazingly talented people, and great new friends.

The actual instruction is an experience like no other. At MSB, you do not just learn how to kick and punch. It is a complete immersion into a way of life. It's more than just a physical education, it's also a mental and philosophical education. You learn not just self defense, but Japanese language, a bit of culture and history, and life lessons. This all-encompassing instruction is due to the school's diverse Sensei. Each has his or her own interpretation of martial arts and specific teaching style that results in a well-rounded education. They all provide great workouts, and each has his own intense form of physical conditioning. My favorite part about training at MSB is the physical as well as mental challenges that keep me alert, curious and in shape. "

Mai T.