The Postwar Turning Point & Charles V. Gruzanski

For over two centuries, Masaki-ryu was a strictly guarded secret art. Nawa’s father and grandfather heavily forbade him from ever teaching the school’s techniques to anyone outside their immediate lineage. However, a historic encounter during the post-WWII Allied occupation of Japan permanently changed the trajectory of the art.

Charles V. Gruzanski, serving in Japan as an American Military Police (MP) officer, tracked Nawa down using data gathered from U.S. 8th Army intelligence files in Yokohama. Recognizing Nawa as the leader of Masaki-ryu, Charles traveled nearly eight hours to Nawa’s studio in Hakata (Fukuoka City), earnestly begging to be taught Kusari-jutsu.

Initially, Nawa refused due to family law. However, under the strict rule of the U.S. 8th Army, traditional martial arts faced severe restrictions—revenge dramas were banned and samurai swords were widely forfeited. Fearing that Masaki-ryu would be entirely outlawed and lost to history if kept in the shadows, Nawa made the monumental decision to break family tradition. He chose to preserve the art by passing it on to Charles, who became his beloved disciple and closest friend. 

Charles earned an Instructor's Certificate in the arts of the Masaki school, making him the first Western authority on these ancient combat methods.

Throughout this lifelong friendship, the bond extended deeply to their families. Nawa held fond memories of Charles's wife, Mrs. Teruko Gruzanski, whom he remembered warmly alongside Charles. Nawa expressed immense respect and care for Teruko, keeping her in his prayers and holding her memory dear to his heart across the decades.