Zach Smith has been involved in the Japanese martial arts for fifteen years. He has trained in Shorin-ryu karate, aikido, Shinto Muso-ryu jo, Muso Shinden-ryu iaido and Kogen Itto-ryu kenjutsu. Currently living in Japan, he is researching the Kogen Itto-ryu and its home, the mountainous Chichibu area of Saitama.