Hontai Yoshin Ryu in the United States began in 1990 when a group of students at Hanover College in Indiana petitioned Dr. Stephen Fabian, who had just returned from three years of training at the honbu dojo in Japan, to sponsor a martial arts club at the college. While the specific format of the club's instruction was not discussed initially, Fabian sensei, who received direct-transmission of this art from Inoue Soke whle living in Japan, saw this as an opportunity to begin teaching and training Hontai Yoshin Ryu in the US. While none of the original club members stayed in the club long enough to receive official rankings in Hontai Yoshin Ryu (due to their graduations), the Hanover College Martial Arts Club became a year-to-year work-in-progress for Fabian sensei as he developed his own teaching style.

The club's format during the eight years of Fabian sensei's tenure included instruction in Tae Kwon Do, Toyama Ryu Iaido, and zazen, as well as being focused upon the jujutsu and weapons of Hontai Yoshin Ryu.

The honbu dojo recognized Fabian sensei's club at Hanover as its offical American branch in 1993. Early in 1994, an official visit was made to the school by Yasumoto sensei on behalf of the honbu dojo and Inoue Soke.

Today, the American branch of Hontai Yoshin Ryu is based in Hamilton Square, NJ, the current residence of Fabian sensei. Brian Barnes leads an authorized branch school in Louisville, KY. There are currently no other authorized branch schools in the US. Please use the contacts page to obtain more information about studying Hontai Yoshin Ryu in the US.

Members of the American Branch of Hontai Yoshin Ryu may also apply for membership in the jujutsu division of the Shudokan Martial Arts Association, an international body dedicated to the practice of traditional Japanese martial arts and ways. Fabian Sensei serves as Co-Director of the SMAA jujutsu division and can supply information on this organization; those interested may also go to the SMAA website at www.michionline.org/smaa/