Inside Kung-Fu
March 2004 issue
Article by Dave Cater

Boni Yanagisawa's biggest martial arts challenge didn't come in the training hall. It came at home. Her toughest competitor wasn't another male in class; it was her father, Wilfred, who only wanted the best for his daughter. Her toughest decision was not which family style to study, but how to let her father know-gently-that the family business was not in her future.

As a daughter of a traditional Japanese father, Yanagisawa knew from an early age that joining her family's nursery and landscaping business was not an option; it was a foregone conclusion. What the California born and bred beauty didn't expect was how a growing interest in martial arts would blossom into a life of its own.

That life has included studying martial arts with some of the top masters of our generation; becoming a respected competitor on the open tournament circuit; opening and running a studio of her own; becoming one of the most sought after stuntwomen in Hollywood; and doubling for Tinseltown's glamour names.

None of this would have been possible, however, had she not chosen to buck family tradition.

"My father wanted me to take over the family business," Yanagisawa relates. "But after studying martial arts for several years, I decided I wanted to open a dojo. It was one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make in my life. I knew it would be hurtful to my father. I didn't want to disrespect him and go against his wishes, but I knew I had to live my life and do what was best for me."

Yanagisawa learned early on that martial arts was the "best" thing that could happen to her life. Of course, a quick glance at the family tree would have provided a hint. It seems the Boni's great uncle, Harry Ishisaka, not only introduced aikido to California, but also served as Steven Seagal's first instructor. Even her last name carries traditional Japanese significance - Yanagisawa is samurai.

But it wasn't until she took up shorin ryu under Jeff Clark in 1990 that her true calling took shape. Since then, she has studied hawaiian kenpo with Bill Ryusaki, shotokan with Marcus Young and shorin ryu and weapons with Richard Rabago.

Yanagisawa, a 5-foot-5 1/2, 115-pound brunette, took her talents to the open circuit, where as a member of Team Kani she earned National Black Belt League's World Championship honors in 1998 and was named to the Masters Hall of Fame in 2000. Her divisions included traditional kata and open and traditional weapons.

"Performing gives me the greatest feeling of accomplishment," admits Yanagisawa. "It was never so much about winning as long as I feel good about myself and my performances. Actually, the best thing about competing was the people. I am all about enjoying life and enjoying all the people around me. That's what has kept me going."

Her positive relationship with Rabago had a positive affect on her father's outlook on martial arts.

"My father and my sensei are both from Hawaii and know some of the same people," Yanagisawa explains. "Once my father bonded with sensei, his whole outlook on what I was doing changed. He saw the good in it and that's made my father become very proud of me."

The fascination with martial arts led to the daunting task of opening her own studio. "When I owned my own dojo I was working two jobs and my life was very challenging," notes Boni. "But as soon my students showed up for class, I was instantly happy. There was a very positive energy and attitude. It was the people I enjoyed the most - the type of people, especially children, who are drawn to martial arts."

Yanagisawa spent several years in Hawaii as a flight attendant for Aloha Airlines, but soon realized her future lay on the Mainland.

"I found that my life wasn't complete," she admits. "I loved the people I worked with but as soon as I came back I knew it was the right thing to do."

And how! Yanagisawa had made 30 appearances in movies and television.

"There are always challenges in what the job is going to ask of you," notes Boni, who's appeared in Charlie's Angels 2, Hulk, and Spiderman 2. "But I think it is important to enjoy the moment and enjoy the challenge. To me, after each job there is a great feeling of accomplishment."

The real accomplishment for Yanagisawa was following her heart.

"If it wasn't for martial arts, I don't know what I would have done with my life," she maintains.