Justin Hagen, M. Ed

Profile

Join date: Oct 18, 2018

About

Justin Hagen is a martial artist, educator, and Japanese ukiyo-e–inspired woodburn artist who has dedicated his life to the intersection of combat tradition, history, and visual art. A martial arts practitioner since 1994, Justin also holds a B.A. in History (East Asian Studies) and an M.Ed. from DeSales University, where his graduate research focused on the impact of martial arts on student behavior.

Currently a Pennsylvania public school educator and an instructor of Kyokushin Karate, Taekwondo, and Kickboxing in Hatfield, PA, Justin is also a contributor to Black Belt Magazine. He is the author of several works, including Intent: The Path of the Warrior and Shodai-Soke: 101 Quotes, Anecdotes & Precepts From the Founders of Modern Japanese Martial Arts. Through his writing and art, he continues to explore the timeless discipline, ethics, and personal development found within the warrior’s path.

Posts (20)

Apr 3, 2026 ∙ 4 min

The Guardian of Peace: The Spiritual Journey of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba

In the landscape of Japanese martial arts, few figures are as enigmatic or deeply revered as Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969). Known to practitioners worldwide as O-Sensei (Great Teacher), Ueshiba was the visionary founder of Aikido , a "Way of Harmony" that sought to transform the violence of combat into a vehicle for universal peace. From the Battlefield to the Dojo Ueshiba’s path began with a relentless pursuit of physical strength. A seasoned martial artist from a young age, he served in the...

Mar 27, 2026 ∙ 4 min

The Father of Modern Karate: The Legacy of Gichin Funakoshi

The history of martial arts is defined by its masters, but few figures loom as large as Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957). As the founder of Shotokan Karate , Funakoshi did more than just teach a fighting style; he transformed a localized Okinawan combat system into a global philosophical journey known as Karate-Do —the "Way of the Empty Hand." From Okinawa to the World Born in Shuri, Okinawa, Funakoshi was a man of both physical prowess and intellectual depth. While serving as an assistant...

Mar 20, 2026 ∙ 4 min

THE LAST RANGER: THE ETERNAL LEGACY OF CHUCK NORRIS (1940–2026)

On March 19, 2026, the world lost more than an actor; we lost the man who became the archetype for the modern American martial artist. For those of us who grew up in the 80s & 90s, Chuck Norris wasn't just a face on a screen—he was a constant. He was the reason we looked at our local dojos with awe and the reason we believed that discipline could turn a shy kid from Oklahoma into a titan of the Coliseum. This is a tribute to the man, the myth, and the unbreakable will of Carlos "Chuck"...