specourt
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Ten years ago I went to train at Stephen Hayes' dojo in Dayton.
Exactly as you describe, receptionist and shop. And not just training equipment for sale, I also purchased a coffee mug covered in kanji and some japanese writing paper  .
The classes were like a production line with every lesson from white belt to shodan mapped out with what to study when, everyone in their own class with no "cross training" between grades.
There was a good atmosphere but it was so obviously a business designed to relieve you of your cash in any way possible.
And exchanging pain seemed positively discouraged at junior levels. No bruises, no cries for mercy, no........ hang on...... sounds just my cup of tea, where's that mug? 
This was all about the time of the creation of Hayes Toshindo so I don't think it was very representative of general Bujinkan training in the USA.
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