Shihan Michael DePasquale, Sr. is the founder and president of the International Federation of Practicing Ju-Jitsuans, whose primary goal is the spreading and sharing of traditional, authentic Japanese Ju-Jitsu. It also serves as a forum for the sharing of martial arts-related material and as a means of certifying and cross certifying practitioners of the art of Ju-Jitsu.

Shihan founded the Yoshitsune Dojo in 1961. He has been training in and teaching traditional, authentic Japanese Ju-Jitsu for more than half a century, and was commissioned as Shihan ("master instructor" or "teacher of teachers") in Hakko Ryu Ju-Jitsu by Soke Sensei Ryuho Okuyama of Omiya, Japan. Shihan's principal instructor for more than 26 years was Junji Saito, a Shihan Menkyo Kaiden (master instructor with all of the style's secrets). In 1964, Shihan DePasquale performed Ju-Jitsu demonstrations at the Japanese Pavilion of the New York World's Fair.

Shihan DePasquale's additional martial arts knowledge comes from studying with several of the premier Ju-Jitsuans of this century. He holds rank in the Japanese Ju-Jitsu styles of Sekiguchi Ryu, Kito Ryu, Sosuishi Ryu, and Jigen Ryu. He also holds rank in Goshindo Kempo Karate and the stick fighting style of Hepi Ryu.