With over two-thirds of his life immersed in Japanese martial arts, Tomo has long walked a path shaped by Bushido—the “Way of the Warrior.” As a Leather person, Dominant, and slave, that influence runs deep, offering a framework of discipline, honor, and intentional service that reaches far beyond the martial arts and into the heart of Leather. In this class, we’ll explore the eight virtues of Bushido—Honor, Justice, Courage, Compassion, Respect, Integrity, Loyalty, and Self-Control—and consider how they can inform our Leather lives, our relationships, and our leadership. Whether you’re on a path of mastery, service, or something more fluid, these principles offer rich insight into how we show up for ourselves and for one another. This class is a conversation about values, alignment, and how ancient codes still speak to modern Leather. Come curious, come reflective, and leave with new language for what you likely already know to be true in your Leather heart.
Presenter: Tomo
Tomo (He/They) is a gender queer butch leatherdyke who found the leather community during a sunset motorcycle ride with his wife Mel three decades ago. He has presented classes, produced events, served as a judge, keynote speaker, auctioneer and emcee at leather events since. Tomo has been served by his Majordomo Levi for over 17 years. Tomo is Owner and Producer of South Plains Leatherfest, the International Master slave Contest and the International Person of Leather Contest. He served as Northwest slave 2015 and International slave 2016/2021. He was a Producer of Northwest Leather Celebration, the Northwest Master slave, Northwest Bootblack, and Northwest Person of Leather Contests. He was also a Producer of International Ms Leather Weekend, the International Ms Leather Contest and the International Ms Bootblack Contest for seven years. He co-produces the Ms Sacramento Leather Contest and is a founding member of the D.U.C. Tomo is a member and serves as Webmaster for Queer Leather Association Sacramento, has served as the West Coast Curator for the Leather Quilt Project, is a former Director of MAsT: Sacramento , and is a member of MAsT: San Francisco and The Exiles. He was awarded the 2013 Pantheon of Leather President's Award, the 2018 Master slave Conference slave Heart Award, the 2020 Vice President’s Award from the National Leather Association, the 2023 Master slave Conference Guy Baldwin Master/slave Heritage Award, and the 2024 SouthEast Leatherfest Community Award.