Bidokan: Legacy of Sakurakoju Kazutaka and Taiki Shisei Kenpo

Bidokan is a dojo overseen by Instructor Kobayashi Naoki, who has inherited martial arts from two esteemed masters: Sakurakoju Kazutaka's authentic lineage of Chinese orthodox boxing and Taiki Shisei Kenpo under Kenichi Sawai.

Taiki Shisei Kenpo and Kenichi Sawai

Kenichi Sawai learned the art directly from Wang Xiangzhai, the founder of Chinese martial art Dai Cheng Quan (Yiquan), being the only foreigner permitted to do so. After returning to Japan due to the end of World War II, he established Taiki Shisei Kenpo, known as Taiki Ken, which derives its name from the principle "sincerity reaches the heavens". Training in Taiki Ken involves rigorous practices such as standing meditation (ritsuzen), crawling (hai), and other unique methods that refine one's energy. The dojo's training sessions held at Meiji Shrine's forest garnered significant attention for their intensity and effectiveness, spreading the reputation of Taiki Ken as one of the strongest practical martial arts.

Recorded Content (Example)

• Introduction to Taiki Ken
• Standing Meditation
  • Methods: Full stance, half stance, swaying, cultivating energy, crawling exercises
• Practice Techniques
  • Refinement exercises, dealing with straight punches, roundhouse kicks, and striking techniques
• Push Hands (Tuishou)
  • Techniques and applications in Taiki Ken
• Crawling (Hai)
  • Various techniques against punches, strategies with raised or lowered hands, disrupting from inside or outside, absorbing opponent's force, sparring
• Training with Tools
• Comparison with Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan)
• Exploration (Tanshu)

Featured Instructor

• Kobayashi Naoki: Born on March 1, 1954. He joined Sakurakoju Kazutaka's Dai Nippon Koubukai at age 16 to study Chinese martial arts. After his master's passing, he encountered Kenichi Sawai and began learning Taiki Shisei Kenpo at 28, receiving instruction at Meiji Shrine's forest. Continuing his dedication to Taiki Ken after Sawai's passing, Naoki established the Bidokan in 1994 with a commitment to preserving and passing on his masters' teachings. In 2008, the dojo was renamed Bidokan to reflect its focus on Taikiken.