THE HOITSUGAN

General Information:

The Hoitsugan Dojo and dormitory (six small rooms) were set up in 1972 by the late JKA Chief Instructor Nakayama Sensei (with the help of Kanazawa Sensei, now head of SKIF) for people coming to Tokyo from around the world to train. It is located just around the corner from where the Honbu Dojo had been for 2+ decades, in Ebisu-Nishi. The Nakayama residence has been on the top of this 6-story apartment building. The building was basically built around the dojo and not the other way around, according to Kanazawa Sensei (interview by Jon Keeling, 2003).

Kawawada Sensei

Keeping the teachings of Nakayama Sensei alive at the Hoitsugan is Kawawada Sensei.  He has many tournament wins to his credit, including 1st place in both kata and kumite at the first world Shoto Cup tournament in 1985.  More than simply a world-class competitor, Kawawada Sensei is one of the world's finest karate instructors.  His technical knowledge of karate is extremely advanced and his classes provide a challenging workout for the body, while stimulating the mind.  Kawawada Sensei is a nanadan (7th degree black belt) and continues his karate training in the instructors' class at the Honbu Dojo. Kawawada Sensei generally teaches at the Hoitsugan 2-3 times/week, presently in the evenings.  Other days, the senior student usually leads the class.

For a view of the Hoitsugan Dojo, please click here.

Hoitsugan, the book

If you have spent time training at the Hoitsugan, please let me know. I am compiling a list of former members and will be asking many (mostly those who have spent at least six months at the Hoitsugan) to contribute to a book to be published next year about non-Japanese who travelled to Tokyo to practice JKA Karate at the source.

Hoitsugan Seminars

Please see the following page for details on the Hoitsugan Seminars:

Hoitsugan Seminars main page
2004: http://www.hoitsugan.com/hoitsuganseminars1.html
2005: http://www.hoitsugan.com/hoitsuganseminars2.html
2008: http://www.hoitsugan.com/hoitsuganseminars3.html

Jon@jkasv.com