Hello and welcome to The TenKenKan Dojo at the House of Martial Balance. 

Robert 'Choji' Taiani, Hanshi and is the only United States representative of Ichikawa,Sosui Sensei's Gojuryu Karate Budo.
   

 Also, it is our goal to help students develop mental focus, i.e. “Mindfulness” via various breathing and meditation methods. This will teach children, and adults alike, how to quiet their thoughts and concentrate on the task at hand.

The violence in our society is a growing and frightening reality that each of us is faced with daily. Self defense is an intrinsic part of Ichikawa-Ha Gojuryu Karate Budo and it is our goal to instruct our students in this necessary element of our art in a realistic, responsible and humane fashion.

The instructions received at the Ten Ken Kan Dojo are designed to create productive and success oriented members to enhance our community.  

                                 Tribute to O-Sensei - Ichikawa, Sosui

In this day and age of technological advances, fast food and egocentric pursuits, it is truly rare to hear of, let alone meet a man of sage quality. A man through his dedication and tenacious research around martial principles embodied the true spirit of Budo. But in 1998 I accompanied my sensei Robert Choji Taiani, Kancho on a trip to Japan and met such a man. I had the privilege

Unlike other karate masters of O-Sensei’s generation who were diminutive in stature, O-Sensei was very tall. Even in his advanced years he presented a formidable physique. But he wasn’t only a physically impressive person; he emanated power that filled a room. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to see O-Sensei again before his passing. Although, he is no longer with us through the relentless efforts of Taiani, Kancho to propagate and spread O-Sensei’s teachings his memory will live on. It is said that if a person is remembered he never truly dies. 

Rest well O-Sensei. We miss you deeply.

Khalid Newton, HachiDan

Kancho- TenKenKan Dojo

Kyoshi Grade

6th Generation Seito Gojuryu Karate-Do

Ichikawa-Ha Seito Gojuryu Karate-Do

The knowledge of traditional Okinawan Gojuryu Karate and its Japanese offspring Japanese Goju-Kai, founded under Yamaguchi, Gogen Sensei is well establish in the martial arts world. Our system of Gojuryu, researched and formulated by Ichikawa, Sosui Sensei transcends the traditional forms. In fact, we do not use the word traditional in describing our Goju. The term Seito, which means orthodox, suggests that we follow the proper principles of martial strategy and application, whether then blindly following the teaching of past generations.

Ichikawa-Ha Seito Gojuryu, named after O-Sensei, is built upon the foundation of fighting principles handed down from Higashionna, Kanryo Sensei, to Higa, Seko Sensei, to Izumigawa, Kanki Sensei, to Ichikawa, Sosui Sensei(aka O-Sensei), to R. Choji Taiani, Kaicho of our organization. Our goju has its foundation in several systems of White Crane (Bai He) Gung Fu, i.e. Whooping, Flying and Sleeping crane, as well as southern tiger boxing (Fu Jow) system. The influence of Chinese martial disciplines is very profound in Gojuryu, but unlike our traditional brothers who have neglected or forgotten these teachings, Ichikawa-Ha safeguards and brings them to life. Our art is a living and flowing entity that evolves with each generation and culture.

The essence of Ichikawa-Ha Gojuryu Karate is,

1. Tenshin - measurement of correct standing position

2. Hente – a change of technique that is applied after, as replacement for, or 

   as a continuation of the original technique.

3.Kokyu – the study of controlling inhalation and exhalation.

4. Ki – learn to control energy through proper training.

5.Tako – learn to control your attackers’ force by adhering to him/her 

   with your touch.

6. Dokushin – to learn to read and direct your attackers’ movement with your mind.

The execution of our kata (set forms) and techniques are done in a continuous movement and flow of energy. To perfect this ability greatly depends on coordinating the movement of the limbs with the center of power (Tan Tien). Combine this coordinated movement of limbs with relaxed and subtle joints the practitioners will develop whipping power in their technique. It is this philosophy that leads us to translate the term Goju as Firm and Flexible instead of Hard and Soft.

Training in Ichikawa-Ha Seito Gojuryu Karate is to train in BUDO, which means martial way. Our system of gojuryu is true budo as it is a complete fighting system. Included in this discipline are not only punching and kicking but also grappling and weapon. To be a complete and competent fighter a practitioner must be trained in all these aspects. Seito Gojuryu Karate is a complete martial system.

With our dedication to the preservation of the principles of O-Sensei’s Karate under the guidance of our teacher Taiani, R. Choji Sensei we of the TenKenKan Dojo are truly the GUARDIAN OF ORTHODOX GOJURYU KARATEDO.