About Taikiken Buzenkai

I discovered Buzenkai while searching for a fun way to counteract my sedentary lifestyle and get back into shape.
I had previously trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Capoeira, and I really missed the playful physical environment, the sense of community, and the feeling of growing stronger over time.
At the same time, I’d been practicing yoga and meditation for several years, so I was also considering a meditation-focused yoga studio.

When I discovered Buzenkai, I was intrigued by Taikiken and Matsui Sensei’s unique teaching style, emphasizing learning through play and drawing upon his deep Zen background. So, I signed up for a trial lesson. The lesson started with Ritsuzen (Standing Zen), one of Taikiken’s core exercises. As a meditation nerd, I immediately knew that this was the real deal.
Afterward, Matsui Sensei demonstrated some fundamental martial arts principles.
In one demonstration, he had me hold out my arms while he pushed forward. It felt like trying to stop a moving car! Then, he asked one of his students—a woman likely half my weight—to do the same. I was confident I could resist her, but to my shock, she pushed me back with ease.

The class wrapped up with partner drills and some playful sparring, where punches and kicks were pulled, but everything else was full speed. This definitely scratched the same itch that BJJ and Capoeira had. By the end of that first class, I knew I had found something special.

It’s now been a year and a half since I started training at Buzenkai, and I’ve learned how that mysterious and baffling power worked—and how to develop it.
Most importantly, I’ve found a warm and supportive community of friends who have really enriched my life.
Thank you, Matsui Sensei, and everyone at Buzenkai!

by Remy Castella

Taikiken seminar in Hakodate