2026 Kobukan USA Taikai
October 16 – 18, 2026 | Elkton, Maryland
Join Us for the 2nd Kobukan Taikai in the U.S. – 3 Days of Training with James Wright Kancho!
James Wright Kancho Returns
James Wright Kancho will be returning to the United States, October 2026 for another amazing training experience. We will be finalizing training topics and final location in the coming months, but are placing this in order to allow attendees plenty of time to plan. As before, the space may limit how many can attend, so we recommend securing a spot as soon as possible.
Who Can Attend?
The US Taikai is once again open to all Kobukan members, as well as non-members interested in experiencing Kobukan training first hand.
See what training is like at Kobukan Taikai
Taikai Details
Taikai Schedule
Friday, October 16th, 2026
9:00 AM
Event Check-In Begins
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Kukishin Ryu Daken Taijutsu
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Lunch Break
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Kukishin Ryu Daken Taijutsu
Saturday, October 17th, 2026
9:00 AM
Event Check-In Begins
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Kukishin Ryu Daken Taijutsu
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Lunch Break
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Kukishin Ryu Daken Taijutsu
7:00 PM
Taikai Dinner
Location TBA
Sunday, October 18th, 2026
9:00 AM
Event Check-In Begins
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Randori Practice
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Lunch Break
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Tanto Sabaki
Reserve Your Spot for the 2026 Kobukan USA Taikai
To ensure a personalized training experience, space is limited, and spots are expected to fill quickly. A $100 non-refundable deposit secures your place at the event.
Registration Options
SECURE YOUR SPOT. SUPPORT THE TAIKAI. TRAIN TOGETHER.
EARLY REGISTRATION
Best Value
OPEN NOW!
Ends June 30, 2026
$400
All 3-days
3-Days of Training
$100 Deposit Locks in Your Price
$300 balance due by October 1, 2026
BONUS!
Pay entire balance by June 30, 2026 and receive a free Kobukan T-shirt!
STANDARD REGISTRATION
NOT OPEN
From July 1—August 31, 2026
$425
All 3-days
3-Days of Training
$100 Deposit Locks in Your Price
$325 balance due by October 1, 2026
LATE REGISTRATION
NOT OPEN
From Sept 1—Sept 30, 2026
$450
All 3-days
3-Days of Training
$100 Deposit Locks in Your Price
$350 balance due by October 1, 2026
DOOR REGISTRATION
NOT OPEN
October 1, 2026—Event Day
$475
All 3-days
3-Days of Training
Total fee due at time of registration.
Important Information
What should I bring with me to training?
To ensure a smooth and respectful training experience, please review the following guidelines on what to bring and how to prepare for the event.
Uniforms
✔ Keiko-gi (Training Uniform) – Bring a clean, full training uniform for all sessions.
✔ Footwear – No outdoor footwear is allowed on the mats, including jika tabi.
✔ Recommended – Cloth-bottom tabi for training and slippers for off-mat use (e.g., restroom).
✔ If You Don’t Have Tabi – Some may be available for purchase, or socks are acceptable. Bare feet are discouraged for hygienic reasons.
Weapons
✔ Required: Tanto, Mouth Guard, Groin Protection, Head Gear
❌ Not Allowed: Live blades, cracked/splintered/taped weapons
✔ Responsibility: Check your weapons before training and store them securely when not in use.
Hygiene & Personal Care
✔ Clean Uniform: Arrive with a fresh, odor-free keiko-gi for each session.
✔ Fragrance-Free: Avoid strong perfumes or colognes to prevent distractions.
✔ Personal Grooming: Keep nails trimmed and smooth, and remove jewelry.
✔ Cover Wounds: Any visible wounds must be covered for sanitary reasons.
✔ Off-Mat Footwear: Always wear slippers or shoes when leaving the training area, especially for restrooms.
✔ Hand Towel: Bring a small towel to wipe away sweat.
Hydration & Snacks
✔ Bring water or electrolyte drinks to stay hydrated.
✔ Light snacks (e.g., protein bars, fruit, nuts) can be consumed off the mat.
Notes & Documentation
✔ Taking Notes is Encouraged – To get the most from the Taikai, we recommend keeping a training journal.
✔ Safety First: When taking notes, step away from the training areas and always face the practice area to remain aware.
Phones, Photos & Recording
✔ Phones Allowed – You may bring a phone, but it must be stowed away during training (except for emergencies).
✔ Photos During Breaks – Allowed within reason and common sense.
✔ Official Photos Available – Designated Taikai staff will take photos, including during training, and make them available to attendees afterward.
✔ Social Media Sharing Encouraged – Tag the official Kobukan pages when sharing event memories.
📌 In short: We want you to capture great memories but ensure that training remains the priority with minimal distractions.
Facility Information
Our training facility is conveniently located at the Elkton, MD and Newark, DE border, just off of Interstate-95. We have restroom, but recommend showing up dressed and ready to train. There is also a Wawa less than 1-minute down the road, where you can purchase food and beverages.
Family Friendly & Community
The Kobukan places a strong importance on having a strong internal community. You are more than welcome to bring family to the area, and we’re happy to give suggestions for things to do in the area while you’re training. We, unfortunately, don’t have space for many spectators at the training facility, but encourage them to share the experience of our Saturday dinner and watch if you are testing at the event.
Taikai Training Location
Training will be held at:
Jazzercise Fitness
10 Chestnut Drive, Suite K
Elkton, MD 21921
Register to Attend the Kobukan USA Taikai
Note: This form registration accepts Visa and Mastercard payments. If these aren’t available to you, please contact us for additional options via Paypal or transfer.