6 of 25 spots filled! Register now!
2025 Kobukan USA Taikai
October 3 – 5, 2025 | Newark, Delaware
Join Us for the Historic First Kobukan Taikai in the U.S. – 3 Days of Training with James Wright Kancho!
Welcome to the First-Ever Kobukan US Taikai!
Join us for a historic martial arts gathering as the Kobukan Kobudo Renmei hosts its first-ever Taikai in the United States!
This three-day intensive training event is a rare opportunity to train directly under James Wright Kancho, alongside fellow practitioners dedicated training in the traditional Japanese Jujutsu and Ninpo martial arts.
To ensure a personalized experience, we are initially limiting registration to 25 participants, allowing Kancho to provide direct guidance to attendees. We expect spots to fill quickly, so we encourage you to register early to secure your place. While we will make every effort to assist any additional participants, we cannot guarantee a spot and will hold a wait list. Spots can be reserved by non-refundable deposit.


Who Can Attend?
As this is the first-ever Kobukan Taikai in the United States, we are thrilled to offer this experience to both Kobukan members and non-members, who we invite to attend as our guests.
However, due to limited capacity, Kobukan members will receive early access to registration and priority on the waitlist. As a traditional Ninpo organization, we value respectful relationships within the Ninpo community. Therefore, we ask that all non-members ensure they have any necessary permissions before registering.
Taikai Details
Taikai Schedule
Friday, October 3rd, 2025
9:00 AM
Event Check-In Begins
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Kobukan Kukishin Ryu Hanbo-jutsu
Attendees train to their certification level.
Those without certification train in Kobukan Shoden Gata.
Those with Kobukan Shoden Menkyo learn Shoden Ura Gata.
Those who have completely Shoden Ura Gata learn Chuden Gata.
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Lunch Break
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Kobukan Kukishin Ryu Hanbo-jutsu
Saturday, October 4th, 2025
9:00 AM
Event Check-In Begins
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutai-jutsu
Sabaki Gata
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Lunch Break
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutai-jutsu
Sabaki Gata
7:00 PM
Taikai Dinner
Location TBA
Sunday, October 5th, 2025
9:00 AM
Event Check-In Begins
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Kyu & Dan Review
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Lunch Break
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Kobukan Kukishin Ryu Biken-jutsu
Reserve Your Spot for the 2025 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.
Payment Options
Early REGISTRATION
Pay Taikai balance before June 1st, 2025.
$450
SAVE $50
pay $400
STANDARD REGISTRATION
Pay Taikai balance before September 1st, 2025.
$450
SAVE $25
pay $425
FINAL REGISTRATION
Pay Taikai balance on or after September 1st, 2025.
$450
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: Hanbo, Wooden Shoto, Tanto
❌ 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 location contains a single bathroom and limited number of lockers. It’s best to arrive already in gi pants to avoid conjestion. There is a nice convenience store (Wawa) located about 1-minute drive from the training location that is regionally well-known, having food, snacks, drinks, and gas.
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 Newark-Elkton
10 Chestnut Drive, Suite K
Elkton, Maryland 21921
Register to Attend the First-Ever Kobukan USA Taikai