Internal Martial Arts

the

TAIKIKEN

pages

Someone said: “Repay an injury with kindness.” 

The master said: “If you repay injury with kindness, with what, 

then will you reward kindness. 

You should repay injury with justice and kindness with kindness”.

2024

The legacy of Jan Kallenbach, a Taikiken Kyoshi who trained with legendary martial artists like Kenichi Sawai. Learn about his journey from Judo to Karate and Yiquan.

In the annals of international martial arts, few figures stand as mythic and multifaceted as Jan Kallenbach. Picture him—broad-shouldered and quietly intense—stepping onto a tatami mat in Amsterdam, or bowing respectfully in a Tokyo dojo, his eyes alive with the subtle brilliance of a man who never stopped seeking new heights. Kallenbach was more than just an all-around fighter; he was a cultural bridge, a tireless student, and ultimately a teacher who shared rare knowledge with generations of devoted practitioners.

His odyssey began humbly enough, with Judo sessions in 1956. Armed only with natural curiosity and determination, the Dutch newcomer took his first steps on what would become a lifelong journey. By 1958, Kallenbach had come under the watchful eye of Jon Bluming, a renowned Judo and Karate instructor who represented Kyokushinkai Karate across Europe. Here, the seeds of Kallenbach’s ferocious blend of styles and techniques were planted—Judo’s graceful throws, Karate’s lethal strikes, and the layered subtlety of Jujitsu. Soon he was training in Kyokushinkai Karate, and it wasn’t long before he etched his name into history by becoming Europe’s Karate champion. In the Netherlands, he rose to the rank of seventh dan, placing him among the most elite martial artists of his time.

But Kallenbach’s true calling was that of an explorer, and in 1967-68, the restless young master ventured to Tokyo, where he immersed himself in Mas Oyama’s famed Kyokushin Honbu dojo. There, he crossed paths with icons like Donn F. Draeger, Kuroda of Iaido, and Shimizu of Jodo—each encounter adding another layer to his ever-evolving skill set. Fate, however, had a singular meeting in store: the great Kenichi Sawai, founder of Taikiken. Under Sawai’s tutelage, Kallenbach learned a new philosophy of combat—one grounded in natural movement, internal power, and a deep mind-body synergy. By 1974, the respect flowed both ways, as three top Kyoshi—Sato Yoshimichi, Sawai Akio, and Iwama Norimasa—traveled all the way to Amsterdam to honor him. Over time, he attained the ranks of Renshi (1976) and Kyoshi (1987) in Taikiken, a testament not just to technical prowess, but also to his unwavering dedication.

As the decades rolled on, Kallenbach’s quest for knowledge led him toward the subtle discipline of Yiquan. He sought out master Li Yuan Ju in Europe and China, absorbing lessons that fused the immediacy of combat with quiet, contemplative practice. In 1999, Li Yuan Ju granted him the privilege to teach Yiquan—another piece of a grand mosaic that Kallenbach would share with countless students at his Shinbuken dojo in Amsterdam.

In the grand tapestry of martial arts history, Jan Kallenbach’s legacy weaves together traditions that span continents and centuries. From those early Judo sessions on Dutch soil to the sacred halls of Japan’s storied dojos, from the fiery competitions that crowned him champion to the serene stillness of internal martial arts, Kallenbach’s life was the stuff of legend. He was, and will always be, a man who embodied the global spirit of martial arts: humble yet unbreakable, forever evolving, and eternally inspiring.