Internal Martial Arts

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TAIKIKEN

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It is easier to be known by the outside world than to really know yourself inside;

It is esier to make others believe you have a clear conscience than convince yourself you have never done a thing in your life to be ashamed of.

2024

First generation Taikiken student of Kenichi Sawai, Norimasa Iwama. A first-class Karate and kobudo expert, he introduced Taikiken in Europe in the 70s and still teaches actively. Watch his sophisticated style and training method in his video and check out his book on Taikiken teachings.

From the spirited training grounds beneath the towering trees at Tokyo’s Meiji Jingu, to the bustling martial arts academies of Europe, Norimasa Iwama has carved out a legacy that few can match. As a first-generation Taikiken student of the legendary Kenichi Sawai, he was there at the very inception of a discipline that marries ancient fighting spirit with fluid, intuitive movement. Today, he continues to pass down this tradition, commanding the respect of a global community of fighters who know him simply as “Sensei.”

In the early 1970s, Iwama stepped onto European soil and introduced an art that would challenge and inspire generations of martial artists. Long before mixed martial arts exploded onto the global scene, Iwama was already distilling decades of experience into a potent, elegant style—an approach as cerebral as it is physically demanding. As both a first-class Karate and kobudo expert, he brought a wealth of practical instruction, shining a light on the subtle interplay of mind, body, and spirit that defines Taikiken at its highest levels.

At Jan Kallenbach’s Shin Bu Ken dojo in Amsterdam’s Osdorp district, Iwama’s sessions were a revelation. He taught students to embrace the principles he learned directly under Sawai sensei, infusing their technique with new life. One need only watch his training video—featuring the deft assistance of Yasuhide Takagi sensei—to see how Iwama blends precision strikes, strategic footwork, and a near-telepathic sense of timing into a performance that feels more like a symphony than a sparring session. The footage of Sawai sensei, his teacher, speaks volumes: it’s a window into the roots of Taikiken, its raw power, and its capacity for refinement.

But Iwama is more than just a gifted fighter—he’s a philosopher of motion. In his Japanese-language book, Taikiken teachings, he digs deep into the art’s essence: “Taikiken thinking is the teachings of martial arts as well as of human beings.” It is a 21st-century approach, a blueprint for balancing tradition with innovation, forging a path that resonates with today’s seekers of authenticity in a world cluttered by gimmicks. Those who follow his lineage can explore further through a dedicated European website in French and a thriving YouTube channel, where Iwama’s influence and instruction continue to enlighten new students worldwide. His is a story that transcends time and geography—an ongoing testament to the enduring allure of Taikiken’s spirit.

Kenichi Sawai and Iwama Norimasa

Iwama Norimasa Shinho

Iwama Norimasa Sashite

Taikiken book

Iwama sensei