About Me.
Name: Takeshi Oryoji
Nickname: Ken
Birthday: May 13, 1972
Birthplace: Kagoshima City, Japan
1979_____At the age of 7, enrolled in a karate dojo the day after watching a Bruce Lee movie for the first time. Continued attending the dojo until graduating from elementary school.
1990_____Resumed karate training upon entering high school and continued through college.
1996_____Took a leave of absence during the third year of college. Three years later, moved to the United States.
1997_____After a year in Miami, relocated to Oklahoma and transferred to a local college. Enrolled in a karate dojo once again and, living in a foreign land, began contemplating Budo as a cultural practice rooted in Japan. Visited Thailand, Okinawa, and several other places to observe and experience various martial arts dojos.
2001_____Returned to Japan. Shortly after, participated in a seminar by Tokitsu Kenji, the founder of Jisei-do.
2002_____Competed in full-contact combat with Master Tokitsu for the first time, wearing protective gear. Though defeated, began training seriously in Jisei-do.
2005_____Became an apprentice under Master Tokitsu Kenji in France, one of his earliest students. Studied Iquan, Tai Chi, and Qigong, focusing on their connection to unarmed striking techniques.
2006_____Returned to Japan and began teaching Jisei-do in Tokyo.
2016_____Began studying Kendo.
2024_____Moved to Switzerland and became independent, aiming to embody the Jisei-do philosophy of self-realization. Founded Ken Ryu Budo Martial Arts.
About
About Ken Ryu.
What is Ken Ryu?
Ken Ryu is my unique style of martial arts, named from "Ken," my name, and "Ryu," meaning school or style in Japanese.
About the term Budo
Budo is a Japanese term.
Budo is a Japanese concept often translated as "Martial Arts," though this translation doesn’t fully capture its depth. In modern times, "Martial Arts" has become a broad term encompassing disciplines from various countries and traditions, such as Brazilian Capoeira, Thai Muay Thai, English boxing, and Japanese karate. Each of these forms contains unique cultural elements that go beyond the general category of Martial Arts. I aim to explore and express the deeper essence of Budo.
The character Budo is written as 武 (Bu) 道 (Do). "武 (Bu)" refers to combat, while "道 (Do)" means "path" or "way." A more accurate translation would be "The Way of the Martial." "Do" (道) symbolizes the ongoing journey of practice, often depicted as a path that ascends like a mountain trail, representing the pursuit of continual improvement.