2026 North American Tai Kai | Hakko Denshin Ryu Jujutsu Federation

Name: 2026 North American Tai Kai
Start: 2026-10-02T16:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-10-04T13:00:00-04:00
Location: Koyama Dojo

Why This Weekend Matters

What Awaits You in October

Every piece of this weekend is built around direct transmission: focused time on the mat with the senior ranks of the art, refining technique that can only be passed from instructor to student, in person, hands on.

Direct Transmission from the Senior Ranks

Hakko Denshin Ryu is passed from instructor to student through direct, physical correction. This is the only weekend where the North American Federation's senior instructors are all teaching together on the same mat. Led by Hanshi Evans, with guest instructors traveling from Europe. This level of direct transmission does not exist at any single dojo.

Every Instructor Teaches Every Group

Multiple simultaneous mats. Instructors rotate throughout the day. Whether you are a white belt or a senior dan rank, every Shihan on the mat will work with you directly.

The Rank Recognition Banquet

Saturday evening. A formal dinner and ceremony honoring those who have earned new rank. This is not a casual meal at the dojo. This is how the art recognizes achievement.

International Instruction

Tony Berkmans and Alberto Blanco are traveling from Belgium and Spain to teach alongside our North American instructors. Different perspectives on the same art, on the same mat, in the same weekend.

Shiatsu

A full Sunday morning dedicated to the healing art that is foundational to Hakko Denshin Ryu. Hands-on instruction in technique that most students never receive in regular class time.

Conversations You Will Not Have Anywhere Else

The instructor roundtable. Ask senior instructors why they teach a technique differently than your home dojo. Hear practitioners from across the federation discuss philosophy, application, and the subtleties of the art. Unscripted. Open to all.

Hakko Denshin Ryu practitioners at the 2024 Tai Kai

Your Instructors

Led by the Senior Ranks of the Art

The Tai Kai is the only event where this depth of direct instruction is assembled in one place.

Scott Evans

Hanshi Shihan

Chief Head Instructor & Director, North American Federation

Koyama Dojo, Livonia, Michigan

Traveling from Europe

Tony Berkmans

Hanshi Ku

Belgium

Alberto Blanco

Menkyo Kaiden Shihan, San Dai Kichu

Madrid, Spain

Additional instructors from across the federation will be announced as confirmed.

The Weekend

Three Days. Every Angle of the Art.

Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. Structured so that every hour on the mat counts.

Friday

Arrive. Train. Connect.

Evening keiko on the mat, then the Friday social with the entire group. The weekend starts here.

Saturday

The Main Event

Full day of training across multiple mats. Instructor roundtable. Rank recognition ceremony and banquet dinner.

Sunday

Shiatsu. Closing.

A dedicated morning of hands-on shiatsu instruction, followed by the closing ceremony.

Full Schedule

Friday, October 2

4:00 – 5:00 PM Check-in and Registration

5:00 – 7:00 PM Evening Keiko — Light training and waza review. Open mat format with senior instructors available for technique work.

8:00 PM Friday Social — Group gathering with appetizers included in registration. Cash bar. The weekend starts here.

Saturday, October 3

10:00 – 11:00 AM Check-in and Warm-ups

11:00 AM Group Photo

11:20 AM – 4:00 PM Training Blocks — Six sessions across multiple simultaneous mats. Instructors rotate so every Shihan teaches every level group. Snacks and beverages available throughout the day.

4:15 – 5:00 PM Instructor Roundtable — Open Q&A with all senior instructors.

6:00 – 9:00 PM Rank Recognition Ceremony and Banquet Dinner — Formal ceremony followed by dinner at One Under Banquet Hall, 35780 Five Mile Road, Livonia. Cash bar.

Sunday, October 4

9:00 – 9:30 AM Check-in and Warm-up

9:30 – 11:30 AM Shiatsu

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Closing Ceremony

12:00 – 1:00 PM Federation Business Meeting

Registration

Secure Your Spot

Registration opens May 1. Early bird pricing is available through June 30. Your early registration directly supports our planning for banquet seating, mat assignments, and instructor rotation schedules.

One Weekend. One Price.

Everything. All training, Friday social, Saturday banquet with rank ceremony, Sunday shiatsu, snacks and beverages all weekend.

Early Bird (May 1 – June 30)	$199
Standard (July 1 – Aug 31)	$230
Late (Sept 1 – 21)	$265

Walk-in Registration

Walk-in registration is available at the door for $315. Includes training and refreshments only. Banquet attendance is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. Payment accepted in cash, Venmo, or Zelle. Register by September 21 to guarantee your banquet seat and online rate.

Early registration helps us finalize banquet seating and mat assignments. Secure your rate before it increases.

First Tai Kai? Save $25. First-time attendees receive $25 off any registration tier. Contact your dojo's head instructor for the discount code.

Bring Your Dojo. Save Together. Dojos sending 5 or more receive $15 off per person. Ask your head instructor for your dojo's discount code.

Registration Opens May 2026 This page will update with the registration link when it goes live

Getting There

Venue & Travel

Everything you need to plan your trip to Livonia.

Training Venue

Koyama Dojo
12924 Farmington Road
Livonia, MI 48150

Get Directions

Saturday Banquet

The rank recognition ceremony and banquet dinner take place Saturday evening at One Under Banquet Hall, approximately 10 minutes from the dojo.

One Under Banquet Hall
35780 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154

Approximately 10 minutes from the dojo. Business casual or semi-formal attire.

Get Directions

Hotels Near Koyama Dojo

Attendees are welcome to book directly with any hotel they prefer. Below are four options near the dojo, ordered roughly by proximity. Rates shown are approximate and subject to change.

Hampton Inn Detroit/Livonia
2.3 miles · ~$130–160/night · (734) 237-4480

Courtyard by Marriott Detroit Livonia
3.5 miles · ~$150–180/night · (734) 462-2000

Fairfield Inn & Suites Detroit Livonia
3.8 miles · ~$120–150/night · (734) 953-8888

Embassy Suites Detroit Livonia/Novi
4.6 miles · ~$160–200/night · (734) 462-6000

Airport

Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is approximately 25 minutes from the dojo.

What to Bring

Clean gi (white), belt, notebook, and a willingness to train. Bring comfortable clothes for the Friday social and Saturday banquet.

New to Hakko Denshin Ryu?

You do not need to be a federation member or have any prior experience in this art to attend the Tai Kai. All practitioners are welcome.

Training sessions are organized by level, and instructors work with you where you are. You will not be lost, left behind, or out of place. People attend their first Tai Kai every year and leave understanding why others keep coming back.

If you have trained in any martial art and are curious about Hakko Denshin Ryu, this is the best possible introduction. Three days with the federation's senior instructors, on the mat, in person. There is no faster way to understand what this art is about.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Tai Kai?

Tai Kai translates roughly to "great meeting." It is the annual gathering of the Hakko Denshin Ryu Jujutsu Federation, where practitioners from across dojos come together to train, learn, and strengthen the community of the art.

Do I need to be a member of the HDRJJ Federation to attend?

The event is open to all practitioners. Federation members, affiliated dojo students, and practitioners of other martial arts are welcome. No prior Hakko Denshin Ryu experience is required.

What does registration include?

One registration covers the entire weekend: all training sessions across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the Friday evening social with appetizers, the Saturday banquet dinner with the rank recognition ceremony, Sunday morning shiatsu instruction, and snacks and beverages throughout the weekend. There is one tier, one price, and one complete experience.

Can I attend just one day?

Registration covers the full weekend. There is no single-day option. Walk-in registration is available on the day of the event at a premium rate and does not include the banquet.

What skill level is required?

All levels are welcome. Training sessions are organized across multiple simultaneous mats with instructors teaching at different levels. Whether you are new to the art or a senior practitioner, there is instruction suited to your level.

Is testing held at the Tai Kai?

Rank testing may be conducted during the weekend for eligible candidates. Testing eligibility and requirements are coordinated through your home dojo instructor and the federation in advance of the event.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellations requested before September 1 will receive a full refund minus a $25 processing fee. Cancellations between September 1 and September 21 will receive a 50% refund. No refunds after September 21.

Questions?

Email [email protected]