Shihan Takao Konda was born in 1949 in Nagoya (Japan). He was introduced to Japanese Budo when he was very young by his grandfather, a master in the art of Ju-Jutsu. Later he began his studies in Kendo and Kyudo. At the age of 21 he began his learning of Kenpo Kai, specialising in the manipulation techniques called Juho, in oriental medicine and Kyusho (vital points).
Shihan Konda is also a renowned Shodo master and a renowned historian of traditional Japanese martial arts.
He currently holds the rank of Shihan 7th Dan and is a member of the Executive Committee of the International Kenpo Kai Organization with its Headquarters in Shizuoka, Japan.
He has taught Kenpo Kai courses all over the world and is one of the most respected Masters within the Kenpo Kai.
Born in 1948, he graduated from the Nagoya Industrial Institute in 1970.
During the last year of his studies at the Institute, he began his practice of Kenpo Kai under the guidance of Master Kunio Asakura (one of the first Kenpo Kai instructors in Japan born in Burma, he was also an expert in Judo, he passed away in 1979).
Master Takao liked BUDO, but his passion was not as much as that of Shihan Ohashi (a true scholar of traditional Japanese arts, in fact the departments directed by Master Ohashi always worked under this premise and had their own idiosyncrasy) or Master Asakura, in fact Master Asai would not have continued with the practice of martial arts if it had not been for the insistence of Master Kunio Asakura.
Shihan Asai really liked Master Asakura’s way of working, as he always wore a hat and his kimono was very worn, but what he admired most was the respect he exuded.
In 1979, Master Asakura died and Shihan Asai found himself at a very decisive moment in his life, as he had just lost the person who had encouraged and guided him in the difficult world of martial arts. It was then that he convinced him to take over the leadership of the Kenpo Kai department in the Nagoya area. Shihan Ohashi
This misfortune also coincided in a short space of time with the death of another of the pioneers of Kenpo Kai in Japan, Master Seiji Sakakibara (head of the Kenpo Kai department in the Shizuoka area and close friend/companion of Shihan Ohashi). This situation, together with the support of his wife who told him that he had to be brave and that he should not betray the cause, made him decide to accept the position of President of the Kenpo Kai for Nagoya.
During the following years he continued his learning and teaching of the art in that city.
In 2000 he opened his gym in the Tokai district and became one of the most prominent members in the restructuring of the Kenpo Kai, taking a very active part from this moment on in the development of this martial art at a world level.
One of his most important collaborations was the organization of the Kenpo Kai World Championship in 2004 in Japan and his physical integration into the world management of the International Kenpo Kai Organization (IKKO).
In 2005 he was named 2nd Vice President of IKKO, and was awarded the rank of 8th Dan Hanshi, during his visit to Europe.
He has subsequently given courses in various parts of the world: New Zealand, India, Spain…
In August 2005 he was part of a research and work commission for the development of Kenpo Kai worldwide.
Master Asai always comments on the great support and collaboration received from his wife, advising her in her decisions and encouraging her to continue helping others. Thanks to this, Master Asai says that his life has improved a lot and he has achieved many things with Kenpo Kai.
Now his goal is to continue training instructors and enjoy teaching children and Kenpo Kai at his Tokai Dojo in Nagoya.
For the world of Kenpo Kai, Shihan Takao Asai is one of the most important Kenpo Kai Masters worldwide.
Shihan Hamada passed away at the age of 87 in March 2022, his teachings will always be with us.
He held the rank of 7th Dan black belt after a lifetime dedicated to martial arts, he was a specialist in the Japanese sword (Nihonto), which was his great passion.
He was a professional soldier, he held the rank of Colonel in the Japanese Air Force.
He was a great promoter of Japanese martial arts, Kenpo Kai and especially of the Japanese sword.
IKKO is the organization that directs Kenpo Kai worldwide, if you are interested in Kenpo Kai, join our organization and develop this school in your region or country.
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