Specialties
The Hoko Dojo studies the Bujinkan martial arts taught by Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi of Noda, Japan. From the classical warrior traditions he inherited from his teacher Toshitsugu Takamatsu, Dr. Hatsumi developed Budo Taijutsu - a system that emphasizes natural movement, adaptability, and survival rather than just physical strength or sports-oriented fighting.
Although Dr. Hatsumi has since retired, our dojo maintains active relationships with his senior students, including those entrusted with preserving the lineages he received from his teacher. Whether through training at the Hombu Dojo, visting their personal dojos in Japan, or hosting them here, we strive to follow the path he has set before us.
The knowledge Takamatsu passed to Hatsumi extends far beyond combat. He inherited a vast body of ancient wisdom—encompassing medicine, spirituality, and mysticism—deeply rooted in the traditions preserved within the Bujinkan. It is from this broader understanding that our approach to training is shaped.
At the heart of the Bujinkan Hoko Dojo is a single principle: there is no separation between training and life.
These martial arts are not confined to the dojo, but expressed in how one lives, acts, and carries themselves in all roles.
History
Established in 1995.
The Bujinkan Hoko Dojo was established in 1995 in Orange, California as the Bujinkan Ohoko Dojo by Ron Blackwood. The many images of bears that adorned the dojo reflected who Ron was to those around him — a father figure, a “Papa Bear.”
In 2016, upon Ron’s move to Atascadero, California, the dojo was passed to Karry Dayton, who continued the legacy of Ohoko until his relocation to Prescott, Arizona in 2020. Karry now leads the Ohoko Prescott Dojo.
Ohoko was then entrusted to Alex Andalon, who serves as the current head of the dojo.
During the pandemic, Ohoko was forced underground in order to endure. During this period, the dojo underwent a transformation. Training deepened, and a renewed determination to pursue a more profound understanding of Dr. Hatsumi’s art was forged.
From this period emerged the Hoko Dojo.
Hoko may be understood as “sacred radiance” — a name that reflects continuity and renewal. It marks a brilliant re-emergence that honors the legacy of its founder.
Meet the Business Owner: Alex A.
I have been a student of the Bujinkan Dojo since 2004, and the martial arts in general since 1997. I believe that one does not join a martial art, but dies to their former life to be reborn a martial artist. That might tell you a little of what to expect here!