He rethinks the basic principles of how the body moves and teaches people to let go of unnecessary force — a way of using the body born from Japanese martial arts, shared with people in every field.
Philosopher of the body / Head of Genbujutsu Amane-ryū (玄武術 天根流)
Houjoh studied martial arts under Yoshinori Kono, a researcher of kobujutsu (classical Japanese martial arts), and Akio Nakajima, teacher of dōsajutsu (the art of movement). Building on his masters’ theories with discoveries of his own, he developed Gen-undō and Gen-bujutsu, which focus on rebuilding the fundamental principles of the body and its movement, and on datsuryoku — releasing unnecessary tension.
He teaches “how to use the body” to sports coaches, performers, fighters and artists alike. In recent years he has also taught alongside specialists from other fields, including football coaches, professional stunt performers and stage artists.
Seeing mind and body as one, he also offers classes and consultations on releasing tension in both.
Starting from the view that many problems arise from losing our sense of the body and giving up thinking for ourselves, the book explores free ways of thinking based on Kono’s approach to practice.
View on Amazon Japan
Through conversations between the two authors, the book sets out Houjoh’s principles of how skill grows — a theory and method he built from scratch by observing Kono’s movement.
View on Amazon JapanBased in Tokyo, Houjoh holds regular classes and workshops across Japan, as well as sessions online. Themes include an easier way to use the body drawn from classical martial arts, releasing tension, and calming nerves. He also offers private lessons and mind–body counselling.
In November 2026 Houjoh travels to Italy with Meisoumai to lead a workshop and appear on stage.
16:00 · Flexibility and strength through traditional movement. Followed at 17:30 by a performance of Meisoumai.
Palestra comunale, Via Roma 73, Gavignano (Rome) · free entry
Under the patronage of the Municipality of Gavignano, in collaboration with the Budo Zen cultural association.
19:30–22:00 on stage · Teatro Politeama Garibaldi
“Sacred Dance & Martial Arts” by Meisoumai and Amane-ryū, weaving together sword, staff (jō) and dance.
19:00–22:00 · Teatro Politeama Garibaldi
Meisoumai and Amane-ryū close the evening.
According to the official website, both Palermo evenings are free with registration, but are now fully booked (as of 29 October). The links above lead to the waiting list. See the Palermo Japan Week website for the latest programme.
Born in Tokyo in 1949, Kono is a researcher of kobujutsu — Japan’s classical martial arts, handed down from the age of the samurai, as distinct from the modern sporting forms of budō. In 1978 he founded Shōseikan, a group for martial arts training and research (dissolved in 2003). The ways of moving he has drawn from these old arts have been applied in fields as varied as sport, music and caregiving. Kono is also widely known in Japan for his exchanges with professional baseball pitcher Masumi Kuwata, among others.
Houjoh began by closely observing Kono’s movement, and built his own theory and training method from the ground up. The two have written two books together.
Kaori, founder of Meisoumai, has worked with Houjoh in recent years on how she uses her body. Houjoh and Kaori also co-host “Body at Peace” workshops across Japan, in which participants observe the state of their mind and body and gently bring it into balance. (If you would like to host one abroad, please get in touch.) In Italy, a dance of prayer and a martial art will be presented together as a single improvised performance.
For invitations to perform or teach, hosting a “Body at Peace” workshop, or questions about the books and classes, please use the form below.
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