Byakkokan Dojo 

Head Instructor

Hello, my name is Sang Kim. I am the head instructor of this class. My teachers are Bob Elder sensei (6th dan kyoshi) and Hataya Mitsuo sensei (9th dan Kaicho of the Zen Nihon Batto Do renmei)

I was first introduced to sword when I was about 12 through kendo. During high school during a visit to the local martial arts store, I met a gentleman by the name of Bob Elder. He askded me to come by and watch class and since then, my interest has been Toyama Ryu. I've been practicing Toyama Ryu and Battodo since 2000.

Although I am quite young for my rank, you can ask anyone who knows me and trained with me how hard I have practiced and still practice today. I was fortunate for the experiences and opportunities that were given to me because of Elder Sensei, Hataya sensei, my sempais, and the honbu dojo.

Many martial arts school say that you can become a better person by doing their style, well I'm not going to say that doing this style made me a better person, but by practicing this style the people I have had the opportunities to meet have had a huge impact on who I've become. Toyama Ryu has become a big part of my life and who I am and I can say that I carry that burden proudly.




These are some of my accomplishments

President, US Federation of Batto Do

Director of Technical Training, US Federation of Batto Do

I hold the rank of

• Godan Renshi - Toyama Ryu ZNTIR
• Yondan -US Battodo Federation
• Nidan - Seizan Kai

Tournaments and Awards

2002 Orlando Tai Kai -
2nd place, (nidan/sandan tameshigiri)
1st place, (team tameshigiri)

2003 Orlando Tai Kai -
4th place, (dodan)
3rd place, (nidan/sandan kata)
1st place, (nidan/sandan tameshigiri)
2nd place, (kumitachi)
3rd place, (team tameshigiri)

2005 Orlando Tai Kai -
2nd place, (nidan/sandan kata)

2006 West Coast Tai Kai -
3rd place, (nidan/sandan tameshigiri)

2007 Orlando Tai Kai -
2nd place, (yondan and up kata)
2nd place, (yondan and up tameshigiri)
1st places, (iai sandan and up tameshigiri)

2007 31st All Japan Toyama Ryu Tai Kai -
1st place (Nidan/Sandan Tameshigiri)
1st place (Kumitachi)

2007 2nd Annual West Coast Tai Kai -
1st place (Yondan and Up Tameshigiri)
3rd place (Yoko Narabi)
4th place (Dodan)

2008 Florida Tai Kai -
1st place (Yondan and Up Tameshigiri)
2nd place (Yondan and Up Kata)
3rd place (Dodan)

2008 32nd All Japan Toyama Ryu Tai Kai -
1st place (Gekken)
2nd place (Kumitachi)

2009 Florida Tai Kai - Shimpan

2009 Arizona Tai - Shimpan

2009 33rd All Japan Toyama Ryu Tai Kai - Senshu Daihyo

2009 Kern River Budosai (Bakersfield) - Shimpan

2010 3rd Annual West Coast Tai Kai - Shimpan

2011 35th All Japan Toyama Ryu Tai Kai  - 2nd place gekken

Assistant Instructor - Henry Kim

• Nidan - Toyama Ryu ZNTIR
• Nidan - US Battodo Federation
• Shodan - Seizan Kai
  

Tournaments and Awards

2007 Annual West Coast Tai Kai-

3rd place Shodan and Under Kata
3rd Place Shodan and Under Tameshigiri

2009 33rd All Japan Toyama Ryu Tai Kai -

2nd Place Kumitachi

2009 Florida Toyama Ryu Tai Kai -

3rd place Nidan / Sandan Kata

3rd place Nidan / Sandan Tameshigiri

1st place Kumitachi

2011 35th All Japan Toyama Ryu Tai Kai -

1st place Kumitachi (with Kyle Kim)

3rd place Nidan/Sandan Kata 

2011 Orlando Tai Kai -

1st place Nidan/Sandan kata

2nd place Nidan/Sandan Tameshigiri

1st place Kumitachi (with Kyle Kim)

 

 

Assistant Instructor - Dan Park

• Nidan - US Battodo Federation
• Shodan - Seizan Kai 

 

pictures by Stan Liu

 

Assistant Instructor - Ron Duponte

• Nidan - US Battodo Federation

• Shodan - Seizankai

Tournaments and Awards

2007 West Coast Tai Kai -

1st place Shodan Tameshigiri

2009 Orlando Tai Kai -

1st place Nidan / Sandan Tameshigiri

2nd place Nidan / Sandan Kata

2011 Orlando Tai Kai -

3rd place Nidan/Sandan Tameshigiri