About Us
Technique
Mind
Spirit
The Hakkō Dentō Ryu Renmei is a traditional Japanese organization that combines the teachings of jujutsu with therapeutic and philosophical principles, focusing on harmony between mind, body, and spirit. Based on the concept of “Hakkō,” or “eighth light,” the school teaches gentle and precise techniques that use energy and balance as fundamental pillars.
Preserving the roots of jujutsu, the Hakkō Dentō Ryu Renmei stands out for uniting self-defense with therapeutic care, promoting not only self-protection but also physical and mental well-being. This school keeps the essence of Japanese martial arts alive while inspiring its practitioners to follow a path of self-awareness, discipline, and mutual respect.
Organization
The Birth of a New Journey: An Organization of Hope and Transformation
Over time, both martial arts and natural and alternative therapies have been more than mere practices; they represent forms of healing, self-awareness, and a deep connection between mind, body, and spirit. However, there are times when the paths we follow drift away from the values that initially inspired us.
After years of dedication to the mother organization in Japan, many of us began to feel a growing disconnection. What was once a space for learning and transformation had, for some, become an environment of rigid rules and priorities that seemed to forget the essence of what we truly seek: balance, healing, and holistic well-being.
This disillusionment was not an end, but a awakening to something deeper. It was the necessary push to create our new organization, one that is not based on hierarchical structures or the pursuit of recognition, but on the return to the purest principles that unite us as practitioners and as human beings.
Here, we practice not only self-defense but also self-care, using both martial arts and natural and alternative therapies as tools for physical and spiritual development. Every technique, every practice is an opportunity to harmonize body and mind, to promote healing and inner balance.
This is an organization that respects the roots of martial arts and Eastern therapies but also looks to the future, integrating these practices with the needs of the modern world. We seek not only self-defense but a more holistic path, one that promotes physical, mental, and emotional health.
We hold no grudges against the past; instead, we are grateful for the teachings we have received and the clarity that has guided us to this new beginning. Our mission is clear: to create a community where mutual respect, self-care, and the pursuit of balance come together.
The journey will not be easy, but we know that true transformation does not occur without challenges. With each step, we honor the principles of discipline and respect while seeking, together, a healthier, more balanced, and more fulfilling life.
Our new organization is a beacon of renewal, an opportunity for all those who, like us, believe that true power lies in the union of practices that promote self-defense, healing, and self-awareness.
May this path inspire all those who seek a healthier, more balanced future, and above all, a future more connected to the true purpose of life. Together, we will rebuild and revive that which should never have been forgotten: the union of body, mind, and spirit.
Founders
The Hakko Dentō Ryu Renmei was founded with the purpose of preserving and sharing the essence of traditional Japanese martial arts while integrating it with treatment techniques based on traditional shiatsu, other natural therapies, and exercises focused on balance and well-being.
“Hakko” – the eighth light – represents harmony and gentleness, principles that guide our practices in both self-defense and the promotion of physical, mental, and spiritual health. Our mission is to offer a path where martial discipline merges with therapeutic care, fostering personal transformation and holistic growth.
We invite everyone to join us on this journey of learning and balance, where tradition and modernity come together to create a community strengthened by practice, healing, and mutual respect.
"Persistence overcomes any obstacle."
Harmony, Tradition, and Transformation
A Journey of Overcoming, Therapies, and Self-Defense
The story of Master Okai is an inspiring tale that combines personal perseverance, a passion for martial arts, and a profound respect for health and well-being. In his youth, as was customary at the time, practicing Judo was a mandatory part of life, and he embraced it with dedication and zeal. However, during one of his training sessions, he suffered a shoulder injury that temporarily kept him off the mats, frustrating his plans to participate in an important local tournament.
Determined to recover in time, his mother took him to a massage therapist. This encounter would unexpectedly change his life. His recovery was quick and effective, allowing him not only to compete in the tournament but to secure second place. This experience not only restored his physical abilities but also ignited his curiosity and interest in the therapeutic field. He realized that health and body care were essential, not just for martial arts practice but for life as a whole.
Driven by this newfound interest, Master Okai began seeking deeper knowledge, aiming to understand how therapies could align with martial arts. It was during this pursuit that he discovered the philosophy of Master Ryuho Okuyama, the founder of Hakkoryu. Master Okuyama’s approach was revolutionary: he combined self-defense techniques with therapeutic arts, teaching that touch, pressure, and energetic balance were just as vital as technical skill in a confrontation.
For Master Okai, this discovery was transformative. He understood that martial arts should not be solely about strength or competition but about balance, respect, and care. In this context, self-defense extended beyond the physical realm to encompass emotional and energetic dimensions. He began to integrate these philosophies into his practice and his life, becoming a living example of how harmony between body, mind, and spirit can turn challenges into opportunities.
Today, Master Okai’s legacy reflects his life’s journey. He is remembered not only as a great martial artist but also as a relentless advocate for health and well-being. His story teaches us that even in the face of difficulties, we can find paths leading to something greater – a purpose that unites strength, healing, and wisdom.
Health: A Pillar for Future Quality of Life
Master Ryutaro Okai dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the art of Hakkoryu, becoming one of the youngest Masters trained at the Hombu Dojo in Japan, with the guidance and support of his father. Before this, he practiced Kyokushin Karate, an intense and challenging martial art. Kyokushin, with its strength and discipline, brought confidence and courage, transforming the body into a true “weapon.” However, the price of this strength was high: constant pain in the hands, spine, and legs revealed the physical toll of such a rigorous path.
It was upon discovering Hakkoryu that Master Ryutaro understood the true value of health and well-being. More than just a self-defense technique, this art showed him that physical and emotional balance must be a priority in life. Hakkoryu offered a new perspective: self-defense is not only about strength or endurance but also about understanding and respecting the limits of the body and mind.
Health is the foundation of our future quality of life. It allows us to enjoy moments with our loved ones, achieve our goals, and live life to the fullest. Protecting our health is an act of courage, as it means prioritizing what truly matters: living well, with harmony and longevity.
After decades of dedication to Hakkoryu, where he had been involved since 1991 and became a Master of the art, Master Ryutaro Okai took a new path. Together with his father, he decided to establish his own school, preserving the philosophies of the original Hakkoryu while adapting them to a broader and more necessary context. This new school emerged as an almost impossible endeavor, given that many traditional arts have been forgotten, disappeared, or never fully developed.
The “Art of the 8 Lights” does not refer to invisible and invincible lights but rather to the development of 8 integrated therapies that promote balance and well-being. This approach represents a profound connection to the fundamental principles of harmony between body and mind, something Master Ryutaro seeks to preserve and expand.
Unfortunately, the essence of the Hakkoryu organization has been fading over the years. The disproportionate focus on individuals lacking the ability to convey the true spirit of the art, combined with the prioritization of profit over philosophy, is eroding the carefully built legacy. Any organization, no matter how traditional, risks weakening when fundamental values are neglected.
Although we are no longer connected to the Hakkoryu organization, our respect for its history and essence remains intact. We believe that, one day, our paths may cross again, guided by the true philosophy of its founder.
However, for this to happen, a mutual effort is needed to piece together the fragments and understand the reasons behind so many separations. Without this reflection, the justifications are lost, like leaves in the wind, leaving behind only gaps and uncertainty.
The legacy of Hakkoryu is far too valuable to be overlooked. May the future bring the wisdom needed to restore bonds, strengthen principles, and honor the vision of the one who gave life to this art. After all, the true spirit of tradition lives in harmony, unity, and the will to preserve what is essential.
A Legacy of Healing and Balance
Master Hiroshi Okai is a living example of how tradition and modernity can walk hand in hand, creating a path of harmony and well-being. Trained in Traditional Medicine as a family doctor, he always knew that his role as a healer went beyond conventional practices. Since childhood, Hiroshi and his siblings were cared for with natural therapies, a legacy passed down by their parents.
His father, a wise and visionary man, encouraged Hiroshi to become a doctor, and that dream became a reality. However, even as he pursued Western medicine, he never abandoned the essence of the treatments that had kept his family healthy and strong. It was rare for him or his siblings to fall ill, and when they did, recovery was always swift and effective. This living testament to the power of alternative therapies shaped his view of health, inspiring him to seek deeper understanding of the balance between body, mind, and spirit.
Guided by this philosophy of life, Hiroshi delved into the practice of Hakkoryu, eventually becoming a master of this unique martial art. For him, Hakkoryu was not merely a technique of self-defense but a pathway to understanding the intrinsic connection between the internal and external worlds. This art, with its structure rooted in softness, precision, and respect for the body, offered him an expanded perspective on the role of health and well-being.
Master Hiroshi Okai’s connection with alternative therapies is not just a professional choice but a family legacy and a life purpose. He carries the mission of demonstrating that true health goes beyond curing diseases—it is about prevention, balance, and nurturing the best within ourselves. His example inspires us to seek a life of harmony, where science and tradition walk side by side, lighting the way toward a healthier and more balanced future.