Darrell Craig's HOUSTON BUDOKAN Inc.

The Houston Budokan Dojo is closed and Sensei Craig has retired but the teaching will live on

Under the teaching and direction of Kyoshi Shihan Craig, the Houston Budokan served as a center for the study of the traditional martial arts of Japan and Okinawa for 50 Years. Here, the students had available to them instruction in an unusually broad range of forms and disciplines taught with the central purpose of enhancing the student's physical and mental well-being. Darrell Max Craig is now retired and working on his next novel.

LOGO OF THE HOUSTON BUDOKAN DOJO

The logo of the Houston Budokan can be interpreted as follows:



This character means two people fighting

This character means two people fighting

When put together they mean MARTIAL

The red in the center of the emblem represents the red sun as seen in the Japanese flag. The circle which encloses the red sun represents that there is not a destination in budo, only an endless journey. The dominant eight lines extending from the circle represent Happo No Kuzushi or the eight directions of balance, which is the basis of all Japanese martial arts. The octagon shape of the logo is an exact miniature replica of the roof of the great Budokan in Tokyo.

HISTORY of HOUSTON BUDOKAN DOJO

The Houston Budokan was first established in 1966 in northwest Houston, Texas under the name of The House of the White Moon. From 1966 to 1984 it relocated several times until it moved to its last location at 4230 Mangum. In 1969 the Dojo changed its name to the Houston Budokan Inc. and adopted its logo. From 1966 to 1969, The Dojo taught only karate and kobudo. Kendo and Iaido were introduced to the Dojo's currirulum in 1969 and in 1975 the Dojo floor was covered completely with a Katame mat and Judo, jujitsu and aikido were added to the curriculum. When the Houston Budokan moved to the Mangum location the additional floor space allowed two completely different arts to be taught simultaneously. The Dojo officially closed in 2017 when Renshi Shihan Craig retired to travel and devote more time to his writings.

JUDO AND KENDO SIDES OF THE DOJON
JUDO AND KENDO SHRINES IN THE DOJO

CHAMPIONS OF THE HOUSTON BUDOKAN

When students wore the Houston Budokan pin they connected yourself to a martial art legacy. From its beginning in 1966 to the present.
The Houston Budokan has produced hundreds of recreational Martial Artists as well as 17 national champions and world competitors in three arts. These include:

JUDO

National Champions
Claudia Smith, Barbara Anderson, Wendy Craig, David Simmons, Chris Becker
International Champions
Tommy Callaway, Claudia Smith, Mehran Viseh

KARATE

National Champions
Darrell Craig, J. Faninto

KENDO

National Champions
Darrell Craig, Darren Craig, Rick TheBerge, Bob Lawson, Lanny Morton, Gordon Small, Kenichi Sooda
International Competitors
Bill Smith, Rick TheBerge, Darren Craig, Darrell Craig, Vernon Williams

CHAMPIONSHIPS OF THE HOUSTON BUDOKAN

Craig Sensei has directed students to the following National and International Championships:

  • JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS:

    • 3 SILVERS - 2 BRONZE - HOUSTON OPEN JUDO TOURNIMENT (2010)
    • 1st PLACE KATA - 3 - 1st PLACE SHINI - TEXAS STATE JUDO TOURNIMENT (2010)
    • 2 GOLD - PAN AMERICAN GAMES (2009)
    • 2 GOLD - 1 SILVER - TEXAS A&M JUDO TOURNIMENT (2009)
    • 1st PLACE KATA - 1st PLACE SHINI - HOUSTON OPEN JUDO TOURNIMENT (2009)
    • 2 GOLD - PAN AMERICAN GAMES (2008)
    • 2 SILVERS - WORLD JUDO MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS (2008)
    • 2 GOLDS - USA JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS (2008)
    • 2 GOLDS - USA JUDO OPEN JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS (2007)
    • 3rd PLACE - US JUDO NATIONALS (2006)
    • WINNERS OF THE HOUSTON OPEN JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS (2006)
    • 1 GOLD - PAN AMERICAN GAMES (2005)
    • 1GOLD - THE SWAMP CLASSIC JUDO CHAMPIONS (2004)
    • 2 BRONZE - THE SWAMP CLASSIC JUDO CHAMPIONS (2004)
    • 1 GOLD - JUDO NATIONALS (2003)
    • 1 GOLD - PAN AMERICAN GAMES (2003)
    • 2 GOLD - JUDO NATIONALS (2002)
    • 2 GOLD - WORLD MASTERS (2002)
    • 2 GOLD - PAN AMERICAN GAMES (2002)
    • 2 GOLD & 1 SILVER - PAN AMERICAN GAMES (2001)
    • 1 GOLD & 3 SILVER - NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (2000)

  • KARATE CHAMPIONSHIPS:

    • 1st PLACE - TEXAS KARATE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS (2009)
    • 2nd & 3rd PLACE - U.S.A.N.K.F. TEXAS CHAMPIONSHIPS (2008)
    • 1 GOLDS - U.S.A.N.K.F. TEXAS CHAMPIONSHIPS (2005)
    • 1 SILVER - U.S.A.N.K.F. TEXAS CHAMPIONSHIPS (2005)
    • 1 BRONZE - U.S.A.N.K.F. TEXAS CHAMPIONSHIPS (2005)
    • 3 GOLDS - U.S.A.N.K.F. TEXAS CHAMPIONSHIPS (2003)
    • 1 SILVER & 2 BRONZE - U.S.A.N.K.F. NATIONALS (2001)



    KENDO CHAMPIONSHIPS:

    • 3rd PLACE - UNIVERSITY of TEXAS TEAM TOURNAMENT (2010)
    • 2nd & 3rd PLACE - NABESHIMA CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS (2009)
    • 3rd PLACE - KENDO TEAM TOURNAMENT (2006)
    • 2nd PLACE - LONGHORN TEAM TAIKAI (2005)
    • 1st PLACE - NABESHIMA CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS (2005)
    • 1st PLACE - NABESHIMA CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS (2004)
    • 1st PLACE - NABESHIMA CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS (2003)
    • 1st PLACE - INTERNATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS (2001)
    • 1st PLACE - NABESHIMA CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS (2001)