Began his martial arts training with Kendo when he was in Junior High School. At the age of 21, Tagawa began training traditional Japanese Karate at the University of Southern California. A year later he moved to Japan and began studying with the J.K.A. under Master Nakayama. Despite being an outstanding fighter, he didn't agree with the violent and competitive nature, and continued developing his own style, focusing less on the physical part and more on breathing, energy, philosophy and science.