Born in Kitami, Hokkaido, Japan, Horikawa began training in Daitoryu Jujutsu in May of 1914 under his father and Sokaku Takeda. He received the Hiden Mokuroku in 1931, and in June of the same year, the Hiden Ogi Mokuroku. He became a shihan at age 37. In September, 1950 he established the Daitoryu Aikijujutsu Kodokai in Kitami, Hokkaido, Japan. Horikawa was honored with the title of Meijin. He was succeeded in the Kodokai by Inoue Yusuke, Menkyo Kaiden Shihan, currently retired but still acting as an advisor. The current leader of the Kodokai is Shinpo Tatsuo Menkyo Kaiden Shihan.