Budokan Academy

A great weekend! It is always a pleasure to see everyone at the Iaido and Jodo Association of Singapore and see in person how much they have improved. 😄

Next month in sunny QLD.

Sensei Jeri James (Renshi 7 Dan) and Sensei Russell Lawrence (Renshi 7 Dan) from Budokan Academy will both be attending.

34th Australian Iaidō Seminar & Championships
One of the great strengths of the 34th Australian Iaidō Seminar & Championships is you get the opportunity to receive instructor from an exceptional team of senior instructors from both Japan and Australia.
Joining us on the Sunshine Coast will be our visiting instructors from Japan:
Morishima Kazuki Sensei – Kyōshi 8 Dan
Takizawa Tomomi Sensei – Kyōshi 7 Dan
Together with long-time friend and supporter of Australian Iaidō:
Igarashi Sensei – 7 Dan, CEO of Nosyudo Sword Manufacturer,
whose support for Australian practitioners over many years has been invaluable.
We're also delighted to confirm three of Australia's most senior Iaidō instructors:
Jeri James Sensei (WA) – Renshi 7 Dan
Russell Lawrence Sensei (WA) – Renshi 7 Dan
David Kolb Sensei (QLD) – Renshi 7 Dan
Participants will have the opportunity to learn from instructors with decades of experience in training, teaching and grading at the highest levels.
Whether you're attending your first national seminar, preparing for grading, or refining the finer points of your Iaidō, this is a rare opportunity to receive guidance from some of the most experienced practitioners in Australia, and Japan.
Beyond the formal instruction, national seminars provide something equally valuable—the opportunity to share knowledge, build friendships, and strengthen the connections within our Australian Iaidō community.
📍 Sunshine Coast Recreation Precinct, Queensland
📅 4–6 September 2026
Registration is available HERE
https://events.humanitix.com/2026-34rd-iaido-championships-and-seminar
If you haven't registered yet, now is an excellent time to secure your place. We hope to
welcome practitioners from across Australia and overseas for this outstanding event.
Who will be joining us on the Sunshine Coast? Tell us where you're travelling from in the comments below! 👇

We encourage all students to register, this is always a great event! 🏆

📣2026 Western Taikai - Registrations are now open!

All members will have received an event registration link via email. Use this link to register your attendance and pick which competitions you'd like to enter, as well as if you're available to volunteer.

Competitions available:

- Kendo Team Shiai
- Kendo Team Kata
- Iaido Team
- Jodo Team

Teams will be organised by club sensei after registration closes.

Registrations close 10th of August.

Before exploring the deeper Zen states of Budō, a solid foundation must already exist.

Within the Daidō Kokū Budōkai, these are recognised as the Foundations of Budō. They are not new skills to learn, but principles already cultivated through sincere martial training. They are recognised as prior learning and become the foundation from which the later stages of the Budōkai are understood.

Kihon (基本) – Fundamentals. Return constantly to what works under pressure.

Mitori Geiko (見取り稽古) – Learning through observation. Develop understanding by watching those with greater experience.

Ma-ai (間合い) – Distance and timing. Recognise opportunity, danger and the right moment to act.

Kime (決め) – Decisive action. Commit fully once action is taken.

Seijaku (静寂) – Stillness in motion. Remain calm within pressure and uncertainty.

Hara (腹) – Centre. Develop physical, emotional and mental stability.

Kokoro (心) – Heart and mind. Align intention, attitude and action.

Mokusō (黙想) – Silent reflection. Develop the habit of stillness, preparation and self-examination.

Regardless of style, reflect upon each of these principles through your own martial experience. The remaining stages of the Daidō Kokū Budōkai are best understood only after this foundation has been recognised and strengthened.

大道虚空武道会Daidō Kokū Budōkai

One week to go before I head to Nouméa (capital of New Caledonia) to conduct a 6 day Iaido and Jōdo seminar.

This will be my 2nd of 3 International trips this year for Martial Arts. I was in Japan in March for Iaido and will be in Singapore in August.

Congratulations to our club members who passed their gradings last night.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1346955420625827&id=100059341448231

Congratulations to our students who passed last night, both from our Southern River dojo and our Osbourne Park one! 💪🏻