Battodo Fudokan

Training with John Maki Evans-sensei at Battodo Fudokan @battodo_fudokan in East London was an incredible experience. I learned to cut with a shinken 真剣 (a live, sharp blade) just like a samurai in feudal Japan! ⚔️ His dojo members were skilled, disciplined and very accommodating – not just to me, but also to my friend Eloise, who was making a radio documentary about the writing of my book, The Way of the Samurai Women. I interviewed Evans-sensei about samurai philosophy and practice surrounding the use of the katana (sword), and also tea ceremony practitioner @reiseto . You can listen to the show now on digital via BBC World Service & BBC Sounds. Our programme, called ‘Searching for My Samurai Mother’, will be broadcast again on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday 18 Aug at 15:30. Tune in via link in bio! 📻✨ #samurai #japan #swordtraining #martialarts #bbc

New Beginners Course, Hackney - Starting September 7th
The successful practice of Japanese swordsmanship.

Throughout the year, a number of beginners’ courses take place, providing a rounded introduction to the training, discipline and philosophy of Battodo.

Places are limited, so early booking is recommended.

Book now:
www.battodo-fudokan.co.uk

New Beginners Course, Hackney – Starting September 7th
The successful practice of Japanese swordsmanship.

Throughout the year, a number of beginners’ courses take place, providing a rounded introduction to the training, discipline and philosophy of Battodo.

Looking for a new challenge?
Places are limited, so early booking is recommended.

Book now:
www.battodo-fudokan.co.uk

Well done to everyone who took part in Sunday's grading.
A great day of training, effort and learning. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day a success.
It was also a pleasure to welcome students from Walthamstow Battodo and Nintai Kai Battodo who joined us for the grading.

We had the pleasure of welcoming students from Notre Dame University to train with us.

They took part in an introduction to our Beginners Battodo / Tanren course — learning the fundamentals, movement and mindset behind the art.

A great session and an opportunity to share the practice.

Introduction to Shodo with Taki Kodaira

We are delighted to host a special three-part course exploring the Eight Basic Strokes and the underlying principles of the character 永 (Ei – Eternity).

A course of three 2-hour classes
Friday 26th June | 7–9pm
Saturday 27th June | 2–4pm
Sunday 28th June | 11am–1pm
📍 Main Hall, Haggerston School, London, E2 8LS
Fee: £150

Day 1: The Body of Shodō
Learn the axis of your body, how to hold the brush, and the eight basic strokes.

Day 2: Spirit and Space
An exploration of white space — cultivating awareness of both the preceding and following line.

Day 3: The Flow of 永 (Eternity)
Bringing the eight techniques together in a single rhythm to complete the character 永.

Taki Kodaira Sensei was born in Nagano, Japan. She gained a Master of Fine Arts from the China Academy of Art, taught extensively in Italy and the UK, and now lives in Kyoto. Over the last five years she has refined the art of teaching Shodō online and now teaches students all over the world.

The eight core strokes of 永 mirror the eight fundamental sword techniques. This connection inspired Nakamura Sensei to devise his Happō no Tōhō — the method of eightfold swordsmanship.

Learning with Taki Sensei over the past five years has deepened my appreciation of flow, intention, composure, posture and perception — whether wielding the sword or the brush. Her recent course in Japan was extremely well received, and several senior Battodō practitioners are now regular online students.

If you would like to participate, please email [email protected]

Here is the video of the demonstration we performed at the opening of the Samurai exhibition at the British Museum on 29th January.
The exhibition is well worth seeing - there are some truly astounding exhibits, beautifully presented. Do try to visit soon, as some of the pieces are only on display for the first month before being returned to their usual locations.

Fudokan Dojo at the Opening of Samurai Exhibition at the British Museum on January 29th 2026. Fudokan Dojo were honoured to be asked to perform the demonstration at the opening of the Samurai Exhibition at the British Museum on January 29th 2026. They...

A few highlights from our demonstration at the for the opening night of the Samurai exhibition.

Honoured to perform in such an iconic setting, celebrating the history, craftsmanship and spirit of the samurai.

The exhibition is now open and runs until 4th May.

Full video coming soon.

Photos: