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88 Balham Road, Yapton Arundel West Sussex BN18 0JY BEGINNERS AND VISITORS WELCOME MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION GRADINGS CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT DARREN'S BIO Darren began the study of Traditional Aikido on Thursday 13th June 1991 as a member of the Tokushima Budo Council International. The TBCI was set up as for the preservation of the philosophical and spiritualistic concepts of the Classical Arts of Japan by Kenshiro Abbe (15 December 1915 – 1 December 1985). During his time with the TBCI Darren trained with multiple teachers around the UK include Saito Morihiro & Pat Hendricks. It wasn't until 1995 he met Kyoshi Passmore that he first experienced iaido and karate at various Budokan events and he began training in iaido under Kyoshi Ansell in 1996. Darren continues to enjoy training train with both, with the latter under the auspices of British Kendo Association where he has been selected to represent the UK at multiple European Iaido Championships. Joining the Dai Nippon Butokukai (DNBK) in 1996 Darren had the privilege to attend the first 3 World World Butoku Sais in Norfolk Virginia (1998) and at the Butokuden in Kyoto, Japan in 2002 and 2008. These were led by the then Deputy Sosai, Jiko Higashifushimi, a cousin to Emperor Akihito. Apart from these events he has attended many European Butoku Sais and Rensei Taikais with the DNBK. At these events that Darren has had the opportunity to practice other arts such as DaitoRyu AikiJujutsu, Kendo, Judo, Naginata, Jojutsu, Sojutsu & Jujutsu. Apart from the Dai Nippon Butokukai events Darren has attended various Budo seminars within the UK as well as Belgium, France, Netherlands, Germany, USA and Greece. ARUNDEL DOJO Classes are held in a vibrant atmosphere where students benefit from some of the highest quality tuition available in the UK today. Disciplines KARATE - SHUKUKAI RYU AIKIDO - TRADITIONAL IAIDO - MUSOSHINDEN RYU ZEN - SOTO Chief Instructor DAVID PASSMORE 7 DAN KYOSHI Dojo Leaders DARREN WAGHORNE 6 DAN darrenwaghorne@yahoo.co.uk DAVID GOLDING 5 DAN catekize@msn.com CONGRATULATIONS TO DARREN ON HIS 4TH DAN WITH THE BKA On Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd May the British Kendo Association held their annual West Midlands Iaido seminar with a grading upto Yondan on the last afternoon. Being the first West Midlands seminar after lockdown it was a full house of 60 students led by Fay Goodman Sensei, Nanadan Kyoshi. Assisting her were 3 Rokudans all holding the Renshi title which included the current BKA Squad coach. On the first day the seminar was split in to 4 grade groups with a Sensei working with each group for 3 techniques before moving on to another group. This allowed all of the 12 Seitei-gata, including the specific Chakugan-ten (grading points) for each kata, to be covered by the 4 teachers. The second day the groups were the same but this time the teacher stayed with that group only. I was fortunate to have Fay Goodman Sensei. This time the practice was concentrate on the reiho and our grading katas which were notified to us prior to the start of the day. For Yondan this was 1 free choice of Koryu which I chose Shohatto and 4 Shitei waza (complusary techniques) of Ushiro, Sanpogiri, Ganmenate and Sougiri. The shitei waza are chosen by the Sensei on the course and they are different for each grade and seminar though occassionally they overlap. Anyone attempting Shodan and above much complete a written grading paper which consisting of 6 questions. This paper needs to be submitted in advance of the seminar and passed before you can sit the "physical" shinza (grading). The "physical" shinza part is also known as Jitsugi or practical skill. For an attemp of Yondan there needs to be 6 shinza-in (grading panelists) of Rokudan and above and you require least 4 votes from the panel to pass. The 4 teachers of the course and another Nanadan Kyoshi & Rokudan Renshi attended to make up the panelists. The grading took place in grade order, from the lowest grade to the highest. This meant I was last on! It not just the waiting for your grading it is also the wait after whilst the grading officer reviews the panelists notes to determine who has passed or failed. I hate waiting! Subtle celebrations ensued after the posting of the results and a lot of handshakes and well dones. For me it didn't end there. I spoke to all the garding panelists to gain feedback on my grading to help me improve going orward.

HISTORY OF KORYU JUJITSU A LITTLE MARTIAL ARTS HISTORY The fierceness of the Japanese warrior and his fighting arts have fascinated Westerners since the West came into contact with THEM more than 450 years ago. However it was not until the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries that Westerners actually started to practice any of the Japanese martial arts. JUJITSU was one of the first, perhaps even the very first-of these Arts to be taught in the West and it was not long before Kano Jigoro's new Art and Sport of JUDO begun rapidly to gain popularity in Japan and a number of JUJITSU practitioners, encouraged by their instructors, changed over to Kano's JUDO, which although based on older jujitsu schools basic methods was considered at the time a more "scientifically structured system". At the same time, other Western JUJITSU dojo's went their own way, incorporating Western ideas into their systems, and thus laying the foundations for some of the modern jujitsu styles seen today. Even some of the oldest dojo's in Europe were forced to change over to the more modern and popular judo, just to survive. This is what also happened to our Kodokwan dojo here in Zambia, which was formed in 1928. At the time of its formation it was the only dojo that practiced JUJITSU and then around the early 1940s our Kodokwan began to include formal judo practice in its dojo. The traditional SAMURAI JUJITSU schools of old taught not merely a defensive art, but the curricula comprised a very comprehensive range of tactics, equipping exponents to face a great variety of situations. This is in sharp contrast to the techniques used in modern day JUDO competitions, for example classical jujitsu techniques were not designed to score points, but to be effective for increasing one's chance of survival, allowing an opponent minimal opportunity to counterattack. The throws were applied in such a way that the combatant could break one or more limbs of an opponent before throwing him, usually after the opponent had been attacked with atemi or body strikes. When the opponent was flying through the air, he was suddenly jerked down in such a way that under optimal circumstances he would break his neck, or at least seriously injure his spine. There was no space for any mistake on the battle field when facing off an opponent engaged in COMBAT JUJITSU and there were no rules or prohibited techniques in battle. Samurai on the battle field engaged in "Yori Kumi-Uchi" [grappling] dressed in armor, required super-quick reflexes and the utmost self-confidence in their technique."Zanshin" was at its peak in this situation of survival, for even the slightest mistake, an off balanced posture or loss of concentration could result in death. Using Yori Kumi-Uchi was essential to effective grappling in armor, for through this the warrior developed the balance, leverage, and mobility with which both to preserve his position allowing him to then use Atemi or Kansetsu-waza to break a limb and throw his enemy to the ground, then draw his short blade and plunge it into his adversary. A special blade, "Yori-doshi", was worn on the right hip for this purpose. For obvious reasons these techniques are prohibited in the modern day sport of JUDO and even in modern JUJITSU. In JUDO, where the safety of one's partner in training or competition is a most important issue, throws such as "Ippon-seoi-nage"[one arm shoulder throw], are applied with the arm of Uke [recipient of the force) in the Junte position, for greater safety. An important characteristic of classical jujitsu is precisely that many throws are initiated with uke's arm in gyakute position . There are also some types of throws in CLASSICAL JUJITSU in which both of Uke's arms are locked in Gyakute position, making ot much more dangerous as it makes Ukemi, [defensive measures, like break-falling] more difficult, in fact when the techniques is executed correctly , ukemi becomes nearly impossible. Since the CLASSICAL MARTIAL ARTIST was not protected by rules in combat, he needed very thorough knowledge of escaping and using Ukemi to survive throws that were applied with the intention of maiming rather than scoring a point. However, one has to realize that when a throw is executed correctly, with the intention and speed to maim or even kill, Ukemi cam be very difficult. Therefore, if possible it was better to escape using many different techniques, just before being thrown, with some of these techniques being of a very extreme nature, even being prepared to sacrifice a hand or elbow or dislocate a shoulder, just to get away from being thrown, not like SPORT JUDO, where being thrown just means losing a point. Needless to say some JUJITAU RYUHA came to specialize in equipping exponents to escape throws just before the actions were initiated. In TRADITIONAL JUJITSU there was no such thing as a "prohibited move", Tactics that could be employed included were and are, - grappling (kumi) ,throw (nage), plus techniques for limiting the negative effect of a throw, restraint (osae), locking the joints(kansetsu-waza), chocking (shime- waza), attacking the vital points of the body (kyusho-waza), body strikes (atemi ), kicking (keri), thrusting (tsuki), and hitting (uchi)- I have had the honour and privilege of watching these Koryu-Ryha Sensei demonstrate their JUJITSU in Kyoto City , at the Kyoto-shi Koryu Bujitsu Enbukai [THE Kyoto City Traditional Martial Arts Demonstration Meeting), where various Koryu Bujitsu schools from all over Japan gather to demonstrate their skills. It is truly amazing to watch these old JUJITSU SENSEI throw each around, and doing ukemi on the hard pine wood floors, without Tatami mats! I even had the rare opportunity to train for a while under Sensei Arao 5th dan, of Tondabayashi, Osaka City, who at the time was over 60 years of age. SENSEI ARAO is a BUDO MASTER IN TOMIKI AIKIDO AND DAITO-RYU JUJITSU where he practiced at the Tennoji Aikikan in down town Osaka. Finally I would at this time like to also thank all the Sensei, Senpai and Kohai in Takatsuki-shi, Tondabayashi-shi Shimin Taiku-kan Budo Dojo in Osaka, for putting up with this "Zambian kara hen na no Gaijin" (strange foreigner from Zambia) for all those years. (c) Jonathan Kruger 22011 - Shihan Kodokwan Judo Jujitsu Zambia

DERRICK WRIDGWAY DERRICK WRIDGWAY 5th Dan Shihan Budokan One of Doshu's earliest Disciples and strongest Budokan supporters of well over 50 years, started his Karate career in 1964 at one of Budokan South Africa's first dojo in the small town of Pinetown, Natal.
Under the guidance of Doshu and with dedicated training he in a short time proved he was to become a major player in Budokan SA and as Doshu once commented, "He was one of the finest technicians I ever trained". In the contest arena he proved himself by representing his Province of Natal on many occasions and winning the Shukokai Senior Kata Championship three years in a row. He eventually became a Senior Sensei within Budokan SA travelling and teaching full time in many of the dojo across the country. In a break from Karate he proved his determination to excel in whatever he undertook and completed the very challenging International "Two Oceans Road Marathon" which runs between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans around Cape Town and then he went on to complete in "two" of the World Famous Mega "Comrades Marathon", said to be one of the toughest road races in the world, both proud achievements.., Today he is working alongside his friend of a lifetime, Kyoshi David Passmore in the development of our BUDOKAN WORLD.

THE VILLLAGE HALL LLANGUNLLO KNIGHTON LD7 1SW DOJO LEADER AND INSTRUCTOR KEITH MOLYNEUX 4 DAN SHIHAN +44 07450 847791 Disciplines KARATE - SHUKUKAI RYU KARATE SELF DEFENCE FOR WOMEN AIKIDO - TRADITIONAL IAADO - MUSO SHINDEN RYU MEDITATION Technical Director DAVID PASSMORE 7 DAN KYOSHI Chief Instructor KEITH MOLYNEUX 4 DAN SHIHAN OUR LINEAGE BUDOKAN LLANGUNLLO MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION BLACK BELT REGISTER CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT Dojo Leader KEITH MOLYNEUX 4 DAN SHIHAN I started my martial arts career to encourage my then 8 year old son to take up Karate. I was instantly hooked. Initially I trained Wado Ryu Karate with a focus on competition Kumite, as well as Urban Krav Maga. After a period of a couple of years I was approaching my 2nd kyu grading when a chance meeting with Sensei Passmore introduced me to Budokan. Budokan and Traditional Japanese Martial Arts have been a part of my life ever since. To this day it is still the only organisation that I have come across that includes Zazen in its syllabus, let alone 3 of the big traditional martial practices. Zazen and the philosophical aspects of traditional martial practices promote qualities that are sadly missing in the modern world, at a time when we can benefit the most from their study. In combination with hard physical training, we can more deeply understand ourselves and work towards becoming better human beings for the benefit of all those around us. I received my Shodan in 2011 under Sensei Passmore, Nidan in 2013, Sandan in 2015, Yondan in 2019, since my Shodan I have been attempting to fill the boots of each grade with hard work and humility. I have been a member of Budokan’s Shihankai for several years. During the Covid period I ran an outdoor Dojo in Bransgore prior to me moving away from the New Forest, Since then I ran a Dojo in Aymestrey near Leominster for a year and now I have a small Dojo in Llangunllo, which is open to all. The study of Traditional Japanese Martial Arts is a journey not a destination, The warrior virtues emanating throughout the practice will be with you for your entire life, despite the physical changes or limitations that age or injury my bring. Through dedication, discipline and good instruction we can achieve anything. Outside of Budokan I am an Electrical Designer specialising in explosive environments.

THE ART OF KARATE KATA Aesthetics and Power Kata in Japanese simply means form and their origin can be traced back to the relationship between China and Okinawa, during the early years of trading between the two countries. Performing and practicing Kata requires the complete immersion into body, mind and spirit - as all three have to be present in embu or performance, or the essence of what kata is all about, is lost. It is the combination of a range of body movements in a variety of different directions, made up of individual techniques that become progressively more flowing, appearing effortless to the untrained eye. They include simple hand and arm movements at first until balance is achieved based upon the use of correct stances. Being in the correct stance at every moment of any kata is THE principal requirement of balance and movement from one stance to the other. Without this element in place at every turn, the very foundation of each form is absent. And by stance is meant to be not only the height and length of each one that is done - which is critical - but the relationship of one foot to the other and the angles they are placed in to achive stability in the landing and lightness of touch and bounce in preparation for the next move. A good kata practitioner will eliminate all uneccessary footwork as a basic requisite for fluidity and the smooth flow of movement. A relaxed and not stiff upright posture is critical to this flow. Eyes level - chin tucked in just enough - head balancd on the torso - shoulders level at all times - chest slightly raised - lower back hollow - allowing movment reminiscent of a matador. At an appropriate point - once balance has been achieved on two feet - kicking techniques are incorporated and take time to master in the flow of a kata as balancing moves onto one leg. The key skill here being how to return the foot to the floor and keeping the flow of the kata alive. And then the kata comes ito its own as a "dance" (the term in this context is of Chinese origin), made up of a designated number of moves, which have been handed down over time. Kime is a commonly used Japanese martial arts term, meaning "power" and/or "focus," describing the instantaneous tensing at the correct moment during a technique, where a momentary stillness is observed. It is the timing of moments like this that "make" any Kata. It is here where power and control merge and if you lose the latter, the kata disintegrates into a shambles as too much power on poor stances distorts the shape of each and every movement. It is the biggest mistake that Karateka in general make when performing kata - for in the Embu or performance, the expression of power must be contained so as to maximise the aeshthetic appeal of the Kata. The combination of this seemingly effortless flow of movement along with perfect timing and pause, creates a series of sequences which tell the "story" to be found in each kata, interspersed with moments of immense power. It can only be described as breathtakingly awesome to behold and beautiful to watch, as this explosive form of ballet appeals aesthetically as the Art of Karate Kata. Practitioners of karate kata read the various sequences and turn them into practice drills called Bunkai - the practical application of various techniques with a partner or partners - which naturally leads on to the various forms of Kumite - or sparring. But first there is the Art of the Kata to master. David Passmore Kyoshi 2008

DAVID PASSMORE Began the study of Shotokan Karate in South Africa in 1962 with Budokan Founders Richard Salmon and Ray Ryan, two of the leading pioneers of Japanese Budo development in SA at this time. Attended seminars with Enoeda Sensei and Kanazawa Sensei. Regularly trained under Kimura Sensei with Budokan in SA as it changed its karate style and adopted the style of Shukukai Ryu Karate in 1963/4. Represented the County of Natal in numerous Karate tournaments in SA in the 60’s and also in the SA Games in Bloemfontein. He founded Budokan UK in 1970 when he was invited to take over an existing Kyukoshinkai Karate Dojo in North London. Trained briefly under Harada Sensei in Shotokai Karate in London . Began Traditional Aikido in 1974 in Chiswick London under Chiba Sensei. In 1975 he was placed under the guidance of Kanetsuka Sensei in his Albany Grove Dojo in North London and acted as an UchiDeshi to him at his home Dojo and was taught Shiatsu by him. Trained under Senseis, the likes of Ueshiba Kisshomaru, Sekiya Masatake, Tamura Nobuyoshi, Saito Morihiro, Yamada Yoshimitsu Yamaguchi Seigo, Sekiya Masatake, and many other eminent Japanese and European teachers, across Europe in Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulon and Nice. He also attended Aikikai Summer Schools, Seminars and Workshops in London, Bristol, Liverpool, Stirling, Canterbury, Warminster, Sheffield and Cardiff. Founder Secretary of the British Aikido Board. In 1987, he began training in Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido under Ishido Shizafumi and Hiroi Sensei of Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei, under the tutelage of Vic Cook within the British Kendo Association. He attended Workshops and Seminars in London, Brighton, Birmingham, Maresfield, Ipswich and Stockport. Served as the Chairman of the UK Martial Arts Commission, within the UK Sports Council. He attended a week long Zazen seminar at La Gendronnière near Blois in the Loire Valley in France, the Zen Buddhist temple founded by Master Taisen Deshimaru. He has attended Zesshins in Zen enclosures in the UK as a part of Japanese Budo seminars and workshops and practises Shikantaza every day in the tradition of the Soto Sect of Zen Buddhism. To our knowledge he remains the only senior Western Teacher to introduce Zazen as the 4th discipline of Budokan, which became a formal part of its Teaching and Philosophy. He currently holds the title of Kyoshi with the Dai Nippon Butokukai (DNBK) in Kyoto, one of Japan's oldest traditional martial arts organisations, and holds the ranks of 6 Dan Karate, 6 Dan Aikido and 6 Dan Iaido with them. He has attended and conducted many Budo seminars in the UK, France, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Bahrain and the US. He trained in all three of his disciplines at the first DNBK World Butokusai held outside of Japan in West Virginia in 1998, which was attended by all of the Hanshi Board of the DNBK and other eminent guest teachers and instructors. He attended other DNBK events held in Manchester England in 2000 and in Brussels in 2006. He trained in DaitoRyu AikiJujutsu, Iaido and Karatedo at the Butokuden in Kyoto, Japan, in 2002 and in 2008. Masters at these two events were Adachi Manabu – Kyudan; Kuwahara Takamichi - Judan; Hamada Tesshin- Hachidan; Takada Kanji - Kyudan; Takeda Yutaka – Hachidan; Nakada Takeo – Kyudan; Murata Nishi – Hachidan; Muira Takayuki – Kyudan; Masakatsu Tsujino, Hanshi, Judan and Shimabukuro Masayuki He founded budokanonline.co.uk with his wife Katy in 2006 - the first time Budokan had ever had a website. He was one of the hosts of the highly acclaimed First Open Traditional Japanese Budo Workshop held at the University of Derby Buxton on 17/18 October 2011. He was the organiser of two more successful Open Traditional Japanese Budo Seminars at Buxton in October 2013 and September 2014 in Ardingly, West Sussex. In 2018 he founded and created budokanworld.com a site which now holds what has become known as the Budokan Library and of which he is still the Publisher. This is the Foundation, Basic, Intermediate and Advanced content in words, pictures,/illustrations, audio and video that makes up the entire teaching manual and methodology from which all Teachers, Instructors and Students of Budokan Dojo take their lead. In 2018 he was graded to 7 Dan Karate.

JULIE TULLIS Julie Tullis (née Palau) (15 March 1939 – 6/7 August 1986) was a British climber and filmmaker who died while descending from K2 's summit during a storm, along with four other climbers from several expeditions, during the "Black Summer" of 1986. Julie was born to Erica and Francis Palau. Her early life was disrupted by the outbreak of World War II . In 1956, she began climbing near Tunbridge Wells , where she met Terry Tullis. In 1959, they were married and spent the following years running various small businesses. They also continued climbing, in addition to which Julie studied traditional Japanese martial arts, under David Passmore in the Budokan school, Tunbridge Wells. She occasionally practised karate forms in traditional hakama when climbing. Tullis met Austrian climber Kurt Diemberger in 1976, and by 1980 they were working together on lecture tours. In 1981, Diemberger hired Tullis as a technician for an expedition to Nanga Parbat , and their high-altitude filming career began. It would include, in the following years, expeditions to the North ridge of K2 and the unclimbed North-East ridge of Mount Everest . In 1984, Tullis and Diemberger climbed Broad Peak , and after more film work they went on an expedition to climb K2, in 1986, becoming part of the 1986 K2 disaster . Although Tullis and Diemberger finally made the summit on 4 August 1986, making Tullis the first British woman to do so, they were exhausted from spending several days above 8,000 metres; 26,000' (known as the death zone ). On the descent, Tullis slipped and fell; although Diemberger's belay successfully saved them both, it is likely that Tullis suffered internal or head injuries that began to affect her vision and co-ordination.[citation needed ] Arriving at Camp IV they were trapped in their tents by a storm that lasted for several days. All the trapped climbers deteriorated physically and mentally, lacking food, sleep, oxygen and, once the gas for the stoves ran out, the ability to melt snow and produce water. This, in turn, made them vulnerable to pulmonary or cerebral oedema , which in Tullis' condition would have been rapidly fatal. Tullis died on the night of 6/7 August (the accounts of Diemberger and another climber present, Willi Bauer, differ on the date) and was buried on the mountainside. * wikipedia More on her Japanese Budo life to come.

1960 - 2021 Kancho Mamoru Miwa is the Master and Founder of the Tenshinkan Style. He is a 10th Dan Black Belt Master and holder of a Masters Degree in Kobu-Jitsu, Aiki-Jitsu and Karate. Kancho Miwa’s Grandfather was a Samurai (Emperor’s Warrior). His father also was a Shogun Samurai Guard to the Emperor until his retirement. Kancho Miwa started Martial Arts training at the age of five. Kancho Miwa trained in Aiki-do, Ju-jitsu, Goshinjitsu, Kobudo and Bushido (Ninjitsu). Kancho Mamoru Miwa is extremely proficient in kobujutsu and kenjutsu and Tenshinkan Karate puts strong emphasizes on sabaki and aikijutsu KOBUJUTSU WEAPONS Kancho Inoue Motokatsu 1918-1993. Born in Tokyo in December 1918. Inoue O’Sensei studied martial arts from when he was eight. His first teacher was Fujita Seiko Sensei the 14th headmaster of Kouga Ninja Ryu He studied Karate under Konishi Yasuhiro, founder of Shindo Shizen Ryu. O’Sensei started training with Taira Sensei at the age of 20. Taira Sensei made Inoue O’Sensei president of Ryukyu Kobujutsu Hozon Shinko Kai. O’Sensei studied Aikido under Shioda Gozo Sensei one of the most senior disciples of Grandmaster Ueshiba Mohirei The kobujutsu weapons are known as : Bo (or kon in Chinese), it is a 6 foot wooden staff the Japanese refer to it as Rokushaku Bo, (roku six, shaku is unit of measure slightly shorter than a foot, BO means wood). This implement had many uses in olden times, it could have being used to carry water (one vessel on each end of the staff) and as a walking stick, Nunchahku , two pieces of wood joined by a short string, it appears that it could have been either horse bits or flails to beat grains it became popular in the 70s with Bruce Lee. Tonfa , looks like a police baton with an handle attached at 90 degrees close to one end and they are used in pairs, Tekko look like knuckle dusters and they were made out of horse shoes, Kama a pair of short bladed sickles, Sai a pair of metal truncheons possibly another farming implement. Tinbe a small shield (35 t0 50 cm made of metal or tortoise shell or woven rattan) and Rochin a short spear. Surujin , it is a small links chain approximately 1.2 meters long and has a weight at one end of it. These were weapons developed by the people of the Ryukyu kingdom during the period of weapons embargo imposed by the Samurai cast in the prevention of further revolts in the effort of establishing peace and unifying Japan. TENSHINKAN HISTORY AND LINEAGE KARATE HISTORY KOBUJUTSU HISTORY Hanshi Hans Haupt. 8th Dan Tenshinkan Karate and World Liaison Officer under Kancho Mamoru Miwa. Hanshi Hans was a disciple of O’Sensei Inoue Motokatsu in the mid 70s and obtained 4th in Ryukyu Kobujutsu Hozon Shinko Kai. Hanshi Hans also studied Ju-Jutsu Saito Ryu and obtained the rank of 4th Dan. Hanshi Hans founded Tenshinkan Ryukyu Kobujutsu to honour Kancho Mamoru Miwa Shihan-dai Joe Bracone. 5th Dan Tenshinkan Karate and 3rd Dan Tenshinkan Ryukyu Kobujutsu trained and graded by Hanshi Hans Haupt. Before relocating to UK, he was South Africa Honbu Dojo deputy Chief Instructor, achieved many top 3 places in many national competitions. He is a keen student of goshin-jutsu and an avid practitioner of sabaki and combination techniques. KOBUJUTSU HISTORY KOBUJUTSU means “the ancient art of the weapons” and it refers to as the way of becoming skilled in the art those weapons. Ryukyu Kobujutsu is a weapons system from Okinawa. It includes the effective use of Bo, Sai, Tonfa, Nunchaku, Kama, Tekko, Tinbe and Rochin, and Surujin. Like karate, Kobujutsu training is divided into Kihon (basics), Kata (forms), and Kumite (fighting). Kobujutsu has its beginning about 700 years ago. The masters of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries were worried that the techniques and kata were being lost and made great efforts to restore and promote Ryukyu Kobujutsu. One of these masters was Shinken Taira. He compiled and authenticated 42 Weapons kata, spread across 8 weapons. KOBUJUTSU MASTERS The Ryukyu Kobujutsu appeared in history approximately 700 years ago. It is said that it was the period of heroes. With the wide spreading of Kobujutsu , many great teachers such as Soeishi, Sakugawa, Chatanyara appeared in the 17th ,18th and 19th centuries In Taisho era [around the beginning of 20th century], some masters were deeply concerned about this heritage and made great efforts to restore and promote Ryukyu Kobujutsu. Subsequently, the late master Shinken Taira, who was a disciple of master Moden Yabiku sensei, had comprehensively compiled 42 Weapon Kata which consist of eight kinds of Weapons specified previously and founded The Ryukyu Kobujutsu Hozon Shinko Kai a body for the preservation of this ancient art. All of these Kata had been taught to the late master Kancho Inoue Motokatsu who was the closest disciple of master Taira and later president of RYUKYU KOBUJUTSU HOZON SHINKO KAI.

1960 - 2023 BUDOKAN KARATE GENEALOGY As part of our plans to provide an historical narrative to each of our disciplines, Sensei Passmore sent over a Karate Genealogy spreadsheet to Renshi Bush, along with a request to see if he could do the research and build a story around the people responsible for creating the original Karate Kata, founded their different Ryu or styles and handed them down over time, so that we could enjoy practising and performing them today. KARATE DO THE WAY OF THE OPEN HAND HISTORY OKINAWA THE BIRTHPLACE OF KARATE Okinawa, Ken Prefecture, Japan in the Pacific Ocean comprises roughly two-thirds of the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. It is the smallest and least populated of the five main islands of Japan. Before Okinawa became a prefecture during the early part of the Meiji period (1868 -1912) it was a semi-independent kingdom under the influence of both China and Japan . In 1429, the three kingdoms on Okinawa unified to form the Kingdom of Ryukyu. In 1477 Shō Shi became king and banned the practice of Tō-te and Ryukyu kobudō (weaponry) however these continued to be taught in secret. The ban was continued even after Okinawa was invaded by the Satsuma Domain of Japan in 1609. The bans contributed to the development of kobudō which uses common household and farming implements as weaponry. The Okinawans combined Chinese martial arts with the existing local variants to form Tōde Tuudii, (China hand), sometimes called Okinawa-te By the 18th century, different types of Te had developed in three different villages Shuri, Naha and Tomari. The styles were named Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari-te. Te often varied from one town to another, so to distinguish the various types of te, the area of origin was added, for example, Naha-te, Shuri-te, or Tomari-te. Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te belong to a family of martial arts that were collectively defined as Tode-jutsu or To-de. In 1879 The Ryukyu kingdom was annexed by Japan and was renamed the Okinawa Prefecture by the Meiji government. Naha is the capital city of Okinawa, Shuri is a district of Naha and Tomari is a neighbourhood where the Tomari terminal of the port of Naha is located. After 1926 Okinawa-te or Karate-jutsu was systematically taught in Japan . As you read this genealogy you will see that many of the styles of karate practised today inherited the characteristics of both the Naha-te and Shuri-te. The reason for this is because the founding fathers of karate were either born in Naha or Shuri or were taught and practised these styles of martial arts. This paper focuses on the styles and teachers that influenced the way we practise karate in Budokan. There are other styles such as Shorin-Ryu (Choshin Chibana) and Wado-Ryu (Otsuka Hironori) which have connected genealogies. Although I include Gichin Funokoshi (Shotokan) it is because he trained under Yasutsune Anko Itosu whom I regard as the father of Karate although Funakoshi is sometimes referred to as the father of karate. SATUNUSHI “TODE” SAKUGAWA Born in 1773 in Akata, Shuri, Ryukyu Kingdom. Died 1815 age 81/82 In 1750, Sakugawa trained under monk, Takahara for six years. At Takahara’s suggestion Sakugawa trained under Kusanku, a Chinese master in Ch'uan Fa. Sakugawa also spent six years training with Kusanku. He taught what he learned in Ryūkyū Kingdom in 1762. He was considered to be such an expert that people gave him, as a nickname: "Tōde" (Chinese Hand). His most famous student was Matsumura Sōkon, went on to develop the Shuri-te which later develop into Shōrin-ryū style of karate. The five Pinan forms were (allegedly) created by drawing from two older forms, kusanku and chiang nan. Itosu is also credited with taking the large Naihanchi form and breaking it into the three well-known modern forms Tekki Shodan, Tekki Nidan and Tekki Sandan. In 1908, Itosu wrote the influential "Ten Precepts (Tode Jukun) of Karate, reaching beyond Okinawa to Japan. Itosu's style of karate, Shorin-ryu, came to be known as Itosu-ryu in recognition of his skill, mastery, and role as teacher to many. While Itosu did not invent karate himself, he modified the kata he learned from Matsumura, and taught many karate masters. Itosu's students included Choyu Motobu (1857–1927), Choki Motobu (1870–1944), Kentsu Yabu (1866–1937), Chomo Hanashiro (1869–1945), Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957), Moden Yabiku (1880–1941), Kanken Toyama (1888–1966), Shinpan Shiroma (Gusukuma) (1890–1954), Anbun Tokuda (1886–1945), Kenwa Mabuni (1887–1952), and Chōshin Chibana (1885–1969). Itosu is credited with the creation of Pinan Shodan, Sandan, Yondan and Godan, Tekki Shodan Nidan and Sandan, Jion, Jitte, Jiin, Cinte, Rohai, Bassi Sho and Dai, Kanku Sho and Dai and Gojushi Ho HIGOANNA KANRO Born 10 March 1853 Nishimura, Naha, Ryukyu Kingdom Died October 1915 Naha, Okinawa Higoanna was introduced to the martial arts by Arakaki Seiisho, a Chinese monk. Arakaki is known for teaching the kata Unshu, Seisan, Shihohai, Sōchin, Niseishi, and Sanchin. When in the 1880s Ryūkyū was annexed by Japan, Higoanna Kanryo returned to Okinawa where he taught the martial arts in and around Naha. He began by teaching the sons of Yoshimura Udun Chomei. His style of karate was called "Naha-te". He taught Naha-te to the public in 1905 in the Naha Commercial School. Kanryo was noted for his powerful Sanchin. Several of Kanryo's students went on to become influential masters of what came to be called karate, amongst them Chōjun Miyagi, Kenwa Mabuni, Kyoda Shigehatsu, Koki Shiroma, Higa Seiko, Tsuyoshi Chtose and Shiroma Shinpan (Gusukuma). In 1930, Funakoshi established the Dai-Nihon Karate-do Kenkyukai to promote communication and information exchange among people who study karate-dō. In 1936, Dai-Nippon Karate-do Kenkyukai changed its name to Dai-Nippon Karate-do Shoto-kai, which is known today as Shotokai, and is the official keeper of Funakoshi's karate heritage. 1949 Funakoshi's students created the Japan Karate Association (JKA), with Funakoshi as the honorary head of the organization. however, in practise this organization was led by Masatoshi Nakayama. The JKA formalized Funakoshi's teachings. CHOJIRO TANI Founder of Shukokai Born 1921, Kobe Japan Died 11 January 1998 Chojiro Tani started his formal karate training under Miyagi Chōjun, whilst a student at Doshisha University in Kyoto. When Miyagi Chōjun returned to Okinawa the founder of Shitō-ryū, Kenwa Mabuni took over the teaching. When he graduated from university, Tani began learning Shuri-te and then Shitō-ryū from Mabuni as well. After many years of training under Mabuni and becoming one of his most senior students, Tani received the certificate of succession from him and became the head of Shitō-ryū, enabling him to use the name Tani-ha Shitoryu. In 1946 Chōjirō Tani began teaching Shūkōkai at a dojo in Kobe, Japan. Shūkōkai was designed around the study of body mechanics and is very fast due to its relatively high stance aiding mobility and is known for the double hip twist, which maximises the force of its strikes. Being a direct descendent of Shito-Ryu, Shukokai inherits the characteristics of both the Naha-te and Shuri-te from Okinawa. Kenwa Mabuni merged the techniques and principles of the styles he learned from his teachers Kanryo Higaonna, and Anko Itosu to form his Shukokai style of Karate. Shukokai combines the circular breathing techniques from Naha-te and the quick linear movements of the Shuri-te styles. Katas like Sanchin, Tensho, and Seienchin are handed down from the Naha-te traditions, while katas like Annanko, Matsukaze, and Bassai-Dai are handed down from the Shuri-te traditions. The similarities between Tensho, Sanchin, and Seienchin, and the similarities between Bassai-Dai, Annanko, and Matsukaze, reveals what makes the Naha-te katas different from the Shuri-te katas. One of Tani's most senior students was Shigeru Kimura. After the death of Gogen Yamaguchi, the brothers Gosen and Goshi Yamaguchi shared the task of organizing the Goju Kai. Gosen became president and Goshi became Saiko Shihan, which means the highest technical authority. Gosen like his Father believed that sparing (jyu-kumite) was an essential part of karate training. Gosen Yamaguchi died only about a year after his father's death due to health reasons. He is remembered and greatly respected for his gentle unassuming nature, his wisdom, as well as his precise, effective yet beautiful flowing and typical 'Goju ryu' technique style, and his enormously dedicated and hardworking attitude to his duties of the IKGA and his career with Japan Airlines. After his death, the top instructors of the Japan Goju Kai Karate Federation appointed Goshi Yamaguchi as President and Saiko Shihan. RICHARD SALMON Born 28th November 1939 Durban – South Africa Richard Salmon introduced to the Martial Arts by Pearson Widdicombe at the YMCA Kodokwan Dojo in Durban where he obtained his first dan. Richard Salmon opened his first dojo in the double garage of his home in Sarnia in 1960. In 1961 Richard Salmon was introduced to Akira Taniguchi, then 5th Dan Goju-Ryu with whom he trained whilst Taniguchi was in Durban. Upon his departure, Taniguchi Sensei graded him to First Dan Goju-Ryu. In 1962 at the invitation of Taniguchi Richard Salmon travelled to Brazil with Des Botes, of Shukokai, South Africa, Also, in 1962 Taiji Kase (6th Dan Shotokan) instructor visited South Africa when Richard Salmon, amongst many other JKA karateka were trained by him the YMCA Kodokwan dojo. RAYMOND EDWARD RYAN Born 1 July 1936 Johannesburg – South Africa Died 13th November 1989 – Durban - South Africa Ray started his karate training with Shukokai where he teamed up with Richard Salmon. In 1963 Richard Salmon and Ray Ryan opened a dojo in Sarnia, Durban which was called Budokan. They acquired a piece of land in Westville, South Africa and with the help of their students built a dojo there which was the first Budokan Honbu. In 1965/66, Hanshi Chojiro Tani, came to South Africa and many of the Budokan karateka had the great fortune to be trained by him. Bibliography Okinawan martial arts - Author: Wikipedia contributors Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopaedia. Sakugawa Kanga - Author: Wikipedia contributors - Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopaedia. – Traditions of Shotokan Matsumura Sōkon - Author: Wikipedia contributors - Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopaedia. Ankō Itosu - Author: Wikipedia contributor - Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopaedia. Gichin Funokoshi - Author: Wikipedia contributors Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopaedia – The History of Fighting. - Karate do-My Way of Life-Gichin Funakoshi =- Karate Do Nyumon- Gichin Funakoshi Kenwa Mabuni - Author: Wikipedia contributors Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopaedia- Karate Kenpo (1934), Karate-Do Nyumon (1938) – Kenwa Mabuni – Ancient Okinawan Arts 1 – Koryu Uchinadi -Standing on the Shoulders of Giants-Patrick McCarthy Chojun Miyagi - Author: Wikipedia contributors Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopaedia. – International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate do Federation – Karate do Gaisetsu – An Outline of Karate Do – Chojun Miyagi–(1934)- Ancient Okinawan Arts 2 – Koryu Uchinadi Gogen Yamaguchi – Author: Wikipedia contributors Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopaedia – International Karatedo Gojukai Association. - Higoanna Kanryo - Wikipedia contributors Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopaedia – International Karatedo Gojukai Association – Okinawan Karate Chojiro Tani - Author: Wikipedia contributors Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopaedia – Shukokai World Karate Federation Shigeru Kimura- Author: Wikipedia contributors Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopaedia - Shukokai World Karate Federation – Kimura Shukokai International Gosei Yamaguchi – Black Belt Magazine http://www.blackbeltmag.com Gosen Yamaguchi – Black Belt Magazine http://www.blackbeltmag.com Author: Wikipedia contributors Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopaedia – Goshi Yamaguchi – Black Belt Magazine http://www.blackbeltmag.com Author: Wikipedia contributors Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopaedia MATSUMURA “BUSHI” SOKON Born in 1809 in Yamagawa Village, Shuri, Okinawa. Died in 1899 aged 89/90 Matsumura studied karate under Satunushi Sakukawa who is also referred to as Matsumura Kanga. Sakukawa was an old man at the time and reluctant to teach Matsumura, who was regarded as a troublemaker. However, Sakukawa had promised Kaiyo Sōfuku, Matsumura Sōkon’s father, that he would teach the boy, and therefore he did. Matsumura spent five years studying under Sakukawa. Matsumura garnered a reputation as an expert in the martial arts. He was the first to introduce the principles of Satsuma's swordsmanship school, Jigen-ryū, into Ryukyu kobujutsu (Ryūkyūan traditional martial arts). His most famous students include Ankō Itosu, Asato and Itarashiki Chochu. Matsumura is credited with creating and passing on kata known as naihanchi (Tekki), passai, seisan, Heian Nidan, chintō, gojūshiho, kanku (from kusanku's teaching as passed on to Tode Sakugawa) and hakutsuru (Hangetsu). Matsumura’s style of karate was known as Shuri-te which later develop into Shōrin-ryū style of karate. YASUTSUNE ANKO ITOSU Born in 1831 Gibo Village, Shuri, Ryukyu Died in 1915. Shuri, Okinawa Itosu started karate study under Nagahama. Following this he studied under Matsumura Sokon Itosu is credited with introducing karate into Okinawa's schools. In 1905, Itosu was a part-time teacher of To-de at Okinawa's First Junior Prefectural High School. Whilst there, he developed the systematic method of teaching karate techniques that are still in practice today. He created and introduced the Pinan kata forms (Heian in some styles) as learning steps for students, because he felt the older forms (kata) were too difficult for schoolchildren to learn. GICHIN FUNAKOSHI Founder of Shotokan Born 10 November 1868 Shuri, Okinawa Ryukyu Kingdom Died 26 April 1957 Tokyo Japan. Aged 88 years Funakoshi was a close friend of the son of Anko Asato a karate and Jigen-ryū master. He studied karate under Anko Asato and Yasutsune Ankō Itosu. Funakoshi had trained in both the styles of Okinawan martial arts of the time, Shōrei-ryū and Shōrin-ryū. Shotokan is named after Funakoshi's pen name, Shōtō which means "waving pines". Kan means training hall or house. Shōtōkan referred to the "house of Shōtō". This name was coined by Funakoshi's students when they posted a sign above the entrance of the hall at which Funakoshi taught. KENWA MABUNI Founder of Shito Ryu Born 14 November 1889 Shuri Okinawa Died 23 May 1952 Tokyo Japan. Mabuni started karate at the age of 13, training under Ankō Yasutsune Itosu. One of his close friends, Chōjun Miyagi who later became the founder of Gōjū-ryū introduced Mabuni to Higaonna Kanryō where he learned Naha-Te. Mabuni also trained under Seishō Aragaki, Tawada Shimboku, Sueyoshi Jino and Wu Xianhui (a Chinese master known as Go-Kenki). One of Mabuni’s most notable students was Chojiro Tani. By the 1920s he was regarded as the foremost authority on Okinawan kata and their history. It is alleged that Gichin Funakoshi learned kata from Kenwa Mabuni. Mabuni had several dojos in the Osaka area including one at Kansai University. In 1929, Mabuni moved to Osaka to become a full-time instructor of Hanko-ryū. Around this time karate became known as “open hand” as opposed to Chinese hand and Mabuni changed his style from Hanko Ryu to Shitō-ryū. This name was derived from the on'yomi readings of the first Kanji character of I(to)su (Anko) and Higa(shi)onna (Higaonna). Shitō-ryū focuses on both hard and soft techniques to this day. Mabuni's experience with both the Naha-te and Shuri -te styles made him renowned throughout Japan and Okinawa as the foremost expert on kata. CHŌJUN MIYAGI Founder of Goju Ryu Born 25 April 1888, Naha, Okinawa Died 8 October 1953 aged 65. Miyagi began studying Karate at the age of nine under Ryuko Aragaki. When aged 14 Aragaki introduced him to Kanryo Higashionna (Higaonna). His training with Higaonna was interrupted from 1910 to 1912 whilst Miyagi completed his military service. In October 1915 Miyagi travelled to Foochow where he studied some local Chinese martial arts. It was on this second trip that he observed the Rokkishu (a set of hand exercises which emphasizes the rotation of the forearms and wrists to execute offensive and defensive techniques), which he then adapted into the Tensho Kata. From the blending of these systems, and his native Naha-Te a new system emerged. In 1929 Chōjun Miyagi named the style Gōjū-ryū, meaning "hard soft style". After several months in China, Miyagi returned to Naha where he opened a dojo. In recognition of his leadership in spreading karate in Japan, Goju-Ryu, became the first style to be officially recognized by the Dai Nippon Butokukai. He revised and further developed Sanchin the hard aspect of Goju, and created Tensho the soft aspect. These kata are considered to contain the essence of the Goju-ryu. The kata, Suparinpei, is said to contain the full syllabus of Goju-ryu. Shisochin was Miyagi's favourite kata at the end of his years. With the goal of unification of various karate styles which was in fashion at that time, he also created more Shurite-like katas Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni in 1940. Miyagi’s students included Gogen Yamaguchi, Seiko Higa, Seikichi Toguchi, Tatsuo Shimabuku, Erichi Miyazato, Meitoku Yagi, Seigo Tada and Anichi Miyagi. JITSUMI GŌGEN YAMAGUCHI “THE CAT” Born 20 January 1909 Miyakonojō, Shonai, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, near Kagoshima City Died on 20 May 1989. Gōgen was in the 5th grade when he began studying karate under Takeo Maruta in Okinawa. Maruta was a Gōjū-ryū practitioner. Maruta was himself a student of Chōjun Miyagi. At Yamaguchi’s invitation in 1929 Chōjun Miyagi visited Kansai, University Osaka, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, and Doshisha University. Yamagutchi was attending Ritsumeikan University at that time studying Law. In 1930 Yamagutchi and Jitsuei Yogi together founded the Ritsumeikan daigaku karate kenkyū-kai (Ritsumeikan University Karate Research Association), the first karate club at Ritsumeikan University. The Ritsumeikan Karate-dō Kenkyū-kai was the first university karate club in western Japan. Chōjun Miyagi gave Gōgen Yamaguchi the responsibility of spreading Gōjū-ryū in mainland Japan. In the early 1930s, Gōgen designed the Gōjū-ryū fist badge, which It is said is modelled on Chōjun Miyagi’s right fist. Gōgen Yamaguchi's contributions to Gōjū-ryū karate-dō and to karate-dō in general have been enormous. He developed and guided the International Karate-dō Gōjū-kai Association (I.K.G.A). It is popular in both Japan and other Asian and Western countries throughout the world. By 2008 there were approximately 60-70 countries teaching the Gōjū-kai karate-dō. Gōgen Yamaguchi succeeded in unifying all the karate schools in Japan into a single union which resulted in the formation of The Federation of All Japan Karate-dō Organization (F.A.J.K.O.) In 1964. The Kokusai Budō Renmei -(The International Martial Arts Federation) appointed Yamaguchi as a Shihan of that organisation's karate-dō division. Yamaguchi added the Taikyoku katas to the Goju- training methods for the beginner students to prepare them for the more advanced kata. SHIGERU KIMURA Born 2 March 1941 Kobe Japan Died 7 July 1995 New Jersey USA Shigeru Kimura began his karate training with Sensei Chojiro Tani at the age of 16. At the age of 21 he won the All Japan Championships. In 1965 left Japan in to teach Shūkōkai in Africa. He developed Shukokai emphasizing its power and strength and was regarded as an expert in the style. He later travelled to Europe and where he continued to teach. In 1970 at the age of 29 he moved to the United States, where he taught at Yonezuka's Cranford dojo for two years. He created the first Shukokai World Tournament in 1981. Chojiro Tani and Shigeru Kimura both made their greatest contributions to the style by continually refining each technique essentially re-defining the basics. Kimura made the study of body mechanics his primary focus. He taught that each technique was to deliver the greatest impact with the least amount of effort. He believed that each technique must be combat-effective. Kimura believed that a technique, no matter how powerful, was useless if it could not be delivered under combat situations. Kimura taught that as with the way of the samurai the outcome of a confrontation should be decided in a single technique. The result of his efforts is the combat-effective style of Shukokai. Shigeru Kimura died of a heart attack at the age of 54. GOSEN KISHIO YAMAGUCHI Born Manchuria 1940 Died 20th May 1989 The US Goju Kai has existed since 1963 as a significant group of the International Karate Do Goju Kai. Gosen Yamaguchi was the second son of Gogen Yamaguchi and he was the first instructor to publicize the entire Goju Ryu system in the United States. During his time as chief instructor, Gosen established the first Goju Kai Karate School in San Francisco at State College in the summer of 1963. After a while, Gosen Yamaguchi returned home to Japan to assist his father with teaching at the Hombu Dojo (central school). In 1966 he travelled to San Francisco with his wife, just married. From 1968 - 1971 Gosen worked for the airline Japan Air Line (JAL) in Frankfurt. In addition to his work, he continued to teach Goju Ryu Karate. After these three years, Gosen returned to Japan and was soon appointed Vice President of Japan Air Line. It is thanks to him that the Goju Kai was supported by JAL sponsorship in the 1970s.

1960 - 2023 BUSHIDO & BUDO THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR Bushidō - (Japanese: “Way of the Warrior”) the code of conduct of the Samurai, or Bushi (warrior), class of premodern Japan THE MARTIAL WAY Budo – (Japanese: “Bu – Martial Do – the way. Martial way”) Although the name Bushidō was not used until the 16th century, the idea of the code developed during the Kamakura period (1192–1333), as did the practice of seppuku (ritual disembowelment). Since the days of the Kamakura shogunate (1185 – 1333), the "Way of the Warrior" has been an integral part of Japanese culture. The medieval Japanese military class was attracted to Zen Buddhism, because of the discipline required in its daily practice and its notion of non- attachment, which served each individual well on a practical level as they could achieve an enlightened state which eliminated suffering – the central tenet of all Buddhism. Zen monks occupied positions of political influence in both Kyoto, where the Emperor and the ruling family reigned supreme and in Kamakura, the new seat of the Shogunate, especially when Yoritomo took the title of Seii Taishogun in 1192. Eisai, was a Tendai priest who studied extensively in China and returned to Japan in 1192. He was frowned upon by the Tendai establishment and moved to Kamakura, where he won the support of the newly established Shogunate and set up temples there and in Kyoto. Eisai was generally regarded as being responsible for introducing Zen to Japan and was both politically and artistically influential. The Soto sect of Zen Buddhism was founded by Dogen Zenji with the building of the Eihei Temple in what is now the Fukui Prefecture in 1243. Dogen lost his parents at an early age and was influenced by the impermanence of things. He began to teach Zazen and its central tenet of Shikan Taza or seated meditation as the most effective road to Satori, which can mean personal enlightenment or self-realization. At that time the Minamoto family established Japan’s first military government (bakufu), headed by a hereditary leader called the Shogun. However, the supreme obligation or duty of the samurai was to his Lord, even if this might cause suffering to his parents. The extent to which duty superseded all else is perhaps best exemplified in the story of the 47 rōnin from the early 18th century. These Samurai, who had become masterless (Rōnin) after their Lord had been treacherously murdered, avenged their Lord’s death against the express instructions of the Shogun and afterward were all ordered to commit seppuku. During the Muromachi period (1336–1573) the “way of the warrior” - the Samurai Code of Conduct began to become more refined by adopting selected daily activities, alongside martial training, such as Zen (meaning meditation), ikebana, the tea ceremony, poetry such as the death poem (written by Samurai before suicidal missions or battles) and literature. The sayings of Sengoku-period retainers and warlords such as Katō Kiyomasa (1562–1611) and Nabeshima Naoshige were generally recorded or passed down to posterity around the turn of the 16th century when Japan had entered a period of relative peace. In a handbook addressed to "all Samurai, regardless of rank", Katō states "If a man does not investigate into the matter of Bushidō daily, it will be difficult for him to die a brave and manly death. Thus, it is essential to engrave this business of the warrior into one's mind well”. During the Edo (Tokugawa) period (1603–1867) Bushidō thought was infused with Confucian ethics and made into a comprehensive system that stressed obligation or duty. The Samurai was equated with the Confucian “perfect gentleman” and was taught that his essential function was to exemplify virtue to the lower classes. Obedience to authority was stressed, but duty (“Giri”) came first even if it entailed violation of law. In the mid-19th century, however, the precepts of Bushidō were made the basis of ethical training for the whole of society, with the Emperor replacing the feudal Lord, or Daimyo, as the focus of loyalty and sacrifice. The precise content of the Bushidō code varied historically as the Samurai class came under the influence of Zen Buddhist and Confucian thought, but it’s one unchanging ideal was martial spirit, including athletic and military skills as well as fearlessness toward the enemy in battle. Frugal living, kindness, honesty, and personal honour were also highly regarded, as was filial piety, respect for one's parents, elders, and ancestors. As such it contributed to the rise of Japanese nationalism following the Meiji Restoration (1868) and to the strengthening of civilian morale during the Sino-Japanese War (1937–45) and World War II. Instruction in the code was officially abandoned with Japan’s defeat in 1945. Elements of the code remain, however, in the practice of Japanese martial arts and in the sport of sumo wrestling. Bushido is often referred to as the soul of old Japan and the spirit of the new. Then consider if you would, the similarity between Bushido and Budo. Budo – (Japanese: “Bu – Martial - Do – the way - Martial Way”) As a lifestyle, Budo is known as the The Martial Way Budo philosophy has been developed over time (approximately 400 years) from the teachings of Japanese Bushido. The two concepts, Bushido and Budo, are fundamental to the study of the Japanese martial arts. In essence Bushido is the code of conduct which we, as martial arts practitioners, subscribe to whilst we learn the martial way. In my view it is impossible to practise the one without the other. Miyamoto Musashi said, “The way is in training”. When I started karate at the end of each class, we used to recite the maxims which we were expected to apply both in the in the dojo and in our everyday lives. These were Etiquette, Effort, Respect and Self Control. The study of martial arts requires both the physical aspect and the mental aspect. The training of the body and the training of the mind. To achieve mastery of a single martial art requires a lifetime of dedication and there is no avoiding the physical aspect of the training. We often say, “There is no gain without pain”. At Budokan we expect students to train both within the dojo as well as when in private at home or elsewhere. Progressive skills development is necessary for the attainment of mastery of a martial art and that is why we assess the progress a student makes progressively throughout every year. Students are taught the basics which they are expected to master before they move on to more complex techniques. …. Returning then to the maxims we recited after every class and how they apply to the study of Budo. These require each and every student to observe Dojo etiquette. For example, we always remove our shoes when entering the Dojo. We used to prepare the dojo by washing down the floors at the beginning and end of every class. We bow to each other and to the instructors. We say “please teach me” at the beginning and “thank you” to the instructor at the end of each session. We also meditate for a short time at the beginning and end of each class. The question is why is this necessary? This is an outward manifestation of an inner desire to remind ourselves, and show others outside the martial arts, that we have respect for one and another, the instructors, the dojo, ourselves, and others. One cannot avoid the physical aspect of martial arts training. You have to get on the dojo floor and sweat to achieve progress and it is essential for a student to give the maximum effort on each occasion he practises his skills. This effort is what makes martial arts training worthwhile. The benefits are, I would say self-evident. Exercise is good for one’s health, it helps to rid oneself of negative thoughts and the release of endorphins makes one mentally strong. There is no denying that the practise of martial arts can lead to situations when tempers might flare up. Practitioners must develop self-control and those who don’t soon fall below the estimation of their peers and expectations of their Teachers and Instructors. At the same time as engaging in the physical side of training students learn how to control their breathing, how to focus on what they are doing and what the opponent is doing. We are taught to analyse each technique and what its application might be. They must also engage the mind. We meditate to find a balance within our everyday lives and to rid ourselves of negative thoughts and emotions. It teaches us to focus. Having regard for the aforesaid I must return to the concept of “Giri”! Giri - pronounced ‘Gidi (as most Japanese people cannot roll the “R”’ ) is a Japanese concept roughly corresponding to duty, obligation, justice, and correct action. There is no equivalent word in the English language. It should be a very important rule for practitioners of the martial arts. This concept has attracted a great deal of interest from the rest of the world. What concerns me is how many students of Budo understand the concept of Giri and how few regulate their actions and thoughts in keeping with the concept. Giri transcends limits of right action, duty, courtesy, obligation, and right thinking - which emanate from the Eightfold Path of Buddhist philosophy. Early students of Bushido studied the ‘kashoki’. These are five scrolls with wide-ranging content, including Samurai knowledge with moral precepts, the knowledge of ordinary people, the teachings of Confucian Buddhism, Mencius and others. It contains moral precepts which explain theoretical aspects of Bushido. The fifth scroll has an important definition that was made by a Samurai and is therefore the first known description of morality in Bushido. The Bushido spirit was the Kashoki. The fifth scroll provides that “The essence of Bushidō is: do not lie, do not be insincere, do not be servile, do not be superficial, do not be greedy, do not be rude, do not be boastful, do not be arrogant, do not slander, do not be unfaithful, be on good terms with comrades, do not be overly concerned with events, show concern for one another, be compassionate, with a strong sense of duty”. Being a good Samurai takes more than merely a willingness to lay down one's life." In my view this is Giri. Over the last 100 years modern societies have encouraged their citizens to adopt a social and political doctrine of individualism and wealth creation and I believe we have lost sight of Giri. And with reference to the Kanji of Bushido and Budo (above) it may be the latter that will fade away, whilst we will continue to revere the former. Peter Bush October 2021

Glossary: Teachers/Influences: NAKAYAMA HAKUDO Takazawa Toyoshi : former head of the Toyama Inn and former student of the Shin-Shintakuma Ryu Jujutsu school. He was a father figure to Hakudo. Saito Michinori : last known Shihan of Yamaguchi Ha Itto Ryu; he was Hakudo’s first sword instructor. Unfortunately little information on him survived. Hosoda Kenzo : Educator and influential sempai of Hakudo. Shindo Munen Ryu Kenjutsu Menkyo under Negishi Shingoro. Negishi Shingoro : 6th Generation Shihan of Shindo Munen Ryu Kenjutsu and Hakudo’s most influential teacher. Takano Sasaburo: Ono Ha Itto Ryu Kenjutsu Menkyo Kaiden, and a Hanshi in Kendo. He was one of Hakudo greatest sempai and confidants. Uchida Ryogoro : A contemporary of Shirashi Hanjiro. Ryogoro received Menkyo Kaiden in Haruyoshi Ha (Haruyoshi branch) of Shinto Muso Ryu and Ikkaku Ryu Torite from Hirano Kichizo Yoshinobu. He also received Menkyo Kaiden in Ono Ha Itto Ryu (from Ikuoka Heitaro), Hozoin Ryu (via the Takeda Family), and Kushin Ryu. He was the founder of Uchida Ryu Tanjojutsu. Takeda Kohachi : former Kuroda Clansmen, he was also a contemporary of Shirashi Hanjiro. He received Menkyo Kaiden in Haruyoshi branch of Shinto Muso Ryu. Kohachi died only a few years after Hakudo began training with him. Itagaki Taisuke : famous Japanese statesmen from Kochi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itagaki_Taisuke Oe Masamichi : former Shihan of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu and Muso Shinden Eishin Ryu, he was a former samurai of the Tosa/Yamauchi clan. Morimoto Tokumi : former samurai of the Tosa/Yamauchi clan. Tokumi received his Menkyo Kaiden in Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu from Goto Magobei Masasuke making him Oe Masamichi’s contemporary. Hosokawa Yoshimasa : former samurai of the Yamauchi clan. He was a Shihan of Muso Shinden Eishin Ryu and teacher of Hakudo. Noma Seiji :Kendo enthusiast and founder of Kodansha Publishing Ltd. He established Noma Dojo in 1925. Sasamori Junzo : educator and Hanshi in Kendo and Iaido. He received Menkyo Kaiden in Tsuguru Den and Yamashika Den (collectively together they made up Hirosaki Han Den) Ono Ha Itto Ryu, Muraku Ryu, Hirosaki Han Den Shinmuso Hayashizaki Ryu, and Chokugen Ryu. Kuroda Yasuji : famous swordsmen and Shihan of Kogagawa Kaishin Ryu, Tamiya Ryu, Shin-Shintakuma Daiken-Nichi Ryu, Tsubaki Kotengu Ryu, and Setama Oguri Ryu. He was an activist who fought for the right to practice Japanese martial arts while under American occupation. Kunii Zenya : former Maniwa Nen Ryu Shihan and revisor (disputed creator) of Kashima Shin Ryu. He was recruited by Sasamori Junzo to participate in a bout against an American soldier armed with a rifle and live bayonet. He won the match without killing the soldier. Junzo used this as evidence that weapon based martial arts were as much about preserving life as they were about taking it. The ban on martial arts in Japan was soon after lifted. Ryu-Ha or Schools Mentioned: Toyama Han Den Yamaguchi Ha Itto Ryu (): Founded by Yamaguchi Bokushinsai it was a synthesis of several styles. Most famously studied by Mugai Ryu founder Tsuji Gettan. It was a ryu or school that unfortunately fell into obscurity. Hakudo earned a Mokuroku in the style prior to leaving for Tokyo at eighteen. Upon receiving Menkyo, Inkyo in Shindo Munen Ryu Kenjutsu from Negishi Shingoro, Saito Michinori awarded Hakudo the Zukai Densho () the highest-level scroll in the school. The school died with Michinori. Shindo Munen Ryu (): Founded by Fukui Hyoemon Yoshihira was school of Kenjutsu and Iaijutsu. It became one of the most popular and wide spread martial arts schools in Japanese history. Shingoro and Hakudo’s particular version was Kanto Ha Shindo Munen Ryu: Ono Ha Itto Ryu (): Founded by Ono Tadaaki a student of legendary swordsmen Itto Ittosai, it was Ono’s version of Itto Ryu. The ryu or school was widely transmitted having countless branches all over Japan. The family line was transmitted through the ages until Yamaoka Tesshu received mastery of it. He then formed his Itto Shoden Muto Ryu, effectively ending the Ono family line. Hokushin Itto Ryu (): Founded by Chiba Shusaku Narimasa; Shusaku first learned Hokushin Muso ryu from his father and later Nakanishi Ha Itto Ryu from Asari Matashichiro Yoshinobu. He later combined the teachings by reducing the eight sets of Itto Ryu into three, while adding iaijutsu and later a naginata techniques. The style became one of the most popular styles in the country spreading across Japan. Suifu Ryu (): Founded by Tokugawa Nariaki; a synthesis of the three main sword arts of the Mito Clan (Mito Han Den): Shindo Munen Ryu, Hokushin Itto Ryu, and Togun Ryu. It was one of Nariaki’s most ambitious projects. Sasaki Masanobu was the last shihan of the system. He trained at the Tobukan along with Ozawa Jiro. After his death, Jiro attempted to resurrect the style, but failed. Shinto Muso Ryu (): Founded by Musō Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi; Gonnosuke integrated the spear, naginata, sword, and bo staff into a single versatile weapon. A Otome Ryu () of the Kuroda domain the art split into several factions. By the late Edo Period only two branches survived; the Haruyoshi and Jigyo. Both Uchida Ryogoro and Takeda Kohachi received Menkyo Kaiden in the Haruyoshi branch and taught their versions of Shinto Muso Ryu to the masses. Shirashi Hanjiro (another Kuroda retainer) received Menkyo Kaiden in the Haruyoshi branch and Mokuroku in the Jigyo branch. He later combined and re-codified the schools using the characters for divine (). His line was succeeded by Shimizu Takaji and under went even more revisions. Takaji’s Jodo() was passed to many individuals throughout the world. Uchida’s line unaffected by both Hanjiro and Takaji’s changes was passed on through his son Ryohei and student Nakayama Hakudo. Another line of the Haruyoshi branch survived though one of Hakudo’s students Matsuo Kenpu who received Menkyo Kaiden from Shirashi Tokugoro. Tosa Eishin Ryu (): is a collective reference to Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu/Muso Shinden Eishin Ryu as taught within the Yamauchi Domain. It was one of several Otome Ryu () of the Yamauchi Domain and as such meant exclusively for Yamauchi clansmen. Muso Shinden Eishin Ryu (): Founded by Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu and revised by Hasegawa Chikaranosuke Eishin. Shimomura Mōichi Sadamasa was licensed in Tosa Eishin Ryu by Yamakawa Kyūzō Yukikatsu. He (Mochi) was said to have devised several innovative changes in the school and passed them on to his students. Both Yoshimasa and (Oe) Masamichi received Menkyo Kaiden in the school and transmitted it to several people. Yoshimasa issued Menkyo Kaiden to Ueda Heitaro Chubu and Menkyo to Nakayama Hakudo. Ueda’s and a few other lines of Muso Shinden Eishin Ryu survive and are being taught today. Goto Ha Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu (): Founded by Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu and revised by Hasegawa Chikaranosuke Eishin. The style was transmitted throughout the years to Tanimura Kamenojō Takakatsu. Kamenojō passed Menkyo Kaiden onto several students including Gotō Magobei Masasuke. One of many shihan of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, his line became known as Goto Ha or Goto version. He had several talented students and issued Menkyo Kaiden to a few of them. Among those awarded were Oe Masamichi and Morimoto Tokumi. Toyama Ryu Gunto Soho (): was developed in 1925 was a military art devised for Japanese soldiers. It consisted of Kumitachi, Iaijutsu, Sojutsu (meant to represent a Bayonet), Happo Giri () or “Eight Methods of Cutting”, Shigeki () or Marksmanships, Tameshigiri () or “Test Cutting”, and Military Music (used for marching and cadence). Hayashizaki Hon Ryu (): Founded by Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu; it was a style passed down to Nakayama Hakudo via Hosokawa Yoshimasa. The only remaining teacher of the style is Ogawa Takeshi (current headmaster of the Yushinkan Dojo). Glossary of Terms: Shiai Geiko ()- lit: “Contest”, “practice”; it is used to express the idea of a sparing match. Kumitachi ()- lit: “Grouped swords”; is a type of paired form usually found in Japanese weapon arts. Gekiken ()- lit: “Conquering the Sword” or “Fencing“; it was the pre-cursor to modern Kendo. Often ryuor school specific, it was a practice that allowed swordsmen of particular schools to apply learned techniques or concepts in a relatively controlled environment. Unlike modern Kendo; it contained the use of several or multiple weapons, grappling, striking, and physical duress that brought students to a new level of endurance and understanding. Otome Ryu ()- lit: that “which flows but remains at home” was a ryu-ha or school that was either sponsored by or kept secret by a feudal clan. Densho ()- lit: “Written Teachings” are scrolls normally awarded to students of Japanese koryu or “Old Japanese Martial Arts”. Densho act as a both a text on martial arts and certification (having the names of the author, recipient, and date issued). Mokuroku ()- lit: “Catalog” is a type of scroll usually awarded to students after several years of dedication. The details differ from school to school, but a mokuroku consists of a (partial or complete) list of kata, fighting strategy, military strategy, esoteric or religious teachings, philosophy, or other facets of learning. Jun-Menkyo () lit: “Orderly License”; it is a scroll issued by several ryu or schools, usually prior to the Menkyo scroll. Menkyo ()- lit: “License/Permit”; differs from school to school, but is normally a scroll of high level awarded to those who have attained a profound level of skill or understanding in their respective school. Menkyo Kaiden ()- lit: License of Full-Transmission; it is a scroll that normally denotes that the receiver has attained a superior command or even mastery of their ryu or school. Inkyo ()- lit: “Certificate of Proficiency”; is a license given to those who have either finished their training or have been given permission to establish their own dojo. Inka ()- lit: “Certificate of Proficiency”; is a license given to those who have either finished their training or have been given permission to establish their own dojo. (Same as Inkyo) Shihan ()- lit: “Instructor”; is a term often misused today. A Shihan is a person who was fully licensed in their respective ryuor school and by the grace of their teachers, allowed to run or operate their own dojo or training hall. Soke ()- lit: “Head of Family”; it is a term that has been widely misused and misunderstood (especially within the last eighty years). Soke or Patriarch is the head of a family house hold. Japanese families were traditionally extremely hierarchical. Families following Confucian doctrine were divided into households based solely on ones age or importance in the family. The patriarch of the family (normally belonging to the highest house of the family) had the power to make final decisions on behalf of the entire family, issue or cut off financial support to lower households, or in extreme cases hamon () or excommunicate a family relative. It was a very powerful position. Though the principle has existed in Japanese martial systems for sometime, but it has became more or less exaggerated in the 20th and 21st century. It has become a way for a Shihan to consolidate power as well as preserve the integrity of his/her martial art. Hanshi ()- lit: “Instructor of Warriors”; it is an honorary title issued by a number of organizations in Japan. San-Dou-no-Hanshi (): was a honorary title given to those that received Hanshi in Kendo, Iaido, and Jodo from Nippon Butokukai or Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei (All Japan Kendo Federation). Dai Nippon Teikoku Kendo Kata ()- lit: “The Greater Kendo Kata of Imperial Japan” was the pre-cursor to the Nippon Kendo Kata (). Tenranjiai ()- lit: match [game] held while in the presence of the Emperor; a Tenranjiai is not just related to a martial art contest, but in any contest where the Emperor is watching. The martial art related Tenranjiai(s) occurred in 1895 and 1940. Nakayama Hakudo and Takano Sasaburo demonstrated at the Showa Tenranjiai () or the Tenranjiai of the Showa Emperor. Since that time the Tenranjiai have occurred in modern sports like baseball and more traditional sport like Sumo.

BUDOKAN MISOGI 7 DECEMBER 2024 LYMINGTON DOJO A Misogi is an ancient Japanese Shinto purification ritual that involves washing the body and is also a method for personal development and transformation. A traditional Misogi usually involved standing under a freezing waterfall to cleanse the mind and the body of the participants. Thankfully, the modern approach involves challenging oneself to do something difficult even if you are not guaranteed to succeed. The Misogi challenge is about doing something tough once a year that shapes how you will live the rest of your 364 days. On 7th December 2024 the members of Budokan UK came together to prepare for the coming year and to celebrate the life of Saisho Passmore by engaging in a Misogi which Sensei Mike designed together with the Shihonkai. Significantly the date was chosen by Saisho who had intended that this would be the Budokan year end event. At the opening of the Misogi Sensei Mike welcomed the attendees and family members and reminded us that although this was a somber occasion it was also a joyous one which provided the members the opportunity to salute Saisho’s achievements and to mourn his passing. What was most impressive was that the event was attended by twenty practitioners as well as other passed members who did not participate in the misogi. All who attended could only be impressed with the manner with which Mike attended to his management of the misogi. In preparation for the Misogi, Kyoshi Darren prepared the Kamidana which was much admired by all those who attended. Its central position on the dojo floor made this the focus of us all. To spiritually cleanse the dojo Kyoshi Darren performed two Iaido kata which Saisho would have been proud of. Sensei Mike reminded us that Saisho began each year with the test of a thousand cuts so naturally, after the cleansing kata, the Misogi started with that test. Doing a thousand cuts with a bokken is no mean feat and certainly challenged us all. Some of the senior citizens had to take a break during the exercise. Just watching the practitioners, you could see the concentration etched on their faces. One need only look at Pat Miller to see what I mean. At the end of the exercise, it was traditional to have the exhausted members hold their bokken on their arms stretched out. Saisho also used to bring along a very heavy bokken and, as was his practice, he would choose someone to hold the heavy bokken out in front of them (usually Keith) so it was great to see that sensei Mike keeping up that tradition and bestowing that honor on Keith again this time around. It was great to have Joe Braconi with us, he having travelled all the way from Edinburgh to attend. We look forward to having him regularly attend down in Lymington and he has promised to do so again later this year. After the thousand cuts Sensei Mike, Toby Mellows, Paul Floyd and James Bryden demonstrated one of Saisho’s kata for the members after which Sensei Mike demonstrate a Bunkai from the kata which the members practiced. Sensei Mike and Shihan Toby went on to demonstrate 3 Bunkai from the Kata, which they went on to work with all the students. We continued with a 20 minute Zazen which was very important to Saisho. (to come a couple of articles that This was published within the 4th edition of Hanshi Hamada's book Quintessence of Japanese Classical Martial Arts). It was with great pleasure that James Bryden was award his Nidan Certificate. James was the last student to be assessed by Saisho who determined that he qualified to be elevated to his second Dan grade. At the end of the misogi the Kamidana was dismantled and Saisho’s katana was handed back to Katy Passmore for safe keeping. She is a member of Budokan and serves on the Shihankai and will keep the katana. Part of the misogi ritual is the requirement that the dojo is again cleansed, and Kyoshi Darren very kindly performed the closing Iaido cleansing kata for us. This was a very moving ceremony and is followed by the spreading of salt around the dojo. The evening was concluded by a curry a great gathering at The Chequer’s in Lymington. Many story’s and laughter were shared by old and new members of the Budokan family. There are a few students that for unforeseen reasons were unable to attend the event but were keen to be there in spirit, Peter Robinson, Hilary Crundwell and Nicky Charnick. Let’s hope we will see you all in June! We will be holding A Flag Ceremony on June 21st 2025 – it is the flag that will be given to Saisho’s family from the DNBK. For more information email: Info@budokanworld.com Sensei Mike Clapham Kyoshi Darren Waghorne Pat Miller Keith Molyneux Kyoshi Peter Bush and Sensei Joe Bracone Richard Cozens, Steve Hill, James Bryden, Nick Singleton Sensei Mike and James Bryden Kyoshi Darren We were also very privileged to have several of the original members of Budokan in attendance. Pat Miller, and Roy Estabrook and Paul Smith. We were very privileged to have Saisho’s children in attendance. Duncan, Caroline and Tilly Passmore BUDOKAN MISOGI 7 DECEMBER 2024 LYMINGTON DOJO A Misogi is an ancient Japanese Shinto purification ritual that involves washing the body and is also a method for personal development and transformation. A traditional Misogi usually involved standing under a freezing waterfall to cleanse the mind and the body of the participants. Thankfully, the modern approach involves challenging oneself to do something difficult even if you are not guaranteed to succeed. The Misogi challenge is about doing something tough once a year that shapes how you will live the rest of your 364 days. On 7th December 2024 the members of Budokan UK came together to prepare for the coming year and to celebrate the life of Saisho Passmore by engaging in a Misogi which Sensei Mike designed together with the Shihonkai. Significantly the date was chosen by Saisho who had intended that this would be the Budokan year end event. At the opening of the Misogi Sensei Mike welcomed the attendees and family members and reminded us that although this was a somber occasion it was also a joyous one which provided the members the opportunity to salute Saisho’s achievements and to mourn his passing. What was most impressive was that the event was attended by twenty practitioners as well as other passed members who did not participate in the misogi. All who attended could only be impressed with the manner with which Mike attended to his management of the misogi. In preparation for the Misogi, Kyoshi Darren prepared the Kamidana which was much admired by all those who attended. Its central position on the dojo floor made this the focus of us all. To spiritually cleanse the dojo Kyoshi Darren performed two Iaido kata which Saisho would have been proud of. Sensei Mike reminded us that Saisho began each year with the test of a thousand cuts so naturally, after the cleansing kata, the Misogi started with that test. Doing a thousand cuts with a bokken is no mean feat and certainly challenged us all. Some of the senior citizens had to take a break during the exercise. Just watching the practitioners, you could see the concentration etched on their faces. One need only look at Pat Miller to see what I mean. At the end of the exercise, it was traditional to have the exhausted members hold their bokken on their arms stretched out. Saisho also used to bring along a very heavy bokken and, as was his practice, he would choose someone to hold the heavy bokken out in front of them (usually Keith) so it was great to see that sensei Mike keeping up that tradition and bestowing that honor on Keith again this time around. It was great to have Joe Braconi with us, he having travelled all the way from Edinburgh to attend. We look forward to having him regularly attend down in Lymington and he has promised to do so again later this year. After the thousand cuts Sensei Mike, Toby Mellows, Paul Floyd and James Bryden demonstrated one of Saisho’s kata for the members after which Sensei Mike demonstrate a Bunkai from the kata which the members practiced. Sensei Mike and Shihan Toby went on to demonstrate 3 Bunkai from the Kata, which they went on to work with all the students. We continued with a 20 minute Zazen which was very important to Saisho. (to come a couple of articles that This was published within the 4th edition of Hanshi Hamada's book Quintessence of Japanese Classical Martial Arts). It was with great pleasure that James Bryden was award his Nidan Certificate. James was the last student to be assessed by Saisho who determined that he qualified to be elevated to his second Dan grade. At the end of the misogi the Kamidana was dismantled and Saisho’s katana was handed back to Katy Passmore for safe keeping. She is a member of Budokan and serves on the Shihankai and will keep the katana. Part of the misogi ritual is the requirement that the dojo is again cleansed, and Kyoshi Darren very kindly performed the closing Iaido cleansing kata for us. This was a very moving ceremony and is followed by the spreading of salt around the dojo. The evening was concluded by a curry a great gathering at The Chequer’s in Lymington. Many story’s and laughter were shared by old and new members of the Budokan family. There are a few students that for unforeseen reasons were unable to attend the event but were keen to be there in spirit, Peter Robinson, Hilary Crundwell and Nicky Charnick. Let’s hope we will see you all in June! We will be holding A Flag Ceremony on June 21st 2025 – it is the flag that will be given to Saisho’s family from the DNBK. For more information email: Info@budokanworld.com Sensei Mike Clapham Kyoshi Darren Waghorne Pat Miller Keith Molyneux Kyoshi Peter Bush and Sensei Joe Bracone Richard Cozens, Steve Hill, James Bryden, Nick Singleton Sensei Mike and James Bryden Kyoshi Darren We were also very privileged to have several of the original members of Budokan in attendance. Pat Miller, and Roy Estabrook and Paul Smith. We were very privileged to have Saisho’s children in attendance. Duncan, Caroline and Tilly Passmore