Tomari Budokai Durham

Tomari Budokai Durham Welcome to Tomari Budokai. If you're interested in the use of Japanese swords, please come and visit us in our Durham City dojo.

After many years of training in Japanese sword forms, swordsmith Genrokuro Matsunaga decided to develop a style based on the philosophies and values traditionally associated with Japan's samurai class. Together with a group of people who had been training at his home dojo in Arao, Matsunaga sensei formalised the style of Shodai Ryu in April 1999. The Tomari Budokai Dojo based in Durham, UK was est

ablished in November 2004. Shodai Ryu involves the drawing of a sword, approaching a target, cutting through the target, sheathing the sword and retreating. Equal emphasis is placed upon every aspect of the performance, meaning that a failed cut, whilst being something preferably avoided, does not mean that the performance has failed. Indeed, should a swordsman fail to cut the target and knock over the stand in the process, it should be treated as an injured enemy and a finishing technique delivered accordingly. Shodai Ryu practitioners train in the use of both a katana (Japanese long sword) and the shorter wakizashi (kodachi). Students of Tomari Budokai also have the opportunity to train with the nodachi and naginata. The tanto is worn as a symbol of the art's status - highly ranked samurai would often wear a tanto in place of the more conventional wakizashi, particularly at formal events. A Shodai Ryu Enbu (military display) is considered to be a formal event so, accordingly, practitioners of the art are expected to dress to reflect this. Whilst the act of cutting straw targets is relatively common in sword-based martial arts and is usually referred to as tameshigiri, Shodai Ryu utilises a level of formality which is often overlooked in cutting used as a form of supplementary training in other art forms. Additionally, Shodai Ryu includes training in the practice of kaishaku, the traditional act of assisting in seppuku (ritual suicide).

Congratulations to Penny Lawton and Neil Robinson on achieving their Shoden (1st Dan).
04/09/2026

Congratulations to Penny Lawton and Neil Robinson on achieving their Shoden (1st Dan).

01/09/2026

This is what we got up to in the Botanic Gardens last week!

20/08/2026

Join Colin Young and his team teaching Kobudo Shodai Ryu Zanshi on Thursday 27 August at the Botanic Garden!

Demonstrations are scheduled for 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00.

The style uses live (fully sharpened) blades, short swords (wakizashi), long swords (katana), VERY long swords (nodachi - 57" blade) and, occasionally, the Japanese glaive (naginata).

They have given demonstrations in Japan, France and all over the UK and are currently in their 22nd year of teaching in the UK.

This is Durham

Our next demonstration will be in Durham Botanic Gardens on Thursday 27th August, 2026. We'll be there all day, so come...
12/08/2026

Our next demonstration will be in Durham Botanic Gardens on Thursday 27th August, 2026. We'll be there all day, so come along and say 'hi'!

Find out everything you need to know to get the most from your visit: how to find us, opening times and more. Plus, everything you need to know if you or anyone in your group has any special needs or requirements. 

We're almost ready for our day in Durham’s Botanic Gardens. Come along and say hello!
25/05/2026

We're almost ready for our day in Durham’s Botanic Gardens. Come along and say hello!

20/05/2026

Why not join us for our demonstrations at Durham Botanic Gardens on Monday 25th May, 2026? We'll be there all day, with demonstrations at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00, and public practices in-between.

https://fb.watch/HdcVOqx2Ye/

On Friday 17th April, our very own Colin Young attended an event in the Japanese Embassy in London to celebrate the pres...
22/04/2026

On Friday 17th April, our very own Colin Young attended an event in the Japanese Embassy in London to celebrate the presentation of the Foreign Minister’s Commendation to friend of Tomari Budokai, Rachel Barclay of the Oriental Museum, Durham University.

Congratulations Rachel from all at Tomari Budokai!

Matsunaga soke has just been on the BBC show Great Japanese Railway Journeys - BBC iPlayer https://share.google/zpHOM7WT...
21/04/2026

Matsunaga soke has just been on the BBC show Great Japanese Railway Journeys - BBC iPlayer https://share.google/zpHOM7WTyp6tyINYi

Episode 7 22 minutes 48 seconds in.

All aboard! Michael Portillo explores a country where tradition meets technology. Get set for fascinating culture, lightning-fast bullet trains and breathtaking scenery.

A big thank you to Durham University Kendo Society for inviting us to their dojo to run a session on Shodai Ryu Zanshi.
11/03/2026

A big thank you to Durham University Kendo Society for inviting us to their dojo to run a session on Shodai Ryu Zanshi.

Although it's difficult, we try to visit the honbu dojo in Arao, Japan as often as possible. Senior Tomari Budokai stud...
18/02/2026

Although it's difficult, we try to visit the honbu dojo in Arao, Japan as often as possible. Senior Tomari Budokai student, David Fujiwara dropped by for a few days of training whilst visiting family.

Address

St Oswald's Institute
Durham
DH13DL

Opening Hours

7pm - 10pm

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