Battodo Fudokan

Battodo Fudokan John Maki Evans teaches Nakamura Ryu Battodo school of Japanese Sword. John Evans began practising yoga and tai chi in his teens.

At Oxford University he trained in Shotokan karate and after graduation went to live at an Anglican monastery where for 5 years he continued studies in tai chi, Sanskrit and yoga. In 1981 he went to Japan and began studies in Mikkyo (esoteric Buddhism) and Kurikara Ryu Heiho near Mount Takao with Fushi Sensei (Murana Masayuki). – an independent gyoja or yamabushi. The yamabushi (mountain ascetics) instruct through a systematic and progressive training in the mountains called shugendo, “the path of training and testing”. After 3 years of intensive practice Fushi Sensei introduced him to two of the most senior teachers of sword schools in Japan, Nakamura Taizaburo 10th Dan of Toyama Ryu and Nakamura Ryu Battodo and Danzaki Tomoaki 9th Dan, head of the Kenshukan Dojo where he studied Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido and Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo. He also trained at the Kashima Shinto Ryu school under Yoshikawa Koichiro. In 1987 his training regime of swordsmanship and Shugendo was profiled in a 30 minute NTV programme in Japan entitled “Igirisujin no Mushashugyo” (An Englishman’s Warrior Discipline). In 1992 he published Trog a book of poems about shugendo (ISBN-10: 0-935086-20-X)

Following his return to England in 1993 he founded the Fudokan dojo in London. He teaches Nakamura Ryu Battodo and Kurikara Ryu Heiho and received his 7th Dan in 2008 from the International Battodo Federation. His book Kurikara – The Sword and the Serpent* was published in 2010 by Blue Snake Books. He is a Senior Advisor to the SMAA (Shudokan Martial Arts Association).

28/08/2026

New Beginners Course, Hackney – Starting 7 September

Our next beginners’ course is starting soon, with only a few spaces still available.

The course offers a rounded introduction to the training, discipline and philosophy of Battodo and the practice of Japanese swordsmanship.

If you’re thinking of joining us, now is the time to secure your place.

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

15/08/2026
New Beginners Course, Hackney - Starting September 7thThe successful practice of Japanese swordsmanship.Throughout the y...
15/08/2026

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

Well done to everyone who took part in Sunday's grading.A great day of training, effort and learning. Thank you to every...
18/06/2026

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 ...
24/04/2026

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 KodairaWe are delighted to host a special three-part course exploring the Eight Basic St...
23/02/2026

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 29...
19/02/2026

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 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 s...
15/02/2026

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:

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Haggerston School
London
E28L

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