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)
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.
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]
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 at the Opening of Samurai Exhibition at the British Museum on January 29th 2026. Fudokan Dojo were honoured to be asked to perform the demonstration at the opening of the Samurai Exhibition at the British Museum on January 29th 2026. They...
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:
01/02/2026
KURIKARA:
The Sword and the Serpent
The Sword and the Serpent sets out the eight basic principles of swordsmanship common to all Japanese sword schools, emphasising the cultivation of power and mental focus.
Available to purchase:
www.battodo-fudokan.co.uk
Accomplished martial artist John Evans provides practical examples from his experience with the sword arts as well as Mikkyo and shugendo (mountain asceticism). The first foreign student to train with Nakamura Taisaburo sensei—widely acknowledged as the master of the sword art battodo—Evans clearly explains how skill such as Nakamurua sensei’s can be systematically developed through tanren, exercises that meld “inner” and “outer” power. Filled with fascinating anecdotes from Evans’s training in Japan, Kurikara is a useful, inspiring guide to Japanese sword practice and its spiritual underpinnings.
13/01/2026
A strong start to our 2026 Beginners Course. Thank you to everyone who attended and committed to their first session. Training continues next Monday.
05/01/2026
ONE WEEK TO GO 🗓️
Only a couple of spaces left for next weeks
Beginners Course, Hackney - Starting
January 12th 2026 - The successful practice of Japanese swordsmanship.
Throughout the year, a number of beginners’ classes will take place. These aim to provide a rounded understanding of the training and philosophy for those wanting to study Battodo.
Book now, space is limited:
www.battodo-fudokan.co.uk
04/01/2026
Only a couple of spaces left for next weeks
Beginners Course, Hackney - Starting
January 12th 2026 - The successful practice of Japanese swordsmanship.
Throughout the year, a number of beginners’ classes will take place. These aim to provide a rounded understanding of the training and philosophy for those wanting to study Battodo.
Book now, space is limited:
www.battodo-fudokan.co.uk
03/01/2026
Make 2026 the year you try something new. Limited spaces available.
Beginners Course, 📍Hackney - Starting
January 12th 2026 - The successful practice of Japanese swordsmanship.
Book Now:
www.battodo-fudokan.co.uk
Throughout the year, a number of beginners’ classes will take place. These aim to provide a rounded understanding of the training and philosophy for those wanting to study Battodo.