Bujinkan London

I began training in martial arts at the age of 13, initially studying modern systems such as Aikido. In 1990 I was introduced to the traditional Japanese martial arts and began studying in the Bujinkan school under the kind but extremely painful tutelage of Peter King & Phil McNulty.

Before I had experienced these traditional systems I (somewhat arrogantly) felt that I had a reasonable grasp of martial arts. However, I was bowled over by the Bujinkan in terms of technique, practicality, philosophy and informal culture.

I (mis)spent the next 4 years training every day, travelling to study under all the senior instructors in the UK and abroad. After this period of intensive training I chose to get a job & career and had to cut my formal training down to just 2-3 times each week.

Between 1990 and 2003 I attended all but one of the European seminars taught by the heir of the Bujinkan traditions, Dr Masaaki Hatsumi, seeing him several times a year. Sadly in 2003 he stopped travelling abroad to teach.

In 1993 I travelled to Japan to train with Dr Hatsumi and his senior students for the first time. Since then I have trained in Japan every year without fail, for several years I was fortunate enough to work for an airline which meant that I could visit Japan more frequently (up to 3 times a year).

Please note that this is not particularly unusual in the Bujinkan or hard to do, but makes all the difference in terms of understanding.

My objective is to transmit the teachings of Dr Hatsumi / the Bujinkan to the members of the club in as pure a way as possible. In my classes I try my best to emulate the way that the art is taught in Japan.

We are very fortunate in London because there are also many excellent black belts and shidoshi (ie 5th dan+) at the club who kindly help members & beginners learn this amazing art.