We have been overwhelmed recently with questions about our upcoming new series, Warriors of Budo. We thought we would publish some details on who is appearing in this epic series.
The entire series will comprise of six episodes as below. Each episode will be a full length movie in itself, around 80 to 90 minutes and will be available as an individual movie. Each episode will be released when ready and about three months apart. We hope to release the first episode in late September and this will probably be Aikido: Divine Harmony. However, the only certainty is that things will change, for example the history episode may be combined with other episodes and so disappear. The exciting part is that the complete series will be made available as six one hour episodes for cable or satellite television in late 2015… so if you can wait that long please check your private cable or satellite stations in your country. There are no plans for these to be available on Netflix, however the series will be available on iTunes in 2015. If this changes we will update you on this site and elsewhere.
Throughout the Warriors of Budo series you will be guided by many well known historians and experts on Budo and the Japanese culture of the Samurai or warrior. Here are a few of your guides: Professor Uozumi Takashi is one of Japan’s leading academics and researcher of Budo and director of the Budo and Sports Research Institute. He has published numerous books and articles on Japanese Budo and martial history. Dr. Alex Bennett is an Assoc. Professor at Kansai University, director of the Japanese Academy of Budo and the co-founder of Kendo World Magazine. He holds 7th dan rank in Kendo and 5th dan ranks in Iaido and Naginata. Besides his many books and articles on Budo, Alex Bennett is responsible for a new interpretation and translation of the Samurai classic, Hagakure. William Scott Wilson is one of the world’s leading translators of ancient Japanese texts and responsible for numerous english editions of famous Japanese texts including Book of Five Rings and The Life-Giving Sword. More recently He is the author of The Lone Samurai, the Life of Miyamoto Musashi.
History:
Featuring: Kalaripayat- Ranjan Mullaratt, Chief Instructor (Southern India). Shaolin Kungfu: Shi De Cheng (Shaolin Temple, China). Shi De Yang (Shaolin Temple, China). Jiao De Hong, Dean (Shaolin Temple, China). Tetsuhiro Hokama sensei, 10th dan (Okinawa Karate/Kobudo Museum).
Episode One: Karatedo.
A short time-travel through the history of martial arts to explore the roots of Karate. Our story begins in India and the ancient fighting art of Kalari. Moving on, we visit the Shaolin Temple, more commonly associated with being the birthplace of martial arts. When you obeserve Shaolin Quan or boxing you do see the similarities to Karate and how over 1500 years Kungfu could find itself as a foundation for Okinawan Karate. Finally the bulk of our program takes place in Okinawa, the birthplace of Karate. Featuring: Morio Higaonna sensei, 10th dan Hanshi (IOGKF Honbu dojo, Okinawa). Ippei sensei (Meibukan Okinawa Goju ryu). Ebata Taeko sensei (Okinawa Kobudo/Kumiodori).
Episode Two: Karatedo.
Most of our second epiosde on Karate takes place in mainland Japan. It starts with the founder Shotokan Karate, Gichin Funakoshi and his visits in 1922 demonstrating Karate. Just fifty years later, Shotokan and the Japan Karate Association had spread worldwide to become the absolute textbook example of Budo and its globalization outside Japan. Also in this episode is the traditional Karate of Karatenomichi wiht Sensei Yahara and the competition based contact Karate of Kyokushinkai. Featured are: Tatsuya Naka Shihan (Japanese Karate Assoc.). Toshihiro Mori Shihan (Japanese Karate Assoc.). Hiromi Hishiki sensei (Japanese Karate Assoc.). Etsuzan Kimura sensei (Kyukoshinkai – shieijyuku). Mikio Yahara, Chief Instructor (KWF Japan).
Episode Three: Aikido.
Beginning with the spiritual roots of Aikido, a visit to the Iwama dojo and the Aiki Shrine open this exciting episode on Aikido, the way of harmony. The Hombu dojo of World Aiki is next with O’sensei’s grandson Moriteru Ueshiba. A big feature of our Aikido episode is coverage of Yoshinkan Aikido at both the Hombu dojo and Ando shihan dojo. Featuring: Moriteru Ueshiba, Doshu (Aikikai Foundation & Honbu Dojo). Yukitoshi Tatsugi sensei (Aiki, Int. Budo University). Susumo Chino, Honbu Dojocho (Aikido Yoshinkan Foundation). Saori Shigihara sensei (Yoshinkan Aikido Honbu). Roland Thompson sensei 6th dan (Roppongi Yoshinkan Aikido). Tsuneo Ando shihan (Yoshinkan Aikido Ryu). Jim Dawes sensei 4th dan (Yoshinkan Aikido Ryu).
Episode Four: ShorinjiKempo.
Main program details to follow soon. Featuring: So Yuuki, Shorinji Kempo Shike, Chairperson (ShorinjiKempo Group). Arai Tsunehiro 8th dan Dai-hanshi & President (ShorinjiKempo Fed.). Yamanishi Masamune, Section Chief, (ShorinjiKempo Unity). Urata Takehisa, Kongo Zen, (ShorinjiKempo Unity). Ishii Akihito sensei, (ShorinjiKempo Unity). Further instructor’s to be added.
Episode Five: Judo. Jujutsu.
Main program details to follow soon. Featuring: Naoki Murata sensei, 8th dan (Kodokan Judo). Mukai Sensei, 8th dan (Kodokan Judo). Yazaki Rika sensei, 6th dan (Judo, Int. Budo University). Jimmy Pedro sensei, USA Olympic Coach (Pedro Judo Center). Kayla Harrison sensei, Olympic Gold Medal winner (Pedro Judo Center). Further instructor’s to be added.
Episode Six: Kendo. Naginata. Jukendo. Tankendo. Iaido.
Main program details to follow soon. Featuring: Inoue Yoshihiko sensei, 8th dan, (Shizuoka, Japan). Ozawa Hiroshi Sensei, 8th dan. (Ozawa dojo, Tokyo). Alex Bennett 7th dan Renshi, (Kansai University). Trevor Chapman sensei 6th dan (Kashi-No Ki Kenyu Kai dojo). Kuwahara Masaharu sensei, 9th dan. (All Japan Jukendo Fed.). Nakanowatari Yayoi, 5th dan (All Japan Jukendo Fed.). More Kendo and Iaido to be added soon.
NOTE: Episode Four Shorinji Kempo became episode seven on final release due to a long procedure to obtain final editing approval from the WSKO. Episode Five became Kendo on release and Naginata was then released as episode six. Well things change!
