In September, a group of practitioners from France and Hong Kong will travel together to Kyoto for a week of training, before representing Nihon Taijutsu at the annual Enbu of the Soburen (Zen Nihon Sogo Budo Renmei — All Japan Budo Federation) at the Butokuden.

Built in 1899, the Butokuden is the oldest budo hall in Japan and one of the country’s most significant martial arts venues. Each year, the Soburen brings together practitioners from a wide range of disciplines and countries to demonstrate there — a rare opportunity to train and perform in a space that has hosted budo for well over a century.

For us, it’s also a chance to train intensively outside of our regular Hong Kong classes, and to reconnect with the wider community we’ve built relationships with over the years in Japan.

We’ll share a report and photos from the trip when we’re back.