Takenouchi-ryū Bitchūden is a Japanese classical martial art dating from the 16th century. It is a comprehensive training system, using many of the weapons of the samurai, but is particularly renowned for its jū-jutsu (unarmed techniques).

Students train through kata or ‘forms’, often repeating the basic movements many times. Beginners start with the bō (six foot staff) and learning how to fall safely, before moving on to blocks, throws, locks and releases, then weapons such as the bokuto (wooden sword), jo (short staff) and kogusoku.

Originating in Okayama, the tradition has been faithfully passed down from teacher to student over the generations. The Bitchuden branch is based in Kyoto where the 16th head of the school, Kancho Ono Yotaro Shinjin, runs the Chōfukan dōjō.

Shōfūkan, the name of our dōjō, opened in autumn 2007 in Mirfield under Anna Seabourne, PhD who returned earlier that year from twelve years studying martial arts in Japan. Further background on the tradition can be found on the links page.