Dear Members,
It is with a deep sadness that we announce the passing of Paul Budden-sensei, Kyoshi Nanadan.
Budden-sensei has been an instrumental part of the BKA for many years, supporting and promoting kendo.
His passing will be a great loss to the BKA and kendo community.
As well as an excellent kendoka, Budden-sensei was a keen historian and researcher, with many books published. Perhaps most notably ‘Looking at the far mountain’, a major resource for kendo kata studies.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Kazuyo Matsuda-sensei, as well as the rest of Budden-sensei’s family, friends and students.
Please find below a eulogy for Paul Budden-sensei written by his senior student, Adrian Wagstaff.
Kazuyo Matsuda-sensei has asked that the funeral and donation details not be shared publicly.
We understand and respect her wishes in this, and hope that you can all celebrate and remember the life of Budden-sensei through the beautiful words below.
British (and worldwide) kendo has lost an inspirational leader who spent the majority of his life promoting the growth of kendo throughout the UK, Europe and worldwide through teaching, seminars, competitions and as an author of many instructional and well researched historical books.
Budden-sensei Kyoshi, Nanadan, BKA National Coach left us early last week.
Instrumental in the growth of British kendo, Budden-sensei worked tirelessly to promote the values of kendo to students at all levels. His study and expertise in the fundamentals of kendo, gained through many hours of study and training with senior sensei, enabled Budden-sensei to pass on this knowledge to all Kendoka who were lucky enough to train with him.
After starting training with the late Holt sensei, Budden-sensei founded Kodokan Kendo in 1980 (previously called Atarashi), where he continued to teach the fundamentals of all aspects of kendo and where in the late 80’s he organised the first Kodokan seminar (which quickly became an annual ‘must attend’ seminar). This is the seminar where Budden-sensei introduced Masataki Sumi, Hanshi Hachidan to lead the seminar over many years, supported by many senior Hachidan sensei, giving Kendoka worldwide the opportunity to receive many hours of high-level instruction.
The list of Budden-sensei’s achievements over many years of service to kendo is long. Highlights include holding senior office within the BKA (High Grade Officer, GB Kendo Squad Manager and Kendo Bucho), being a member of the BKA team at the European Kendo Championships in 1987 that won a bronze medal, Championship Coordinator for the European Kendo Federation and Co Organising Director for the successful 12th World Kendo Championships in Glasgow 2003 to name but a few.
Luckily, Budden-sensei has left us his thoughts, instruction and tireless historical research by publishing a number of well received books including Looking at a Far Mountain – A Study of Kendo Kata, The Legacy of the Budokwai – A British Kendo History, The Oshu Kendo Renmei – A History of British Kendo (1885 -1974), The Devils Gloves and The One Cut – an introduction to Ono-Ha Itto-Ryu Kata, and more recently The Secret Sword – A Study of Itto-Ryu Mizoguchi-ha. Through these, and his students’ experience, Budden-sensei’s instruction will live on.
Budden-sensei’s passing is a massive loss to the BKA but also to the greater kendo community. A very sad day for us all.
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