The Oldest Continuously Running Martial Arts School in Japan
History of the Bu'sen (Anglo Japanese)
The Anglo Japanese Ju-jutsu and Martial Arts Association was started in 1901 by Sadakazu Uyenishi. He was a Japanese master who was invited to England to join Yukio Otani who had arrived the previous year at the invite of Mr Barton Wright, who himself spent some time in Japan studying Ju-Jutsu. Both men toured the music halls taking on all comer's in five minute matches for fifty pounds, a huge sum of money at that time. Mr Uyenishi never lost a bout! He opened his own Dojo (training way hall) in 31 Golden Square, London after both he and Yukio Otani left Mr Barton Wright, in 1902. Thus the Anglo Japanese is the oldest Judo and Martial Arts Association in the UK.
As a matter of interest Mr Uyenishi (known as Raku) had a training partner Mr Omo Maeda who after a short time in the UK embarked for Brazil where he started the Gracie School. Mr Uyenishi started teaching our armed forces, the Army at Aldershot and the Navy in Portsmouth. He returned to Japan after marrying here, in 1908 and the Anglo Japanese was continued by William Garrad his most senior pupil.
Mr Mishiku arrived soon after in 1909 where upon he took over. Mr Mishiku was a master of Judo, Ju-jutsu and Kendo and employed various Japanese masters at the new dojo in Strathmore Gardens, London. There are some stories saying the Anglo Japanese was set up in 1929 by Cawkell (a black belt with Yukio Otani and Mikonosuke Kawaiashi) it was in fact incorporated as a limited company and was still run up until and during that time by Mr Mishiku.
Above Left: Sensei Mishiku, Kendo Kata, 1937.
Above Right: Jigaro Kano, Founder of modern Judo at the Anglo Japanese Jodo Club, London 1933.
Above: Sensei Mishiku, Japan, date unknown.
Mr Kano (the founder of modern Judo visited the Anglo Japanese club in 1933 and its interesting to note that he was not photographed in any other training dojo during that visit. He visited the club for a second time in 1936.
Mr Yukio Otani went on to become the senior teacher at the Budokwai in London. Mr Masutaro Otani arrived in 1919 and was signed up as an instructor before moving to the Budokwai where he became Yukio Otani's senior instructor. The Anglo Japanese held a yearly tournament with Germany which was a very prestigious event and is featured Pathé News.
The war years brought an end to all of the clubs although some practises were held when possible. Following the war years Mr Mishiku worked very hard to rebuild the club which by this time moved to Sandycombe Road, Kew, London.
Many famous martial artists visited the Anglo Japanese. World Judo champion and probably the most famous was Mr Abbe, the most famous of all martial artists ever to arrive on these shores. He travelled not only all over the UK but Europe as well. When he wasn't travelling he taught at the Anglo Japanese usually assisted by Mr Woods and Mr Delderfield.
Mr Mishiku sadly passed away in 1972 and was succeeded by his most senior student Frank T. Perry who continues to run this very important traditional school of martial arts to this day.
Above: Sensei Mishiku with World and All Japan Champion Shokichi Natsui, and Sensei Perry Aged 9, 1962.
The Anglo Japanese and Seiki-Juku Associations headquarters (Honbu) moved from Sandycombe Road, Kew to King Street, in Twickenham in 1985. The new Honbu was named Bu'sen (full name Kyoto Budo Senmon Gaakkou) by Shihan Frank T. Perry, Shihans early teachers who gave him his first insight to true Bushido (Samurai Spirit) were all trained within the Butokukwai with most being graduates for the Bu'sen (Special Teachers College), the most prestigious martial arts school in the world.
Source: https://www.uksko.org/about/busen-history/busen-history/
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