Zen Shin Budo Kai nunchaku is an original kobudo art with foundations in Za Zen, Zen Shin Ryu karate (developed from Goju Rye in the 1960’s) and adapted nunchaku techniques taught by Japanese masters such as Fumio Demura and Ryusho Sakagami from the early 1970’s.
I took the general philosophy that the weapon should be treated as an extension of the arm and built on the – what I would now consider basic – techniques being employed at the time. Far more advanced blocks were developed over the next twenty years, all tested against ‘serious’ attacks to warrant their inclusion in a syllabus, along with various striking and countering techniques tested in ko kumite. These were incorporated into five nunchaku katas which formed the basis of the nunchaku system. Acknowledgement followed when the Sports Council of Japan visited our dojo and officially recognised our teachings. In 2012 through many decades of contribution to the art of nunchaku and martial arts in general "Shihan McCormack was made the perfect recipient and was announced the worlds first inductee to the Nunchaku Hall of Fame" by Sensei Chris Pellitteri - of the North American Nunchaku Association.
Over the subsequent three decades Zen Shin Budo Kai has evolved still further, adding more ‘battlefield worthy’ techniques to its arsenal, set training exercises, and another kata. The general rule has been would it really work in a real fight? This approach has served us well, as practical application is fundamental to any martial art.
Zen Shin Budo Kai is all about the real art of fighting, nothing to do with simply ‘looking good’. If a technique is sound enough it will look good anyway.
Apart from the Kobudo weapons side i.e. Nunchaku, Bo-staff, Jo, Tonfa, Sai, and Iaido sword work…We have a full system of Karate and Self Defence We like to keep the clubs running in the old school ways as we take our art very serious as some of our techniques can be dangerous.
Shihan Bob McCormack 8th Dan Founder of Zen Shin Budo Kai