John Evans on Zen, Buddhism and the martial arts

John Maki Evans began practising yoga and tai chi in his teens. At Oxford University he trained in Shotokan karate and after graduation went to live at an Anglican monastery where for 5 years he continued studies in tai chi, Sanskrit and yoga. In 1981 he went to Japan and began studies in Mikkyo (esoteric Buddhism) and Kurikara Ryu Heiho with Fushi Sensei – an independent gyoja or yamabushi.

After 3 years of intensive practice he went on to study Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido and Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo (Japanese sword practice with some of Japan’s most accomplished masters.

Following his return to England in 1993 he founded the Fudokan dojo in London. He teaches Nakamura Ryu Battodo and Kurikara Ryu Heiho and received his 7th Dan in 2008 from the International Battodo Federation.

In summer 2014, Daizan Roshi interviewed John about his fascinating life, his experience of his practice, and what he's up to now in London.


Over many years of strict training, in Japan and the west, Julian Daizan Skinner Roshi received Dharma Transmission and permission to teach in both the Rinzai and Soto lineages of Zen. He now teaches at the Yugagyo Dojo in London, UK. For more information see http://www.zenways.org