ZenShinZenRei Dojo – ShinBuKan (Bognor Regis) & Bognor Regis Zen Judo Family Dojo
MARCH 2004
Bognor Regis Zen Judo Family dojo is part of The Zen Judo Family (ZJF), a traditional style of Judo established in 1974 and is affiliated to The British Zen Judo Family Association (BZJFA); Kenshindoryu Nippon Budo Kyokai and the International Gentle Arts Society (IGAS). The Bognor Judo dojo was started by Sensei John Robertson on the 1st of March 2004 with only 3 students and Martin Robertson was one of his assistant instructors. (All originally members of Felpham Zen Judo Family dojo before it’s closure). The first training session on a very small 18 x 18 foot canvas mat. It was quickly decided a much larger training area would be required.
APRIL 2004
A month later the club took delivery of a 21 x 30 foot canvas, and the first full training sessions were held on 5th April 2004, with around a dozen students present.
Bognor Regis Zen Judo Family dojo is still active today, with Judo practiced in a nurturing non-competitive environment. We aim to build ability and confidence, each individual progressing at their own speed, with an emphasis on relaxed co-operation. Judo, which means ‘Gentle Way’, should be about technique rather than strength, yielding to use the strength used against you, and that is what we try to learn. The Zen Judo Family syllabus is based upon traditional martial arts training where the focus is on mastering technique rather than focusing upon competition. For more information about the Zen Judo Family and its affiliations visit our Links page.
JANUARY 2014
Martin Robertson joined ShinBuKan (Portsmouth) Iaido dojo, originally under John Piper Sensei (5th Dan) Iaido, to widen his martial arts understanding and supplement his budo training.
MAY 2015
29th May 2015 Bognor Regis Zen judo family dojo became the Hombu dojo of the Zen Judo Family after the closure of Petersfield Zen Judo Club.
AUGUST 2017
John Robertson Sensei Go Dan (5th Dan) Judo was promoted to head of the Zen Judo Family, and soon after achieved his promotion to 6th Dan.
FEBRUARY 2025
ZenShin ZenRei Iaido dojo was started by Martin Robertson, by this time a ZNKR Iaido Shodan (1st Dan) and ZJF Judo Godan (5th Dan). As an assistant instructor at Bognor Regis Zen Judo Family dojo for over twenty years, with over thirty-five years of Judo experience, and eleven years of Iaido training, the initial aim was to pass on Iaido training knowledge to existing judo dan grades at Bognor Regis Zen Judo Family dojo and to expand their understanding of budo, under the insurance of the ZJF.
Since its formation in 2025 students of ZenShin ZenRei dojo regularly attend the weekly sessions held at ShinBuKan (Portsmouth) Iaido dojo, under the instruction of Roger Pilmott Sensei Yon Dan (4th Dan) Iaido & Kendo and Martyn Knight Sensei Yon Dan (4th Dan) Iaido.
Over the years Martin Robertson has attended BKA National Iaido Seminars, as well as International EKF/SKF Iaido Seminars/Gradings, and visited Iaido dojos in Slovakia.
FEBRUARY 2026
In February 2026 Martin Robertson, with the permission of Roger Pilmot Sensei Yondan (4th Dan), current sensei of ShinBuKan (Portsmouth) Iaido dojo, approached Vic Cook Sensei Nanadan (7th Dan) Renshi asking permission to carry on the name ShinBuKan at the dojo in Bognor Regis.
With permission gained, and the subsequent successful European grading by Martin to Nidan (2nd Dan) in Iaido, ZenShinZenRei dojo – ShinBuKan (Bognor Regis) was born, further extending the history of ShinBuKan in the UK. Soon after ShinBuKan (Bognor Regis) officially became an official dojo of the British Kendo Association and benefits from the additional guidance of Martyn Knight Sensei, where we teach both ZNKR Seitai and Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido Katas.
Through the influence of Roger Pilmott Sensei in Portsmouth, Kendo kata and kihon (Fundamentals) with bokuto (Wooden Sword) has also become a regular addition to training at the Bognor Regis dojo.
As such the formation of ZenShinZenRei dojo – ShinBuKan (Bognor Regis) has come about from years of influence by Sensei from ShinBuKan, the British Kendo Association, and the Zen Judo Family. It would also like to extend its thanks those in the European Kendo Federation for their time and patience, and gratitude to Sensei Robbie Kulcsar Godan (5th Dan) Iaido, of Shin JunSui Dojo (Kosice, Slovakia) for his continued personal support and guidance over the years.
“The Japanese four kanji idiom, ZenShinZenRei has always held a special place for me as not only as an ethos for continued training within the dojo but also for tackling the challenges of life in general. The hope is that through continued Martial Arts training it will help you to find a path through life that is not only beneficial to yourself, but also to those around you.”
Zenshin, Whole Body. Zenrei, Whole Spirit.
So ZenShinZenRei literally means; “With all ones might” or “Body and Soul” or;
To signify total commitment by pouring your whole being – body (zenshin) and spirit (Zenrei) – into an endeavor.
Martin Robertson
Nidan (2nd Dan) Iaido
Godan (5th Dan) Judo