Kodokan 2012 - Kodokan Kendo

Kodokan and Paul Budden have been involved in many promotional undertakings over the years, representing a varied clientelle & headlining many events, whilst also helping to raise the profile of Kendo. The following is a list of these promotions and where possible links to sites, articles and videos. If you require further information or are looking for a Kendo involvement in a promotion at an event, or with a product please email us directly

'Out in a Flash' for Sigma Lenses

Sigma Lenses Photoshoot 1984

A series of National photographic exhibitions promoting Sigma Lenses (distributed by Carl Zeiss), throughout the UK, where Kendo was the main subject for aspiring photgraphers. Organised by Amateur Photographer .. Then and still  'The world's number one weekly photography magazine'.

Legoland –‘Star Wars After Dark’ 2011

Approved by the makers of the Star Wars saga, Lucas films Ltd and Legoland. Two days of intensive training was offered to more than seventeen hundred young ‘Initiates’ who came to the ‘Battle Training centre at Legoland. With demonstrations, re-enactments of historic fights from battles against the ‘Dark side’ and Lightsaber techniques taught by Kodokan members & Instructors.

Nintendo wii promo 2010

Sports Resort Sword Play as Ian Lee tries Kendo and Paul Budden plays wii.... 'Fun for all the Family'

Video

Kendo featured as one of the Men's sports in the 2006 series 4 of Channel 4's 'The Games' produced by 'Endemol' with the celebrity contestant's instruction being provided by Paul Budden.
Includes an explanatory section with Paul and Sotaro Honda showing the basics of Kendo to the Channel 4 viewers

Video

JapanEX at ExCel 2007 An event based around the rich and varied traditions and lifestyle of Japan. The show gave the UK public an insight into Japan and it's people including opportunities to experience aspects of Japanese culture and tradition with a special emphasis on Tourism, Education, the idiom of Modern Pop, Manga & Anime, Cosplay, DDR, Fashion, Taiko and of course Kendo.

Video

The 'brief' was to teach would be young Jedi (Padawans) how to use the Lightsaber as part of the training programme promoting the LEGO® Star Wars™ Fireworks event 2008 where some 4000 children attended over the 6 day period.

 Video

The Ambassadors Ball held at the Grosvenor House Hotel London 2007 'East meets West' was a 'Themed Event' for Zap Enterprises.

Samurai armour courtesy of Isehara Kacchu-tai, Kanagawa Japan.

Samurai Warriors courtesy of Kodokan.

Life style production featuring Kendo for this 'In House' commercial Circa 2005 promoting the superb Audi A3 series. Shown Nationwide in all UK Audi main dealerships. Female Kendo player - Kazuyo Matsuda struts her stuff.. definitely ' Vorsprung durch Technik'

Video

Kendo goes 'zooooooom' at Monza with Michael Schumaker & Rubens Barrichello

Olympus Cameras Hospitality for the Ferrari F1 team at the Monza Grand Prix September 2004.

Michael Schumaker and Rubens Barrichello tried steering a shinai in the right direction for the Press at this International 'Olympus' presentation held at the Grand Prix in Italy. Paul Budden and Sotaro Honda provided the Kendo display.

Film "Exitz" A kendo scene was filmed for this 'Sci Fi thriller' staring Malcolm McDowell

Film "Exitz". A Kendo scene was filmed for this 'Sci Fi thriller' staring Malcolm McDowell August 2004 (still unreleased in the UK, but very much in the cult genre when shown at selected film  festivals). Paul Budden and Katsuya Masagaki doubled for Christopher Simpson and Tim Hewitt, try to spot the joins if you can.

Video

National Geographic Channel  - Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections              Series 1, Episode 2: The Taipei 101 Tower

A Kendo sequence was shot for this programme in 2008 to demonstrate the strength and flexibility of bamboo, as the design of the 101 Tower is formulated around these concepts.  
Unfortunately the footage on this occasion was not used; this may have been due to the fact that there was some initial confusion over the origin of Kendo and subsequently with it not being from Taipei, ( this is not always so obvious to the layman ), local martial artists demonstrated with bamboo staves instead... Still a Great programme though.

Other

• 'Wimps to Warriors' BSkyB TV 2004 - Filmed in a forest in deepest darkest Surrey. Kendo featured as one of the 8 tests in the 'Rites of Passage'  '“ We gave ten wimpy men the chance to become an Alpha Male – the leader of the pack – for the first time in their lives. Selecting ten weaklings who all felt that they’de lost; or never had a sense of their own manliness. They were tired of being beaten to the good jobs; intimidated by other men; bullied or dumped by girls around them; and generally lacking in power. With our help through four intense weeks of man camp one of them would be able win the title of Alpha Male – leader of the pack – for the first time in their life". Paul Budden gave the Kendo instruction in this Tiger Aspect Productions.

• Metro Newspaper for the launch of  the Sony PlayStation 'Onimusha 3' computer video game, July 2004 Article

• 'Kill Bill volume 1' video release party for the Corporate Entertainment Consultancy 'Calmer Karma' at the BAFTA building September 2003. Sword demonstration ( Kendo Kata) by Paul Budden.
  

• Sony Playstation Experience: Major 'Sony' 3 day event for 2003 at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre and featuring Kendo on the main stage.

• "Touch The Sound" Film by Thomas Riedelsheimer, starring the World renowned percussionist Evelyn Glennie, December 2002 Article

• The Japan Festival 2001.The biggest festival devoted to the arts and history of a foreign country ever to be presented in the UK. Among the projects presented were Taiko (Japanese drumming), Yabasume (archery on horse back) and a wide range of fine demonstrations plus other special events including Kendo.
  This enormously successful celebration of Japanese culture  reached over 3 million people around the country and the Matsuri organised in Hyde Park attracted more than 80,000 visitors over 2 days.

• Guinness Advert from the campaign "Defining that Guinness Original Taste" 1992 starring Tim Curry and Gina Belman directed by the late 'Great' Terence Donovan. Paul & his eldest son Rene' doubled for the two stars in the Kendo scenes.