From October 10 to October 11, 2026, Frank Nieves, head instructor of the Institute of Budo Studies, participated in the Ryushin Shouchi Ryu Europe Instructor Meeting in Monza, Italy. The two-day gathering brought together instructors from across Europe, providing a valuable opportunity for technical refinement, the exchange of knowledge, and the continued development of the art. The meeting emphasized the importance of maintaining consistent technical standards and preserving the principles and traditions of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu.
News
Ryushin Shouchi Ryu Regional Seminar 2026 – Caen, France
The Institute of Budo Studies is pleased to announce the 2026 Ryushin Shouchi Ryu Regional Seminar, taking place in Caen, France, from October 22 to October 25, 2026.
The seminar is open to all Ryushin Shouchi Ryu members, regardless of rank. Training will emphasize proper fundamentals, the transmission of core principles, and preparation for examinations where appropriate. As always, the goal is to provide a supportive yet rigorous training environment that reflects the spirit and standards of the ryū.
Frank Nieves Leads Ryushin Shouchi Ryu Seminar in Barcelona, Spain
From September 5 to September 6, 2026, Frank Nieves, head instructor of the Institute of Budo Studies, led a Ryushin Shouchi Ryu seminar in Barcelona, Spain. Over the course of two days, the seminar provided a valuable opportunity for international exchange and in-depth study of the art.
Ryushin Shouchi Ryu Regional Seminar 2026 – Barcelona, Spain
The Institute of Budo Studies is pleased to announce the 2026 Ryushin Shouchi Ryu Regional Seminar, taking place in Barcelona, Spain, from September 5 to September 6, 2026.
The seminar is open to all Ryushin Shouchi Ryu members, regardless of rank. Training will emphasize proper fundamentals, the transmission of core principles, and preparation for examinations where appropriate. As always, the goal is to provide a supportive yet rigorous training environment that reflects the spirit and standards of the ryū.
Frank Nieves Leads Ryushin Shouchi Ryu Seminar in Marseille, France
From July 3 to July 5, 2026, Frank Nieves, head instructor of the Institute of Budo Studies, led a Ryushin Shouchi Ryu seminar in Marseille, France. The event brought together participants from France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. Over the course of three days, the seminar provided a valuable opportunity for international exchange and in-depth study of the art.
Ryushin Shouchi Ryu Regional Seminar 2026 – Marseille, France
The Institute of Budo Studies is pleased to announce the 2026 Ryushin Shouchi Ryu Regional Seminar, taking place in Marseille, France, from July 3 to July 5, 2026.
The seminar is open to all Ryushin Shouchi Ryu members, regardless of rank. Training will emphasize proper fundamentals, the transmission of core principles, and preparation for examinations where appropriate. As always, the goal is to provide a supportive yet rigorous training environment that reflects the spirit and standards of the ryū.
Frank Nieves Leads Ryushin Shouchi Ryu Seminar in Lyon, France
From April 13 to April 19, 2026, Frank Nieves, head instructor of the Institute of Budo Studies, led a Ryushin Shouchi Ryu seminar in Lyon, France. The event brought together nearly 40 participants from France, Italy and Switzerland. Spanning seven days and offering more than 30 hours of intensive training, the seminar provided a rich opportunity for cross-cultural exchange and deep study of the art.
Ryushin Shouchi Ryu European Seminar 2026 – Lyon, France
The Institute of Budo Studies is pleased to announce the 2026 Annual Ryushin Shouchi Ryu European Seminar, to be held in Lyon, France, at La Mulatière, from April 13th to April 19th, 2026.
I am honored to have been invited to return as lead instructor for this year’s seminar. Building on the success of last year’s event, which welcomed more than 40 participants from across Europe and beyond, the 2026 seminar will once again offer an intensive week of focused training, technical refinement, and formal examinations within the Ryushin Shouchi Ryu tradition.
The seminar is open to all Ryushin Shouchi Ryu members, regardless of rank. Training will emphasize correct fundamentals, transmission of core principles, and preparation for examination where appropriate. As always, the goal is to provide a supportive yet rigorous environment that reflects the spirit and standards of the ryu.
Members interested in attending are encouraged to contact me directly for additional details regarding registration, schedule, and travel planning.
I look forward to training together in Lyon and continuing the growth of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu in Europe.
– Frank Nieves
Institute of Budo Studies
Gendai Budo: Understanding Modern Japanese Martial Arts
Gendai Budō: Understanding Modern Japanese Martial Arts offers a clear, comprehensive, and engaging exploration of the martial disciplines that emerged in Japan from the late nineteenth century to the present day. Blending historical analysis with cultural insight, this book traces how traditions such as jūdō, kendō, karatedō, aikidō, kyūdō, shōrinji kenpō, jūkendō, and sumō were shaped by Japan’s modernization, educational reforms, and shifting social values.
Drawing on classical roots while examining modern practice, Gendai Budō explains how these arts evolved from battlefield systems and regional traditions into structured disciplines emphasizing personal development, ethical cultivation, and physical training. Each chapter illuminates the defining techniques, philosophies, governing institutions, and cultural roles of the major modern martial arts.
Accessible yet meticulously researched, the book serves as both an introduction for newcomers and a deeper study for practitioners, educators, and scholars. Whether you are a martial artist seeking context, a student of Japanese culture, or a reader interested in how tradition adapts to modern life, this volume provides a balanced and authoritative guide to the world of gendai budō.
Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Gendai-Budo-Understanding-Japanese-Martial/dp/B0GBGT2RQZ/
The Modern Samurai: Martial Studies & the Modernization of the Japanese School System
The Modern Samurai (2nd Edition) explores the transformation of Japan’s ancient warrior code, bushidō, and its integration into the modern school system during the prewar period. The book examines how martial arts (budo) were adapted and westernized to serve as tools for moral education, shaping generations of students and influencing Japanese society. Through detailed accounts of key figures, historical developments, and educational reforms, this work reveals how the discipline, ethics, and philosophy of the samurai were preserved, transformed, and institutionalized in modern Japan.
Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Samurai-Martial-Modernization-Japanese/dp/B0G8JLT94D/