Zen Samurai Sensei Takai is no ordinary teacher. The last heir of a 16-generation Samurai lineage tracing back to the legendary Hattori Hanzo, he blends centuries of tradition with a strikingly modern philosophy of embodied leadership and presence. Trained from childhood in the 18 classical Samurai and Ninja arts – swordsmanship, calligraphy, archery, even taiko drumming – Sensei Takai has distilled his heritage into what he calls The Zen Samurai Way: a profound integration of martial technique, moving meditation, and personal transformation. Ahead of his immersive retreat at Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, he speaks to Sarah Yearsley about how balance, breath, and nature – not conflict – form the heart of the true warrior’s path.
What first drew you to the Samurai path?
I was born into it, my family has passed down Samurai traditions for over 60 generations. But people misunderstand what a Samurai truly is. They imagine swords and shouting and battles.
In truth, a true warrior avoids the fight. Inner peace is the highest form of power. The Samurai path is about mastering the self, not the opponent. We train to avoid conflict, not to escalate it.
So the Samurai way isn’t about fighting?
No, not at all. We are martial artists, but also philosophers, artists, and peacekeepers.
The essence of our training is to control the mind, not conquer others. In Samurai tradition, our highest skill is to bring balance, to resolve without violence. That’s the real strength.
What are the key principles of the Samurai Way as you teach it today?
My teaching follows the Five Elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Sky—each representing a stage of development, a way of being. These are inspired by nature, which is our greatest teacher. Everything we train is based on these natural forces and how they exist within us.
Can you walk us through each of these elements?
Of course. Earth (Ground) is about stability – breath control, routine, and the foundations of daily life. Water teaches fluidity and adaptability. We often say “be silent water,” like a mirror, calm, receptive, and connected. Fire represents emotion. It can be dangerous, so we manage it through strict order and ritual, like the Japanese tea ceremony, or the way we sheath a sword with care after use. Wind is intuition, what cannot be seen or touched. We train by meditating in nature, even blindfolded, to strengthen our inner perception. Sky is emptiness, spaciousness, void. In the Samurai tradition, there is no ‘Bible,’ only the journey to discover your own truth. The sky element reminds us to let go of the ego. We move toward stillness, toward nothingness. That is the centre point between yin and yang.
How do you bring softness and balance into something often perceived as rigid or strong?
Real Samurai strength is gentle. Strength without softness is just noise. Stillness is the sharpest blade. The first step is Yin energy, receiving, grounding. We teach people how to listen to their bodies, especially their inner organs like the stomach, which carry deep wisdom. Most people focus only on muscle or performance, that’s all Yang. We begin with softness.
And how is Zen woven into your practice?
Zen in our tradition is not just sitting still, it’s about living in the moment. For example, in archery, if you aim for the target, you’re already in the future. We teach students to harmonize with the target. Let it invite you. That’s Zen. The same applies to drinking tea or coffee, walking, even holding a conversation. Every act becomes sacred.
What does the word ‘Samurai’ actually mean?
Samurai means ‘to serve’ or ‘to protect’. It’s about guardianship – not attack. A Samurai protects peace, tradition, and integrity. Our role was never to attack, but to stand watch. We are not soldiers – we are guardians of balance.
Tell us more about the retreats. How do they help people embody these principles?
Our retreats are immersive. We train with swords, meditate, and work with the Five Elements each day – starting with Earth and moving to Sky. The goal is not to fight, but to find inner balance. The body becomes the mirror of the mind. In nature, especially, this becomes clear. That’s why we chose Broughton Sanctuary – it offers a deep connection with the natural world, which is essential for true Samurai training.
Is it true that Samurai also practiced arts like calligraphy and poetry?
Yes. A true Samurai masters 18 arts—calligraphy, tea ceremony, archery, even writing poems before battle. Before a duel, Samurai would exchange poems – one would write a verse, and the opponent would complete it. Even in conflict, there was beauty and honour. This is what made a fight meaningful – not emotional rage, but clarity and respect.
What is the relationship between the body and mind in this training?
They are not separate. If you want to control your mind, you must begin with the body. The stomach, the breath, the inner organs – they hold truth. The modern world focuses on muscles and performance, but the wisdom is inside. The body is an honest mirror – it always seeks harmony with its surroundings. When breath, movement, and emotion align, the mind softens and the body becomes wise.
Can you tell us about archery as a Samurai discipline?
Archery is one of the most profound Samurai arts. We practice it not to hit a target, but to learn how not to aim. Most people aim and miss because they’re already living in the future. When you aim, you try to control. But in Zen archery, we don’t aim – we connect.
You do not aim at the target – you harmonize with it. We breathe, we draw, and we release. The target invites us. If we miss, we do not react. If we hit, we do not celebrate. We are simply present.
That’s quite a shift from the competitive mindset in other martial arts.
Yes. We have no competition in Samurai training. The enemy is not outside – it is your own imbalance. When we use swords – it’s not about sparring; it’s about returning to your centre.
Even holding the sword is a sacred act. We grip it with both hands, not for power, but for respect. One hand is for control, the other for humility. We face our opponents squarely.
Why is nature such a key part of your retreats?
The body wants to harmonize. In nature, it can do so easily. At Broughton Sanctuary, there are woodlands, rivers, and silence—these are part of the training. Using a sword indoors is not the same as doing so beneath a tree. Nature softens us, reminds us who we are.
How do you structure your retreats?
Each day is built around one of the Five Elements. We begin with Earth, grounding, breathwork, basic movement. Then Water, fluid motion and stillness. Fire, discipline and emotional control. Wind, meditative sensing. And finally Sky, emptiness, silence, and integration. We use swords, archery, movement meditation, and breathwork. We reflect. We walk in silence. The training is physical, but its aim is spiritual.
What’s one practice from the Samurai Way that anyone can try to bring more presence or calm into their daily life?
Samurai wisdom begins with breath. Inhale life, exhale the ego. In Samurai training, we inhale for three seconds, hold for two, and exhale for ten. The long exhale represents the death of emotion and ego. It’s a daily practice that brings balance and spaciousness into the mind and body. When we master the breath, we begin to master the self.
The Zen Samurai Retreat, Ancient Japanese Teachings for a focused life
Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, UK
28th May – 1st June 2025
