Founded in 2005 as Canada’s first female-operated Budo Taijutsu dojo, the Bujinkan Hakkei Dojo teaches practical self-defence alongside traditional martial arts. Located on Vancouver Island in BC, Canada, training occurs outdoors, year-round in a variety of weather, and includes gi and no-gi approaches.

Instruction is led by Sherrie Silman, who started training in the Bujinkan in 1997. In 2005, Sherrie opened the Taosphere Hakkei Shibu to rebuild the Island's Bujinkan community. In 2008, Sherrie joined the Bujinkan Shidoshi-kai, and our shibu became the Taosphere Hakkei Dojo. We now operate as the Bujinkan Hakkei Dojo - Victoria's longest continuously operating Budo Taijutsu dojo.

Curriculum includes foundational Budo Taijutsu paired with urban combat approaches from the ARC Tactics system (Aware, Responsible Combat). Our by-stander intervention curriculum teaches a range of tactics for dealing with real-world violence, from overt, full contact approaches to covert, from-distance strategies. Our Budo Taijutsu study is grounded in the Tenchijin Ryaku no Maki and the traditional densho of the Bujinkan system, featuring unarmed methods (striking, joint locks and manipulations, grappling and throws) along with traditional weapons (sword, staves, spear, blade, baton, rope / chain, sickle, spade).

At the Hakkei Dojo we understand that people pursue martial arts for a variety of reasons. Whether you're seeking the well-being that comes from studying a traditional martial art or the peace of mind that comes from being prepared to defend yourself and others, our training can help you achieve your goals. Instructors at the Hakkei Dojo are licensed by the international Bujinkan organization, trauma-informed, and inclusive.

Train with Vancouver Island's longest continuously operating Taijutsu Dojo

Class schedule:
Sundays 1pm-3pm
Wednesdays 5:30pm-7pm
Thursdays 7pm-9pm