LLeading martial artist in several disciplines including Iaido (Way of the Samurai Sword) 7th Dan Renshi; Shinto Ryu (8th Dan) combination system of Karate, Aikido and Jujitsu; Jodo (Way of the Stick) 4th Dan; Tessen Fan; Niten Ryu (Miyamoto Musashi) and Tachi no Kurai. She is an international acclaimed author of martial art books including the best selling ‘Ultimate Book of Martial Arts’.

Fay runs her own dojo named Masamune in Birmingham, UK – www.masamune.co.uk

HHistorically, the Tessen fan played a significant role in both Japanese etiquette and as a deadly weapon. Tessan means literally ‘Iron Fan’, constructed as a folding fan with up to ten metal ribs. It was used as a weapon to complement the sword and many high ranking samurai carried one at all times, primarily for self defence rather than aggressive strikes. It was used for maiohgi-gata, a style of traditional Japanese dancing and in Kabuki. Here we see Fay performing this graceful tessan art to her own highly acclaimed music from the album Kokoro (Spirit of the Heart).