The spirit of courtesy and peace behind Kendo
By Geoff Lewis 20 July 2005, Hamilton Press
THE sounds and sights of old Japan are part of the Waikato Kendo Club.
Kendo literally means “the way of the sword” and is a traditional Japanese martial art with an ancient history based in the culture of the Samurai warrior.

MIND SET: Instructor Sam Tsai says Kendo includes training the mind. Photo: Shane Mortonn)
Hamilton chief instructor Sam Tsai was the New Zealand Kendo Federation 2002 male gold medallist, and wife Marleen Charng gained second placing in the female division in the federation competition in 2001. She held the national championship title three times while living in Taiwan.
The couple, fourth-dan instructors, arrived in Hamilton in 1998. Formerly a high school physics teacher in Taiwan, Sam is completing his PhD in science education at Waikato University while Marleen is a full-time mum. Both have participated in the sport since the early 1980s.
There are 10 Kendo clubs in New Zealand and only two instructors in Hamilton. The Hamilton club has about 50 members.
Club members Ruby Huang, Fumiko Akiyama and Laura Haakma won the female section of the New Zealand Kendo Championships held in Auckland earlier this month. The club’s male team won the first trophy for New Zealand at the 2nd Asian Championships in Hong Kong during 2002.
Overseas, Kendo training can begin at three years old, but here the starting age is usually eight. Senior fighters are still involved in the sport in their 80s.
Mr Tsai said the aim of Kendo was to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of Katana, which include training the mind and body, promoting human honour and courtesy, and promoting peace among people.
Its benefits include fitness, an improvement in reflexes and development of friendships. “It is not about demeaning your opponent, but about improving your own performance,” Mr Tsai said.
A one-hour seminar to give the public an introduction to Kendo will be held on Tuesday November 15 2005 at the School of Education gymnasium, Waikato University, Gate 4 Hillcrest Road at 6pm. For further information phone Sam or Marleen on 8561488 or e-mail waikatokendo@gmail.com

Waikato Kendo Club thanks and acknowledges the editor of Hamilton Press for the use of the articles reproduced on this page.