Waikato Kendo Club

Rototuna High School Kendo Club 2025 Our 2025 Kendo program at Rototuna High School has now come to an end, and I want to say how proud I am of all the students for their effort and commitment this year. Every Friday afternoon has been something I’ve looked forward to — not just for the practice, but for the energy, enthusiasm, and fun you all bring. It has been wonderful to see you challenge yourselves, support each other, and grow through Kendo. I’ve really enjoyed spending this time with you, and I wish each of you all the very best in whatever comes next — whether that’s continuing with Kendo or simply carrying the lessons you’ve learned into your everyday life. A special thank-you also goes to Rototuna High Schools for supporting this program and giving us the chance to share Kendo together. Sam Tsai Renshi 6 Dan Waikato Kendo Club 

2025 Eiga and Morioka Sensei Seminar Dear Kenshi and Friends, On behalf of Waikato Kendo Club, I want to sincerely thank you for joining us at the August seminar and for celebrating our dojo’s 26th Anniversary together. Your participation—whether travelling from near or far, adjusting your schedules, or simply bringing your spirit and energy—made this gathering truly meaningful.  It was wonderful to see old friends reconnect, new friendships formed, and everyone learning together under the guidance of Eiga sensei and Morioka sensei. Organising this seminar was not an easy journey, but your enthusiasm and dedication made every effort worthwhile.  We hope that the teachings and memories from this weekend will continue to inspire your kendo journey. Acknowledging Our Unsung Heroes While everyone’s presence made this seminar special, I would like to especially acknowledge the “unsung heroes” whose efforts behind the scenes made it all possible: Ben Kennedy , Head of Sport Departme...

We are honored to announce that Eiga Hideyuki Sensei (Hanshi 8th Dan) and Morioka Hiromitsu Sensei (Kyoshi 7th Dan) will be visiting New Zealand this August to lead a Kendo seminar. Everyone is warmly invited to join the event—or follow along for updates, photos, and highlight videos. We look forward to sharing this special occasion with the wider Kendo community! Introducing Eiga and Morioka Sensei Eiga Hideyuki Sensei - Hanshi 8 Dan (栄花英幸 - 範士八段) Renowned worldwide for his exceptional skill and deep understanding of Kendo. Eiga Sensei’s notable achievements include placing 3rd at the 21st All Japan Invitational 8th Dan Tournament in 2023, first at the 19th All Japan Invitational 8th Dan Tournament in 2021, and placing 2nd and two 3rd positions at the All Japan Kendo Championships. He graduated from Tokai University and currently serves as a teacher at Hokkaido Eniwa-Minami High School. Morioka Hiromitsu Sensei - Kyoshi 7 Dan (森岡宏光 - 教士七段)  A respected teacher with vast experience...

--- Information for Year 2025 Beginners --- You are warmly invited to join us and  start your New Year resolutions as a  Modern Samurai .  Beginners Class  (age 14 and above): 1.30 - 2.30pm, Saturdays Little Samurai Class (age under 14): 2.30 - 3.30pm, Saturdays  Intermediate and Advanced Class : 3.30 - 6.00pm, Saturdays Starting Dates: Term 1: Saturday 25 January Term 2: Saturday 10 and 17 May Term 3: Saturday 19 and 26 July  Term 4: Saturday 25  October  We will be accepting new students all Saturdays of November, but the earlier you can start, the better. Join our 2025 Beginners Facebook Group  now to get updates. Or, email us for more information.  Course Information: No previous experience required. Regardless of gender,  ages from 6 to 60  are all welcome. First lesson  is your Free trial. Membership Fees:  Kids and School students: 50.00 per month Tertiary students and adults: 80.00 per month Family discounts ...

剣道修行の心構え /  重岡 昇 The mindset for kendo training / Noboru Shigeoka 現代剣道百家箴 ，昭和四十七年 A Hundred Aphorisms of Modern Kendo Masters （1972) "Never allow the first strike to land." No matter how skilled or unskilled your opponent may be, both sides start on equal footing, fully committed to the first strike. This requires putting your entire being into that initial attack. "Strike at the opponent’s initial movement." Always train with the mindset of targeting your opponent’s opening move. Be proactive, fully prepared, and maintain readiness. Cultivate an unwavering mind and approach each engagement with a steady, unshaken heart, free from the Four Fears (fear, doubt, surprise, and hesitation). "Kendo is about striking at openings. If two combatants are evenly matched in strength, the one who strikes first will lose." A stance that embodies both technical skill and mental preparedness has no openings. However, any disruption in this balance creates an opening. Suc...

Kendo Dōjo basic etiquette & commands for beginner & kyu grades Thanks to Janet for organising this article. When entering & leaving the Dōjo （道場, training hall）, we need to bow respectfully from the waist, first towards the direction of Joseki （上席）, in our case this is the Waikato Kendo Club WKC banner.  (But in Japanese dōjo there is often a Kamiza （上座） with a small Shinto shrine or altar displayed with religious significance). And then bow towards Sensei & Senpai on your way in before neatly organising your belongings on the side & getting ready quietly. At beginning of each Keiko（ 稽古）, Sensei（先生）or Senpai（先輩） will say: Line up -  Seiretsu （整列） :  We will need to quickly find our position along a horizontal line facing Sensei (in the middle) in order of our experience/ rank with Senpai (Seniors) on the right and Kōhai (Juniors, 後輩 ) & Shoshinsha (Beginners,  初心者 ) on the left. Standing straight facing the front, holding Shinai firmly...

Beginners Grading October 2024 Appreciate everyone's participation and efforts in making this a successful grading event for beginners and kids. 💕 Talking About Grading: fees, attitudes and purposes Grading is an integral part of the Kendo journey, along with Keiko (training) and Shiai (tournaments). Each aspect shapes a Kendoka’s growth in its own unique way. Fees: We pay membership fees for regular training and event fees to participate in tournaments. Similarly, fees are required to challenge the Kyu/Dan Promotion Examination, which we often simply refer to as grading. From the organization’s perspective, grading fees serve as a necessary source of income. It's widely agreed among members—Kendo enthusiasts—that this is not just a contribution to our local clubs, like the Waikato Kendo Association, or national bodies like the New Zealand Kendo Federation (NZKF). It extends to the broader Kendo community, even reaching the International Kendo Federation (IKF). More importan...