Waikato Kendo Club

If an employer tells you, "We're like a family here," you'd probably think, "Yeah... no thanks." Family isn't something people declare, it is something you feel. Why do I mention this? I will explain below. Backward to my very first day at Waikato Kendo Club happened to be a grading day. One senpai came over to introduce themselves, explained how grading worked, and patiently taught me a few kendo terms. During our conversation, they mentioned that kendo had changed their life, that they no longer felt as anxious or stressed as they used to. At the time, I remember wondering, How can swinging a bamboo sword around possibly do that? Four months later, I think I finally understand. My love for martial arts actually started with my love for Japanese culture. As a teenager, I practised Aikido and absolutely loved it. When I moved to New Zealand, though, I couldn't find a dojo that felt like the right fit. Aikido relies heavily on working with your par...

  Train the body. Cultivate the mind. Another regular Saturday afternoon at the dojo. No tournament, no grading, just everyone putting in the effort, side by side. At Waikato Kendo Club, we believe Kendo is more than just technique. It’s a path to becoming a better person. Today we saw it in action: Physical wellbeing - building posture, balance, and body awareness with each suburi. Mental wellbeing - finding focus, calm, and the confidence to try. Inner strength - persevering through the hard parts, learning that effort matters more than perfection. Teamwork & respect - listening, supporting each other, and training safely together. From our youngest members in their first bogu to our senior members, everyone was cultivating themselves. That is what Kendo is about. Thank you to all our members and families for your effort today. One keiko at a time. * Progress in Kendo is like stacking sheets of paper. A single sheet is too thin to notice, but as you continue to stack th...

Photo Credit: Heathen Light Over the last year or so of practising Kendo, I have found it to be a truly wonderful experience that has had a positive effect on almost all areas of my life. One of the things Kendo has helped me with the most is anxiety, something I have dealt with throughout my adult life. I almost didn’t attend my first lesson because I felt so anxious about starting something new. Now, at my most recent grading, I didn’t feel anxious at all. I knew that, at the very worst, even if I didn’t pass, I would learn where I was on my Kendo journey and what I needed to improve and work on. Over the past year, I have really enjoyed taking my first steps on what I hope will be a lifelong Kendo journey. “In Kendo, discovering where you are is already part of becoming who you will be.”

At Waikato Kendo Academy, we believe in the Japanese principle of Bunbu Ryōdō (文武両道)—developing both the mind and the body. We hope every child will grow not only as a Kendoka, but also as a learner, a friend, and a responsible member of the community. Little Samurai Kendo – Parents’ Information Welcome to our  Little Samurai Kendo class. This page is for parents and caregivers whose children are enrolled, or considering enrolling, in our junior Kendo programme. We understand that choosing an activity for your child is an important decision, and we sincerely thank you for trusting us to guide and support your child through their Kendo journey. What Is Little Samurai Kendo? Little Samurai Kendo is a junior programme based on Japanese Kendo (swordsmanship), adapted to be age-appropriate, safe, and positive for children. Kendo is not just about learning techniques. It is a structured activity that supports children’s physical development, mental wellbeing, character building, and so...

What is Kendo? Kendo is a modern Japanese martial art based on traditional swordsmanship. It is both physical training and a cultural practice , emphasising discipline, respect, etiquette, and personal development alongside technique. Do I need previous martial arts or sports experience? No. Kendo beginners start from the very basics, and no prior experience is required. Am I fit enough to start Kendo? Yes. You do not need a high fitness level to begin. Training intensity increases gradually and improves fitness over time. What should I wear to my first class? Please wear comfortable sports clothing such as a T‑shirt and track pants or shorts. Training is done barefoot. Do I need to buy equipment before starting? No. All beginner equipment is provided. Your instructor will advise you later if and when equipment purchase is needed. What will I learn in the beginner class? Beginners learn etiquette, posture, footwork, shinai handling, ...

Post grading Kendo reflection -   Felix Dinh Last week I took part in the Waikato Kendo grading , and it was a very important experience for me. First time grading ever, I was nervous before it even started because I did not know if I could show everything that I’ve been practicing and training. When I put on my bogu and stepped into the grading area, I was of course nervous and tense but also tried to keep it calm because at the same time I felt excited to finally test myself. During the grading I tried to remember all the things that Sam Sensei, Marleen Sensei, and all other senpai had taught me, such as correct movement, right techniques, or effective footwork, but turns out remembering is totally different from actually doing it. Because grading carries almost the same amount of pressure as a competitive Shiai . I think with the differences being the outcome, for Shiai it’s about who lost and who won, however for grading, you only get one chance to show everyone what you’r...

Jingee‘s insight I’ve always been passionate about sports—whether it’s extreme activities, strength training, or gentler forms of exercise, I’ve consistently thrown myself into them with enthusiasm. But kendo has offered me an entirely different kind of experience. It demands strength, but it is not only about strength. It requires control, yet it is not merely about control. It calls for observation, reaction, an awareness of one’s own body, and a sharp reading of the opponent’s movements. Among all my athletic pursuits, it stands out as something truly unique. I hope that in the days ahead, I can continue to study and practice it with genuine dedication. Orion's Reflection on My Kendo Practice I have been learning kendo for half a year now. During this time, I have felt a new focus that I never had before, and I have gained a lot. First, about the mind . Kendo helps me give full attention to every movement and every strike. When I hit Men, I feel how the body and spirit work toge...