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Showing posts from 2016

Ann - What have I learnt in Kendo?

30 November 2016 Congratulations to Ann's first time of putting on Gi & Hakama!  Answering the question of "What have I learnt in Kendo?" we asked in our Beginners Class, Ann answered:  I began my Kendo journey in July 2016 and I haven’t stopped learning since. The techniques in cutting and movements have taught me to be more graceful and nimble. I am more observant to finesse and because of that, I am more motivated to perform well. Furthermore, they are very good exercises and I feel lighter and fitter than before.  Besides the cutting techniques and posture in Kendo, I have learnt several life lessons, patience being the most prominent one. I had a hard time in completing tasks within a team because I had high expectations of team members and wanted tasks to be completed within a less than ideal time limit. So I tried to put that under control and thankfully, Kendo reinforced that. I am more than willing to work in a team and I do not dread being

Daughter and Father in Kendo - Richard and Lilly

2016 Beginner Class-B Grading 17 September 2016 Richard: I wasn't intending to join Kendo club at first, it was really Lilly's request, she had been asking to join since the beginning of the year. When we came and observed beginners class briefly to see what it was like, I was very impressed by the atmosphere of tradition, kindness and respect. There was a strong feeling of family, and as visitors we were made to feel very welcome. So I became excited about joining this group with Lilly. The greatest benefit I have gained from our short time with Kendo so far has been strengthening the bond between my daughter and I. Training together as equals, helping each other, and having conversations relating to philosophical aspects of life, inspired by Kendo training have given us a greater sense of mutual respect. The positive qualities we have been learning from our new Kendo family such as patience, clarity, focus, spirit, humility and kindness have made

Congratulations to our new Dan Grades

2016 New Zealand Kendo Federation Winter Camp Host by Waikato Kendo Club at St. John's College 13-14 August 2016 Many thanks to the contributions of  H Morioka Sensei, G Sayer Sensei, A Bennett Sensei A Kuroki Sensei, A Stephenson, B Bennett Sensei   and ALL the NZ Kendokas to make this greta event! Congratulations to our new Dan Grades who has succeeded  in the 2016 NZKF Shodan-shinsa (Examination for Dan Promotion)     Yon-dan (4-Dan) Kai Yoshitani Awatea Yi-Williams San-dan (3-Dan) Kevin Peng Ni-dan (2-Dan) Joyce Tsai Sho-dan (1-Dan) Leon Lu Claire Wei Also congratulations to  Walter McCahon  Achieved his Go-dan (5-Dan) in London, UK on 29 August 2016

A meeting of minds

A meeting of minds - both young and old!  Thanks to  David  for the great photo and Raoul for the deserved caption!  We don't separate the class by age groups,  instead we think all the members will benefit from this mixed age arrangement. Just like a big family, elders take care of younger ones and younger ones respect and learn from the elders.  Young people remind where we all come from; Elder people show where we are all going to.  * Refer to Raea's Brotherhood .  

Debbie - Kendo for life

Kendo for life We often hear the phrase ‘kendo journey’ and for each of us our kendo paths are different. And, depending on how long we have been studying and training in Kendo, it can so easily become part and parcel of our day to day lives. One such occasion happened a couple of weeks ago when I was preparing for a job interview . I am certain that my Kendo training played a key part in securing the position. These are some of the parallels I have been able to draw: Warm-up (Application) The initial application that I completed was the warm up for what was to come. In those documents I loosened up my prospective employer by letting them know who I was and what skills and experience I could bring to the role. Much like we do when we limber up at the start of each training session, this was an opportunity to show-case myself and prepare for the hard work that lay ahead.  Kamae (Basic assessments) The next phase of the recruitment process involved the completion of

Nicole: Harai-Waza continued

Re: Continue on Harai-Waza training, Wednesday 15/06/2016 This is a continuation from the training we had with Harai-Men. Last week , we learnt about Omote Harai-Men (hitting downward at 45 degrees from the right) and Ura Harai-Men (hitting 45 degrees upward from the left). We focused our training on the Harai part. Sensei advised that it is important to have our wrist relaxed . We use our wrist to create the hit motion like pulling lever using both our wrists. The pivot point of the pulling/pushing motion should be centre of the handle of your Shinai. Sensei mentioned we can move our Kensen slightly off the centre to invite our opponent to enter into our hitting range to initiate this Waza. As your opponent entered to your hitting distance, you strike a Omote Harai-Men. As beginner, the most common mistake is that we often moved the Kensen to side way rather than at an angle of 45 degrees upward. Senpai advised that if we do it in an angle hitting downward, the gravity will

Nicole: Harai-Men Waza

Re: Harai-Men Waza's Training on Saturday 11/06/16: Harai-men is a good technique to use when you and your opponent has crossed Shinai for a long time and you need to create an opening to hit men. When the timing is right, you can swiftly raise your Shinai in angle and knock your opponent's Shinai off his center line. There's two versions of Harai-Men: Omote - (outside, from the right) In this version, the footwork is very similar to Kote-men that we have practice. A small Fumikomi to knock the Shinai out of the way and another fully committed Fumikomi to hit Men. Sensei mentioned, your Shinai should rubbed the Shinai of your opponent on the right side and raise your Kensen by about 45 degrees and hit downward to knock the Shinai down. The hitting should be small and subtle like small Kote-men. Ura - (inside, from the left) In this version, the footwork is like Kihon footwork. You Seme to get closer to your opponent, lower your Kensen, hit 45 degrees upwar

About my Kendo - Philipp, Rasmus and Rebecca

2006 Beginner Class A Grading Philipp I have always been interested in learning Kendo, ever since I was a kid.  Back then, it was all about the fact that I would've been able to whack people hard.  Now, though, I realise it is more about the communal experience of learning how to kill (with beauty and efficiency), among other things. I am actually really glad that I decided to give Kendo a go, and am eager to continue it in the future. Rasmus Why I go to kendo is because I find it to be easier and more interesting than all the other sports on offer.  It’s interesting to me because when training with the shinai it’s not just about the strongest or biggest hit.  What I also like about kendo is the fact that it has chosen to use brains over brawn, precision and skill over brutality and strength.  Kendo is easy and fun and I would vouch that almost anyone would like it if they try it. Rebecca I found Kendo online when I was loo

Claire: Using shinai to connect with each other

Grading on 7 May 2016 What an exciting day it is! I passed my 1 Kyu grading on my birthday 7th of May! But I think I could do better because I missed out lots of details. Most of things were told in normal training, but there were two outcomes I always have: one is brain forgets, second is that brain remembers but body can’t achieve.  For example, I didn’t control my breath when I was doing Kirikaeshi . I know what I should do is correct, but I always forget to do. Another example was I remember the distance to cut Kote is smaller than Men, but I still seme in big step, I even thought I did small but the fact was not. Using s hinai to communicate is also difficult to me, but I can feel I am making progress and getting stronger. As long as you attend training regularly, your muscle will remember what you need to do. During training, seeking advises from sensei and senpai , and then I need to thinking deeply and trying to do in the next time.  This is the secon

Ethan: My time at Kendo

Presenting the 2016 A Beginners' grading certificates Beginners Grading on 7 May 2016 My time at kendo - Ethan Baird I have enjoyed my time at kendo because I like learning about the samurai and the Japanese culture. I have also enjoyed making new friends with students from St Johns . I like that there are people that come from the university and afar.  The skills that I have learnt help me with my sports because kendo teaches me to use my left foot/leg and not just my right. Kendo has taught me to be confident as well. I also like how the teachers are friendly and will always give you some helpful pointers.

Raea: Brotherhood in Kendo

We beleive that the youngest New Zealand Kendoka is at our Dojo -- Rafael is 4 years old! He joined Kendo with his big brother Raea.   -Raea BainBridge - My Kendo experience began when I was at school and a notice for all beginning to go to a meeting with Mr Tsai . I was immediately interested as all of my friends had told me stories about Mr Tsai's experience with Kendo.  My first time doing Kendo was an awesome experience as I got to meet new people, interact with other St John's College students and meet the senpai. I was ecstatic when I got graded to 7th Kty and from that I am determined to do my best so that I can represent my college at the end of the year . My brother Rafael joined Kendo to be with me as it is something that him and I can do together. He was proud of getting his own shanai and getting graded.  Thank you to everybody for all the support that you have given my brother Rafael.

Climb the mountain of Kendo together

A note after Chou sensei's visit on 17 January 2006 Sunday 29 January 2006 Dear All, I feel sorry to inform you that Chou sensei did not feel well after the six days intensive tour in the South Island and has changed the flight to today (30 January). He said the view in South Island is very beautiful but it was too long for him to stay in the car. And, don't worry, he still has good health. There are 4 Japanese sensei (one 8th Dan and three 7th Dan) are waiting for his return to visit Taiwan. He apologies that he need to go back to Taiwan ealier than his original plan. I just visited him saying Good-Bye and presented the Birthday card ( 84 years old ) and a small gift to him. He is pleased by the card you signed for him. He hopes that I can pass his appreciation to you. The sensei emphasised few things to me and I would like to share them with you. 1. As an instructor, I should always pay attention on the safety and healthy issues . For example, I should ask

Chou sensei: There is only a start of Kendo journey but no end of it.

Text in Chinese is here - 中文. Tuesday 17 January 2006 To share with those who could not come tonight or need to leave earlier, what Sensei Chou's lesson after the training were: 1. Kendo starts from Rei (manner) and finishes with Rei. If there is no Rei in your Kendo, no matter how strong your Kendo technique is, it still means nothing. 2. In terms of physical techniques, footwork should take 70% of importance while hand/arm only take another 30%. So, paying enough attention to footwork is essential to improve our Kendo. Particularly, after strike, we should follow up our left foot quicker. 3. When you feel " proud " about your Kendo, then it is the time your Kendo starts to decline. Keep humble and keep studying and training in Kendo is very important. -- Sam's note here: what sensei does not want us to have is "over-proud" or to think our Kendo is "good enough" and then stop learning. Please don't get it confused with &

Day 1 - 2016 Kendo Beginner Class

Welcome to our 2016 Kendo Beginner Class Today's orientation programme includes: Introducing Kendo - PPT Introducing Waikato Kendo Club Kendo - The Way of the Sword Dojo Kun and Etiquette Za-rei Beginners' first lining up Dojo Senpai Beginners' first lining up Ice Braking & Testimony from Senior Members First Kendo Experience led by Dojo Senpai Group activity End of Lesson Competition - Relay Prize Giving Group Photo on Saturday 5 March 2016 Welcome to all our 2016 beginners picking up shinai and  start your Kendo journey with us. We wish you enjoy it and  become more handsome and more beautiful through the Kendo training.  :-) * Thanks to Eric for keeping these great moments for us!