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.

Comments

How do you practice seme?

Kobayashi Hideo Sensei – How to Seme (w/English CC) 小林英雄先生 - 攻め方 How do you practice S eme ? Very early on, I have heard of the “Three Opportunities to Strike”: strike when your opponent’s technique is about to start, strike when your opponent’s technique ends, and when the opponent is mentally and physically depleted. Since then, this line of thinking has given me a direction in how to train. In 2017, Utsunomiya sensei, 7-dan kyoshi, came to visit us and taught me the concept of “okori”. That reminds me of the conversation that happened 8 years before that in 2009 with Morioka sensei, also 7-dan kyoshi, who asked me: “What is the timing or reason of your strike?” I think most people are familiar with the idea that you should “ seme then strike ”. However, when do you strike after seme has been a source of struggle for most kenyu. That’s why when I saw the video from Kobayashi Hanshi where you seme for the purposes of creating “okori” , I felt this added a whol...

Kendo Journey: A "Travel Guide" from Shodan to Godan-and-a-Half

Waikato Kendo Association Grading (2009) Kendo Journey: A Travel Guide from Shodan to Godan-and-a-Half （中文） by Sam Tsai December 27, 2017 Those that know me should know that back in 1998, Marleen and I moved to Hamilton, New Zealand and ended up being the only two people that practiced kendo within the 100 kilometers radius. In the following year, the stars were aligned as we formed the Waikato Kendo Association and I found myself shouldering the responsibility of being a kendo instructor. Practicing kendo myself and teaching others how to do kendo are totally different things! About half a year after we established the dojo, Hsu Heng-Hsiung sensei , coach of Team Taiwan, led a delegation of more than 20 kenshi to come visit us in New Zealand. About a year after their visit, I was in Taiwan visiting sensei. The first thing he said to me was, “Tell me, what are you having trouble teaching?” I could not help myself but laugh out loud as I replied, “Coach you are ...

Starting your kendo journey in 2024

You are warmly invited to join us and start your New Year resolutions as a Modern Samurai . --- Information for Year 2024 Beginners --- Little Samurai Class (age under 14): 1.30 - 2.30pm, Saturdays Beginners Class (age 14 and above): 2.30 - 3.30pm, Saturdays Intermediate and Advanced Class : 3.30 - 6.00pm, Saturdays Starting Dates: Class A: Saturday 10 February Class B: Saturday 9 March Class C: Saturday 4 May Class D: Saturday 27 July Join our Beginners Facebook Group now to get updates. Course Information: No previous experience required. Regardless of gender, ages from 6 to 60 are all welcome. First lesson is your Free trial. Fees: Kids and School students: 50.00 per month Tertiary students and adults: 80.00 per month Family discounts : the 2nd family member is 50%OFF, and from the 3rd one is free. Learning Objectives: By the end of the course, you will be ready to put on Bogu (armour) an...

Waikato Kendo Club

Search This Blog