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Oxford Kendo Club with
Oxford University Kendo Club & Oxford Brookes University Kendo Club
Oxford Kendo founded since circa 1985 is a British Kendo Association (BKA) accredited club incorporated with Oxford University Kendo Club and Oxford Brookes University Kendo Club. Our members include students from both universities and local residents in the Oxfordshire and surrounding areas. We provide kendo training from complete beginners to advanced kendoka.
Instructors include Yasuyuki Hiyama Sensei (Kyoshi 7th Dan, Former GB Team Coach), Ryosuke Kato Sensei (7th Dan), Zenjiro Hamada Sensei (6th Dan), Louie Chen Sensei (5th Dan, Club Dojo Leader), Luis Trabuco Sensei (5th Dan) and Richard Kupce (4th Dan).
We regularly have 40 or more registered members including juniors from the age of 5 to more senior members for all genders in a multicultural and multinational diverse environment.
Our members compete regularly at national and international kendo tournaments with some members are also on the GB Kendo Team. International events that we have participated in include the London Cup, Bowden Taikai, Tonbo Cup, Welsh Open, Five Nations, European Kendo Championships and the World Kendo Championship. Former members include members such as Cris Ballinas, now the President of the South American Kendo Federation and Geraldine Mattson of the GB Women’s Team and Stuart Gibson former GB Team member.
KENDO 剣道 – THE WAY OF THE SWORD
All Japan Kendo Federation
Translated by Yasuyuki Hiyama Sensei (Kyoshi 7th Dan, Oxford Kendo Head Sensei)
Concept of Kendo:
Kendo is the path toward the formation of human character (that is gained) through practicing the true principles of the Japanese sword*.
剣道の理念:剣道は剣の理法の修練による人間形成の道である。
Notes for *: “the true principles of sword” is a translation of “剣の理法 (Ken no rihou)”. It can be translated into “the nature of sword”. What it means here is both mental and physical forces and techniques regarded as causing and regulating phenomena in offence and defence by Japanese sword.
Mindset for Practicing Kendo
To learn kendo correctly and seriously
To cultivate a vigorous sprit via mental and physical disciplines through the distinguishing features of kendo
To hold courtesy in high esteem
To put high value on trustfulness
To commit oneself to sincerity
To always strive for self improvement in doing all the above
To love one’s country and society in an effort to widely contribute to peace and prosperity of humankind.
剣道修練の心構え:
剣道を正しく真剣に学び
心身を錬磨して
旺盛な気力を養い
剣道の特性を通じて
礼節をとうとび
信義を重んじ誠を尽して
常に自己の修練に努め
以って
国家社会を愛して
広く人類の平和繁栄に
寄与せんとするものである。
ORIGIN OF KENDO:
Kendo originated from Japanese sword fighting without the use of armour [Chutaro Ogawa (9th Dan Master); Ken To Zen 『剣と禅』.
Kendo started as a martial art (剣術: Ken-Jyutsu). Ken-kyutsu focused on the principle of ‘to kill or be killed’ with techniques to achieve it. Various ken-jyutsu schools have emerged since the 15th century from warrior Samurai. These schools were influenced by Zen historically from the Kamakura period in the 12th century. Zen played a very important role when this martial art turned into the art of swordsmanship in the early to mid 17th century. More information on the history of kendo in English can be found on www.kendo.or.jp.
When we practice kendo, we use the shinai (bamboo sword). It is important to always think of the shinai as a real sword or we lose the spirit of kendo. We also must regularly practice kata (型) to understand the essence of kendo. Kata can be described as a set of detailed pattern of movements originally used as teaching and training methods from combat techniques that have passed down through the generations. Kata practice is very important as it was the original practice method before the armour practice method was invented and embodies the essence of a real sword fighting without wearing armour. In Japanese, we use the expression “Real sword!” synonymous with the expression of “Seriously!”. Why not use this mind for your kendo practice!
– Yasuyuki Hiyama Sensei (Kyoshi 7th Dan, Oxford Kendo Head Sensei)