British Kendo Association

The online applications for the BKA Iaido and Jodo summer seminar is now closed. This is to allow the organisers to confirm accommodation bookings.

If you would still like to attend these seminars and are willing to organise your own accommodation please email the booking form to Andy Watson at info@bkajodo.org.

Many thanks

Andy Watson

Concerning recent discussions of holding a 5th dan grading in Britain, it must be understood that it is neccessary to have a minimum of 3 applicants for any grade for it to take place. Whereas it is perfectly possible for the Kendo Bu to hold a 5th dan grading, only one application has been received in recent years.

Whereas the Bu does not consider any additional gradings to be required on the Kendo calendar it has decided to hold a 5th dan grading at Mumeishi in October on a yearly basis if the level of demand warrants it.

To this end an application cut-off date of the 16th August will be applied in order to organize the correct level of panelists, inform the EKF and notify applicants that the required number of applications has been received.

Mike Davis
Kendo Bucho

The second joint Charity Kendo Championship (McMillan & Maggie’s) was held at the Watford Leisure Centre Central Saturday the 3rd July 2010

Over 60 people attended and took part in this ‘Charity’ Kendo event from Germany, Switzerland, Ireland Japan & Spain as well as the UK.

Saturday morning junior individuals – 2 categories for those not wearing armour and those wearing armour followed in the afternoon by the family team event and knockout competition.

Results

Juniors Category A – Not wearing Armour

1st R. Farchmin
2nd C. Carter – Dunn
3rd J Dew
3rd H Asano
Fighting Spirit. J Dew

Juniors Category B – Wearing Armour

1st R. Ohashi
2nd S Yamamoto
3rd M Farchmin
3rd Kris Park
Fighting Spirit. Kane Park

Family ‘Mixed’ Team Competition

The family competition where teams of 3 had to consist of a junior, a lady and a male Kendoka, not necessarily related was again held and proved to be one of the most enjoyable events of the event

1st.Team: Kodokan – Y Park, K Matsuda, R O’Mahony
2nd.Team: Cheltenham & Glos. – T Ryokai, G Taylor, H Brown
3rd.Team:  Southampton & Bristol – P McLaughlin, N Donnelly, Kane Park
3rd Team: Ollerton & Stoke – T Chapman, D Hanson, Kris Park
Fighting Spirit. Team: Ireland – M Kiosew, K Cassidy, Z Young

Kachinuki ‘knock out competition’

The Kachinuki was the finale of the Day and the result this year ended with a win for the Maggie’s team over the Macmillan team. It was a great match with each team having some 20 members to line up against each other including again sections for ‘non armoured’ participants; all fought well as the balance swung both ways during this exciting last match.

Successful competitors were awarded with pretty championship mugs! Courtesy of ‘Service Point UK’ and other prizes generously donated by ‘Euro Kendo’ equipment suppliers. Congratulations to all who participated and gave their support to the 2 charities that probably need this even more now during the continuing economic climate. An additional £285 was raised on the day from the auction of donated and assorted items, which proved to be hugely successful

A special ‘surprise’ competition was also run for the ‘unsuspecting parents’ of the junior competitors which proved to be highly entertaining as very few of them had previous experience other than watching their own children at regular practice sessions. The overall results were decided by the juniors who had great fun voting, or in some cases (somewhat tongue in cheek) not voting for their parents.

1st Mrs Yamamoto
2nd Mr Yamamoto
3rd Mr Walker
3rd Mr Dew
Fighting Spirit: Mrs Farchmin

We would also like to thank the UK & International Kendo clubs who supported and sponsored the event including Bristol Kendo Club, Budokan – Zurich & Budokan Lausanne – Switzerland, Cheltenham & Gloucester Kendo Clubs, Kagamishin Kendo Kai – Stoke, Kashi No Ki –Ollerton, Kobokai – Ireland, Kodokan Kendo Club- Rickmansworth, , Mumeishi Kendo Club – Cranford, Nenriki – London, Seikenjuku –Oldenburg Germany, Yoshinkai – Barcelona and Southampton Kendo Club, the junior members attending and to all the parents and Friends.

So far over £1000 has been raised for the event including the registration, cash made by Auction and donations made by individuals, clubs and companies.

Companies who made generous donations: Daiwa Capital Market Europe Ltd, Chapman Taylor Llp and Service Point UK who supplied the award mugs individually printed.

A further £184 was raised by the attendees at the Chiba sensei Seminar in Reading on the same day.

To all the attendees: Competitors, Helpers & Referees:
Including Chief Referee Terry Holt, Ian Parker Dodd, Trevor Chapman Steve Plimbley, Phil McLaughlin, Martin Kiosew, David Thompson & Neil Donnelly – A very big thank you and also a huge commendation to the organiser of this event, Kazuyo Matsuda, who has over the last 4 years worked tirelessly on behalf of the charity groups to raise money in support of these essential and worthwhile Cancer organisations, culminating in this the 2nd Combined Charity Championships. Finally the many others who helped between their respective fights.

“It’s a wonderful thing to behold when individuals come together to give something back without expecting anything in return other than knowing that their contribution can make a difference to those less fortunate than themselves.

For those of you who missed this wonderful event there is still time to make a donation. Please check out the links below.

I am also very happy that as confirmed by the organisers this Charity event will again be held next year and in the ongoing tradition of promoting Kendo throughout the UK and to support these 2 worthwhile Charities, location and dates – to be announced in due course”. – Paul Budden 7th Dan Renshi

If you would like to donate please follow the charity links for Maggie’s Centres & Macmillan Cancer support.

For donation online

www.maggiescentres.org
www.macmillan.org.uk

Kodokan Kendo UK Rickmansworth

Breaking news from Japan:

Eishinkan Dojo’s Chris Buxton passed his 7th Dan iaido examination in Tokyo!

Congratulatons Mr B!!

Event Report by Dave Weston, Liverpool Kendo Club

I’ve just come back from my first ever referee seminar at Kagami Shin Kendo Club in Stoke. As many members may not have had the opportunity to attend such an event, or unaware of what one entails I thought I’d but fingers to keyboard and offer up my view of a thoroughly rewarding experience. By the way I’d put a brew on and grab a biscuit, I’m not known for short reviews, if anyone who’s ever read my opinion of the BoguZen Shoshin Shinai can confirm…

Firstly, I must disclose I am not totally unfamiliar with refereeing. My first experience of shinpan duties was at a kyusha taikai in Bolton. There’s nothing like being dropped in at the deep end, I enjoyed it so much I considered right then and there to invest in some flags, though sadly I never got round to it. Since then I’ve experienced two or three trainings in shinpan duties during grading seminars, which have been useful, but never rewarding enough to make that investment.

As most BKA members will be aware after passing nidan it is now a grading requirement to attend one shinpan seminar each year before attempting your next grade. So it’s understandable that initially one may approach such an event as a necessity, to get it over with, get your book signed and muddle through to your next grading but from my experience today I think this is the least to take away from such an event as I think all those attending took away so much more.

Two other kendokas and myself travelled from Liverpool to Stoke arriving just after 9:30 with a 10:00am start. We bumped into a couple of old friends from KNMS in Stockport and by the time everybody, including local Kagami Shin members and even visitors from Reading and Wales, was ready there were a total of 12 ’shinpans-in-waiting’. If I recall correctly our level of ability ranged from yondan to ikkyu, which was nice to see not everyone was there just to ‘tick the grading box’. The event was hosted by Sensei Steve Plimbley and we had the privilege of Sensei Mike Davis’s many years as shinpan to guide us on our first steps in refereeing. After a brief warm-up and stretching session we then started the ‘technical’ part of the course where we sat down and Sensei Davis asked us what it was to be a referee, what a referee was required to look out for and ultimately what constitutes yuko-datotsu – the elements of a scoring cut. The 12 of us sat taking notes and asking questions, hoping our answers weren’t as naive and simple as our experience.

After this session we were all instructed in the use of the flags. We were lucky enough to have a set of flags each and as each flag position was indicated we repeated the exercise so that when we got chance to enter the shiaijo later we wouldn’t be entirely clueless. Even how to roll the flags up so as not to show the white flag between the red and how to pass the flags correctly to another shinpan was covered. At this stage you’re thinking there is so much more to this refereeing business than you initially thought!

The 12 of us were then split up into two sixes. The first six would take on shinpan duties for the morning with two sets of three and the second six would make two teams of three competing in the shiaijo marked out on the floor. I have to say from a participants point of view 12 was the ideal number of people to ensure you would not be standing around too long, we were extremely lucky in this respect. I was picked to take part in the fencing session first so after donning bogu it was down to business. We all stepped into the shiaijo and went through the slightly more familiar routine as a competitor, then the first match began. Throughout the following matches Sensei Davis would pause the action with a blow on his whistle, asking the referees ‘did they see anything?’, ‘what did they see?’, ‘why did they not see a cut?’ or ‘why did they believe something was yuki-datotsu?’. When one referee scored and the other did not respond again he would challenge what their perception of events was encouraging them to focus and apply the technical information from the beginning of the day with the flag positions and coupled with their own experience of what a cut should be. Observing from the sidelines the whole process seemed straightforward, daunting, but often you could feel that sensation known to many football fans of ‘what are you thinking ref’ but it was still early in the proceedings and everyone was very much finding their feet, but enjoying the experience too.

What surprised me most about the morning session was as a competitor there was also a great deal to learn. Sensei Davis quite often would ask why a point was not scored and there were many times where a competitor was surprised to discover, myself included, they had executed what he described as ‘acceptable yuko-datotsu.’ Quite often you will not get this direct observation, of what is and is not correct in your individual kendo immediately as it happens. I found this extremely useful and at times Sensei Davis would pause the action not just to address shinpan issues but to explain to a particular competitor how there technique was wrong. Again, the last time I had such direct instruction I’d just failed my nidan! And even that was an hour or so after the event. So to be given advice there and then without the pressure of a pass or fail was extremely valuable and has given me plenty to think about and focus on in my own kendo.

Lunch followed at about 1 o’clock and then it was time to show the first group how it should be done… yeah right!

Stepping into the shiaijo I was nervous but having watched the mornings proceedings and with the advantage of my prior experience I had a slight feeling of confidence. Of course that disappeared within a few seconds of the command “hajime!”. Court positioning rapidly became the hardest aspect of shinpan duties. Being in the right place at the right time, while the competitors twisted and turned, you would suddenly find yourself in completely the wrong position. I was also trying to keep on top of the one aspect I’d always found the hardest – when red and white swap sides, remembering their respective flags are now reversed in each hand. Oh, and throughout all this there was also the small matter of trying to gauge if they actually cut, and if it was good! So we tended to be over generous in our point giving and when it came to why we couldn’t quite explain it.

As the afternoon progressed our confidence grew. As we got better at our positioning, constantly worrying about where we where took a back seat and we could concentrate on the two people in front of us We felt we were improving and points became harder to come by as we started to apply more attention to yuko-datotsu. The similarity to how it feels beginning kendo was not lost on me. How there are hundreds of different parts that one tries to remember, footwork, posture, head-up, chin in etc. But after many months of practice some of those become instinctive and we can then focus on more important aspects. Refereeing is similar, once you have the confidence to stand out there and be in the right place you can dedicate your focus on scoring yuko-datotsu. That’s not to say we didn’t make mistakes. On the occasions where things became complex it was difficult to remember which position the flags were supposed to be and things did get complex. Sensei Plimbley invited a number of kendokas to attempt jodan to test how we would interpret their kendo. It was stated at the beginning of the day a referee has to have an understanding of jodan or nito players so we can also judge their yuko-datotsu. Not having that knowledge can put you in a very awkward position. There were also situations where players pushed each other, grabbed shinais or celebrated scoring. These ‘random’ but common occurrences were also explored.

After nearly 7 hours of practice the event came to a close. Of the people I spoke to afterwards I think we all found the instruction extremely rewarding. We all progressed at our own pace. We all made mistakes but they were questioned in such a light hearted way one of the most surprising rewards was the day turned out to be really fun. Even with such a wide range of grades we were all beginners and it felt great to travel the same journey at the same time. Ultimately I’ll feel more confident when asked to shinpan in future. I know initially it will seem daunting but the only way to really improve, like everything, is practice and so I’m looking forward to that opportunity.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Sensei Plimbley for hosting the event, Sensei Davis for his excellent tuition and the participating kendoka whose efforts made the event so successful. I think I’m ready now to invest in those flags and from what I saw today I don’t think I’m the only one.

Title: BKA Iaido & Jodo Nationals
Location: Stevenage
More Information: Info & Application Form
Start Date: 2010-07-10
End Date: 2010-07-11

Dear Members

On behalf of the Iaido and Jodo Bu Executives I am delighted to open the applications to this year’s BKA National Iaido and Jodo Taikai.

As many of you will know, much time and effort has been put into getting the online booking system working and I am pleased that the taikai entry can be paid for online although it still requires the individual and team configurations to be emailed to the organisers. Could I therefore ask you to nominate one or a few people in your dojo to make these bookings on behalf of everyone in your dojo as it will be a lot easier to organise this way.

I have attached the entry form which gives details for the event and how to book entries. The event is now available for booking on the BKA online system. If you have any problems by all means please email me.

We are once again this year running the Asahi Jodo Taikai for newer and emerging Jodo dojos. This event is aimed at lower grades with the shitei waza set up to a maximum of no. 6 and the maximum number of dans per team at 5. I hope this encourages some of the smaller or newer dojos to participate as the trophies are something to behold. We are also holding a full Iaido rokudan event including pool and knockout. It looks to be an eventful and busy weekend.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing you there.

Regards

Andy Watson
Jodo Bucho

A message from Hugh Carroll at Minato Kawa Dojo:

Hi Everyone,

I will be performing a minimum of 500 Seitei and Koryu Iai kata at Minato Kawa dojo on Saturday 24^th July 2010.   Why (this madness) you may well ask?

It is to support the Christopher Boakes Fund.  A  work colleague’s son suffers from restrictive cardiomopathy and she needs to fund a life saving operation for him in the USA.   This combined heart and liver transplant operation cannot be performed in the UK .   While other work colleagues are carrying out the more usual run of the mill fundraising activities to support the fund, I wanted to do something a bit more unique.

I believe that we have here a golden opportunity to demonstrate the power of the life-giving sword.   It is also an opportunity for positive publicity towards Japanese swords, our martial art and the BKA generally.

I hope that Dojo Leaders of the MJER and their dojo members, including their friends and family, will support my efforts with sponsorship and donations , to this most worthy cause.  On the day I will be supported and encouraged by other members of Minato Dojo, who have volunteered to keep the count for me !

Please pass this e-mail on to other BKA members, as we need all the support that can be mustered.

Hugh Carroll
Minato Kawa Dojo

Hugh can be contacted at daikonkirisama@blueyonder.co.uk

Bowden Memorial Taikai

1st Mumeishi
2nd Tora A
3rd Hizen B and Taisedokai

Premier Cup

1st Alan Thompson
2nd Mark Halls
3rd Dipak Choudhury
Fighting spirit: Emily Knight, Dipak Choudhury

Thanks to Reading Kendo club for hosting the event, John Howell and Geoff Salmon for being shimpan sho, John O’Sullivan, Clive Sinclaire and Clive McNaught for turning up to referee and everybody else who refereed and helped with scoreboard administration.

This year’s Iaido and Jodo Nationals will take place in Stevenage on the 10th and 11th of July respectively.  Further information HERE.

The BKA website is not just about the latest news…

We are also trying to gather together information on the history and achievements of the Association, it’s members and squads. Some of this has been recorded, some lost and some turns up out of the blue – for example, BKA Secretary Debbie Bevan recently found a copy of the 1976 Kendo World Championships programme. This was only the 3rd World Championship and the UK had the honour of acting as host. The programme can be read online here (or click the image).

Lots of old kendo squad pictures courtesy of John Howell via kenshi247.net Read more »

The following were nominated by the 7th April deadline and elected unopposed:

In addition, Malcolm Smalley was nominated as Membership Officer from the floor at the AGM and re-elected unopposed.  Derek Jones was similarly Read more »

Myoken Dojo is delighted to announce that Oshita Sensei will be attending our seminar (26th to 28th November).

Places are strictly limited and will be on a first come, first serve basis. A revised application form is attached.

We hope to see you there

Application Form

The Europeans this year was a fun packed adventure full of laughs, tears, tension and ridiculously long bus journeys. For me this was my first big international Taikai and it’s one that I will never forget. It’s said that Shiai is a test of self and what they have learned. For me it was a great insight into my true character and to be honest I didn’t like everything I saw. However, thanks to good friends, great teachers and the support they showed me even though I’m a cocky little so and so; they gave me the strength to move forward and to try to do my best to change. Due to this, I aim to be a more valuable asset to the team in the future.

Read more »