Contents

WEST AUSTRALIAN KENDO RENMEI (Inc)


Contact Information:

Executive Committee:

Technical Positions:

  • Chairman: Russell Lawrence
  • Iaido: Jeri James, tbc
  • Jodo: Janet Griffiths, Peter Woolmer
  • Kendo: Brian Brestovac, Susan Bonar

Club Representatives:

  • Budokan Iaido: Rebecca Stephens
  • Budokan Jodo: Peter Woolmer
  • Bunbury Budokan #1: Terri Gallear
  • Bunbury Budokan #2: Jeff Higgs
  • Ju Go Kan #1: Janet Griffiths
  • GoShin Kai #1: Craig Ireland
  • GoShin Kai #2: Susan Bonar
  • Murdoch #1: Cate McKnight
  • Murdoch #2: Mitch Fenn
  • Murdoch #3: Dimitrios Karikis
  • Perth Sakura Kendo Club #1: Aya Kelly
  • Perth Sakura Kendo Club #2: Geoff McFadden
  • South West Budokan: Rick Berghuis
  • UWA #1: John Hunyh
  • UWA #2: Razi Ilyas Bin Azman Hisham
  • UWA #3: Kieran Daly
  • PJSS: Peter Hunt
  • West Coast Kendo Club: Toby Whitnall
  • Seibukan #1: Ian Thomason
  • Seibukan #2: Bernard Yehuda

Please be aware that only the Primary Club Representative is eligible to cast a vote during meetings. An exception to this rule occurs when the Primary Rep is absent, allowing another designated representative to exercise voting rights on behalf of the club/art. Each club/art is entitled to one vote, provided they have 10 or more members.

Who we are

The West Australian Kendo Renmei (Inc), (WAKR), serves as the West Australian branch of the Australian Kendo Renmei, which in turn serves as the Australian branch of the Federation of International Kendo (FIK).

This structure is enforced by the FIK to maintain control on the growth and development of Kendo world wide.  In particular the FIK tries to maintain a fixed "style" which is very rare among the martial arts.

The WAKR was founded by Ramon Lawrence and Michael Parsonage in 1986, officially commencing training on the 21st September.  The WAKR was set up along the lines of some other successfully run sporting organisations with all its officers elected each year at the AGM.  The committee consists of these officers together with one delegate from each club with a membership of more than ten members.  The clubs are run independently but collaborate on matters to do with the WAKR.

Training is conducted in Kendo, Zen Ken Ren Iaido and Jodo.  In addition, advanced students of Iaido and Jodo study Koryu (Classical Styles), Iaido: Tamiya Ryu and Muso Shinden Ryu; Jodo: Shindo Muso Ryu.

Member Resources

Online membership form

# Download link Form name Notes
1 Download WAKR membership form Membership form
  • Completed form and fees should to be forwarded to the State Treasurer.
  • Please email the state treasurer after payment has been made so that your payment and membership can be reconciled.
  • If payment is via a bank transfer please include your name at the beginning of the bank transfer reference (there are limited characters and your reference could be truncated).
2 Download WAKR grading form Grading form
  • Forward this completed form to your Dojo Sensei for signing. Then forward the form to the Grading Organiser.
  • Written examinations may be completed prior to the grading date and submitted with this application, or as requested.
  • Use a separate form for each discipline or grading to be attempted and complete all fields where appropriate.
  • Overseas applications can only be submitted via an affiliated FIK National Federation, not from individual members. Members of overseas FIK affiliates must include a letter of approval from the President of their national association and a copy of their current Grading Certificate. Grading record cards will not be accepted.

Kendo Clubs

Perth Sakura Kendo Club Perth Sakura Kendo Club

(Perth Sakura Kendo Club teaches children 7 years and above)

Contact Information

Training Times
  • Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
  • 1:00pm - 2:30pm: Basic training / beginners training
  • 2:30pm - 3:00pm: Kendo Kata class
  • 3:00pm - 4:00pm: Free training (jigeiko)
Fees
  • $50 per school term
Senior Instructor
  • Chiharu Fukumoto (7 Dan, Renshi) 福本智晴(錬士七段)
  • Yoshiyuki Hayashi (7 Dan, Renshi) 林義幸(錬士七段)
  • Yumiko Tatewaki Bunney (4 Dan) バニー帯刀由美子(四段)
  • Aya Kelly (3 Dan) ケリー亜也(三段)
  • Tony Beston (3 Dan) トニー・ベストン(三段)
  • Steve Zhou (3 Dan)
  • Geoff McFadden (4 Dan) ジェフ・マックファデン(四段)
Who we are

Perth Sakura Kendo Club for children and parents was started in May 2009. Originally, our training was started as an after school curricular for the Weekend Japanese School but anyone can join our club now. All instructions are given in Japanese and English.

We believe that this will be a great opportunity for children to learn etiquette and discipline. We also want adult participants to enjoy strict but fun training at their own level.

日本語と英語で剣道の指導を行う、子供とお父さんやお母さんの為の少年少女剣道クラブが2009年5月から西オーストラリアのパース補習授業校の課外活動、クラブ活動の一環として開始されました。(パース補習授業校の生徒以外のお子さんも、もちろん参加可能です。指導は日本語と英語で行います。)剣道の稽古を通して、子供達には礼儀作法、心のあり方を学んで欲しいと考えています。また、大人の皆さんには、体力に無理のない、日々の心の張り合いとなる、楽しく厳しい稽古をして頂きたいと思います。皆様のご理解、並びにお力添えの程、よろしくお願い申し上げます。

保護者や関係者の皆様に、また剣道を知らないお父さんやお母さんの為に、子供の剣道修練における基本的な考え方や必要な情報、また日々思う事など時々ブログとして書かせて頂いております。

http://sakurakendo.blog.fc2.com/

Annual membership form
  • Perth Sakura Kendo Club members please use the link below to register using our membership form.
  • 各会員ごとに記入をお願いします。オンラインフォームはこちら。
  • hhttps://forms.gle/UBG1BFyVn3Bu6HYU9
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Goshinkai Goshinkai
Contact Information

Training Times
  • Monday 5pm - 7pm
Senior Instructor
  • Brian Brestovac, 6th Dan Renshi (Brestovac sensei is the current head instructor of Goshinkai kendo club and began practicing kendo in 1977. He has been active in kendo at state, national and international levels. He is a five-time state individual champion, placed 2nd at the National Kendo Championships twice, and has represented Australia twice at the World Kendo Championship, once as vice-captain. He is the current Chairman of the Kendo Board of the Australian Kendo Renmei)
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Murdoch Murdoch
Contact Information

Training Times
  • Monday 7:30pm - 9:30pm
  • Wednesday 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Senior Instructor
  • Anthony Tilbury, 5th Dan. Started Kendo in 2003, two times national champion (2011 and 2012). Represented Australia at the World Kendo Championships in 2012 and 2015.
Coaches
  • Mitch Fenn, 4th Dan
  • Dimitrios Karikis, 3rd Dan
Who we are

Our club motto is “to know and to act, one and the same” (知行合一 chi kou gou itsu).

Murdoch University Kendo Club (MUKC) was founded by Chris Graham-Sensei in March 1997. The club is actively involved in state and national competitions, such as the Australian Kendo Championships and Australian University Games. We are affiliated with West Australian Kendo Renmei and Australian Kendo Renmei, as well as Murdoch University Sports/Guild.

Kendo is a community sporting martial art, which fosters positive relationships as well as fitness, etiquette and personal responsibility.

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UWA UWA
Contact Information

Training Times
  • Wednesday (Multipurpose Hall) 7.30pm-9.30pm
  • Sunday (Sports Hall) 8.00am-9.30am
Senior Instructor
  • William Yoo, 5th Dan
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West Coast Kendo West Coast
Contact Information
  • Contact: Toby Whitnall
  • Email: twhitnall@hotmail.com
  • Website:
  • Facebook:
  • Location: Wembley Downs Scout Hall, 7 Dover Cres, WA 6019

Training Times
  • tbc
Senior Instructor
  • Toby Whitnall, 4th Dan
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Iaido & Jodo Clubs

Budokan Academy Budokan Academy
Contact Information

Training Times
  • Monday 6.30pm-8pm Jodo, 8pm-9pm Iaido, 9pm-9.30pm Tamyia Ryu
  • Wednesday 6.30pm-8pm Iaido, 8pm-9pm Jodo
Senior Instructor
  • Ramon Lawrence 7th Dan Iaido Renshi, 6th Dan Jodo Renshi
  • Russell Lawrence 7th Dan Iaido Renshi, 6th Dan Jodo Renshi
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Ju Go Kan Ju Go Kan
Contact Information

Training Times
  • Wednesday Jodo 6.00pm-7.30pm
  • Thursday IAIDO 6.30pm-8.00pm
  • Saturdays 2pm-4pm Jodo or Iaido by arrangement
Senior Instructors
  • Dr Ah Loi Lee 7th Dan Iaido Renshi, 7th Dan Jodo Renshi
  • Janet Griffiths 6th Dan Jodo Renshi
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Southwest Budokan Southwest Budokan
Contact Information

Training Times
  • Jodo Monday 6.30pm-7.45pm (Margaret River)
  • Iaido Wednesday 7pm-8.15pm (Old Dunsborough Hall)
Senior Instructor
  • Richard Berghuis 6th Dan Iaido, 6th Dan Jodo
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Bunbury Budokan Bunbury Budokan
Contact Information

Training Times
  • Monday 7:30pm-9pm
Senior Instructor
  • Terri Gallear 5th Dan Iaido, 5th Dan Jodo
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Perth Japanese Sword School Perth Japanese Sword School (PJSS)
Contact Information

Training Times
  • Wesdnesday 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
  • Saturday 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Senior Instructor
  • Peter Hunt- Shihan-WKA 6th Dan Karate
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Seibukan Seibukan
Contact Information

Teaching ZNKR iai and Muso Shinden ryu iai

Training Times
  • Thursday nights 6:30pm - 8pm
Senior Instructor
  • Ian Thomason- 6th Dan Renshi ZNKR, 1 Dan Tamiya ryu, learned iai while living near Nagasaki in 1988. After some years, started club level training again in 2000. Except for 2nd Dan, 1,3,4,5 and 6th Dan gradings done in Japan. From 1983 - 2002 Trained in Tsutsumi Hozan ryu ju jutsu, including a study group for kenjutsu in mugai and katori shinto ryu. Classes and teaching style relaxed and student centric, positive reinforcement of ideas ensuring that teaching is not only the ABC of movement, but teaching the budo culture as well. Extensive regular training in Japan and up to date with changes to the system within ZNKR.

    First Aider for many years at place of employment. Have carried out CPR with defib twice

    Vice Chairman of AKR Iai Board since 2021

    First sensei's dojo was called Seibukan, meaning living martial hall. I have kept the name as a respect to my teacher, but changed the kanji for Sei to the one for West, because of my location in Western Australia. So my seibukan means Western Martial Hall. All welcome.
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The Arts

Iaido

居合道 Iaidō

Way  of mental presence and immediate reaction

CONCEPT

Iaido encompasses hundreds of styles of swordsmanship, all of which subscribe to non-combative aims and purposes. Iaido is an intrinsic form of Japanese modern budo.

PURPOSE

Iaido is a reflection of the morals of the classical warrior and aims to build a spiritually harmonious person possessed of high intellect, sensitivity, and resolute will. Iaido is for the most part performed solo as an issue of kata, executing changed strategies against single or various fanciful rivals. Every kata starts and finishes with the sword sheathed. Notwithstanding sword method, it obliges creative ability and fixation to keep up the inclination of a genuine battle and to keep the kata new.

Jodo

Jōdō : 杖道 : じょうどう

Way of the short staff

CONCEPT

Jodo is strongly focused upon defense against the Japanese sword.

PURPOSE

Jodo training involves the study of basic movements and kata prearranged attack and defence movements. As with other Budo arts, Jodo is designed to preserve the ancient combat techniques, but with the aim of helping the modern student to achieve control over mind and body through repeated practice. Regular training develops overall physical condition including coordination and posture, whilst the meditative aspects of practice also develop mental qualities of decisiveness and focus.

Kendo

剣道 kendō

Kendo literally means ‘The Way of the Sword’ (Ken: sword + Do: way). Kendo is one of Japan’s oldest martial arts, and the one most closely associated with the Samurai. The concept of kendo is to discipline the human spirit through the principles of the katana (Japanese sword).

While Kendo has now become a popular sport form, the warrior principles are still very much in evidence. It is suitable for both men and women, who compete and train together.

Competition Kendo

Kendo matches (shiai) are fought between two contestants on a court (shiajo), usually 11 metres square, and are refereed by three judges (shinpan).

Kendo matches are decided by san-bon-shobu (best of three points). If a match is tied, sometimes encho (an extension) ensues, until a point (ippon) is scored.

Half-point penalties (hansoku) are given for fouls such as dropping a shinai, or stepping out of the shiajo. If a contestant fouls twice, a point is awarded to his or her opponent.

To score a point, the target must be struck with the correct part of the bamboo sword (shinai), exhibiting strong kiai (spirit and positive voice), the right posture, and zanshin (mental and physical alertness against the opponents attack, positive follow-through of attack and strike)

The Concept of Kendo

The concept of Kendo is to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the Katana (Japanese Sword). ‘The Concept of Kendo’ was established by All Japan Kendo Federation in 1975. https://www.kendo.or.jp/en/knowledge/kendo-concept/

The purpose of practicing Kendo

  • To mould the mind and body
  • To cultivate a vigorous spirit
  • To strive for improvements in the art of kendo through correct and rigid training
  • To hold in esteem human courtesy an honour
  • To associate with others with sincerity
  • To forever pursue the cultivation of oneself

This will make one able to:

  • Love his/her country and society
  • Contribute to the development of culture
  • Promote peace and prosperity among all peoples

Target Areas

Kendo tTargets

The target areas are:

  • Men (the head, centre, left or right temples)
  • Kote (the wrist, usually the right)
  • Do (across the body, usually the right side)
  • Tsuki (a thrust to the throat)