About Us

The word kendo literally means ‘The Way of the Sword’ (ken: sword + do: way), and can best be described as Japanese Fencing. Kendo’s origins are most closely associated with the feudal Japanese Samurai and many protocols within today’s dojos still reflect this cultural tradition. Kendo has now become a popular sport form that is suitable for both men and women of all ages, who practice and compete together.

NSW Kendo Technical Committee

• Duy Pham, 6^th Dan (Chair)
• Elena Meshcheriakova, 5^th Dan
• Brent (Joonbong) Kwon, 5^th Dan
• Clem Guo, 5^th Dan
• Francis Park, 3^rd  Dan

Iaido is the art of drawing the sword and developed around the 15^th century as Iaijutsu. Practitioners of Iaido are required to learn 12 kata techniques such as drawing of the sword to defend while standing, sitting or kneeling. There is no sparring as you are doing the Katas on your own with the spiritual enemy.

After iaijutsu lost its offensive nature Iaido evolved as a technique used by all the samurai implying serenity of spirit, control of respiration and above all, the sign of perfect and elegant self-control in the art of drawing the sword.

Training in Iaido requires discipline and dedication to ultimately defeat the enemy without the need to draw the sword, it is sometimes referred to as “moving Zen”.

Extract from the book “The Martial Arts” first published 1977: “We must remember that the three sacred treasures of Japan are the Sword, the jewel (to tama) and the mirror. The sword plays a prominent part in Japanese mythology, folklore and history”.

Iaido and Kendo are just like two wheels of a cart, being so closely related and have been practiced together through the long history of Japan’s martial arts.

NSW Iaido Technical Committee

• Szymon Fujak, 4^th Dan (Chair)
• Doug Trevillion, 5^th Dan
• Andrew Amble, 5^th Dan
• Peter Dodd, 4^th Dan
• Mark Szalajko, 4^th Dan

Jodo is a traditional martial art of Japan practiced with the Jo (or short stick). The Jo is a round stick made of oak and is 128cms in length and 2.4cms in diameter.

Jodo is aimed at self-defence against an attack, it enables you to suppress your enemy’s offence and its spirit is to give the enemy a lesson without inflicting a wound. Jodo techniques include thrusting, parrying and striking and are noted for its equal handling of the Jo on either side of the body.

Jodo is mainly to mould your mind and body. What Jodo aims at is not to improve your skills, but to cultivate your mind.

NSW Jodo Technical Committee

• Mark Szalajiko, 3^rd Dan (Chair)
• Bob Brown, 5^th Dan
• Graham Splitt, 4^th Dan
• Szymon Fujak, 4^th Dan