Kenyukan Stevenage Dojo / 英国 剣友館 本部道場

Happy Easter as we have had the pleasure of having Jock Hopson and Amanda Allen Sensei joining us in our training sessions today. Thank you sensei for coming. You made our Easter break training session special. We look forward to seeing you again.

We are happy to announce that following her recent grading success in obtaining 1st kyu in jodo, Silvie has just returned with the UK national competition trophy for the mudan category.

Many congratulations to Silvie the new UK national Jodo champion.

Also Colin, last year's champion, the youngest UK national competitor has won the championship trophy for the 1st Dan category. Also taking the Chuken 中堅 position together with team Taisho 大将 Alex Ward, and Silvie (Colin's mum) as senpo 先鋒, they saw their team reaching the final in the Asahi 朝日 cup competition and finish as the runners up with the silver medals.

Also in the 2nd dan individuals category Alex won the bronze medal. David Parker sensei 5th dan has also obtained a Bronze medal for reaching the semi-finals.

Many congratulations to team Kenyukan and our hard working team members. Also a super big thank you to the organisers (Jodo Bu and all the sensei from different dojos) for making this wonderful event happen.

In Budo we train diligently to look at our own imperfections in the eyes and emerge above it to become a better version of ourselves. We put aside our egos and humbly receive feedbacks from our senseis and peers. We contemplate and make necessary changes to be true to the way that we follow and take this philosophy to our lives outside the dojo. This is the true value and societal benefits of our training.

Latest news from Kanagawa Japan. Tai has obtained 4th Dan in Jodo following a very strict examination in front of a panel of highly distinguished referees. Only two passed for 4th Dan and two passed for 5th Dan.

It is really good to see Tai with much improved techniques. He was abandoned, bullied, isolated in Taiwan and now he is back strong and graceful. Only budo has this magical power.

He first informed Jock sensei and then the rest of the dojo in UK. Well done Tai.

Itō Ittōsai (16th-17th century) was the forefather of Kendō… and had a personality that was very different from what one may associate with the martial art 😂 —————— ▶︎ Hi, I’m Kyota, the author of Amazon Best Sellers: Folk Tales of Japan Underdogs of Japanese History Horror Tales of Japan Love Tales of Ancient Japan Please check out my books on Amazon or from my Link in Bio at ☺️: @themetroclassic #kendo #swordsmanship #samurai #japanesehistory #japaneseculture #katana #japan #japon

Aiki in Kendo Kata⁠ ⁠ #kendo #kendoislife #kendostar

We are happy to announce that we have now two new Shodan and two new ikkyu in Iaido at Kenyukan Stevenage dojo.

Many congratulations to Muhammad and Colin for passing their Shodan. Also congratulations to Wayne and Sam for passing their ikkyu in iaido. Wonderful display of performance at their grading following 3 days of Intensive seminar sessions. Job well done.

Also a special thanks to Silvie and Chris for supporting our candidates. Finally special thank you to Martin Clark Sensei, Colin Porter Sensei, Dave Parker Sensei, Paul Gladhill Sensei and Ed Umeyama Sensei for the hard work in getting candidates ready for the grading. Superb weekend and wonderful results.

The European Kendo Federation changed the grading regulations allowing 13 years old practitioners to attempt for their first Dan grading examination earlier this year.

Beholds our BKA Britain's youngest Shodan who has recently passed his shodan following his written exam as well as his technical grading demonstrations for Jodo on 3rd August 2025.

Many congratulations to Colin Umeyama.

We are happy to announce:

Following the recent champion success, Wayne Starkey has been selected for the national team that will be competing in Prague in the 2025 European Iaido Championship.

News just in from this year's UK iaido national championship.

Kenyukan dojo has reached the Team finals and obtained Silver with Kenyukan team C.
Warren Dickinson
Michael Popa
Colin Umeyama.

Also Bronze with Kenyukan team A
David Parker, Savoy, and Tomasz W Rogut

In addition to the teams, Kenyukan has also achieved the following in the individuals competition.

Rokudan Bronze Martin Clark Sensei
Godan Bronze Ed Umeyama Sensei
Yondan Gold Tecwyn Lee Sensei
Nidan Bronze + fighting spirit Michael Popa
Shodan Bronze Louis Clark
Shodan fighting spirit Tomasz W Rogut
Mudan Gold Colin Umeyama
Mudan Silver and Fighting Spirit Wayne Starkey

Also Colin Porter Sensei has recently passed his Rokudan following the European High grade seminar.

Many congratulations to all and a Hugh thank you to all the referees and Andy Watson , Harry Jones , Martin Clark, John Hart Burn , Robert Townson , Ben Emberley , Colin Porter, Oliver Jarvis, David Parker Sensei and many others who have devoted their time to make this year's UK national championship happen.

Meanwhile this story continues.