WELCOME to the Australian Kendo Renmei website

The Australian Kendo Renmei Inc., (AKR) is the internationally recognised, governing body for Kendo, Iaido and Jodo in Australia.

The Australian Sports Commission recognises the Australian Kendo Renmei as the National Sporting Organisation to develop kendo, iaido and jodo in Australia.

The Australian Kendo Renmei (Inc.) and our affiliated member dojos, clubs and associations are also affiliated with the International Kendo Federation (FIK). The FIK is the world-wide federation of national Kendo, Iaido and Jodo organisations. The FIK is affiliated with SportAccord (formerly GAISF) a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency drugs in sport policy and is recognised as the international governing federation for Kendo, Iaido and Jodo.

Whether you are near Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth or Sydney, for activities and dojo or clubs near you, please check our Directory of clubs and dojo and our Calendar pages.

Latest News

43rd Australian Kendo Championships, Results.

April 8th, 2018

43rd AKC Group Photo

Click here for the Results

Nominations for election to the AKR National Executive C’tee for 2018-2021, now open!

January 31st, 2018

Dear AKR Members,

Complying with section 7.3 of the AKR Constitution, 2018 is an election year for the National Executive Committee.

All Executive Committee positions are open for nomination.

The management and control of the AKR is vested in the National Executive Committee, consisting of four National Officers. The National Executive Committee is responsible for the day to day administration of the Renmei on a National level and the implementation of AKR National Council decisions. The National Executive Committee provides leadership and support for the Boards and the Affiliated State Bodies

All Ordinary Affiliate Members who are members of an Affiliated Body are eligible for election to the Executive Committee.

All nominations must have a seconder and include the acceptance of the member being nominated.

Nominations must be received no later than 5:00 pm on Wednesday 28 February 2018.

The election to fill the vacancies will be conducted at the AKR Annual General Meeting, scheduled to commence at 1:30pm on Friday 30 March 2018 in Sydney, NSW. Only State Delegates and Board Chairpersons are eligible to vote.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact any of the Executive Committee and for the nomination form, please contact your club, dojo or state/territory secretary.

Nominations for election to the AKR Kendo Board, 2018-2021 are now open!

January 30th, 2018

Dear AKR Kendo Members,

Kendo Board Election

Complying with section 8.2 of the AKR Constitution, 2018 is a Kendo Board election year.

All Kendo Board positions will be vacated and handed over at the conclusion of the 43rd AKC and related events on 4 April 2018.

Existing and former members may be nominated for the election.

The form to use to nominate candidates, for the election is available from your club/dojo or your state/territory association.

The AKR Kendo Board is made up of 5 members from that art. Elected Board positions are for a three year term. Tasks include facilitating, attending and contributing to the management of AKR kendo seminars, championships and dan grade exams.

Criteria

All Ordinary Affiliate Members who are members of an Affiliated Body representing Kendo exponents are eligible for election to the Kendo Board. Self-nomination is permitted.

Timeline

Nominations must have a seconder and the acceptance of the member being nominated.

Nominations must be received no later than 5:00 pm on 23 February 2015.

The election to fill the vacancies will be conducted by postal vote in mid March 2018. Further details will be announced after nominations close.

Wish them safe travels and gambatte!

January 18th, 2018

The Australian Kendo Team departs for Hungary on Saturday, 20 January, 2018!

Team members will attend a European Kendo Shiai-sha development seminar in Hungary in late January. While there they will be exposed to the best kendo talent in Europe. This presents a rare opportunity for the Australian Kendo Team to be exposed to international level competitive kendo at the highest level.

If you would like to join the AKR Kendo Team Supporters, please check out the options which included tax deductable donations here.

VALE: Akira Tajima sensei

January 8th, 2018

Akira Tajima sensei, in 1988.

It is with great sadness that the Australian Kendo Renmei acknowledges the passing of Akira Tajima sensei.

Akira Tajima sensei passed away, in Tokyo on Friday 5 January 2018.

The Australian Kendo Renmei expresses sincere condolences to his wife Reiko, son Kenji and daughter Tomoko.

Tajima sensei had been courageously battling cancer for a few years, enduring the difficulties of treatment and facing his mortality with great courage, true kendo spirit and even some humour. His courage showed through when after treatment had commenced, he returned to the kendojo for a time, to assist kendo students at a high school nearby to his home.

Tajima sensei’s’ first connection with Australia was in the early 1970’s as a high school exchange student, first arriving in Rochester, near Shepparton, Victoria, then transferring to other locations and ending up in Sydney. Within a short time Tajima sensei was assisting Jun Takeuchi Sensei with the kendo teaching in Sydney from 1973. This continued until 1977, when Tajima sensei returned to Japan for surgery, following a car collision.

Despite his return to Japan, the connection with Australian kendo people remained very strong. Tajima sensei visited Australia many times and looked after many Australian kendo visitors, including hosting them at his home in Tokyo on many occasions. He also organised many welcome occasions for Australian kendo people, when they visited Japan.

Tajima sensei’s’ continuing influence, guidance and support for Australian kendo was profound and deep and will never be forgotten. We are all very grateful for his dedicated help and great friendship and are all saddened at his departure.

The funeral arrangements for Tajima sensei are:

Wake: January 8 (Mon) from 6:00 pm.

Funeral: January 9 (Tue) from 1:00 pm.

Place: Reinanzaka Church. www.reinanzaka.jp.

L.R: Akira Tajima, Kunio Shizawa, Jun Takeuchi. The Welcome Party for the Australian Kendo Team at the 16th World Kendo Championships, Tokyo, October 2015.

To all supporters of the AKR Kendo Team campaign for the 17th World Kendo Championships.

December 22nd, 2017

THANK YOU!

Best wishes to all for Christmas, the festive season and for a happy and safe New Year!

Many thanks to our supporters.

DONORS

Jimme Vo
Hayami Aboutaleb
Jenny Lee
Chris Choi
Cliff Wilson
Jenny Chan
Carolyn Shoemark
Yakov Macak
Steven Lawley
Jonathan Paetzholdt

Tax deductable donations can be made using the Australian Sports Foundation website, a secure Australian Government supervised initiative.

MEMBERS FUNDRAISING EFFORTS

Thank you to the members of the below listed clubs for purchasing supporter t-shirts and tenegui!

University of NSW Kendo Club
Sydney Kendo Club
Nanseikan Kendo
South Australian Kendo Assoc.
Monash University Kendo Club
Mumeishi Kendo Club
Melbourne Budo Kai
Melbourne University Kendo Club
Sydney University Kendo Club

SUPPORTERS

Founded and based in Melbourne, Australia; 2XU was developed by athletes for athletes.

Stay tuned for a special offer to AKR members from 2XU in early 2018!

And for the latest, follow the Team on facebook, twitter or instagram / @akrkendoteam and check the Team web page here often!

Exam News from Japan

November 29th, 2017

(Updated 4 December 2017)

In Japan, during the month of November, many exams for kendo, iaido and jodo are conducted by the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) and prefecture affiliates.

This month, many senior graded Australian Kendo Renmei (AKR) members faced the challenge to be tested for the Shogo levels of Renshi and Kyoshi or their next dan level.

Happily, some were successful.

Congratulations to all applicants, whether successful or not, for never giving up and working extremely hard to meet the next challenge.

We congratulate the successful members, listed below on their recent achievement.

SHOGO
Kyoshi
Mr. Toshiaki Tsukadaira, Kendo 7 Dan (Qld) was awarded Kendo Kyoshi in Tokyo by the AJKF on 30 November 2017. Link.
Renshi
Mr. David Kolb, Iaido 6 Dan (Qld) was awarded Iaido Renshi in Tokyo by the AJKF on 30 November 2017. Link.
Mr. Russell Lawrence, Iaido 6 Dan (WA) was awarded Iaido Renshi in Tokyo by the AJKF on 30 November 2017. Link.

EXAM RESULTS – IAIDO
Mr. Marcus Lee-Steere, (Vic), was awarded Iaido 6 Dan in Tokyo by the AJKF on 18 November 2017. Link.

EXAM RESULTS – KENDO
Mr. Arpad Maksay, (Vic), was awarded Kendo 6 Dan in Tokyo by the AJKF on 25 November 2017. Link.

AKR Life Membership Awards

November 22nd, 2017

The AKR has announced that Mr. Richard Ward and Mr. Russell Lawrence have both been awarded AKR Life Membership.

The announcement was made at the Meeting of AKR National Council, held in Sydney on 15 October 2017.

Both members have made significant contribution to the Australian Kendo Renmei over many decades and the AKR would like to thank both new life members for their leadership and contribution.