University of Aberdeen Kendo Society
Revival
What is Kendo?
Kendo is a modern competitive sport - a martial art based on the traditional sword arts of Japan. Although it is a full-contact sport, it can be practised safely by all ages and genders. Again, we emphasise Kendo is for all genders and all ages. Once you have learnt the proper basics, even if you have been away from practice for years, you can easily pick up the practice again at any ages and you will be welcome in many Kendo clubs around the world.
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Unfortunately, the University Kendo Club has been inactive for a while, we would like to revive it so that people can more easily access the practice. Although this club will be affiliated with the University, we are open to people interested in Kendo. Beginners are welcome; of course, people with Kendo experience are always welcome!
Opportunities to meet people across the UK and Internationally!
There are many Kendo competitions and joint practices/seminars taking place across the UK. We would like to mention you that "Uni Taikai" and "Scottish Uni Taikai" are Kendo competitions that are open to all university students regardless of their kendo grades/ranks. In addition, my friends are coaches in the Kendo clubs at UK universities, including the University of Edinburgh and the University of St Andrews. This provides further opportunities to meet future friends through inter-university kendo events (e.g. joint training, friendly match). Further, we may also have a joint international kendo practice with the University of Cambridge and a Japanese university in Tokyo, Japan.
Seminars and Joint practices
There are many seminars led by high ranked senseis (i.e. instructors) from Japan; additionally, there are joint-practice across the UK. You can improve the sets of your kendo skills.
Competitions for students and non-students
"Uni Taikai" and "Scottish Uni Taikai" are Kendo competitions that are open to all university students regardless of their kendo grades/ranks. For non-students, there are several national competitions across the UK.
Joint practices inter-universities nationally and internationally
We know the coaches in the Kendo clubs at UK universities, including the University of Edinburgh and the University of St Andrews. This provides further opportunities to meet future friends through inter-university kendo events (e.g. joint training, friendly match). Further, we may also have a joint international kendo practice with the University of Cambridge and a Japanese university in Tokyo, Japan.
Practice time and Venue (2024)
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1. Old Aberdeen campus
Practice time: 9:00 - 11:00
Practice days: Saturday
Venue: MMA hall, Butchart Recreation Centre, University of Aberdeen
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2. Foresterhill campus
Practice time: 18:00 - 19:30
Practice days: Thursday
Venue: Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen
Focus on basic practices (non-bogu)
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Beginner's session:
13th of Apr - 29th of June 2024
(we usually do not accept new students in the middle of the beginner's session, so please do not miss out)
Taster sessions:
16th of March
23rd of March
30th of March
6th of April
For Students
£100 annually
£60 if you take our Beginners session in the same year
For non-students
£150 annually
(£110 if you take our Beginners session in the same year)
Beginners' session
for 3 month training
Option 1:
£85 (includes rental equipment, insurance)
Option 2:
£40 for the course fee only (you need to bring your own equipment, insurance before session starts)
Meet Our Coaches/Instructors
We have at least two instructors who have taught kendo in the US and UK for many years and will help this new club to improve the kendo skills of club members
Dez Whitson
6th-dan, National (Lv4) Coach
Akihiro Mori
4th-dan, Level-2 Coach
+ more
External coaches
Get in Touch
If you are interested in Kendo or have any questions, please contact me (akihiro.mori@abdn.ac.uk). In order to set up a Kendo club, we are looking for at least three core student officers (i.e. President, Secretary, Treasurer). If you are interested in any of these roles or if you would like to be involved in this club as a kendo instructor, please let me know as well. Please feel free to contact us!