Karate Canberra: Kodokan Cummings Karate Dojo

Karate Canberra: Kodokan Cummings Karate Dojo We focus on teaching traditional martial arts for the modern world. In 2019, we celebrated 10 years of teaching martial arts in Canberra.

At the Kodokan Cummings Karate Dojo (CKD 古道館カミングス空手道場), our mission is to empower every student through traditional martial arts for the modern world by offering the premier Okinawan Karate and Kobudo program at our fully-dedicated dojo in Canberra. Founded in 2009 by Kancho Reece Cummings, the Kodokan Cummings Karate Dojo aspires to be Canberra’s premier fully-dedicated dojo located in Mitchell (Gungahlin) committed to the practice and preservation of traditional Okinawan karatedo and kobudo, and operates as a part of the Centre for Martial Arts and Human Development Incorporated (A05032), a registered not-for-proift incorporated association. This means that while we offer group training, we recognise that each student is on an individual journey. We offer classes for kids and families, and teens and adults and teach traditional Okinawan karatedo (Matsubayashiryu) and kobudo (Yamaneryu), and other self-defence programs. Our Member Promises of Quality Experiences, Quality Instruction, and Quality Facilities underpin everything we do. To find out more, read more about our Strategic Plan. Our Dojo is not a commercial school, and while we encourage everyone to enquire about joining and starting martial arts, we only accept those who will be committed to their training as students, and in return receive the same commitment from our instructors. All students are required to commit to regularly training twice per week. Our dojo name, Kodokan, uses the Japanese characters 古道館 which mean ‘a place of the old ways’ and symbolise that while we teach and interpret the martial art through contemporary insight, we are strongly founded in the study of the traditional and classical ways. We teach Matsubayashiryu Karate and Kobujutsu and Yamaneryu Kobudo. With several professional black belt instructors, more than 10 active black belts in total and a large team of volunteer assistants, supported by regular visiting instructors, we are committed to providing the highest level of quality instruction. Our Head Instructor is qualified teacher/trainer, and our instructors undergo a internal and external training and certification. We're a part of the World Matsubayashiryu Karatedo Association (WMKA), the Matsubayashiryu Karate Associationof Australia (MKAA), the International Ryukyu Karatejutsu Research Society (IRKRS), and the Australasian Federation of Traditional Karate and Kobudo (AFTK). Further information:
https://matsubayashi-ryu.com/
https://matsubayashi-ryu.com.au/
https://www.koryu-uchinadi.com/yamane-ryu/
https:/www.aftk.org.au/

We’re thrilled to share that we’ve been nominated again this year as a finalist in the Fitness Services category for the...
22/09/2026

We’re thrilled to share that we’ve been nominated again this year as a finalist in the Fitness Services category for the Local Business Awards: Canberra! 🎉

A huge thank you to our amazing community for your ongoing support. We’re incredibly grateful to be recognised alongside so many terrific local businesses!

Who knows... maybe this year we'll even make it further?!

Today, we swapped the mats for the fairways and enjoyed a great social day of golf with some of our dojo’s golf enthusia...
19/09/2026

Today, we swapped the mats for the fairways and enjoyed a great social day of golf with some of our dojo’s golf enthusiasts.

🏆👏 Congratulations to Mike-sensei and Andrew-senpai, winners of our Ambrose tournament!

A great day of golf, good company, and dojo spirit. It was nice to also gather afterwards for a relaxing chat!

Buddy Week was a blast!This week, our students invited a friend, family member, partner or someone special to jump on th...
17/09/2026

Buddy Week was a blast!

This week, our students invited a friend, family member, partner or someone special to jump on the mats and experience a class at the dojo!

We welcomed 40+ Buddies across all of our programs! Lots of smiles, great energy and plenty of fun.

A huge thank you to everyone who came along and gave it a go—we loved having you on the mats!

A big congratulations to Ritanya and Pranav on their great performances at the AMAC NSW/ACT State Titles!Both represente...
14/09/2026

A big congratulations to Ritanya and Pranav on their great performances at the AMAC NSW/ACT State Titles!

Both represented the dojo brilliantly and put in some fantastic performances across their events.

🏆 A special congratulations to Pranav, who medalled in Traditional Weapons, and Traditional Forms.

A great effort and some valuable competition experience!

09/09/2026

We were working some applications [oyowaza] from Naihanchi the other night. Here's a quick look into a couple...

📝 Just a short clip intended to recap for those that were there in-person; a video can’t capture all the detail, context, and learning that happens on the mat.

07/09/2026

On the weekend at our Yudanshakai [Black Belt Group] training we were looking at the difference between 'Omote Bunkai' the artistic and often considered overly-ritualised 3-person drill [what Arakaki-sensei calls Formal Applications], and 'Oyowaza' [Informal] and discussed the cultural events that took place and perhaps led to some of the ritualised performances becoming common place.

Here's an excerpt from our student of the informal applications within Pinan Godan.

📝 Just a short clip intended to recap for those that were there in-person; a video can’t capture all the detail, context, and learning that happens on the mat.

Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing dads in our dojo community!Today we celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, uncles, m...
05/09/2026

Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing dads in our dojo community!

Today we celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, uncles, mentors, and father figures who lead by example and support those around them, both inside and outside the dojo.

Thank you for all that you do. Happy Father’s Day!

Tonight, we began our kobudo class on a sombre note.We took a moment to sit and remember Sensei Wolfgang Vogel, who pass...
03/09/2026

Tonight, we began our kobudo class on a sombre note.

We took a moment to sit and remember Sensei Wolfgang Vogel, who passed away suddenly today. Although I’m sure he would probably have thought we sat still for too long…

Those who met him knew exactly what they would get: a no-nonsense, upfront guy who brought life and energy to every interaction. He was the kind of person you would want by your side when you needed someone—and you knew he would show up.

It was a pleasure to train alongside him at seminars and gasshuku throughout Australia and, of course, in Okinawa.

A senior within our Yamaneryu Kobudo tradition, a great martial artist and, above all, a great guy. His passing is a very sad loss.

Thinking tonight of his family, friends, dojo community and everyone who will be feeling his absence.

When travelling... always pack a dogi [uniform]! One of our CKD Members, Noah, is currently in Western Australia and had...
02/09/2026

When travelling... always pack a dogi [uniform]! One of our CKD Members, Noah, is currently in Western Australia and had the chance to drop in for training at the Perth Karate Dojo.

Was great having Noah today all the way from Karate Canberra: Kodokan Cummings Karate Dojo! Great class of kihon, kata and some applications from Sean-senpai.

Tonight we finished class with kata practice led by some of our senpai, with a discussion on the senpai–kohai relationsh...
02/09/2026

Tonight we finished class with kata practice led by some of our senpai, with a discussion on the senpai–kohai relationship and how it helps students grow.

To finish, we took a quick look at some Okinawan history and how it connects to our training.

Here’s a challenge: can anyone work out what these dates might represent?

Address

3/36 Sandford Street
Mitchell, ACT
2911

Opening Hours

Monday 5pm - 8:45pm
Tuesday 5pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday 5pm - 8:45pm
Thursday 5pm - 8:45pm
Saturday 3pm - 4pm

Telephone

+61429392785

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