Kendo in Lanarkshire Shiraoka Kendo Kai is a kendo dojo based in Bellshill and the only dojo practising kendo in the Lanarkshire area.
Shiraoka is affliated with the British Kendo Association, the recognised national governing body for kendo in the UK.
31/08/2026
Cutting from the Hara
I was talking to my students recently, having remembered that I have this blog, and asking whether any of them had questions they’d like answering. I thought it might give me a subject for a future article and one of the questions that came up was, “How do we cut from the hara?” It’s an interesting question and it sent me down something of a rabbit hole....
19/06/2026
🏆 SHIRAKOA CUP 2026 RESULTS 🏆
First, apologies for the delay in getting these out, but a huge thank you to everyone who traveled, competed, and supported the event! You made it an unforgettable competition. 🔥
Here is who took home the honors this year:
👥 Team Results
🥇 1st: Quack
🥈 2nd: The Silver Horde
🥉 3rd: Big Buff Boys Brigade & Shirakoa 2: Electric Tarenamu
✨ Fighting Spirit: Raphael Bernardo
👤 Individual Results
🥇 1st: Ruairidh Pooler
🥈 2nd: Kotaro Danno
🥉 3rd: Dez Whitson & Sam Dawson
✨ Fighting Spirit: Yui Gibson
🙏 A Huge Thank You to Our Sponsors
We couldn't do this without the incredible support of Kendo Star, Toltec Systems, and HSL Compliance. Thank you for backing our community!
See you all next year! ⚔️
Tournament Registration extended to Thursday!
So you still have time to register a team and individual, June 10th. Because we need to finalize the brackets,
📅 Event Date: Saturday, June 13th, 2026
📍 Venue: Sir Matt Busby Sports Centre, Bellshill
🥋 Categories: 3-Person Teams, Individuals,
👉 Secure your tournament entry here: Shiraoka Cup Registration
https://shiraoka.square.site/
🍛 Saturday Night Meal & Deposit Details 🍻
We are planning a group meal at 7:00 PM after the tournament, and we would love for you to join us for a curry and a few drinks!
📍 Where: Bombay Cottage, 4 Lower Auchingramont Rd, Hamilton, ML3 6HW
💰 Deposit: £5 per person to secure your spot.
👉 Pay Your Deposit Here:
https://square.link/u/zWF4WOOe
⚠️ Important Meal Deadline: We must confirm final numbers with the restaurant by TOMORROW, Wednesday, June 10th at 5:00 PM. Please ensure you have registered and paid your deposit by then.
Don't miss your chance to step onto the shiai-jo and celebrate with everyone afterward. Get those entries and meal deposits in before tomorrow's deadlines!
07/06/2026
Huge congratulations to our very own Sam Dawson 🎉
Sam passed his Sandan today at the BKA Western Seminar. Fantastic work, Sam—your hard work and dedication continue to inspire everyone at the club. Keep it up! 💪
I hope you are all gearing up for the Shirokoa Cup next weekend! We are really looking forward to seeing everyone there.
We are planning a group meal at 7:00 PM at:
Bombay Cottage 4 Lower Auchingramont Rd, Hamilton, ML3 6HW Visit
If you would like to join us for a curry and a few beers, please register and pay the £5 deposit using the link below:
https://square.link/u/zWF4WOOe
🗓️ Important Deadline
We need to confirm final numbers with the restaurant by Wednesday, June 10th at 5:00 PM. Please make sure you have registered and paid by then to secure your spot.
| Wednesday | 8pm - 10pm |
| Sunday | 5pm - 7pm |