Dublin Kendo Kobukai

Please join me in congratulating the members of our latest Iaido beginners' course who tested in their first grading last Monday, 13th July.

I was exceptionally proud to see their progress and how well they performed despite the nerves. You should all be very proud. I am.

I hope this is but a first step in a long line of victorious gradings in your Iaido journey. :-)

I also want to congratulate two of our candidates from the previous beginner courses who are continuing their journey with great success.

Thanks must also go to the Shodans from one of our earliest beginner courses, Mercedes Gonçalves, Amanda Ní Chnoic and our good friend Jacco Trerwel for their excellent demonstration of grading procedure and their assistance during the exam.

Of course, a massive thanks to my co-instructor for this beginner's group, Emmanuel.

Finally, thank you to Martin Kiosew, Carlos Tuta and the other Kendoka for their patience and forbearance as we ran a little late.

It is no small thing to step into a dojo to study Iaido. It can often be an intimidating experience as it is so new and different to our daily lives. But this group was fantastic and rose to every challenge set for them, and judging by their performance, I am hopeful of their continued success on the path.

If you'd like to try your hand at wielding a samurai sword or stick this summer, we have an Open Day for Iaido and Jodo Next Monday, 20th. Warning, though - places are limited. I think we only have two slots remaining.

You can secure a place by filling out the form here - https://forms.gle/6A79ua1LR7UM99Tj6

Well done to Kathryn and Anna and a big congratulations to our Governing Body Irish Martial Arts Commission on securing funding for Women in Sport Initiatives.

Some brave souls from Dublin Kendo undertook the arduous task of attending the second Iaido squad session of the year, led by our good friend Raúl Fernandez.

The blazing heat had the sweat dripping off us after the warm-up, as Raul guided the participants through a series of exercises designed to reinforce posture and control with a detailed analysis on how to provide concise and pivotal insights into continued progress.

And I got to help out debuting my expanded Chakuganten reference guides. :-)

Solid learning and improvements all-round. Well done all!

A hard day's training in the summer sun, ahead of the grading for our new beginners on Monday! Followed by an open day on Monday 20th!

Reminder: The Dublin Kendo Kobukai Annual General Meeting takes place tomorrow, Saturday 4th July, in Ballybough Community Centre, Ballybough Road, Dublin, at 12:45pm.

Iaido and Jodo practice will go ahead as usual. The Kendo kids class is cancelled, and there will be free Kendo practice for juniors and adults after the AGM.

Snacks are encouraged.

- Batman

Hi All,

Iaido and Jodo classes are cancelled in Ballybough this Saturday as John and I will be attending the Kenseikai Koryu Iaido Seminar. I encourage everyone (all our new beginners too!) to attend this event: https://kenseikaiireland.com/2026/05/07/kenseikai-summer-open-seminar-2026/

The seminar starts at 10am sharp and goes to 5pm. Shops are nearby, but a packed lunch is recommended.

I'd also recommend bringing bokuto with saya if you have one, but I'll bring about 10 or so for the beginners, so we should have some spares. The accompanying photo may be considered a sneaky peak if the rumours are true.

We'll be using Newpark Sports Centre like last time - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xRZMr5vYaYY14YSF9

See you there!

Batman

While our Kendoka are away at the EKC, we're holding the fort down with packed Iaido and Jodo classes!

May the 4th Be With You!

Sadly, no training this evening. But do some mitori geiko with some Star Wars!