About Us
The Rock Kendo Club is Newfoundland and Labrador's only kendo dojo, and although we are a small group, we have big ambitions. We hope that people will come to find kendo is much more than a martial art or means of conditioning, but is also a way of living, and a means of self improvement by which to cultivate earnestness, respect, and confidence.
What is Kendo
Kendo (剣道), directly translated, means the way of the sword. This modern martial art originates in Japan, and is based on kenjutsu (剣術), once honed by the bushi (武士) or samurai.
Practitioners are known as kendoka (剣道家) or kenshi (剣士), and use bamboo swords known as shinai (竹刀), and armour referred to as bogu (防具) in full contact fencing.
Why Practice
The purpose of practicing Kendo is:
To mold the mind and body,
To cultivate a vigorous spirit,
And through correct and rigid training,
To strive for improvement in the art of Kendo,
To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor,
To associate with others with sincerity,
And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.
This will make one be able:
To love his/her country and society,
To contribute to the development of culture
And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.
(The Concept of Kendo was established by All Japan Kendo Federation in 1975.)
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Sensei & Sempai
Dojo Administrator
Wilson Humphries
Acting instructor (Ikkyu).
Practicing since 2014.
Sempai
Devin Dwyer
Wayne Pinsent
Yokuto Ishii
Classes
Wednesday 8:30PM-10:00PM At the Paul Reynold Community Centre
Saturday 10:30AM - 12:30PM At the NL Sports Centre
What to expect in a class
A typical class will consist of the following:
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Taiso - stretching and calisthenics,
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Suburi and Footwork - practice cuts and other drills
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Mokuso and Bowing in - a moment of meditation followed formal start of keiko (practice)
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Kihon - typically sets of drill and strikes done with partners (contact)
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Kata, Jigeiko or other comprehensive drills
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Mokuso and Bowing out - as before plus comments from the instructor, questions welcome.
Note to Beginners
Requisites: Just comfortable clothes for moving in! Kendo is done barefoot so no special footwear is required and shinai are available for practice. All are welcome during any scheduled class. Saturday's class is most flexible for beginners. Sessions often blend junior and senior together, allowing those new to kendo the opportunity to have one-on-one instruction with the clubs sempai to guide their development.
Cost
Membership fees are $35 per month, which covers access to all classes in a month. As well, limited equipment is available free for loan, but members are responsible for purchasing their own eventually. The Rock Kendo is not for profit so these fees go solely towards facility bookings and extra equipment. The only addition recurring fee is an annual membership fee paid to the Canadian Kendo Federation (CKF), which is $50. Any serious participants who plan to pursue grading will need to be a member in good standing with the CKF.
Trial Policy
Any person(s) new to kendo, wishing to to try it out and determine if they want to join, may do so free of obligation for their first four classes. That is to say you will not be expected to pay membership fees for effectively the first month, and these four classes need not be contiguous. One may, for example, attend two classes and should something arise where you could not attend the third, this will not be subtracted from you four free classes.
Locations & Contact
Saturday Venue
NL Sports Centre - PowerPlex
90 Crosby Road, St. John's, NL
Wednesday Venue
Paul Reynold's Community Centre
35 Carrick Drive, St. John's
Tel: 709-728-8304
General Enquiries:
Instructor:
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Background photo: "Bell Island Vista"
Image courtesy of Ray Mackey @RayMackeyPhotographyNL
http://raymackeyphotography.com
Additional media credits: Elizabeth Whitten, Wayne Pinsent