Dojo Info.

The San Kawa Kendo Dojo was formed in 2002 and trains under the Instruction of Sensei Tony Hughes. Tony has his godan (5th dan) in Kendo and is a qualified Kendo Instructor. He has represented South Africa at the European Kendo Championships and the World Kendo Championships a number of times. The San Kawa Kendo Dojo is affiliated to the South African Kendo Federation, which is the only recognised Kendo association in Africa. The South African Kendo federation is recognised by the Japanese Martial Arts Authority of South Africa, the Martial Arts Authority of South Africa and the National Sports Council and is affiliated to the European Kendo Federation, the International Kendo Federation and the All Japan Kendo Federation.

The SKKD has in its constitution, stated that its main aim is “the promotion and development of Kendo in South Africa and the fostering of mutual trust, friendship and respect amongst its members.”

Furthermore, within the club’s constitution, some of the activities stated to achieve its main aim is as follows:

1. Assist its members in obtaining higher levels of achievement in Kendo, through quality and consistent training.
2. Provide a safe and suitable environment for its members in which to practice Kendo.
3. Actively promote Kendo and the club through its website and other mediums in order to gain quality members.
4. To collect fees and seek donations and grants in order to fulfill its mandate.
5. To ensure that international standards as laid down by the International Kendo Federation for competition and grading are adhered to.
6. To assist in organising seminars and workshops within South Africa.
7. To assist its members in procuring equipment and literature.
8. To exchange information via its online website.
9. To undertake any other project that will assist in achieving the purpose as stated.
10. To maintain a current register of its members.

The San Kawa Kendo Dojo (SKKD) was named as such in February 2006. It was previously known as the “San Kawa Kendo Club” (SKKC). The SKKC / SKKD was formed in 2002 and trains under the Instruction of Sensei Tony Hughes. Sensei Tony has his godan (5th dan) in Kendo and is a qualified Kendo Instructor. He has represented South Africa at the European Kendo Championships and the World Kendo Championships a number of times. More details on Sensei Tony can be found (here).

The SKKD has also had a number of members participating in various seminars and competitions within South Africa and throughout the world, including the 2006 Hungary Cup in Budapest, Hungary in July 2006 and the 2006 World Kendo Championships, an international event that occurs every four years, held in December 2006 in Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. More details of club member’s participation in international events can be found (here).

Furthermore, the club boasts the youngest member to have obtained his 1st Dan (black belt) in Kendo in South Africa. Mitchell Kyle was 14 years old when obtaining this prestigious honor.

Members age vary from 10 to 60 years old and has a mixture of both males and females. Kendo is a martial art that can be maintained throughout ones life.

The SKKD had been based at the Berario Recreation Centre, west of Johannesburg, since its inception, but has now moved to the Rosebank Scouts Halls in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

The SKKD is affiliated to the South African Kendo Federation (SAKF), which is the only recognised Kendo association in Africa. The SAKF is recognised by the Japanese Martial Arts (JMAASA) Authority of South Africa, the Martial Arts Authority of South Africa (MAASA) and the National Sports Council (NSC) and is affiliated to the European Kendo Federation (EKF), the International Kendo Federation (IKF) and the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF).