Welcome to the Canterbury Kendo Club

Iaido" The Canterbury Kendo Club was founded by Alex Bennett more than 20 years ago following his Rotary exchange to Chiba, Japan. The club has trained at several locations around Christchurch before reaching the current Lichfield Street Dojo.

Today the club trains three times a week and offers both Kendo (Japanese fencing) and Iaido (sword drawing) classes for all levels. The club is a member of the New Zealand Kendo Federation (NZKF) which in turn is affiliated with the International Kendo Federation (FIK).


Club Motto: "Nana Korobi Ya Oki"

Nana Korobi Ya Oki

"Fall down seven times and rise eight". Every time we struggle or do not succeed, we must get up again and keep on trying with more strength than before. At the Canterbury Kendo Club we train hard and help each other to rise from that seventh fall. We strongly emphasize the importance of traditional concepts and procedures (or 'reigi') in modern Kendo. Both the mental and physical aspects of Kendo feature in our trainings, because we see Kendo as a philosophy and an art, not just a sport.

There is more information about the club here. If you would like to start Kendo or Iaido please visit our membership page.


Christchurch Kendo