Inspired by the adventures of our very own "kendo bum", the first Canterbury Kangeiko was held between the 4thand 11th of July 2010.
Training started at 6.00am sharp and went till 7.30am every morning during this week, in addition to normal trainings at the Canterbury Kendo Club. The morning trainings consisted of rigourous 'kubun geiko', an activity designed to be hard and tire all participants regardless of fitness levels.
Canterbury Kangeiko was given the nickname "Kan Kan Geiko". "Kan kan” is a Japanese onomatopoeic word that means
“fiery” or “intense” re anger, but can also mean “quietly” or
“self-composed” when used with a different set of characters. So, "kan geiko" is winter training. And it sounds like Canterbury.
What more could you want!
This blog was written by various participants to document the first year of the event, which will be held every year at our dojo from now on. To lighten the mood there was a joke telling session during the warm down every day, and a celebratory breakfast at the Honey Pot cafe after training on Sunday.