Nanseikan Kendo Club 南西館剣道クラブ

It's taken me a while but here are some pics of the day on the 21st where Nanseikan had a stall and demo at the lovely Edwardes Lake Park in Reservoir. Our new banner was ready in time and helped give our marquee a strong identity (thanks Jenny). We also had lots of tenugui waving in the breeze and various bits of kendo equipment for people to look at. Many had their first taste of "mugi-cha" or roast barley tea, a drink that is inseparable from kendo and summer! Our demo went well with many in the audience overheard saying things like: "wow, they're so disciplined!" and, "look at how they do everything so quickly!" We're also very polite! Overall it was beautiful day and thanks to everyone (especially my wife Caz!) for helping make it a success. b:)

Now that I've worked out how to attach thumbnails, I thought I'd post a pic of the club *mon* or logo. It is based on the characters for our name "Nansei" (pron. "nunsay") which mean South-West. South is on top. It's designed in the style of a Japanese family crest. I think it looks like Kagoshima-city's volcano Sakurajima, reflected in Kinko Bay. The kanji read left to right and say "Kendo Nanseikan". They are written in the semi cursive style (gyo-sho). And I must admit, they were written with a chisel-point, felt-tip pen, not a brush. Oh the shame! Still, that fact is probably not obvious to most people, and besides, I like the way they look.

As promised, here's Amelia's design for a banner for the club. It'll be big: over 1.5m square! Looking forward to seeing the real thing (I hope you don't get RSI Jenny). ;)

Today we went to train with Fudoshin at their Balwyn dojo. Steph, Jordan, Daniel, Cy and me all piled into the old Renault and drove out to Balwyn where the magpies were singing and the under 12 cricketers were all playing in the rain. We had a great time training with and meeting new kendo friends. Big thank you to Richard, Khay Lin, Sue and the other Fudoshinka for sharing their knowledge with us in their lovely, tranquil dojo! b

Just in time for a Melbourne summer! :P Nanseikan polartops are sleeveless and zip-up. They have two front pockets and feature the club "mon" (logo) on the front with "kendo Nanseikan" in kanji underneath. Then on the back the club mon and "kendo Nanseikan" in Roman letters. They're light, warm and very comfy. Only $35 each, they come in sizes from kids 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and adult S, M, L, XL and XXL. I recommend buying one size bigger than normal so you can wear it over your do and tare at tournaments and gradings. Of course parents should just order their normal size! See me at training to order. :)

Hi all, As an activity over the next couple of weeks, we will be having a competition to help find a design for a Nanseikan Kendo Club banner. Jenny Kelso, our resident master needleperson, has kindly offered to craft it by the time of the Darebin Festival (21 November) at which we will be having a demo AND stall. We want something that will be quite large (e.g. 1m x 2m) that will represent the club. Prize(s) will be be a brand new shinai and perhaps a Nanseikan t-shirt (if we have a dead heat or we need two designs!). There will be a design brief (rules) that you must follow, so certain things must be included (logo etc). To save bandwidth, I won't send these images out to everyone now. But please email me if you are interested in taking part and I will send you a Word doc with all the relevant details. The winner will have to be decided quite soon so get cracking: you've gotta be in it to win it! B :)

That's right, the first batch of zekken (name bags to go over the middle tare flap on your bogu) have arrived and they look great! Steph, Amelia and Daniel already have theirs. Jordan, Rory, Cy, Thomas, Luke and Michael, yours will be waiting for you at training next term. They cost $25 but will last you a lifetime of kendo. Best of all, now you will be known whenever we visit other dojos. :)))

(Issue 37; Wednesday 22 September, 2004) Thanks to Ben (writer) and Charlie (photo). :)

Well done and congratulations to all those Nanseikan members who successfully attempted 6th and 5th kyu gradings over the last two weeks! Daniel and Cy both received their 6th kyu, while Steph, Amelia, Jordan, Rory and Thomas all passed 5th kyu. I was very happy with those that I saw, especially how carefully everyone concentrated on the basics of correct dressing, correct rei and sonkyo, and correct posture at all times. Very well done! Next week we are back at training as usual, and the week after I should have the brand new zekken (name covers for tare) for all those currently in armour. b

I'd like to say well done to Daniel and Cy who received their 6 kyu last weekend at the VKR grading. Omedeto gozaimasu! Both of you have trained regularly and given a lot of effort to begin mastering the basics of kendo. Please keep it up -- ganbatte kudasai! b

Gradings will be taking place for 6th kyu to 3rd dan at the Kenshikan in West Melbourne. Venue details at www.kendovictoria.asn.au 6th kyu grading will be on Saturday 4 September starting at 8.30am. 5th kyu and above will be the following Saturday. 5th kyu registration begins around 10.30am. Please note we will not be training at Brunswick SWPS on either of those days. Good luck/ ganbatte kudasai! b

Nanseikan members are invited to join a demonstration of seinen kendo (junior kendo) at this weekend's Otsuka Memorial at the Kenshikan. It starts at 4pm so we can talk about it at training this Saturday. :)

Term 3 was scheduled to start on 24 July. However due to unforseen work committments, I will have to reschedule that class to one week earlier, Saturday 17 July. The following class will then be 31 July. My apologies for any inconvenience. Hope everyone is having a relaxing and/or productive holiday! :) B

For more info about this visit, go to: http://www.melbournebudokai.com.au/events/sato&chiba/ :)

Hi all, Two of Japan's most highly respected kendo sensei will be visiting Melbourne soon. This is an extraordinary opportunity to learn from two sensei who most Japanese kendoka only see in magazines and books. Sato sensei is an 8th Dan Hanshi in both Iaido and Kendo. He was the chief instructor at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police dojo. Chiba sensei is a Kendo 8th Dan Hanshi and he is famous for winning the All Japan Kendo Championship three times in jodan. He recently retired as the chief instructor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Dojo. They will be training all week and running a seminar on the weekend of the 7th & 8th. All Nanseikan members would learn a lot from attending this weekend. B

The end of financial year is almost here, which means membership fees are due. Some of you paid for 6 months from December and some haven't paid as yet. Barring any unforseen price increase, under 16 membership for 12 months will be $60. However the VKR are still at the moment finailsing details of their insurance for the next year and are not accepting payments for the moment. I know some people are anxious about not missing out on grading at the next opportunity. Rest assured, I will not let anyone slip through this time! B :)

Term 3 classes will start on 24 July and finish on 11 September B :)

Most of you know already that next week (12 June) will be the last training for term two. Term three start date will be advised at the next training, or here on Dojo News. Ben†

Testing the new Nanseikan Dojo News page :)