At our dojo we divide Kendo into 2 main categories of training, Sunday's Kendo which is mainly ji-geiko [sparring] and this is part of our Dojo training schedule, and the Shimaitoshi [Sister Cities] Youth Kendo initiative, promoting Kendo to youth in Christchurch and is mainly for cultural exchange. The Shinnan Butokukai and Mugai-Ryu Iaido Dojo has links with the Christchurch-Kurashiki sister city relationship and we hope to encourage young people to come and try Kendo and learn a little about Japanese Budo culture. We have gear for people to use, so anyone can have a go. As such our Kendo training is focussed on etiquette, fun, culture and appreciation of Budo rather than competition.

We are very pleased to be able to offer free training for youth Kendo once a week on Wednesday nights. Training is at Burnside primary school and is from 7:00pm to 8:00pm

Those wishing to join Sunday's Kendo training as well as Wednesdays will still need to pay a small fee to contribute to the gym hire on Sunday.

For more information on the Shimaitoshi Youth Kendo initiative, please visit the Butokukai site's youth Kendo page

Training consists of thorough practice of the basics from the beginning and regularly returning to them. Kihon [basics] is very important in Kendo so it is something which we need to treat very importantly. We also like to do a lot of jigeiko [sparring] because this is a very good way to put what you've learned in kihon into practice. techniques learnt in kihon are often quite different when you have to do them against someone you are sparring with. Reigi is very important and as we hope to be able to host visitors from Kurashiki as well as to participate in the various exchanges that the sister city committee organise.

Kendo is ideal for young people who are interested in Japan, Japanese or Japanese culture, although you do not need a knowledge of Japanese to join in. Our training is not militaristic and is not violent, but the atmosphere is strict and you must remember that it is a dojo.