taiseidokai kendo

Taiseidokai was founded by John Hepburn sensei and Brian Kay sensei in 1976 and we celebrated our 40th anniversary in 2016. Brian had just returned from Japan and John joined him to form Great Western Road/Way - Tai Sei Do Kai!. The style of teaching and practice was extremely hard and attracted a small but committed group of like minded sociopaths who became the core of the club and many continue to practice today. Brian moved to London to form theJapanese language newspaper (Eikoku News Digest) and John took over as dojo leader and is now teaching in Skye and is Renshi Rokudan. Brain is sadly missed. Taiseidokai has won the GB championship 5 times and has produced many international level Kendoka and has developed many current dojo leaders inc. Glasgow University, Strathclyde University and Shiraoko. Wevare a members of the British Kendo Association which is affiliated to the ZNKR (All Japan Kendo Federation). The BKA administers the grading process and grades obtained are recognised worldwide by all individual country Kendo Associations. Kendo is a zero sum game - you will get out exactly what you put in. Frustration about lack of progress or lack of initial coordination is common and is the first obstacle to be overcome by the kendoka (kendo practitioner). From attaining this initial coordination progress is rapid and a reasonable standard of swordsmanship can be attained. Kendo as with all other martial forms utilises the Kyu / Dan system of grading where beginners progress