The way of the samurai lives on
ROSEBANK – Local kendo dojo hosts a tournament to remember.
Rosebank’s San Kawa Kendo Dojo hosted a kendo competition that can only be described as world class.
The loud clashing of bamboo swords and fierce shouting from their wielders rang out for all to hear at the Blairgowrie Recreation Centre on 5 May, as the San Kawa Kendo Shiai 2019 attracted kendoka from all over the country, and some even from Mozambique.
There were three styles of fighting used in the Japanese martial art during the tournament.
“These included the nito-ryu, which is with two swords [one long and one short sword]. This is a style we have been progressing to get more people to learn,” said Brendan Dateling, senior instructor of the Rosebank dojo.
The other styles used were with single two-handed swords. The jodan is a high-attacking stance style of fighting, and the chudan is a lowered- stance more common style in kendo.
Dateling said when he and other kendoka represent South Africa internationally overseas, they compete in teams of five.
“We decided that this year we would do the same and get the dojos to compete against each other in teams.”
The seven teams did this with individuals from the teams competing against each other for points – one point for a successful strike on an opponent’s head, neck, wrist or stomach. They competed best of three points per fight.
Whichever team had the most wins out of the five fights, would proceed to the next round. There was a main shiai (tournament) and a beginner’s tournament.
“The standard of kendo was fantastic, the guys worked exceptionally to earn their points. You can see people are getting more and more used to tournaments and the standard of kendo is ever-improving.”
The final match saw San Kawa compete against Mushin Kendo Dojo from Pretoria.
Mushin won three of the fights, while there was one tie and San Kawa won one fight. This meant Mushin were the overall winners.
A spirit award was presented to Eiji Dioda of San Kawa and Jack Kim of Mushin.
In the beginner competition, Stef Pieterse and Kate de Villiers of San Kawa finished first and second respectively.
Details: San Kawa Kendo Dojo info@sankawa.co.za; 072 977 9067.
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