#TeamUniSA Profile: UniSA Iaijutsu and Kendo Club

Kirralee Thomas

2020-05-28T12:44:26

The UniSA Iaijutsu and Kendo Club is a coalition of Japanese sword art practitioners. In the latest profile of our #TeamUniSA series, we'll learn more about iaijutsu and kendo and how you can get involved with the club.

What is iaijutsu and kendo?

Iaijutsu is the art of drawing and sheathing the sword, practicing and applying proper cuts and blocks (suburi), practicing forms (kata), partnered kata (kumitachi), samurai etiquette, sword maintenance and other quintessential concepts of traditional swordsmanship.

Kendo is Japanese fencing using bamboo swords (shinai), practitioners wear protective armour (bōgu) during full contact training and matches. Users will also learn the traditional form (kata).

What competitions has the club been involved in over the past 12 months?

Kendo has had members participate in the South Australian Kendo Championship, The Australian Kendo Championships as well as the UniSport Nationals competition.

Outline some of your club or club member achievements.

At the 2019 UniSport Nationals, one of our club members earned the fighting spirit award. This award is only given to a select few participants at a competition who have demonstrated excellent kendo.

Iaijutsu and Kendo club images

How has your club adapted to being online in terms of engaging with your members?

The club have encouraged members to continue individual training's and routine exercises. The most important focus for our members is that everyone stays fit and healthy in these difficult times. The club sends out a monthly update email to keep our members updated with what is happening with the club and to stay in contact with them.

What is your favourite part of being a UniSA Sport member?

Having the flexibility to train at multiple locations which don't impact on my studies and access to cheaper membership fees.

How can people join your club?

The club focuses on two types of Japanese martial arts; Kendo and Iaijutsu.

To join Kendo, you will need to complete the beginners course. All the information for the beginners course can be found here on our club's website. We do not have a start date for the beginners course, but when we do, we will be announcing it on our social media page and club website. If you are interested in giving the beginners course a try, you can let us know by email - unisaikclub@gmail.com - and we will add you to the emailing list.

If you are interested in giving Iaijutsu a try, you just need to come to one of the regular weekly training sessions. When training resumes, you are welcome to come and try Iaijutsu with the guidance of our senior members. The first lesson is free, all you need to bring is yourself and wear casual/comfortable clothing.

For further information on the club visit the club website or contact the club directly through our Facebook page or email unisaikclub@gmail.com

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