2024 Detroit Open Kendo Tournament Announcement

To All Kendo Dojos and Kenshi,

We are pleased to inform you that the 26th Annual Detroit Open Kendo Tournament and Kendo Seminar will be held on Saturday, February 17th and Sunday, February 18th, 2024 so mark your calendars!

The venue for both days is Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Michigan. (Map link below)

Seaholm High School

After the Kendo seminar on Saturday there will be a Kyu/Dan examination.

Kyu/Dan examination is for all Kyu levels and Kendo 1-Dan through 4-Dan.

In mid-December, we will send you detailed information about the testing/tournament registration website and our special guest instructor for the Kendo seminar.

We are looking forward to seeing you in February!

Best regards,

Detroit Kendo Dojo

Tournament/Seminar Committee

Junior Kendoka ‘one-day camp’

The JCCC Kendo Club is hosting a ‘one-day Kendo’ camp for Junior Kendoka on Wednesday December 27th at The JCCC from 9-5pm.   A full day of Kendo allows Instructors to cover topics not usually covered during regular class due to limited time.  We will also introduce some fun events that will strengthen the relationships between the junior members.To cover expenses, we are asking participants to pay $25 for the day (includes pizza lunch).  See general information below:Date:      Wed Dec 27, 2023Time:      9 – 5 pm               Parents can drop off and pick up after.Where:    JCCC                6 Sakura Way                 Toronto, Ontario,                M3C 1Z5Who:       Both Bogu and Non-Bogu junior                members from all clubsAge:         High School and youngerPrice:       $25 / junior  (payment details to follow)RSVP:      Jr. Kendo Registration FormRegistration Due Date:  Sun Dec 17 EOD (end of day)INSTRUCTORS, SEMPAI and VOLUNTEERS:It takes several organizers, instructors, motodachi and support staff to run a successful camp. If you are able to help out…please register by using the same link  above as the junior participants.  Same deadline.More details to follow.

2023 Year End Godo Keiko

Dear Kendo Community,As we approach the end of 2023, we wish to thank all of the members of the Kendo community for their ongoing support and contribution towards the growth and development of Kendo in Ontario.  We have seen increased participation in tournaments, seminars and exams in 2023.  The leadership of our Sensei and the cooperation within the community has enabled Kendo to bounce back with enthusiasm and positive energy. We wish to close the year with a special Godo-Keiko and optional late lunch for all members of the Kendo community on Sunday December 10, 2023. The Godo-Keiko (for both non-bogu and bogu members) will be held at the Etobicoke Olympium from 10:00am -12:00pm (see below for details), followed by an optional, special set lunch at Ginko restaurant at 1:30pm.    Agenda:10 – 10:30am         Non-Bogu Practice10:30am                 Group Photo                               (Everyone)10:45am                 Mawari-Geiko11:10am                 Motodachi Keiko11:50am                 Keiko Ends12:00pm                 Depart from Dojo Subject to change based on registration numbers.If you are able to join us, please confirm by registering by Sunday Dec 3, 2023 (end of day).     Very special thanks to the Etobicoke Kendo Club for hosting both this week’s Women’s Practice AND our Year-End Godo Keiko. We hope you can join us and close the year together.Bryan AsaKendo Ontario

Information:

Date:                Sunday December 10, 2023. Site:                  Etobicoke Olympium                          590 Rathburn Road                          Etobicoke Ontario                          M9C 3T3  Time:                10:00am -12:00 pm  Agenda:                       10 – 10:30am     Non-Bogu Practice10:30am             Group Photo (Everyone-                           Non-bogu & Bogu )10:45am             Mawari-Geiko11:10am             Motodachi Keiko11:50am             Keiko Ends12:00pm             Depart from Dojo  Subject to change based on registration numbers.                          Lunch:                Ginko Japanese restaurant                            Toronto Airport Delta Hotel                            655 Dixon RoadTime:                   1:30 pm                                Price:                   $45 / person                             Set Lunch (including                             tax and tip).                             Drinks are extra.Note: If you reserve a lunch and under certain circumstances are later not able to attend, please make best efforts to find a replacement.

Kendo Holiday Break

2023 Holiday Schedule

Here is a view to our upcoming kendo practice schedule during the 2023 holiday season:

  • Last Sunday class is December 17th, 2023. 
  • There will be an open keiko practice on Wednesday December 27th. 2023 (still considered as drop-in by the city).

January

  • First Wednesday practice is January 10th, 2024 (same time, 8:00pm to 9:30pm)
  • First Sunday practice is January 14th, 2024 (same time, 5:30pm to 7:30pm).

MKC Reopened

The flooding damage at Centennial Community Center has been repaired and we have restarted Kendo sessions every Wednesday and Sunday. 

Please note, all participants must pay the drop-in fee at the front desk before coming into the class. 

Temporary Closure

Due to flooding damage, the Markham Centennial Centre gym is closed while they preform repairs on the floor. We will update this website when the floor has been repaired. 

While we don’t have a tentative date when we will return, we’re hoping the gym will be ready again by mid-October 2023.

Further updates will be announced as we learn more.

Ontario Godo-Keiko

Dear Kendo Community,
 
This is a friendly reminder of our upcoming Godo-Keiko this Sunday, Sept. 18th!

Please see updates below (in red) including the practice now being open to those who are not double vaccinated.

Thank you for the ongoing support,
Bryan Asa

=== === ===

Event Details:

Event:               2022 Godo Keiko                   

Date:                 Sunday September 18, 2022

Time:                 10:15-12:00pm  (group photo, warm-up, and godo-keiko)

Location:          Larger Dance Studio
                          Victoria Ballet Academy, 7 Bradwick Drive
                          Concord ON, L4K 2T4 (NW of Highway 7 & Dufferin Ave)
                          https://www.victoriaballet.com/contact/
 
Fee:                   $10 per household (to cover rental cost of facilities)
                          Payment can be made at the door by cash/credit card,
                          debit, or online –
Click Here for Online Payments
 
Covid                Participants no longer need to be double vaccinated
Protocol           to participate.
Change:           Masks are to be worn at times including when wearing
                         ‘Men’ including the plastic ‘men’ shield.
                          Extra ‘men’ shields will be available in limited supply.


Parking:           Space is limited so we ask participants to park on the road
                          and enter from the side entrance of the building.


Contact:           [email protected]

Wednesday Classes Cancelled Until September 28, 2022

A reminder to all Markham Kendo Club students that Wednesday sessions are cancelled while the City or Markham renovates Armadale Community Centre. Tsuji Sensei will try to find an alternate location for kata practice and will inform the group on the Whatsapp group if a place becomes available. Wednesday classes will restart on September 28th. 

Sunday classes will continue as usual at Markham Centennial Community Centre. 

Kendo Ontario December Events

We hope you and your family and friends are healthy and safe. Kendo Ontario continues to promote Kendo and the importance of community during these ‘unprecedented times’ and is pleased to host Two (2) upcoming ‘Zoom’ events to close the year.

  1. Junior Kendo meets Team Canada: Sun Dec 6 @ 10:00am – 12:00pm
  2. Senior Kendo Social MeetUp: Thu Dec 10 @ 8:00 – 9:00pm

About ‘Junior Kendo Meets Team Canada’

All Junior Kendo members are encouraged to join this event and interact with members of Team Canada in a series of fun activities. All ages are welcome!

Details of this event will be sent out early next week!

About ‘Senior Kendo Social MeetUp’

Senior Kendo members also need to reconnect, especially given we have not been able to share keiko over the past 8+ months. Similar to the year’s Social MeetUps at the Canadian Kendo Federation’s Virtual sessions in July and Kendo Ontario’s Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon Waza Keiko Ho seminar, we will be mixing attendees randomly into smaller groups and into different ‘break out rooms’ to socialize. It will be a good opportunity to meet new Kendo people or re-establish old relationships as we close the year. Participants are encouraged to bring a drink (or two) and be prepared to reminisce, share stories and enjoy the ‘virtual’ company of their fellow Kendoka.

Date: Thursday December 10, 2020
Time: 8pm – 9:00pm (may vary depending on number of attendees)
Preparation: Attendees are encouraged to bring their own ‘refreshments’
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84494506508?
Password: Please ask a Sensei for the password

It’s unfortunate that we are not able to meet and practice together as we have in the past but we hope these events will enable the members of our Kendo community to stay connected as we close and celebrate the end of 2020.

Thank you for the ongoing support,

Bryan Asa
Kendo Ontario

Markham Kendo Club Covid-19 Update

UPDATE 10:00 EDT Sep 22, 2021: We are starting in-person classes again at Markham Centennial Community Centre but there will be some changes to accommodate for COVID protocols.

All participants must register and pay for fees before arriving to the arena. Walk-ins will not be allowed to participate in our classes. We are accepting new students and individuals who wish to try Kendo. Guests are welcome.

To pre-register, you must first obtain a free login account by contacting the Markham Contact Centre at 905-477-5530. The Contact Centre is open Monday-Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm.

You can pay for your drop-in fees by visiting Markham’s registration website, https://econnect.markham.ca/start/start.asp select the Programs tab then advanced search. Use the Containing keyword search box and enter Kendo to find our program.

All participants must wear a facemask at all times. Please arrive dressed, the changeroom facilities are not available and are for swimming patrons only.

UPDATE 17:30 EDT Apr 19, 2020: To supplement our training, Sumi Sensei will now be leading practice on webinars with our Markham Kendo Club members at our normal practice times. Please contact us to be added to the clubs messenger chat that will contain the link to the practice.

UPDATE 14:28 EDT Apr 01, 2020: The City of Markham has cancelled all spring programs which means there will be no practices until at earliest the Summer session that in July. 

We will continue to provide updates for the Summer practice session as we receive them.

UPDATE 20:00 EDT Mar 30, 2020: The city announced on March 29th via Twitter that all City facilities and programs are closed or cancelled until further notice. We’re not sure how long this will continue to impact practices but it’s very unlikely kendo will start again on April 5th. 

We will continue to post updates to the website as we learn more.

Source: https://twitter.com/cityofmarkham/status/1244248214305476610?s=20

With regards to the Markham Kendo Club practices we will be making the following changes: 

The Town of Markham has closed all recreation centres and libraries effective midnight March 14, 2020 and will remain closed until April 5, 2020.

All practices are cancelled until this date.

If there are any changes to the schedule we will update our members through Facebook and the website.

Last updated: 10:00 EDT Sep 22, 2021