Martial Arts Magazine Australia

The Western Australian Kendo Renmei (WAKR) covers three martial arts: Kendo, Iaido and Jodo. We are part of the Australian Kendo Renmei (AKR) which is part of the Federation of International Kendo (FIK).

Kendo – The Way of the Sword (Ken: sword + Do: way). Kendo is one of Japan’s oldest martial arts, and the one most closely associated with the Samurai. The concept of kendo is to discipline the human spirit through the principles of the katana (Japanese sword). While Kendo has gained popularity as a sport, the principles of the warrior remain evident. It is suitable for both men and women, who compete and train together. The concept of Kendo is to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the Katana (Japanese Sword).

Iaido – Way of mental presence and immediate reaction. Iaido encompasses hundreds of styles of swordsmanship, all of which subscribe to non-combative aims and purposes. Iaido is an intrinsic form of Japanese modern budo. Iaido is performed solo as an issue of kata, executing changed strategies against single or various fanciful rivals. Every kata starts and finishes with the sword sheathed. Notwithstanding sword method, it obliges creative ability and fixation to keep up the inclination of a genuine battle and to keep the kata new.

Jodo – Way of the short staff. Jodo is strongly focused upon defence against the Japanese sword. Jodo training involves the study of basic movements and kata prearranged attack and defence movements. As with other Budo arts, Jodo is designed to preserve the ancient combat techniques, but with the aim of helping the modern student to achieve control over mind and body through repeated practice.

A Brief History

To the best of our knowledge, Kendo was first practiced in Western Australia in 1978 when a Japanese high school exchange student named Owada Tsukasa (a 2nd dan in Kendo) first taught Kendo to Brian Brestovac, Dennis Brestovac and Robert Mateljan. The first lesson being in a backyard of the Brestovac household. Kendo armour was difficult to get at that time, but we managed to buy two sets and borrow a set to practice with. In late 1978, Owada Tsukasa returned to Japan.

In 1979, Robert Mateljan contacted Maeda sensei, who was teaching at the local Japanese school and was a 5th Dan in Kendo. Brian Brestovac and Robert Mateljan started training with him and other students that joined (below picture with Maeda sensei in the centre in white).

Maeda Maeda sensei returned to Japan in late 1979 and again we had no instructor. Some of the group tried to keep going but eventually disbanded, and Kendo was not practiced in Western Australia for several years.

In 1984 Adrian Baird, a 1st Dan Kendoka from England, visited Western Australia to see his sister. He trained with Brian Brestovac and Rob Mateljan for a few months and encouraged the formation of a Kendo club, which was called “WA Budo”. In 1985, contact was made with a club training in Fremantle under Kuzu Uchino, a 2nd Dan in Kendo.

In 1990, Ramon Lawrence co-founded the WA branch of the Seitei Gata Ryu Iaido with Jerry Yee. Iaido in Western Australia was born. Iaido, as part of the WAKR, has developed into one of the most advanced and successful groups practicing in Australia. Ramon Lawrence also served as the president of the WAKR for over 26 years. In 1991, Owada Tsukasa, the original exchange student that started Kendo in Western Australia, returned. By this time, he was 5th Dan in Iaido and 4th Dan in Kendo. He stayed for two years and helped develop both Iaido and Kendo.

Also in 1991, the WAKR hosted the first Australian Kendo Championship (AKC) in Western Australia, at Sacred Hearts College, Sorento. A delegation of 14 highly ranked Kendo sensei, under the leadership of Takeshi Matsushima sensei, came from Japan to run seminars and assist with the AKC. At this 16th Australian Kendo Championship, Robert Mateljan came first in the Kyu grade individual competition and so was the first Western Australian to win a Kendo event at a national level.

In March 1993, the first WAKR commenced Jodo training at the Budokan Academy under Derek Woodhouse, 4th Dan Jodo. Thus, the WAKR had the full complement of martial arts under its banner – Kendo, Iaido and Jodo. The WA Budo club changes its name to the Go Shin Kai Kendo club and was training at the University of WA.

Current clubs that are part of the WAKR: Kendo: Sukura Kendo club, GoShinKai Kendo club, Murdoch Kendo club, UWA Kendo club, West Coast Kendo club. Iaido and Jodo: Budokan Academy, Ju Go Kan, Southwest Budokan, Bunbury Budokan, Perth Japanese Sword School, Seibukan

In 1997, the Murdoch University Club was founded by Chris Graham, who trained at the ANU club in Canberra and then in Sydney. The Murdoch club has had great success and continues today with Kendo training. In 1999, Chiharu Fukumoto moved to Perth and trained at the Go Shin Kai Kendo club. He had trained in WA before but left to go back to Japan and upon his return started Kendo training here in WA. Chiharu Fukumoto, then established the Sukura kendo club that trains at the Perth Modern High school. In 2023, he was successful in obtaining his 7th Dan in Japan and is currently the highest ranked Western Australian Kendoka.

Southwest Iaido and Jodo: The Busselton club came into existence in 1998 and only taught Iaido. About three years later, another dojo opened in Dunsborough. About that time tuition in Jodo began. Several years later, the Busselton Dojo closed, and the Dunsborough Dojo continued. Training commenced in Margaret River about 10 years ago at the MR Karate club premises. Both Dunsborough and Margaret River Dojos are part of South West Budokan with its parent Dojo in Perth. Training is ongoing, with strong and enthusiastic membership.

In 2010, Dong Yeol Lim came to Western Australia and started training with the Go Shin Kai Kendo club, started the Sung Moon Kendo Club teaching adults and children. He has had to leave WA and now resides in Tasmania; however, the club continues through the instruction of William Yoo 5th Dan and is now the UWA Kendo club.

The Bunbury Budokan club trains Seitei Iaido and Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Jodo. In March 2017, Terri Gallear took over the club. They train once a week and visit the Budokan Academy regularly for seminars.

The Progress of Kendo, Iaido and Jodo in Australia, A History of the Australian Kendo Renmei, by Ron Bennett and Bob Brown. https://wakr.asn.au