Kenyukan Dojos Recent Competition Success
Kenyukan Dojo Knebworth third at Eishinkan Jodo Taikai
We are happy to bring back the news that we won 3rd place at the 25th anniversary Eishinkan Jodo Taikai in Milton Keynes on 18th October. Out team led by Silvie Lee (Senpou), Colin Umeyama (Chuken / Captain), and Edward Umeyama (Taishou) fought against tough opponents and qualified top of the pools into the knockout rounds. Eventually securing a 2:1 and finished 3rd place in the competition.
In this competition, Colin Umeyama won the vote from the judges and referees and received the "Most Improved Fighter award", Silvie also won the Aozora award for being the best Senpou.
Together with this good news, Wayne Starkey is selected by Team GB and will be competing in this year's European iaido Championship hosted in Prague by EKF (European Kendo Federation). Many congratulations to all for the success.
For news Release Please click here
Kenyukan Dojos Recent Grading Success
2025 Summer Kenyukan Dojo Grading
On Sunday 20th July we held our dojo level grading to the level of 2nd Kyu. Both Wayne Starkey and Sam Davis have been promoted to the level of 2nd Kyu in iaido. Both passed the exam with magnificent confidence and skill display.
Many Congratulations to Both.
Kenyukan Dojos iaido National Championship Success
British Kendo Association National iaido Championship Success 2025
(Cambridge)
On Saturday 28th June Kenyukan Dojo teams reached the finals of the British Kendo Association's UK National iaido Championship at the Cambridge University Sports Centre. In a remarkable display of skills and determination, Kenyukan Dojos, based in Datchworth, and Suffolk have competed against other competitive athletes from all parts of Britain and reached the UK National finals clinching both Silver and Bronze in the teams competition.
National Championship Silver medallists Kenyukan team C.
Warren Dickinson, Michael Popa
Colin Umeyama.
National Championship Bronze medallists Kenyukan team A
David Parker, Savoy,
Tomasz W Rogut
In addition to the teams, Kenyukan has also achieved the following in the individuals competition.
Rokudan Bronze
Martin Clark Sensei
Godan Bronze
Ed Umeyama Sensei
Yondan Gold National Champion
Tecwyn Lee Sensei
Nidan Bronze + fighting spirit
Michael Popa
Shodan Bronze Louis Clark
Shodan fighting spirit Tomasz W Rogut
Mudan Gold National Champion Colin Umeyama
Mudan Silver and Fighting Spirit Wayne Starkey
Many congratulations to all and a Hugh thank you to all the referees and many others who have devoted their time to make this year's UK national championship happen.
For the Press News Release please click here :
European Senior Level Grading Success Colin Porter Sensei 6th Dan iaido
European Senior Level Grading Success 2025
(Brugge, Belgium)
We are delighted to announce that Colin Porter Sensei has recently obtained the level of 6th Dan in iaido after passing his Examination on 15 June 2025 in Brugge, Belgium. Colin sensei has been supporting Kenyukan dojo for over ten years and is currently the Team GB Manager. We are certain the club will continue to benefit from the patience and informative teachings that Colin sensei brings. Many congratulations and thank you from everyone at the dojo.
Kenyukan boy brings Jodo National Championship Trophy to Herts
British Kendo Association National Jodo Championship Success 2025
(Milton Keynes)
We are delighted to bring back the news that Kenyukan Dojo has two Medallists in this year's British Kendo Association National Jodo Championship on 13th April 2025. Kenyukan has made it's 2025 appearance in this years competition with the following result. Many congratulations for the success
British Mudan National Champion
Colin Umeyama
Godan Bronze Medal
Edward Umeyama
British Kendo Association National Grading Success Spring 2025
We are thrilled to announce that Chris has successfully passed his Shodan (1st Dan) examination, which took place in Swindon on March 15, 2025. Chris showcased an exceptional grading embu in front of a panel of five senior referees during the examination. Congratulations to Chris for this remarkable achievement!
Kenyukan Dojo End of year iaido Grading Success 2024
We have had a successful grading event on Sunday 1st Dec 2024.
Congratulations to everyone who in our successful grading event on Sunday, December 1st, 2024 A special shout-out to our dojo mudan Kenshi for their impressive performances in the embu, showcasing their courage in overcoming personal anxieties under pressure. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of you. We look forward to seeing you all back in the dojo as we continue to refine ourselves and train towards becoming better versions of ourselves. Keep up the great work!
Sam Davis 3rd Kyu
Wayne Starkey 4th Kyu
Naila Chaudhury 4th Kyu
Martin Rudert 5th Kyu
British Kendo Association National Grading Double Success Summer 2024
We are happy to announce that Chris and Mohammed have recently passed his Ikkyu (1st Kyu) following the examination which took place in Cambridge on 25 Agust 2024. They both have displayed an exceptional grading embu in front of a penal of 5 senior referees at the Examination. Many Congratulations to both for the wonderful achievements.
Invited to perform Embu demonstration at the 2024 Stevenage Datchworth Fete on 08 June 2024
Our village Dojo Kenyukan was invited to perform Embu demonstration at the 2024 Stevenage Datchworth Fete on 08 June.
We are all privileged that Kenyukan dojo was invited to perform embu in front of over 600 attendees at the 2024 Stevenage Datchworth Fete on 08 June. Our Dojo members Colin, Chris, Muhammed, Naila and Martin represented the dojo at the fete and displayed wonderful swordsmanship skills to promote the art of the Japanese swordsamanship in front of the Hertfordshire public. We are honoured and delighted that the dojo is represented well.
2024 May Japanese Children's Day
(Tango 端午) training session
Invited to perform Embu demonstration at the 2024 International City Kendo Tournament in Takao City
Our village Dojo star / Current 2023-24 National champion Colin was invited to perform Embu demonstration at the 2024 International City Kendo Tournament in Takao City.
It is an extremely rare privilege that our dojo was invited to perform an embu in front of over 400 competitive athlete kendoka and the senior referee penal from all Japan kendo federation at the 2024 international kendo city tournament in Taiwan Takao on 24th April 2024. Colin representing GB as well as Kenyukan dojo has hold his nerves and put up a brave display. We are honoured by the invitation and delighted that the dojo is represented well.
News Archive
Kenyukan Dojo Spring iaido Grading Success 2024
We have had a successful grading event on Sunday 3rd March 2024.
Many congratulations to the list below who have graded and our dojo mudan Kenshi did well in their embu and especially in overcoming their own anxieties to perform under pressure. We are very proud of all of them and Look forward to seeing you all in the dojo where we look directly into our own imperfections and refine and train toward a better self.
Silvie Lee 2nd Kyu
Chris Hill 2nd Kyu
Muhammad Chaudhury 2nd Kyu
Sam Davies 4th Kyu
Wayne Starkey 5th Kyu
Naila Chaudhury 5th Kyu
British Kendo Association (National) Spring iaido & Jodo Grading Double Success 2024
A superb well done to Colin Umeyama of Kenyukan Dojo for passing both of his 1st Kyu Examinations in iaido and Jodo on 10 March 2024. It is always known to be extremely challenging to attempt for the national level grading. Colin has registered to do both exam on the same day and passed with flying colours. With the new position and grade we wish Colin all the best and continue with his efforts in training.
Please follow the links below for
Colin's 1st Kyu iaido Exam video
Colin's 1st Kyu Jodo Exam video
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Kenyukan Dojo Autumn iaido Grading Success 2023
We have had a successful grading event on Sunday 15th October.
Many congratulations to Chris and Mohammed who have been formally examined and passed their Iaido 3rd Kyu Grading. Also special congratulations to Colin Umeyama who have now passed his iaido 2nd Kyu on 11/06/2023 and his jodo 2nd kyu on 15/10/2023.
British Kendo Association National iaido Championship Success 2023
(West Midlands)
Kenyukan fought hard over the weekend and have returned home with
Mudan category Gold
Godan category Silver,
Godan category Fighting Spirit
Rokudan category Bronze
And .....
Runners up finalist in the 2023 BKA Iaido National Championship Teams Competition.
Many congratulations to the new
British Mudan National Champion Colin Umeyama
Godan Silver medalist David Parker sensei
Godan Fighting Spirit Ed Umeyama sensei
Rokudan Bronze medalist Martin Clark Sensei
And the Silver medalist team
Senpo Colin Umeyama
Chuken Chris Pendfold
Taisho Dave Parker
Also we would like to thank our teachers and all BKA participants who made this magical event happen.
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British Kendo Association National Grading Success West Midlands 2023
We are happy to announce that Guy Preston has recently passed his Ikkyu (1st Kyu) following the examination which took place in the Westmidlands on 21 May 2023. Guy has performed an exceptional grading embu in from of a penal of 5 senior referees at the British Kendo Association West Midland National Grading / Examination. Many Congratulations to Guy for his wonderful achievements.
End of year training session for 2022
A good end of year training session at the dojo. It has been a wonderful year reopening from Corona-lockdown. We finished our training session with 30 suburi cuts and talking about British Kendo Association history and concepts of bushido codes (Ancient Teachings on moral values and code of conducts for samurai) sitting around tables with snacks. Kenyukan (Stevenage) dojo thank you all for your continuing support and look forward to seeing everybody in the coming new year.
Kenyukan Dojo the place where old traditions meets new people, the place where people find their own inner peace.
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Japan (Kanagawa) Jodo Grading Success
We are delighted to announce our associate dojo member Tai has recently passed his Jodo Sandan (3rd Dan) grading following his examination in Kanagawa prefecture on 5th November 2022, Japan. Many congratulations to Tai and we wish him all the best in his new dojo in Taiwan.
Kenyukan Dojo Autumn iaido Grading Success
We have had a successful grading event on Sunday 16th October. Many congratulations to Chris who have been formally examined and passed his Iaido 4th Kyu Grading
European Kendo Federation European Jodo Championship Grading Success
Both Kenyukan Stevenage and Suffolk have had a successful grading event on 18 September in the senior grading session held by the European Kendo Federation. The grading session was chaired by the All Japan Kendo Federation delegation team led by Fujisaki Sensei, Kojiro Sensei and Murakami Sensei (8tyh Dan Hanshi - ZNKR). Many congratulations to Ed Umeyama sensei and Dave Parker sensei for passing the grading examination and both obtained a 5th Dan in Jodo.
European Kendo Federation European Jodo Championship Grading Success
Both Kenyukan Stevenage and Suffolk have had a successful grading event on 18 September in the senior grading session held by the European Kendo Federation. The grading session was chaired by the All Japan Kendo Federation delegation team led by Fujisaki Sensei, Kojiro Sensei and Murakami Sensei (8tyh Dan Hanshi - ZNKR). Many congratulations to Ed Umeyama sensei and Dave Parker sensei for passing the grading examination and both obtained a 5th Dan in Jodo.
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British Kendo Association Summer iaido Grading Success
Both Kenyukan Stevenage and Suffolk have had a successful grading event on Tuesday 2nd August in the senior grading session held by the British Kendo Association. Many congratulations to Ed Umeyama sensei and Chris Penfold senpai for passing the grading examination and obtained a 5th Dan and 3rd dan in Iaido .
British Kendo Association Summer iaido Grading Success
Both Kenyukan Stevenage and Suffolk have had a successful grading event on Tuesday 2nd August in the senior grading session held by the British Kendo Association. Many congratulations to Ed Umeyama sensei and Chris Penfold senpai for passing the grading examination and obtained a 5th Dan and 3rd dan in Iaido .
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Kenyukan Dojo Summer iaido Grading Success 2022/06/12
We have had a successful grading event on Sunday. Many congratulations to Silvie, Muhammed and Naila for passing the grading. Silvie, Muhammed and Naila have been formally examined and passed Iaido 3rd Kyu, 4th Kyu and 6th Kyu Grading
Xandy Sensei Musokan Dojo visit, special session 2022/05/29
Xandy Sensei leader of Musokan Dojo visited us on the 29th May and gave us a wonderful training session in all three arts. Thank you Xandy sensei and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
2022 Japanese Children's Day
(Tango 端午) training session
Our Dec 2021 Post Pandemic Grading Success
Colin has been formally examined and passed his Iaido 3rd Kyu Grading
On 19 December we have had our first dojo grading in two years. Colin who has worked and trained throughout the lockdown received valuable online training from Xandy Sahla sensei, was examined and passed his grading in front of dojo members and a panel consist of many of our senior sensei. A super well done to Colin and congratulations.
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Iaido Grading 3rd Kyu Examination 2021/Dec/19
2021 Eishinkan Jodo Taikai
Colin wins the Fighting Spirit Award as he leads Kenyukan Dojo to take the third place in the competition
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Up Coming Events
For Kenyukan Stevenage Dojo
Dojo Shinsa Kyu Level
Grading / Examinations
Date and Time TBA
Where your training is tested under pressure. Candidates are required to demonstrate knowledge in the art and history as well as demonstrating satisfactory skills in relations to the discipline of examination.
The Shinsa (Examination) will be chaired by the Dojo leaders and senior sensei.
For the Document relating to our dojo grading policies for the kyu grade examinations please follow link below.
Beginner's Workshop Coming Soon
Please contact us for detail