This article – entitled the History of Kendo in Scotland (1970′s-2003) – first appeared in a shortened format in Kendo World (Vol2 No2) October 2003
Overview
With the 12th World Kendo Championships taking place in Scotland this year, I was approached by Kendo World to write a short article on the history and development of kendo in Scotland. A short synopsis of Scottish kendo had appeared on my dojo’s website (www.edinburghkendo.co.uk) earlier this year, but the proposition gave me the impetus to research a little further and to actually write this brief overview of kendo in Scotland: Past, Present, and Future.
I do see this essay not as a finalised document, but the basis of a more comprehensive guide to kendo in Scotland. I thank Kendo-World for allowing it to be published and to introduce Scottish kendo to the international kendo community, focused as it is on Scotland at this time.
Please be aware that this is a living document and that any and all mistakes are my own.
A BRIEF History of Kendo in Scotland
Scotland is a small country, and there have been relatively few kendo practitioners over the years. It has still been difficult to ensure that the dates and names in this list are 100% correct, as many of the people mentioned are no longer active practitioners or are difficult to contact. Nevertheless, because there were only two main locations for dojo over the years – Glasgow and Edinburgh – it has been easier that it might have been was this a larger country.
Salient points in the 30 year history of kendo in Scotland:
- Sam MacKay is credited with the first introduction of kendo in Scotland, initiating the Bellahousten Kendo Club in the early 1970′s. The instructors at the club were Billy Mains and John Hepburn.
- Brian Kay returns from a two year stay in Japan and, with John Hepburn, start their own dojo: Taiseidokai. The name translates to Great Western Road (or way) after its location on the Great Western Road.
- Romilly Squire – a student of Taiseidokai – moved from Glasgow to Edinburgh in 1988. His move initiated the creation of the Taiseidokai Edinburgh dojo. Current U.K. squad members Gillian Riddoch and George McCall start kendo in the early 90′s while attending University in Edinburgh.
- In 1990 there were four active dojo in Scotland: Taiseidokai Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Stirland, as well as the original Bellahousten Kendo Club (‘Seishin’).
- The 13th European championships were held in the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, 1995. The U.K. mens team took a bronze at this event. Both Gerry Kincaid and Steve Bishop were U.K. squad members at the time. At the same event John Hepburn achieved rokudan.
- In 1998 two members of Taiseidokai Edinburgh – Steve Bishop and Nairn Burns – formed their own dojo in Edinburgh: Seishinkan. For a while there were two dojo in Edinburgh but, sadly, Taiseidokai Edinburgh closes its doors leaving Seishinkan to look after the Edinburgh kendo populace.
- In 2000 George McCall returned to Scotland after living abroad and took over Seishinkan kendo club. At this time Nairn Burns retired from kendo and Steve Bishop was in England studying at University.
- At the beginning of 2002, it was decided that Seishinkan be renamed ‘Edinburgh Kendo Club.’ Mid-way through the year saw Steve Bishop graduate from University and returns to Edinburgh. – In 2003 there are two main dojo – Taiseidokai and Edinburgh Kendo Club – and a small Taiseidokai satellite dojo near Glencoe.
Other points of interest:
During this time we have had many visits from senior kendoka from around the world. This includes but is not limited too: Ozawa sensei, Takatera sensei, Hirakawa sensei, Sumi sensei, Imazato sensei, Minowa sensei, Jeff Marsten sensei, as well as all the senior ranked British kendoka. There are many more that I probably don’t know of, or have missed out unintentionally.
Taiseidokai runs the yearly Northern Seminar, which is attended by almost all the U.K. senior kendoka and provides high-level instruction and a grading opportunity.
Last year Edinburgh Kendo Club ran its first seminar under its new name, with the head instructor being Paul Budden, rokudan. The plan is to make this an annual event, and to expand the attending sensei and participants.
Kendo in Scotland Today
- Senior Kendoka
The most senior Scottish kendoka is John Hepburn, rokudan renshi. Hepburn sensei initiated the creation of Taiseidokai Kendo Club in Glasgow and was instrumental in the expansion and teaching of the club in Edinburgh. In this way, he is directly responsible for the training of most of the senior Scottish kendoka that are currently active. He was a member of the U.K. squad for many years, and also squad manager for a while. Three years ago he moved to the Isle of Skye but makes the occasional foray back to the mainland to take part in seminars and gradings.
The day-to-day teaching of kendo at Taiseidokai is run by Gerry Kincaid sensei, godan. Gerry has spent many years travelling to the Foreign Leaders Seminar in Kitamoto. He was a member of the U.K. squad during the mid-90′s and competed in the 1997 World Kendo Championship in Kyoto.
Steve Bishop sensei, yondan, is the current head instructor at Edinburgh Kendo Club. Steve spent many years studying kendo and has – through this channel – moved into the arena of sports science. He recently graduated from University with an Honours degree in Sport Science and often spends time trying to marry the traditional aspects of kendo with his chosen academic discipline – this leads to an interesting mix of traditional teaching methods and the latest Sports Science methodologies (both Physical and Psychological). Steve was a member of the U.K. squad during the mid-90′s and was a participating member of the national squad that reached the 1/4 finals in the 1994 Paris World Championships. Steve hopes to be the next ‘Scottish’ kendoka (he’s English!) to reach godan, and he sits his exam later this year.
Taiseidokai is also lucky to have two more senior members: Jim Corey sensei, godan, and Don Sutherland sensei, yondan. Both are outstanding individuals with very good kendo knowledge.
Edinburgh kendo club senior members include not only myself but Ray Flockhart, nidan, and Mike Rooney, nidan. Both contribute fully to the club and are dedicated to the promotion of kendo in Scotland. Mike designed the Edinburgh Kendo Club mon, which is a traditional Scottish celtic knot design combined with a Japanese red sun.
- Scottish Kendoka in the U.K. National Squad
Most of the active senior Scottish kendoka have, at one time or another, been part of the U.K. squad: John Hepburn, Gerry Kincaid, Steve Bishop, Gillian Riddoch, and myself, as well as Brian Kay and Romilly Squire.
For the 12th World Kendo Championships, two Scottish kendoka will participate: Gillian Riddoch and George McCall.
Gillian, at yondan, is one of the U.K.s most senior female kendoka. She is also one of the most experienced squad members internationally, having competed in four European Championships and one World Championships (Kyoto ’97). Gillian began kendo in Taiseidokai Edinburgh shortly before myself. After graduating from University she became a mainstay at Taiseidokai Glasgow. She now helps to teach at a University club in Northern England.
My route to the World Championships is a bit more complicated. I began kendo in Taiseidokai Edinburgh, before moving to NYC, where I studied at Ken-Zen dojo under Ebihara sensei. I then moved to London and trained at Hizen under Jeff Humm sensei. After a brief stint in Japan I returned to take over Edinburgh Kendo Club (then Seishinkan). Since then I have competed in two European Championships, and am looking forward to my first World Championships.
- Current Kendo Dojo in Scotland
There are two active and vibrant dojo in Scotland, both sharing a common ancestry. As such there are strong relations between the dojo senior members, with many having known each other over a number of years. Members are also encouraged to attend practise in each others dojo, with Sundays at Glasgow being a very lively keiko session.
Both dojo are, however, limited to Scotland?s two main cities: Edinburgh and Glasgow. There is a very small Taiseidokai off-shoot in Glencoe, but above and beyond this there is nowhere else in Scotland to study kendo.
Dojo: Edinburgh Kendo Club
Instructors: Steve Bishop, George McCall, Ray Flockhart, and Mike Rooney
Website: http://www.edinburghkendo.co.uk/
Contact: information@edinburghkendo.co.uk
Times and Locations: Tuesday and Friday (check website for details)
Dojo: Taiseidokai Kendo Club
Instructors: Gerry Kincaid, Jim Corey, and Don Sutherland
Website: http://kendoglasgow.members.easyspace.com/
Contact: 100040.106@compuserve.com
Times and Locations: Tuesday and Thursday (Kelvin Hall), and Sunday (Bellahouston Sports Centre)
- Current Iaido and Jodo Dojo in Scotland
At the time of writing there was only one active Iaido and Jodo dojo in Scotland.
Dojo: Shonenjiku
Instructors: Billy Smart and Hugh Derby
Website: NA
Contact: billy.smart@bt.com
Times and Locations: Tuesday and Friday (Knightswood Secondary School)
The Future
The future of kendo in Scotland looks bright. Both clubs have a strong membership base of about 20+ which is continually growing. Last November Jim Corey became our latest godan (#3), with Steve Bishop and Don Sutherland both attempting the grade soon. We currently have two Scottish kendoka competing in the World Kendo Championships, and both clubs have younger members with squad potential.
That the 12th World Kendo Championships is taking place in Glasgow will again enhance and promote kendo in Scotland, and we hope to see new members due to this event.
- World Kendo Championships, Glasgow, July 4th – 6th 2003. More information: www.kendochampionships.com
- Post WKC Keiko, Edinburgh, Tuesday July 8th 2003 To take advantage of the increased kendo activity in Scotland, Edinburgh Kendo Club has decided to host a friendly and informal keiko in our beautiful city of Edinburgh. We realise that there will be many people coming to Scotland to experience the Championships – competitors, officials, and spectators – who would love the opportunity to get together for some friendly practise and, at the same time, have the opportunity to visit the U.K.’s most beautiful city.
This keiko is open to everyone regardless of experience, with the aim of encouraging friendly kendo relations and promoting kendo in Scotland.
More information: www.edinburghkendo.co.uk
Summary
As stated above, this is a first attempt at collecting and putting on paper information about kendo in Scotland. I hope it provides interesting information and that it adds to your stay in Scotland.
Myself, and all at Edinburgh Kendo Club look forward to meeting Kendo World readers, both at the World Kendo Championships and in Edinburgh itself.
- George McCall, 2003.
