Dojo news

Hi everyone, just wanted to let you know there’s new shinai available for purchase at the dojo. They ring in at €40 apiece and I’m told they’re of good quality!

It is with great and deep sadness that I learned my friend and mentor of many years Holt Sensei has passed away,
having shared many adventures with Sensei Holt with his continued support, wise words of advice and encouragement in the development of Renshinjuku. I am eternally grateful for his guidance and companionship throughout the past 34 years.
I shall miss my friend and fellow Kendo practioner and offer my sincere condolences to his family and Mumeishi Kendo Club and throughout the global fellowship of Kendo as this has been a loss to us all.
He will be sadly missed.

Bert Heeren.

This Saturday, the 10th, will be Kikuta-sensei’s last class with our group. He will be moving to another country because of his work. Please join us at the potluck meal, to thank him and give him your best wishes.

To ring in the new year with friends, we’re organizing our traditional New Year’s buffet on January 10th.

The buffet is “pot luck”, so everybody please bring a nice meal to share. Please bring ‘normal’ foods as people often bring too many desserts ;)

The dojo will be closed between 22/12 and 04/01, so we will two full weeks of practice.

Miyahara-sensei would like to remind you that, if you still need to figure out your name in kana for your zekken, that you may ask her for help. :)

We learned with great pleasure that our own Miyahara-sensei passed her fifth Dan exam last weekend. She has put in a lot of hard work over the past years!

We’re celebrating the start of the 2014/15 season, with a combined training and potluck feast. Join us for a huge group training and then have fun and a nice meal with your fellow students.

This takes place on saturday the 6th of September, at 1800 (after the training).

We ask that everyone brings some food to share. It is a “pot luck” party, so make something yummy! Our dojo officials will take care of the drinks. Please bring as much “normal” food as possible, so we have more than just desserts ;)

Dear Kenshi,

The new kendo season is on our doorstep! RSJ-dojo Amstelveen starts Tuesday, August 19th.

Please review the agenda on our website for all kendo activities and the training days/hours.

Progress and objectives:

I believe we must aim for a qualitative development through training with all kendoka. Follow the information on our site for activities such as participating in tournaments and seminars.

The Yudansha of our dojo must be reinforced! Through more attention to kendoka with bogu the kendo-quallity of our kenshi should be increased. I will realize this by coordinating the practice on traditional training forms. To achieve this I have a couple expectations. For example your guarantee for the continuation of your kendo training through training forms and participation in training. From members it is expected that they attend a minimum of three sessions per month!! If you cannot live up to this, you should discuss the matter with me. The initiative for this consultation lies with you.

In previous years Renshinjuku became more of a sport club. This should be changed back to a Budo-club!!

There should be more respect for teachers. Latecomers are not allowed to join in training unless dispensed by the sensei.

Renshinjuku is a kendo dojo where kendoka are given the possibility to come and train and develop their character. I want to do this with active members, not with sponsors; i.e.: members who only pay contribution, but do not come to the dojo for kendo practice. I would rather have a small club with many devotees….

We will also give more attention to training forms for Yudansha. For this I have already prepared a program.
Remind yourself of your personal aim this season in kendo and train accordingly.

For myself I have planned to teach more intensively, among other means by training more and to interfere less with the organization of our club. A number of tasks of the organization can be and are delegated to members.

Inform yourself on the activities you would like to take part in through the agenda on our website.

Anyway, I am entirely ready for the coming season; my shinai have been sharpened and oiled, my hakama and keigogi washed and brushed, and my bogu polished. I am now ready to meet you on the other end of my shinai.

GAMBATE!!!
Bert Heeren sensei
Renshi 6th dan kendo

It has been a long time in coming, but as per this summer the Almere dojo will branch away from Renshinjuku kendo dojo. They will continue to sail the seas of kendo under their own banner: Kendo Almere.

We wish Loyer-sensei and his assistants all the very best. We certainly hope to meet the Almere students at many tournaments!