830 State Rd. (Rt. 206) Princeton, New Jersey

Welcome to Princeton Kendo & Iaido Club
"Dojo for the Serious Student"

Photo updates  2010  2010 Iaido Shinsa Up Coming Events: REMINDER! annual AUSKF fees are DUE this week!! 16 and under $30; Adult $50 Club ordered 12 (39") and 3 (38") Good Quality Shinai. These Shinai will be available for sale on 2/14/10 @ $25 each. This is first come first serve basis - cash only please. Next Iaido Seminar with John Prough Sensei: 3/7/10 11:00 ~ 2:00pm 2010 Iaido Shinsa Results: (PHOTO) John Shen - 2nd Dan Geoffrey Underhill - 1st Dan Andrew Walsh - 1st Kyu Peter Walsh - 1st Kyu Robert Banas - 2nd Kyu Devin McKernan - 3rd Kyu

Princeton Kendo & Iaido Schedule
Classes are held every Sundays and Tuesdays
Today is
Please check back every Saturdays night, schedule may change without notice!!!!!

Kendo, is composed of two kanji: "ken", meaning sword, and "Do", meaning 'the way/path of'. Together the term is literally the "way of the sword". It is a martial arts tradition spawned by the traditional school of swordsmanship (ryu) of ancient Japan, and was practiced by and large by the bushi, or samurai class of the era. As practice with real blades is inherently dangerous, the schools developed a dummy sword called a shinai, and a set of protective equipment called bogu which protects the head (men), wrists (kote), chest (do), and groin (tare).

Kendo training is based on a variety of movements of attack and defense know as waza. Most fundamental are stance, footwork, cuts, thrusts, feints, and parries. Though is it a highly strenuous activity, kendo is also a means to strengthen the mind and the will to to improve oneself. It is this aspect of kendo that attracts many of its most devoted practitioners. A Kendo bout with skilled opponent is an intense experience. For a moment in time concentration is absolute, conscious thought is suppressed, and action is instinctive. Such training develops in the serious student powers of resolution and endurance under pressure which frequently affects his or her life beyond the confines of the training hall.

Iaido, In the beginning Iai-jutsu was a part of Ken-jutsu. When time passed and as a result of the relatively peaceful Tokugawa period many masters saw in Iaido an excellent way of developing spiritual, mental and physical discipline. Iaido was born. Iaido does not actually mean overcoming an enemy, but overcoming one's own self. The only and the most dangerous opponent in Iaido is the iaidoka themself.

"Kendo and Iaido Exist together and relate to each other like Yin and Yang."
- Ueno Satanori Sensei, Iaido Hanshi 8th Dan  ZNKR

Think you are too old to start Kendo? Mochida Moriji Hanshi Kendo 10th Dan 1885-1974 Mochida Sensei wrote: There are many people who practice kendo that believe that they have completed their practice of the kendo fundamentals during the beginner stage and only attempt to relate to them theoretically thereafter.  However, this is a big misconception to the pursuit of true kendo. Until you are 50 years old, you must endeavor to practice the fundamentals of kendo and make it a part of you. It has taken me 50 years to learn the fundamentals of kendo by body. It was not until I became 50 years old that I started my true kendo training.  This is because I practiced kendo with all my heart and spirit. When one becomes 60 years old, the legs are not as strong as they once were.  It is the spirit that overcomes this weakness.  It is through a strong spirit that one can overcome the inevitability of the body becoming physically weaker. When I became 70 years old, the entire body became weaker.  I found that the next step is to practice the concept of not moving ones spirit (immovable spirit) when practicing kendo.  When one is able to achieve the state of an immovable spirit, your opponent's spirit and will manifests itself to you.  I tried to achieve a calm and immovable spirit at this stage in my life. When I became 80 years old, I achieved the state of the immovable spirit.  However, there are times when a random thought will enter my mind.  I am striving to eliminate these random thoughts at this state in my life. Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm3CmNE72Bw   At age of 89, still practice daily!

So! why train?

It would be absurd in modern society to use a sword as a weapon of self-defense. So why train at all??
During the Kendo match, one must remember battle between swordsmen is a life and death situation and every cut may be the last. In order to deliver a successful cut, you must overcome fear, panic, fright and confusion before, during and after a cut. It is through this, Kendo can improve your focus, insight and complex decision making and hopefully, you will improve yourself.
Simplify put it, Kendo and Iaido provides an opportunity for you to have an insight into your true self.

"The purpose of today's training ... is to defeat yesterday's understanding."
- Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645)

Cherry Hill Ken-yu Kai  Loosely translated as "Cherry Hill, friend of  swordsman" is an organization dedicated to traditional Japanese Swordsmanship, with following affiliated dojos New Jersey Kendo Iaido Naginata
Princeton Kendo & Iaido Club	Princeton University Kendo Club
Ken Wa Kan A.K.A. West Chester Kendo Club	National Tsing Hua University Kendo Club
For membership, please contact individual dojo.  University club open to student only.

Quick links:

Ä Kendo regulations and refereeing rules

Ä Kendo and Iaido Shinsa (Promotion Test) requirements

Ä Kendo and Iaido Terminology

Proud Members of ZNKR, AUSKF and EUSKF

Special thanks to Ms. Susan Winter and her ATA Tae kwon do Federation for the use of her training facilities. 
Tel: 609-430-0200
Email PrincetonATA@aol.com 
ATA Tae Kwon Do: http://www.princetonata.com

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