Researching Documentary on post war Kendo and other Martial Artists in Britain

[Sa Mu]

I'm researching a documentary we are making about the personal stories of Martial Artists in Britain from the 40's to the late 60's.

We are looking for people who were around in that period who would be willing to talk about their experiences.

The focus is on the personal experiences and thoughts of those pioneers of modern Martial Arts, in order to create a testament to the work that they did.

If you know any or are one of the above we would love to hear from you.

We are the makers of Kendoka (which was just shown at the Hertfordshire International Film Festival). We have many years of experience film making but are also long time martial artists ourselves.

Please reply to this thread or contact us directly: martial_legacy@macrocreativehouse.com

Many thanks

[GMason]

You could try and contact the Sensei at the Manchester Kendo Dojo, A gentleman named Wilf Swindells (I won't give his age away, but I believe he is one of if not the oldest practicing Kendoka in the UK ???). The club has been going for thirty years now and I believe he is the founder member. Before Kendo he also did ALOT of judo as well, so might be a good bloke to talk to. His contact details are on the BKA website, and he is always wiling to chat.

[Greger]

good choice. Theres lot of information to be revealed to the public. Post-war kendo was very different from the one we have now, included leg sweeps etc. Good luck!'
If your situated in britain right now, go visit 1first the main federation, 2 individual clubs. in kendo dojos most dojo members know eachother, so it shouldnt be a problem to get contact with the older ones. Just ask around.

[shanghaiceltic]

Go to the BKA website and contact the President of the BKA John Howell. He and others like Terry Holt (Mumeishi), Jock Hopson et al will have a lot of background info on what you are looking for.

[chidokan]

a friend of mine, John Sparkes, started in the early sixties and probably has more MA contacts and knowledge than most... he also happens to have the largest MA book collection in the UK....

[jarrett]

If you go to the BKA website and look at the current online news letter you will find an article on the early history of the BKA and kendo in the UK. Hope that helps.

[Sa Mu]

a friend of mine, John Sparkes, started in the early sixties and probably has more MA contacts and knowledge than most... he also happens to have the largest MA book collection in the UK....

Hi Tim,
would you be able to pass me his contact details?

Many thanks

Sam

[Sa Mu]

If you go to the BKA website and look at the current online news letter you will find an article on the early history of the BKA and kendo in the UK. Hope that helps.

Thanks jarrett,
I read the article when I recieved the BKA news in the post. Very good article by sensei Howell with some intersesting insights into the formation of the BKA. Unfortunately it deals with a time slightly too modern for our documentary. We are looking at 1940 - 1960 and the article starts in the late 60's.

Many thanks

Sa mu