10th Kendo World Keiko-kai
🌸 Announcement for the 2026 Kendo World Keiko-kai in Sakura City, Chiba! 🌸
"Crossing Swords & Borders" (交剣無境 – koken mukyo) has been the motto of Kendo World since its establishment in 2001, as our mission is to bring kendo and other Japanese budo arts to the international community. To live up to that ideal, we are thrilled to invite all international kenshi to the 10th Kendo World Keiko-kai in Sakura City, Chiba, on November 28, 2026!
This year we are hosting a special collaborative event with "Kendo-jin no Tsudoi" (Gathering of Kendo Practitioners), organised by Wishton Hotel Yukari as one of their projects to introduce and publicise the rich history and culture of kendo and martial arts found in Sakura City and Chiba Prefecture. By bringing together kenshi from all over Japan with international practitioners, it is our aim to build genuine bonds beyond borders through kendo.
Keiko will be held at the historic Sakura Seishonen Gymnasium, a beautiful wooden dojo originally constructed as a budojo for the Sakura domain. This was the venue for the 9th Kendo World Keiko-kai held in October 2026. After keiko there will be a party at the Wishton Hotel Yukari featuring special guest, Kendo Kyoshi 8-dan Nakamura Mitsuru-sensei, a professor at Juntendo University. Accommodation packages and a joint practice with Sakura City and the surrounding area kendoka on November 29 are also available!
🗓 Date: Saturday November 28 – Sunday November 29, 2026
📍 Keiko Venue: Sakura Seishonen Gymnasium (Sakura City Youth Gymnasium)
📍 Party & Hotel: Wishton Hotel Yukari (Directly connected to Keisei Yukarigaoka Station)
🕒 Schedule:
Saturday November 28*
13:00: Meet up.
13:30–14:30: 8-dan sensei instruction.
14:50–15:50: Keiko + commemorative photo.
16:30: Transfer to Wishton Hotel Yukari for party participants.
18:00–20:00: "Kendo-jin no Tsudoi" evening party (Guest: K8-dan Nakamura Mitsuru-sensei)
Sunday November 29*
11:00–12:30 - Joint keiko with Sakura City kendo practitioners (Shuttle bus available for hotel guests)
*Please note that the schedule may be subject to change
💴 Packages (Tax included):
There are a number of different packages available to suit different schedules and wallets.
November 28: Keiko-kai only - ¥2,000 (pay in cash at venue)
November 28: Keiko-kai + evening party - ¥10,000 (pay in advance by bank transfer**)
November 28-29: Keiko-kai + evening earty + Hotel (1 night inc. breakfast) + November 29 Joint keiko - ¥18,760 (pay in advance by bank transfer**)
November 29: Joint keiko only - ¥2,000 (pay in cash at venue)
**Please note that these fees are non-refundable as hotel rooms and party places have to be confirmed and paid for in advance.
📩 Contact & Registration:
Capacity is limited to 50 participants (First-come, first-served)
To register, please contact Michael Ishimatsu-Prime via email: m.i.prime@kendo-world.com
Please state your name, nationality, age, dan grade, and package.
Even though the Kendo World Keiko-kai is aimed at foreign kendo practitioners, Japanese kendoka are of course more than welcome to participate!
More updates will follow in the coming days and weeks as the 8-dan who will be attending confirm their attendance. Please keep checking the Kendo World homepage for details as well as our Facebook.
The Kendo World Team is looking forward to welcoming you to and practicing with you in Sakura!
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