Ojika Ni Kendo, Iaido And Jodo Dojo is a martial arts school located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The club has been registered with the British Kendo Association since February 2012 and was founded by Dojo Leader John Kelso, who holds the rank of 3rd Dan Kendo. The main goal of the club is to provide opportunities for individuals to practise Kendo in their home country.
Ojika NI Dojo has grown steadily since its establishment, and currently boasts a strong membership base with many members holding Dan levels or ranks in Kendo. The club is also one of the few in the UK to offer Children's Kendo as part of its regular training programme.
In late April 2018, Ojika NI will be introducing Iaido and Jodo into its training schedule, expanding the range of Japanese sword martial arts offered at the dojo.
The dojo is located on Templemore Avenue, directly opposite Templemore Baths. The address is 131 Templemore Avenue, Belfast, BT5 4FW. The training sessions are held in a church hall adjacent to Templemore Hall.
Kendo is the main martial art practised at Ojika NI, and the club is open to participants of all ages. While it is a full-contact martial art, individuals of various ages can participate with appropriate modifications. Those interested in joining or observing a session are encouraged to attend the first session for free.
The club operates on a non-profit basis, with a small fee per session or per month to cover the costs of running the club. This allows for the organisation of events that benefit the club as a whole. Individuals living in Northern Ireland who are interested in starting Kendo or simply want to watch are encouraged to reach out to the club through email at info@ojikani. Com or JimToman@ojikani.
com.
The training times at Ojika NI are as follows: Monday nights from 7:15pm to 9:15pm and Saturdays from 2:45pm to 4:45pm. There are mixed seniors and juniors sessions available. The club has several club officers, including Dojo Leader and Senior Coach John Kelso (Sandan), Resident Coaches Tristan Hann (Yondan) and Jonathan Potter (Yondan), and Sempai/Club Admin/Treasurer Jim Toman (Sandan).
The concept of Kendo is to discipline the human character through the principles of the Katana, the Japanese sword. The purpose of practising Kendo is to mould the mind and body, cultivate a vigorous spirit, and strive for continuous improvement in the art. Kendo also emphasises human courtesy, honour, and sincerity in one's interactions with others. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the development of culture, promote peace, and foster personal growth.
To find out more about Ojika Ni Kendo, Iaido And Jodo Dojo, please visit their social media pages or club directories.