London Club

Thank you to those who have supported us and joined us as early as 2005. All potential visitors can get an idea ahead of what to expect, from our PHOTOS ! take a look first...

We are still small & but seemingly growing, and 2005 was good to "test the waters" not least, we have a decent number of naginata to lend out then, so beginners or foreign visitors, will not need to bring their own, if you give us polite notice.

We have an extremely kind arrangement to store the naginata sticks in the budo cupboard, this offered to REGULAR students who have to travel on public transport. Personal bogu will not be stored, as there is too much club bogu of our own. So long as we don't start putting in 30 sticks all at once, the Kendo club is being very, very generous allowing us space to store equipment.

For those of you who are also Kendo, the new year's resolution in 2007 was to get you students into bogu - this we achieved !! but we still need to up our game on the keiko and shiai experience !!! so efforts to turn up for 12pm for bogu practice first, is only for your pain & gain. We sometimes 'drift over' - if basketball or football don't kick us off promptly...

By the enormous generosity of Kawasaki Naginata Precture, London students will know we have 8 pairs of club sune-ate (shin protectors). We have also managed to acquire slowly by donation, 5 pairs of the Naginata Kote (split finger gloves). Again buying your own in slow time (without pressure) as people become more established students would be beneficial to you as Naginata students. We also have a few Naginata sticks. Forwarning of your visit will ensure one Naginata stick, has "your name on it" reserved.

Starting small also means we have been deeply appreciative of the generosity, of the seniors of local Kendo club. Again it must be made clear, we are totally independent of Kendo (& any association/federation) - we simply share cupboard space (& go for beers some times) with the local Kendo club which follows immediately after our Naginata class, on the other side of the large practice hall.

Such arrangement has been a private arrangement locally, - so please respect the position that local Kendo club has put itself in - it does though make for a great Budo spirit and atmosphere as two key budo is offered during an entire Saturday daytime, in one training hall. Bring sandwiches/chocolate bars, if you want to practice both, you'll need the energy !

It is on the Kendo experience of teaching, that Rachel, the sensei (coach) felt confident to teach and open a Naginata club. She will do her best to teach you all, many of whom, already know her very well as a Kendo assistant instructor.

NEW people, both British and foreign, please email before you visit the London club, so as not to avoid disappointment, and ensure we are there to greet you. If you are a complete beginner, you may be asked to watch your first lesson, and of course this will not be charged (standard £4­). If you are experienced, we’d still like to have forewarning of your arrival, especially if you do not bring your own equipment, as no doubt you will be asking us to borrow it (!).

Please email us, and we’d be delighted to welcome you, and integrate you into the class as soon as possible.