Hello, My name is Phil McLaughlin and I am the dojo leader for Southampton Kendo club.

I have studied kendo for 26 years and I hold the rank of 5th Dan. I am also the regional coach for the south central region of the BKA, meaning that I coordinate and organise club level 1 and 2 courses and accreditation as part of the BKA coaching Scheme.

In the dojo I am called sensei or teacher, but as a 5th Dan this is honorific rather than an absolute right. Normally in a Japanese dojo the sensei is 7th Dan or above. However it is good form for students to address the senior person as sensei so that is what we do.

My approach to Kendo is quite old school. I teach simple, orthodox, Kendo and encourage my students to study the same. Kendo comes to us from the Japanese teachers in a very standard form. It is very important then to teach it in the same way. I don't add anything nor do I take anything away so that if you study Kendo in this dojo you will be at home at any BKA, EKF(European) , FIK (International) or AJKF (Japanese) dojo.

In the west there is considerable debate about whether Kendo is a Martial Art or a Sport. The apparent confusion arises because of the role of competition or Shiai in Kendo. Shiai is a contest, conducted according to rules of competition so can be considered as a sport. Development of Kendo as an activity in the UK and more generally the west is done in sports centres and with the help of sports bodies so further enforcing the concept.

For me though Kendo was, is and always will be a Martial Art with all of the meaning that a martial art carries with it. Most importantly in the modern age being the development of character and the application of mental discipline to everyday life.

That's not to say we don't have fun as well just that we take the study seriously

Anyone who trains in Kendo with me will be taught accordingly. Some clubs decide to specialise in competition and thats fine. Southampton club will I hope become successful in competition as the members develop their skills but we will never sacrifice the principles of Kendo for the sake of winning in competition.

The philosophy of the dojo comes to me from my late teacher Mr E.J. Shaw and is summed up in the
name he gave to his dojo Kagami Shin.

The meaning of this phrase is something for the student to think about.

The last thing to mention is that the club is run on a not for profit basis,
I take no fees but aim to simply break even over the year.