Dojo Portrait, Goshikan: Nordfyn Kendo Club Part I
Age: 4th youngest in Denmark
Population: 16
剛志館 meaning a stark and manly place
Member count: 6 men, 1 woman, 1 girl, 6 boys
Trainer count: 3
Website: http://www.kendosyd.dk/new-page
Training frequency: 2 times a week
Training level: mudansha and yudansha mix
Goshikan stands out from all other dojos in Denmark. It is the only dojo that has people who are also dedicated members of other dojos, for example Gakushinkan, Goninkan, Shushikan and Shinshikan. It is also the only dojo that has members who are actually sensei at other dojos, but when keiko starts at Goshikan they are the students. Goshikan is the grandfather dojo of Danish kendo.
So what do Goshikan’s students say about their experiences there?
“Nordfyn Kendo is the best club to train in, if you are serious about improving your kendo. Vejle kendo is good for learning the basics and fundamentals, but Nordfyn is a fantastic place to build on that knowledge and develop, practical, beautiful kendo. Combining training at the two clubs has allowed me to expedite my kendo development.”
“I like the opportunity to be able to train myself and have choices that are entirely special at Nordfyn Kendo Club. In addition, Yukio always takes the time to guide someone in the right direction.I have taken his teachings and programs back to my own club.
“I train kendo three times a week, to of them in Odense. I go to Bogense on Wednesdays, because I’m part of the talent team and I’m part of the talent team, in hopes of making the national team eventually. The opportunities to improve are great there and it is all because of the club members. That’s the main reason I go. They have built a fantastic culture, it makes you want to come back no matter what. They also have really high level kenshi, from whom I can get feedback and improve my kendo. They are just in general really nice people….”
"They have a great culture and a really high level of kendo. There is also a big focus on shiai and what you need to succeed..”
“The energy there is completely different right from the start, it’s both fun and focused the whole time. The cuture is the same, everyone greets each other and enjoys training together, old and new members alike.”
“There is a real sense of community in Nordfyn kendo , where everyone cheers you on and goes that extra mile.”
“It’s a higher energy, the club has built up good fundamentals, so training doesn’t have to focus on explanation anymore. It’s just Ready-Set-Go!”
Goshikan is the dojo in Denmark that holds the most events. They hold joint training six times a year and a gatsushuku (summercamp) in July. They often have a little tournament before Yule and will be holding a beginners tournament in October. for alle kendoka in Danmark who are shodan or lower. One of the goals is to train the highest level yudansha to become judges, so Denmark could begin to hold more serious tournaments. Goshikan is the heart of Danish kendo.