Welcome to Dublin Kendo Kobukai
Learn Authentic Japanese Weapon Arts
Now Enrolling Jodo Students in our Monday Class
Unleash Your Inner Samurai!
You learn about our new 2026 beginners courses in all three arts: Iaido, Jodo & Kendo below.
Registration for the Iaido Beginners Course has closed
IAIDO - The Art of the Samurai Sword
Iaido is the art of Japanese Samurai Swordsmanship. How to draw, cut and sheathe the Japanese Samurai Sword in a fluid combination. It is a highly detailed, specialized art that also involves the study of military strategic thought and samurai philosophy. In virtually all schools of Iai, the kata/waza are composed of four essential elements.
Our 10-Week IAIDO Beginners Courses teach you how to draw and cut in a single fluid motion, how to deliver a finishing blow, how to clean and sheathe the sword, block, parry, thrust and strike, samurai tactics, strategy and life philosophy and so much more.
Registration for our current course has closed.
Please contact us to join the waiting list for out next course.
KENDO - The Way of the Sword
Kendo means "Way of the Sword". It is a traditional Japanese martial art of sword-fighting which was developed as a safe way for Samurai to practice their swordsmanship.
All of the instructors in our Adult Kendo Classes have achieved at least the ranking of 5th Dan in kendo, have multiple years of kendo coaching experience, and have represented Ireland in multiple international competitions abroad.
At the end of our 8-week Kendo Beginners Course, you will be expected to:
- Understand and demonstrate fundamental kendo values and attitudes
- Know how to properly hold and swing a Japanese sword
- Show good posture and proper kendo footwork
- Execute basic attacking techniques in kendo
- Be ready to progress to our regular kendo classes
- And even speak a little bit of Japanese!
Learn More and Sign up Today!
Now Enrolling Students for our Monday Jodo Class
JODO - The Way of the Stick
Jodo is the art of using the jo, a 4-foot stick to fight and defeat an opponent armed with a (wooden) sword. Jodo is one of, if not the, most practical samurai martial arts ever developed. The stick is a simple weapon. Every household has a broomstick. And yet, the stick has numerous advatnages of other traditional weapons.
The Jo can thrust like a spear, sweep like a halbred, strike and "cut" like a sword. And do so equally from the left and right, as both ends of the jo can be used, unlike the sword, where the design of the weapon only allows cutting from the blade. As both ends of the jo can be used without impediment, the jo can be used in continuous and flowing fashion, preventing counter attack and doubling it’s offensive capacity.
We're going to teach you the same techniques, the same moves, the same samurai strategies taught to the Japanese Police, and developed from a 400-year-old authentic Samurai Stick Fighting method.
Just shoot us an email letting us know you want to try Jodo and we'll arrange a free taster session for you. If you like it, you can join our Jodo Beginners Course.
Our Jodo beginners' course has a rolling start date, so you can join any time. The Jodo beginners' course will run for three months from when you start, although we can make allowances for missed dates. The Beginners course is only available on our Monday evening class.
Check out some of the Dojo Videos!
The following are some recent clips from our seminars and public demonstrations.
Irish Kendo: 20 Years in the Making
Taking a behind the scenes look at the recent Kendo Seminar, part of the 20 year anniversary celebrations. You'll see some great Kendo, great instruction, and even greater friendships.
A Journey in Irish Women's Kendo. (IMAC documentary)
An inspirational mini-documentary from the Irish Martial Arts Commission on Dublin Kendo Kobukai member Sophie on her journey from beginner to International Team Captain.
Irish Kendo on TV3
Irish National Kendo Squad members demonstrating Kendo on Saturday AM on TV3 ahead of a demo at the holiday world show at the request of the Japanese Embassy. It was a little last minute, but we think they did great.
Dublin Kendo at Shurikon 2020
A short fun video showing the members of Dublin Kendo Demonstrating Iaido, Jodo and Kendo. And some general fun behind the scenes moments as we enjoyed the 'con.
Batman (Irl - Red - 2) vs Oguzhan (Tur - White -1) - European Jodo Championships 2025 - Yondan Individuals
Dublin Kendo Instructor Batman O'Brien (Jo) with Dublin Kendo Instructor John Kennedy (Tachi) in the Yondan category of the European Jodo Championships 2025.
Kata's demonstrated are ZNKR Jodo: 5. Sakan, 6. Monomi and 7. Kasumi.
European Jodo Championships 2025 Teams - Spain (1) Vs Ireland (2)
Dublin Kendo Instructor John Kennedy opens with the Jo, with Dublin Kendo Instructor Batman O'Brien as Tachi in the Teams category of the European Jodo Championships 2025.
Kennedy performs ZNKR kata 1. Tsuki Zue, 2. Suigetsu and 3. Hissage. O'Brien then performs kata 7. Kasumi, 8. Tachi Otoshi and 9. Rai Uchi
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Click Below to Learn How You Can Start Training in Each Art!
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