Autumn Seminar 2026 (02-04/10/2026) & Iwatate Cup
Autumn Seminar 2026 (02-04/10/2026) & Iwatate Cup
We are delighted to welcome Asano Seiichirō Sensei (8th Dan Kyōshi) and Suzuki Noriko Sensei (7th Dan Kyōshi) to Copenhagen for our annual Autumn Seminar from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th October 2026.
Both instructors are graduates of the renowned Kokushikan University and have visited Europe on numerous occasions to share their experience and approach to Kendo.
The three-day seminar will focus on correct Kendo fundamentals and their effective application in shiai and shinpan. The seminar will conclude on Sunday with the Fourth Iwatate Cup Championship Tournament.
Please review the participation and competition requirements in the Additional Info section before registering.
IMPORTANT:
The minimum level required to participate in the seminar is 5th Kyu. Participants must be comfortable wearing and training in full bogu. Minimum age for participation in the seminar is 14 years old.
Participation in the seminar is required in order to enter the Fourth Iwatate Cup.
The competition is open to kendoka up to and including 5th Dan.
The minimum age for participation in the Iwatate Cup is 16 years old.
Key Information
Seminar Dates
October 2nd, Friday
October 3rd, Saturday
October 4th, Sunday
Location
October 2nd, Friday: DGI Byen (Tietgensgade 65, 1704 København)
October 3rd, Saturday: TBC
October 4th, Sunday: DGI Byen (Tietgensgade 65, 1704 København)
Instructors
Asano Seiichirō Sensei — 8th Dan Kyōshi
A graduate of Kokushikan University, one of Japan’s leading university Kendo institutions. Asano Sensei has travelled throughout Asia and Europe on numerous occasions, inspiring many kendoka with his approach to Kendo. This will be his third visit to Copenhagen.Suzuki Noriko Sensei — 7th Dan Kyōshi
Also a graduate of Kokushikan University, Suzuki Sensei has made numerous visits to Europe together with senior teachers, including Iwatate Saburō Sensei (8th Dan Hanshi). She was also part of the main delegation to the European Women’s Kendo Seminar in 2024.
Seminar Focus
The seminar will build on the knowledge shared during our previous seminars, with particular attention given to:
Developing and maintaining correct Kendo fundamentals.
Converting strong fundamentals into clear ippon under pressure in shiai.
Observing and judging valid strikes correctly from the perspective of shinpan.
Fourth Iwatate Cup Championship Tournament
The final day of the seminar will conclude with the Fourth Iwatate Cup, named after our sensei, Iwatate Saburō Sensei (8th Dan Hanshi).
The tournament will consist of:
An open Kyu competition.
An open Dan competition.
The first- and second-place winners from the Kyu competition advancing to the Dan competition.
Participation Requirements
Participation in the seminar is required to enter the Fourth Iwatate Cup.
The competition is open to kendoka up to and including 5th Dan.
The minimum level required to participate in the seminar is 5th Kyu.
Participants must be comfortable wearing and training in full bogu.
The minimum age for participation is 14 years old (seminar) and 16 years old (Iwatate Cup).
Language Interpretation
The seminar will be held in English and Japanese. Language interpretation will be provided by:
Yosuke Ueda — 6th Dan
Arpad Maksay — 6th Dan
Both interpreters are members of Kenseikai Copenhagen Kendo Club.