The 2025 Lidstone
Memorial Kyūsha Taikai
Saturday 11th October 2025
From 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Venue: London South Bank University Academy Sports Hall, Trafalgar Street, Southwark, London SE17 2TP
Entrance fee: £10 for those registering in advance and £15 on the day
The taikai is open for kyu grades with less than 3 years' experience (not including the 2 year lockdown period of 2020 and 2021). Minimum age 18.
Dan grades are welcome to volunteer to referee. Referee selection will be after a short referee seminar by the chief referee (one hour before the taikai begins). All other dan grades are welcome to join the keiko at the end of the day to pass on their experience to the kyu competitors.
The 2025 Lidstone Memorial Kyusha Taikai
Every year, we celebrate the legacy of Charles Lidstone who was one of the earliest Kendo teachers in Europe, leader of Nenriki Dojo from its inception in 1966 and a person who took particular interest in nurturing beginners.
The taikai is specifically aimed at kendoka new to the art.
Eligibility: minimum age 18, kyu grade with less than 3 years experience (not including the 2 year lockdown period of 2020 and 2021)
- Pools of "training shiai" (Shiai Geiko) with advice on what to do in a shiai environment by seniors.
- The taikai will follow afterwards and the day ends with open jigeiko for all, both participants and guests.
We look forward to seeing you!