Kazuo Yamazaki and Etsuko Yamazaki

On the 12th of June 2016 at Cults Academy during the Japan Day celebrations, a special ceremony took place as part of the Scottish Samurai awards for 2016.   The ceremony held was to acknowledge a great man, a great leader and a distinguished teacher from Japan and his wife in recognition of their work in Scotland in promoting the friendship and communication between our two cultures.  

Sensei Kazuo Yamazaki  now 5th Dan in Kendo first came to Aberdeen for work and founded the Aberdeen Kendo Club. Despite since returning to Japan he still travels back to the Aberdeen club to encourage and develop the ethos of Kendo and Budo..

Behind every great man there is a great woman. With Kazou Sensei it is certainly the case. 

Etsuko Yamazaki is awarded the OSS Legendary Samurai for her work in assisting her husband and in promoting the friendship between Scotland and Japan.

“Kendo has been in Aberdeen for many years and was brought to Aberdeen by Kazuo Yamazaki, 5th Dan Kendo who now resides in Japan. Upon setting up the club Mr Yamazaki wished the ethos of Kendo to be upheld.

The purpose of Kendo is: To Mould the Mind and Body and To Cultivate a Vigorous Spirit.

Through correct and rigid training: To strive for improvement in the art of Kendo to hold in esteem human courtesy and honour to associate with others with sincerity and to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.

Thus one will be able: To love ones country and society

To contribute to the development of culture and to promote prosperity among all people.

Kendo in Aberdeen is taught with this ethos in mind, so one can build a better self and a better community.

Using the philosophy of “Everyone is everyone’s teacher” you should always have an open mind to everyone that you meet, in and out of the Dojo and be the best of yourself at all times.”

Aberdeen City Council

Ronnie Watt (9th Dan) OBE ORS would like to thank special guests the Lord Provost of Aberdeen George Adam, The Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh Daisuke Matsunaga, Lord Charles Bruce and Ross Thompson MSP for their help in presenting the awards.