Welcome to Davao Kendo Club

Davao Kendo Club (ダバオ 剣道 クラブ) was founded on May 31, 2014, by Phillip Lim, 3rd Dan, along with a group of committed pioneering students. Their goal is to promote the principles and practices of Kendo in Davao. Significantly, it is the first Official Kendo club to be established in Mindanao after World War II.

Guided by its instructors and visiting senseis, the club is dedicated to training new kendokas and fervently upholds the virtues and etiquette (reigi) essential to Kendo practice. The commitment to these principles ensures that the club not only teaches skills, and physical aspects of Kendo but also instills the core values and discipline that define the martial art.

Club Resident and Visiting Sensei/Senpai:

Phillip Lim, 3rd Dan
Matsuda Kazuya, 3rd Dan
Paul Minoza, 4th Dan
Kitai Shingaki, 5th Dan
Masahiro Ono, 7th Dan
David Yeo, 7th Dan


The Davao Kendo Club is a proud member of the United Kendo Federation of the Philippines.

The club pioneered the establishment of school-based Kendo clubs in Davao, including:

Davao Doctors College Kendo Club (2015) – First school-based Kendo club in Davao*
Ateneo De Davao Kendo Club (2017) – First university-based Kendo club in Davao*
Davao City High National School Kendo Club (2022) – First public school in the Philippines to have a school-based Kendo club
Lyceum of the Philippines University Davao Kendo Club (LPUDKC) (January 2024)

*-currently on hiatus/re-establishing their kendo club