INSTRUCTORS
KAICHO
Instructor Rank: Chuden Renshi Kaku, menjo awarded in Aug 2021
Student Rank: Ji-I, menjo awarded in Nov 2017
Instructing classes at Cairnhill CC (Fridays)
*As of 2020, Jeffery Tie has stepped down from the role of Singapore Shibucho and passed the torch to Xuan Kai to lead Shinkendo Shimbukan Singapore on to greater heights
Jeffery Tie believes that the Educated Gentleman is well versed in both the Literary and the Martial. His aspect of the Martial found expression in both Aikido and Shinkendo.
Jeffery is a registered People's Association trainer and is certified in First Aid.
The Singapore Shinkendo Dojo was originally started by Lonnie Oaks Sensei in 2002, and his Dojo, Kazeyama, was the very first Shinkendo Dojo in Asia. Unfortunately, Lonnie Sensei has since retired from the Shinkendo Federation in 2006. As Jeffery was the most senior student, Founder and President Obata Toshishiro, tasked Jeffery with nurturing the growth of the Singapore Dojo which has since been renamed Shimbukan by Obata Kaiso. Under Jeffery's watch and guidance, Shinkendo has spread to Indonesia and the Philippines. From time to time, Jeffery travels to the Dojos in both countries, conducting classes as well as gradings for their students.
The Martial Arts Philosophy has deep application to all other aspects of life and Obata Kaiso's teachings has had a positive influence on those who've had the opportunity to train with him. Jeffery applies the same Shinkendo Philosophy in his working life, which is trading in financial markets. This in turn affirms the belief that both the Literary and the Martial are essential components for a life well lived.
SHIBUCHO
Instructor Rank: Shoden Renshi
Student Rank : Hyaku-I
Instructing classes at Cairnhill CC (Wednesdays & Saturdays)
*As of 2020, with the approval of Yukishiro Soke & Jeffery Tie Sensei:
Chen Xuan Kai has taken up the role of Singapore Shibucho
Xuan Kai was an avid Japanese sword appreciator during his tertiary studies before taking a serious appreciation to traditional Japanese Martial Arts. He graduated from Nanyang Technological University (2011) with a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.) in Materials Science and Engineering and is currently a Sales Director with RHI Magnesita GmbH. Due to the nature of his work, he travels frequently in East Asia & the Asia Pacific region and enjoys exploring new places and gaining new insights into different cultures.
He has been an active member of Shinkendo Shimbukan Singapore since December 2009 and has since attended 4 seminars with Obata Kaiso (two in Singapore and two in Jakarta), 1 seminar with Yukishiro Soke (in Philippines) and 2 seminars with Roland Lajos Sensei (in Singapore). He has a prior background in Taekwondo and is also a registered People’s Association Instructor and First Aider (Singapore Red Cross Society).
As an Instructor, he is open-minded, approachable and enjoys training hard! He seeks to impart a practical understanding of Japanese Swordsmanship techniques and philosophy to his students. Quizzes and pressure-testing of learnt techniques are often part and parcel of his teaching methodology.
“My philosophy is that goals are achieved through hard work fueled by passion and discipline. I have a sense of fulfillment when I see people coming together to support each other and bettering themselves as a whole.
I also believe that the Best Is Yet to Be! Life is an endless journey of experiences and it is important that I make a conscious effort to improve myself a step at a time. To not get complacent and keep myself on my toes.
I think this can be done most effectively by leveraging on shared knowledge coupled with experience. Likewise, in martial arts, knowing an effective technique and knowing how or when to apply it are two very different things. Therefore, I believe in testing ourselves regularly to hone skills and to never stop trying because failures can be the best lessons!
Martial Arts can get very technical at times, but constantly seek to execute perfect technique during duress and in a variety of situations in order to gain experience. I think this kind of mentality applies to work and living as well in order for one to become truly successful!”
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Instructor Rank: Shoden Renshi Kaku
Student Rank : Hyaku-I
Instructing classes at Cairnhill CC (Wednesdays & Saturdays)
Ian Teo works at Ubisoft, enjoying the games that he checks assiduously for quality.
He started his martial arts journey with Aikido (Aikikai) and has moved on to trying other martial arts, such as those taught by Kevin Secours, FEMA etc.
Ian instructs Wednesday classes as well as helping out with new students. In addition, he applies practical training concepts and ideas from other martial arts in teaching Shinkendo in a more cohesive way.
Ian as attended 4 seminars with Obata Kaiso (2011 & 2015, in Singapore and 2013 & 2017, in Indonesia), 1 seminar with Yukishiro Soke (2019, in Philippines) and two seminars with Roland Lajos Sensei held in Singapore previously.
Instructor Rank: Kenshuin
Student Rank: Goho
Assisting Instructor at Cairnhill CC
Lim Zeng Yang had joined the Shinkendo Shimbukan Singapore dojo in 2008 during his Polytechnic days, driven by his passion and determination for the Japanese sword. To him, it was a childhood dream come true. Since then, He had never looked back nor regretted making his decision to pursue a lifetime education in the martial art of Shinkendo.
Under the guidance of Sensei Jeffrey Tie & Shinkendo Founder Kaiso Toshishiro Obata,
Zeng Yang was able to obtain valuable experiences and mature both as a person and a martial artist. He is positively influenced by Obata Kaiso's philosophies and believes that changes in ourselves will also affect others around us, therefore we must all strive to improve ourselves so that we may influence others to improve too.
To Zeng Yang, teaching Shinkendo means to impart the knowledge of the traditional Samurai Swordsmanship and their philosophies to willing and matured parties. It also serves as a form of personal cultivation, to deepen our understanding of the art, as we also learn from teaching others. It also gives him a chance to positively influence others in their mindset and their way of living.
"Every Journey begins with a single step." Nobody can become a master in a single day. To pursue the martial arts, forging our mind and body is a lifetime of mastery, in short it is our way of life. Life is art, Life is Shinkendo."
Jinsei Shinkendo!
Instructor Rank: Kenshuin
Student Rank: Shiho
Assisting Instructor at Cairnhill CC (Fridays)
Azhar Hamid joined Shinkendo Shimbukan Singapore dojo in 2011 .
Azhar has a passion for Japanese culture, especially in Japanese Martial Arts. He has training in Aikido, and this led him to Shinkendo . He has demonstrated dedication to self improvement, and has also expressed his willingness to share and to teach, so that new students can be properly guided.
Jinsei Shinkendo!
*As of 2020, Stanley has stepped down from Shinkendo to focus on Aikido. We are forever grateful for his many contributions to Shinkendo Singapore since it's formative stages in 2003 and seek to build on the lessons and wisdom he has imparted to us as a pioneer leader, teacher and friend
Instructor Rank: Shoden Renshi Kaku, menjo awarded in Nov 2017
Student Rank: Ren-I, menjo awarded in 2017
Aikikai Aikido Rank: Yodan (Jul 2018)
Stanley Ang currently works at SAP, the German software company as a Global Senior Director overseeing the standardization & simplification of the company’s Sales Forecast Process. He graduated with a MBA (Hons) from Nanyang Tech University (1998) in Singapore and a Bachelors Degree in Computer Engineering from the University of British Columbia (1992), Canada.
Stanley’s martial arts journey started in Jan 1996 in Aikido (Aikikai style) under Philip Lee Sensei (Aikido Shinjukai), attaining first Yudansha level in 2000 (examiner Yoshiaki Yokota Hombu Shihan) and has since been heavily influenced by the late Shihan Hironobu Yamada (a student of Shihan Hiroshi Tada) since 1999. Stanley still practices, motivates and coaches Aikido in Singapore.
Stanley started practicing Shinkendo under Lonnie Oaks Sensei in Singapore back in 2003; whom he has taught and shared much with. During July 2017 - 2018, Stanley took on the role of Shibucho of Shinkendo Singapore.
*As of 2022, Jie Yu has stepped down from Shinkendo to pursue other interests. We thank her for the many years of dedication and fun memories shared.
Instructor Rank: Kenshuin
Student Rank: Goho Mokuroku
Assisting Instructor at Toa Payoh South CC
Jie Yu is immensely interested in the arts and culture of other countries, especially Japan. She graduated from Nanyang Technological University (2013) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She is currently an UI/UX designer in E-learning and/or mobile apps/websites. Due to her diverse interest in many aspect of the arts, she finds joy in learning from her wide range of hobbies (including painting, costuming, travelling etc) and commitments in life.
She has been an active member of Shinkendo Shimbukan Singapore since year 2009 and has since attended four seminars with Obata Kaiso (two in Singapore and two in Jakarta), one seminar with Yukishiro Soke (in Philippines) and two seminars with Roland Lajos Sensei (in Singapore). She is a registered People’s Association Instructor and First Aider (Singapore Red Cross Society).
She is also a friendly and understanding instructor, enjoying teaching and learning from and with her students. She enjoys Shinkendo as an artform and philosophy, on top of its martial aspects. Thus as an instructor, she hopes her student learns Shinkendo sword techniques in a safe and practical way.
Personal Objective/Mission:
“I strongly believe in the motto Jinsei Shinkendo. Enjoying what life can offer, I believe it is important to strike a balance in my diverse interests and serious life commitments. Therefore, Jinsei Shinkendo is a philosophy I try to practice in life, as well as to impart to more of Shinkendokas to come.”
*As of 2022, Deepak has stepped down from Shinkendo to pursue other interests. We thank him for the many years of dedication and fun memories shared.
Instructor Rank: Kenshuin
Student Rank: Goho Mokuroku
Assisting Instructor at Toa Payoh South CC
Deepak joined Shinkendo Shimbukan Singapore while still serving National Service. Since then he has gone from being a full-time animation student and a part-time music teacher to being a project manager in an E-Learning Company (Inchone Pte Ltd). His current work, in the corporate, government and military sectors, allows him to meet with many interesting individuals from all walks of life.
The Fun thing about a job that requires one to always think on their feet is that there's never a dull moment to be had.
Hobbies include most (if not all) things Fun. Deepak enjoys reading loads of comics and novels, physical conditioning, clay sculpting (or just sculpting in general...it’s all good), making props, illustration, creating 3D and 2D environments, playing games, composing music, and last but least; learning about different forms of martial arts with the intention of bringing them into illustrated and animated works, as well as to understand different cultures.
Deepak enjoys learning about other cultures, Japanese being top on the list. He believes learning about the different cultures allows one to understand and appreciate the uniqueness of every individual. Above all else, Deepak always thought it was Fun, and this has always been a driving force in everything he decides to do in life...the way he see it:
If there is no Fun, there is no Motivation.
If there is no Motivation, there is no Consistency.
If there is no Consistency, there is no improvement.
Given the opportunity, he would like to assist in reminding everyone how awesome we can all be if we just remember to have Fun.