OUR HISTORY

Iloilo Kendo Club was founded by Ryan Gomez in 2013, intentionally naming it after the province to affirm its local identity and purpose. As a former Metro Kendo Club (MKC) member, he brought to Iloilo the discipline, standards, and spirit of established practice while adapting them to a new regional context. Notably, the club became the first kendo organization established outside the National Capital Region, a defining milestone that signaled the geographic expansion of Philippine kendo and proved that the art could take root beyond its traditional centers.

The club began in an office canteen in Iloilo City, with Gomez’s officemates serving as its first practitioners, a humble but determined start grounded in practicality and commitment. As participation grew, training relocated to the local Masonic Temple, providing a more stable venue conducive to sustained development. Over time, the Iloilo Kendo Club strengthened its position by hosting visits from local and foreign kendo clubs, reflecting both openness and ambition and reinforcing its intent to build credible ties within the broader kendo community through exchange, visibility, and shared practice.

OUR LOGO

 The Kamon shape is four squares that forms a diamond, with a katakana of ilo-ilo on each square (イ ロ  イ ロ)

Square symbolism illustrates the importance of believing in yourself and gives you the best way that will make you successful. It embodies the wholeness of the club despite not having a sensei

A square can symbolize solidity, foundation and be an influence that can ground people and make them feel more stable and dependable. It also represents structure, balance, logic and order as it is associated with the number 4 and relates to many symbols that are equally divided into 4. Examples:  4 seasons (winter, spring, summer, fall) 4 directions (north, south, east, west) 4 elements (air, water, earth, fire)

On the design, these 4 squares represents Ki-Ken-Tai-Ichi (気剣体一)

Ki-Ken-Tai-Ichi means the unity of mind, sword and body in Kendo and is essential on making a correct, beautiful and a valid cut/strike over an opponent.

気 Ki - Energy

剣 Ken - Sword

体 Tai - Body

一 Ichi - one / oneness or unity of the 3 elements

The 4 squares represent IKC being the 4th Kendo club to be established in the country after MKC, IGAKEN, and UPKen.

For its color, Red represents heightened emotion, strength, and power. It also calls us to action, gets us motivated, confident and ready to take on the world.

Logo/ Kamon Design and Conceptualization by:

- Rikki-kun [Art Director/ IGA Kendo Club Senior Member]