Dojo Portrait: Kilikai: Frederiksberg Kendo Club Part I

  • Age: Second youngest club in Denmark

  • Size: GDPR

  • Name:: 桐会 (Kilikai) meaning a group of Royal Paulownia trees

  • Number of trainers: 2

  • Website: http://www.kilikai.dk

  • Training frequency: Twice a week

  • Training level: Mudansha with and without bogu


Why is the club called Kilikai? In East Asia the kili tree has a very special and positive meaning with many felicitous associations. However Momo specifically chose it both as a pun on ‘kilikaeshi’ and because a kili see grows out of earth that has been scorched in a great conflagration, something beautiful that grows out of something very sad. It’s a homage to the three trainers who started Kilikai and their tragic pasts, and to remind everyone that Kilikai is supposed to be a club where everyone is welcome.



Ulv Foerlev started kendo as a birthday present to his good friend Peter Christian. He is the vice president of the club and thinks a lot about how to make it the most inclusive kendojo in Denmark. 

Elias Englund is 15 years old and the youngest member to continue from last season. He is a natural leader and always happy to try something new!  

Zacharias Birkved and Christopher started kendo together in August. They are both only 13. They are looking forward to passing their bogu test, so they can beat up Ib-sensei. 

Roar O’Gara is 11 and Kilikai’s youngest member. He is very serious about kendo and has a great “fighting spirit”. His father trains HEMA, which is not available to children, so now Roar has found his own martial art.

Lorena Cruzo was always curious about kendo, but decided to finally try it after she saw that Kilikai had a female instructor. She is a part of the board of directors.  

Peter Hansen started kendo with his wife Lorena. He is Kilikai’s treasurer and one of the most enthusiastic members.

Valentin Skokov is from Estonia. He trained HEMA for six years before he started kendo and brings all his experience and understanding of martial arts culture with him.

Elise Xiong started kendo back in Beijing. She is 6kyu and joined the club both to continue kendo and make some good friends.

DKF Secretary