The Sei Tou Ken Yu Kai was formed in 1988 by Alex Bennett, following his 1 year Rotary Exchange to Chiba , Japan . Alex attended a Japanese high school, at which he began Kendo and reached the grade of 1st Dan. After he returned to Christchurch New Zealand, he made the decision to start one of the first ever Kendo clubs in New Zealand . With increasing interest among members, Alex went back and forwards to Japan to learn as much as he could about Kendo, in order to teach back home. Alex is currently living in Japan , and is now 6th Dan in Kendo.

Currently Alex’s younger brother Blake Bennett, a Kendo 4th Dan, leads the club in trainings. Having spent one year in Japan taking part in Japanese University and riot squad Kendo sessions. Recently, the Canterbury Kendo Club (Sei Tou Ken Yu Kai) won the gold medal in the South Island Kendo Championships team event and also holds first place in the Women’s Individuals.