But one group of enthusiastic fans in Otago is making a move as the sport continues to grow across the region.
Kendo, which means the way of the sword, is a modern Japanese martial art in which participants use bamboo swords to strike opponents covered in protective gear.
It is based on how samurai used their swords during the Samurai era.
Otago's head instructor, Alan Stevenson, has been involved in the sport for 38 years and has been instrumental in the region's great progress in the past three years since moving to Dunedin.
But for Stevenson, kendo was more than just an activity.
“It's a way of life,” Stevenson said.
“Kendo means the way of the sword.”
“In fact, life is lived in a certain way, which will be different for each kendo practitioner.”
Stevenson, a seventh dan, joined Otago about three years ago with his wife Naoko, a fifth dan.
They bring plenty of experience to the Otago club, which has about 25 members and encouraged them to compete in the national championships recently.
It was the first time in six years that the national championships had been held and Otago performed well despite being a smaller club.
Otago brought home gold, silver and bronze medals, as well as two Fighting Spirit awards.
Oscar Berry and Liam Domett-Potts have also been approached to “run” for the 2027 World Championships.
“The Otago Kendo Club is starting to generate some real momentum,” Mr Stevenson said.
“I'm looking forward to playing against my former club in the next New Zealand Championships. [Auckland Kendo Club].
“There's still a lot of work to be done, but we see this as an achievable goal within the next three to six years.”
Mr Stevenson, a former president of the New Zealand Kendo Federation and current board member, is proud of the club's growth and is now outdone by some of his students.
The club also has a good relationship with Logan Park High School, where members train in the school gym and give many students a taste of the sport.
Stevenson became interested in kendo after reading a book by James Clavell. Shogun.
Then he had a chance encounter with kendo expert Brent Hanson and “that's where it all started.”
Stevenson was a founding member of the Auckland Kendo Club, achieved the highest rank of eighth dan and travelled the world with kendo.
But his focus is on Otago and helping them realise their potential.
In September he hopes to take the club to Wellington where Lembden Kendo Club is hosting New Zealand's largest and longest running Kendo tournament.
