Late in the year 2001 it was decided by the group practicing kendo at the University of Western Australia to give themselves a club name that would reflect both the composition of the group and the way in which it approached kendo training. After some discussion over several names, it was decided that we would be called "Go Shin Kai". One is strength or toughness and other meaning is Australia. "Shin" means spirit or hart, and "Kai" means group or association. We feel that this name reflects our character and the way in which we train. It summarizes what we strive for in our kendo training. Through vigorous training we strengthen our spirit and through our strong spirit we are able to push though difficult situations. At the 2002 National Australian Kendo Championships in Melbourne Victoria, Matsushima sensei together with Ogawa sensei, Takahashi sensei and Yoshimi Okabe presented the GoShinKai kendo club of Western Australia a flag to represent us. On this flag is written the character for "Challenge (Fighting spirits)". This is the motto for our club. This one word describes our efforts and our constant movement forward in Kendo. Our challenge is to improve ourselves, to improve our kendo skills, to advance the standard of kendo in our club and in Western Australia in general, and to contribute to and advance kendo in Australia. Challenges are always with us and this green flag with white characters represents the true nature of our club. The members of GoShinKai are committed to these values and the challenges that lay before them. We will continue to maintain and improve the standard of kendo, through the vigorous training of ourselves and by ensuring that our new members are correctly instructed.
