Welcome to Kendo Tiger's Blog!

Hello everyone, and welcome to my (Clay Zhou’s) blog!

If you’ve made it this far, chances are you already know a little about me or my journey in Kendo. First of all, thank you for being here and for taking the time to read my thoughts.

To be honest, writing about myself has always felt a bit awkward—almost like an act of shamelessness. Compared to the many strong and admirable Kendo practitioners and teachers around me, my small efforts often feel insignificant. So when I first considered starting this blog, I was hesitant.

Are my experiences really worth sharing?

That changed when I attended a seminar where I truly felt the power of sharing. On stage were several remarkable female Kendo practitioners. What struck and inspired my friends wasn’t just their skill—but the way they openly talked about their ideas, choices, and personal experiences beyond the dojo. I realized that even the smallest detail in someone’s story can become nourishment for someone else, quietly strengthening hearts that are eager to grow.

From that moment on, I decided to let go of the self-criticism so many of us in Asia are trained to master, and just start writing.

So ......

here’s a brief introduction:

I’m Clay Zhou, born in Guangdong, China. I’ve been practicing Kendo for nearly ten years, with training experience across New Zealand, China, and now Australia, where I currently live.

Since early 2022, I’ve trained almost exclusively in Jodan (上段) and passed my 4th Dan grading using Jodan in early 2025 in Hong Kong.

Outside of Kendo, I’m a digital media and graphic designer, and I also run this small shop you’re currently visiting—all by myself. I’ve also been living with diagnosed depression for over six years and continue to take medication. For those curious, my MBTI is ENTP-A (yes, that trendy test!).

I’m also a furry culture enthusiast and own a realistic-style white tiger fursuit.

Hopefully, this gives you a clearer picture of who I am—both the parts you may know and the ones you don’t yet. These aspects of my life will appear throughout my writing, not to be glorified or concealed—but simply because they are part of who I am.

---------

Thank you again for reading. I look forward to meeting you again through my words.