About Us
Established in 1994, Nine Circles has grown to be Europe's biggest suppliers of traditional Japanese Budo Equipment. From our inception we have always stressed the importance of supplying quality Japanese Budo products at competitive prices.
Since our foundation we have specialised in top quality Iaido swords and we continue to do so to this day, with our ranges of high class Iaito and Shinken. Our ranges of Kendo armour are extremely popular throughout Japan where our manufacturers primarily distribute, and their quality is very well received throughout our European customer base. To complement these exquisite ranges, we offer a comprehensive array of Iaido and Kendo clothing and accessories.
We also cater to Aikido, Jodo and many other Koryu arts, and regularly add to and update our ranges to offer our customers trustworthy favourites and innovative new products. Nine Circles are the sole European distributors for a number of the worlds leading Budogu manufacturers and we pride ourselves on supplying an unrivalled sales and advisory service.
We do not have a shop or showroom and operate purely as a mail order and internet sales company at present. It is however possible to arrange appointments to visit us and view items, so please contact us if you would like to arrange a visit.
Staff Profiles
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Quentin Ball - Director
Quentin started Nine Circles after spending several years living in Japan studying the Gendai and Koryu Budo arts. Upon his return to the UK, Quentin identified a significant lack of availability of the quality equipment required for the serious practice of the Japanese arts. Quentin is a teacher and practitioner of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu and Sokaku Den Ono-Ha Itto Ryu Kenjutsu as well as several other Koryu arts. He has been actively practicing the Japanese arts for over 30 years and has acquired a vast expertise on the martial arts themselves and the equipment utilised in their practice. Quentin regularly visits Japan and Asia to both further his training and to source the best equipment to satisfy the high standards of our clients.
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Kazue Kawasaki - Company Secretary
Kazue has been involved in the company since its inception in 1994 and is an integral part of our team. In addition to playing a support role as a buyer for the company, dealing with our Japanese sources, as a native Japanese speaker, Kazue offers her significant experience and linguistic skills to translate our clients names for Kendo & Iaido Zekken, as well as for the embroidery service we offer. With a Japanese model for our business and with the supply of such specific Japanese cultural items, it is a great help to have Kazue on board as a constant source of reference and information.
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Martyn Reeves - Sales Manager
Martyn joined the Nine Circles team in 2001 and has witnessed major changes as the company has grown with it's success over the years. Martyn studied in Quentin's Dojo for over 10 years, undertaking a serious practice, primarily of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu and Ono-Ha Itto Ryu Kenjutsu. With a wide range of experience of both the Budo arts and of Nine Circles range of equipment, Martyn is usually available via our sales phone line to assist with any expert advice needed.
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Kirsty Harding – Sales Assistant
Kirsty is the newest addition to the Nine Circles team. Having studied Jujutsu in Quentin’s Dojo for many years as a junior member, Kirsty has dedicated many hours studying the intricacies of the specialised equipment offered by Nine Circles.
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Stephen Davies – Distribution Manager
Stephen started with us in 2006 and controls all aspects of distribution and warehouse management. Ensuring fast dispatch times and smooth stock movement is essential to our customer service aims and Stephen is instrumental in facilitating this on a daily basis.
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